South African Wedding Venues | Just another Blog.com weblog

Apr 6 2011

Our new website

It was a long process but we have finally relaunched the wedding venue website www.saweddingvenues.com. Come and have a look.

Finding the perfect wedding venue for you has just become that much easier! Welcome the beautiful world of weddings. We have also launched a new wedding blog, filled with interesting wedding tips and trends. Check it out www.idoidoido.co.za

Lets get planning!

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Oct 20 2010

Summer Wedding

Summer is by far the best time to get married in South Africa. The weather is good and the living is easy. It is not therefore hard to believe that wedding venues in South Africa get booked up way in advance in the summer months and booking your dream wedding venue may become a bit difficult. Experts have said that summer 2010/2011 will be an extremely wet one thanks to La Niña which brings on colder wetter weather. So if you are planning on getting married in South Africa this summer best to check with your wedding venue that they have a back up plan if the weather turns. Cape brides however can breathe a sigh of relief because we enjoy very dry hot summers compared to the rest of the country and chances that we will be affected by La Niña are slim.

Getting married on the beach during the summer is often a dream for many brides and looking at our gorgeous beaches in South Africa it is not hard to see why. When choosing your wedding venue on the beach it is important to check details such as when the sun sets and what the tide timetable will be on your wedding day. Also make sure that the venue has a backup plan if the weather is not good on the day. The West Coast in the Western Cape is a great area to get married this summer. The weather is sure to be fantastic and the beaches are picture perfect. There are a variety of quaint little towns to choose from. The Overberg is always a popular choice to get married at and it is not hard to understand why. Pretty scenery and beautiful value for money wedding venues make this an accessible option for people living in Cape Town and in the Overberg area. The Garden Route has some magical venues. Although there has been an awful drought in the area in the past couple years the area is finally recuperating and looking stunning. You can also expect dry conditions here this summer and can count on a rain free day. KwaZulu Natal is notorious for its rainy summers so be careful. But resourceful wedding planners will be sure to have a back up plan for you just in case. The beautiful rugged coast line is perfect for your beach wedding and there are plenty of wedding venues to choose from. And of course there is the amazing Mozambique, my personal favorite. Prices are steep so I only recommend this option to brides with a rather large budget. Getting to the venue is difficult and expensive but once you are there it is well worth the trouble.

8 Hot Wedding Trends for Summer 2010/2011 courtesy of MSN.com

Trend: Dynamic Colors

Bright hues are popular for summer weddings. But if you try to use too many colors in one space, you might wind up with a look that’s more carnival than nuptial.

What’s hot now: Think sophisticated brights. Sticking with just two hues (or two plus an accent color) will keep your space unified. Rather than splashing color all over your reception space, use one dynamic color for a strong statement — think all-pink centerpieces or bold orange table linens. This holds especially true for your centerpieces: Instead of multicolored centerpieces, alternate single-color floral arrangements for a pulled-together look.

Trend: Upscale Picnic Food

Summer is the season for barbecuing, so consider serving a grilled entree for instant seasonal style. Rather than going for heavier fare like steak or pulled pork, stick to the lighter side with chicken or fish. Bringing in fruity flavors will add even more seasonal flair — think chili-lime rubbed chicken breasts or grilled tilapia topped with mango salsa.

What’s hot now: Go for upscale picnic-style fare, which is both a low-maintenance and high-style way to go. One example menu we love: coconut-fried chicken served with dipping sauces, red bliss potato salad, and mandarin orange and mesclun salad with raspberry vinaigrette. The options are endless (and delicious!).

Trend: New Themes

Basic beach or garden themes are classic for the summer. Instead of a generic setting or theme, take the personal route.

What’s hot now: Think of your favorite summer hangouts when planning your theme. Rather than just any beach, bring in elements specific to the beach you remember as a kid. If it was a cabin in the woods, go for a mountain theme. Another idea: Honor your honeymoon destination. If you’re having a garden wedding but honeymooning in Hawaii, add orchids to your bouquets or fill the bottoms of your centerpiece vases with black lava rocks.

Trend: Unexpected Invitations

Letterpressed invites in ivory and black are still as popular and elegant as ever. But if you want to go for something a little more unexpected, ultra-creative wedding invitation designers definitely have color and printing options for you.

What’s hot now: Use colors in a new and unexpected way on your invites by reversing the typical invitation color scheme. For example, rather than using fuchsia lettering on a cream-colored invite, opt for cream print on fuchsia paper. Or mix it up — do the cream-colored invite with fuchsia writing, and then a bright pink reply card with a cream-colored font. Consider the material of your invite as well. One hot-off-the-press idea: Get fabric-printed invites, programs, and escort cards for a laid-back look perfect for summer.

Trend: Wine Smoothies

Your guests will definitely want something cold and frosty, but margaritas and daiquiris can be had at any summertime bar. Instead, go for a libation that’s a little out of the ordinary.

What’s hot now: Wine smoothies are cold, frosty, and pack less of an alcoholic punch than margaritas. Perfect for your cocktail hour and as a signature drink for the evening, ask your caterer about serving one of these concoctions. A wine smoothie consists of a fruity wine, like rose, blended with ice and fruits of your choice. Garnished with a couple of berries or fruit slices, it makes for a refreshing and unexpected signature sip.

Trend: Natural Centerpieces

Cut citrus fruit is a tried-and-true favorite for summertime centerpieces, but other options out there are more unexpected and just as visually appealing.

What’s hot now: Love fruit but want something new? Have your florist use hollowed-out watermelons as a centerpiece container for a casual look that’s fun and seasonal. Another option is to go natural and green with your containers. Incorporate wooden vases or pedestals with grass or moss to give centerpieces a textured, natural feel.

Trend: Beyond Wedding Cake

White wedding cakes are popular for every season, and of course, chocolate always reigns for groom’s cakes. But with cake bakers nowadays offering so many delectable flavors and fillings, why not try a seasonal selection?

What’s hot now: Get inspired by the summer flavors you loved as a child. Think fresh strawberries and whipped cream filling for a strawberry shortcake-style wedding cake, or a citrus-infused filling like Key lime, lemon, or orange vanilla buttercream that honors a summertime fruit. Beyond the cake, consider serving other desserts. A big-hit idea we love: Hire an ice cream truck to arrive at the end of the night offering summertime favorites — the perfect nostalgic, late-night snack for your guests.

Trend: Eco-Friendly Favors

Classic summer favors like flip-flops and drink koozies will always satisfy, but why not give back to the planet while you give back to your guests?

What’s hot now: Eco-friendly favors are bigger than ever, particularly if you’re taking advantage of natural beauty and marrying outdoors. One idea: Give guests locally grown herbs planted in recyclable glass jars or tin cans. Dressed up with ribbon or paper in your wedding colors, they’re gorgeous and good for the earth. Beyond plants, you might also consider donating to a local charity for a wedding favor idea that never goes out of season.

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Nov 17 2009

Wedding Venues

Wedding venues

South Africa has been a favoured location for many years for wedding venues because of its sheer beauty and value for money and has seen an increase in the amount of weddings over the years. There are many amazing wedding venues out there and it can be difficult at times to find the perfect venue for you with all that choice. To find the perfect wedding venue look no further than our site. It has the best beach wedding venues, bush wedding venues, city wedding venues, wineland wedding venues and country wedding venues.

Our beach wedding venues are primarily situated in the Cape. The Cape boasts pristine coastlines with powder white beaches and clear waters. It is of no surprise that Cape Town weddings are becoming more and more popular with couples throughout South Africa and foreigners alike. A beach wedding in Cape Town is guaranteed to be a spectacular experience. The Garden Route also offers amazing beach weddings and offers a great destination for a truly special wedding. Finally KwaZulu Natal offers beach wedding venues that are unparallel in beauty and favorable climate. Whether it is a sultry summer wedding or a warm winter wedding you cannot go wrong with a beach wedding in KwaZulu Natal. For those more intimate weddings and for those with an adventurous spirit we also feature great wedding venues in Mozambique, Zanzibar and Mauritius.

Wedding venues in the Cape winelands are world famous as offering the very best that South Africa has. The great views in the region can be seen from most of the wine farms in the winelands. We have beautiful Paarl wedding venues, Somerset West wedding venues, Cape Town wedding venues, Stellenbosch wedding venues, Franschhoek wedding venues, Darling wedding venues, Riebeek Kasteel wedding venues and Breede River valley wedding venues. Small and intimate wineland weddings can get lost in the winelands as most wedding venues cater for larger weddings, but we really have them all, so have a look!

City weddings are great for those who don’t want to travel too far out of their comfort zone and want to take advantage of the beautiful cities in South Africa. It is for this reason there is not much point in looking any further. A Cape Town wedding guide to the best venues is available as well as wedding venues around the major cities in Southern Africa such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban wedding venues.

Or perhaps you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and get married in some of the beautiful locations in the country. You would be surprised to know how many beautiful wedding venues there are around Johannesburg. They are in fact so secluded that you would never guess that you are so close to the city. The countryside around Cape Town is beautiful. We also feature country wedding venues around the Garden Route, the Free State, North West province and Mpumalanga.

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Oct 21 2009

Wineland Weddings

Wineland weddings

When thinking of weddings in the Cape one automatically thinks of a wineland wedding and there are a number of reasons for this. The wineland region of the Cape is absolutely spectacular in its beauty and creates a backdrop for a wedding that is beyond compare. Wineland wedding venues are so simple to find on www.saweddingvenues.com. You can see and compare different venues and see which wedding venue best suits your needs for your wedding. Whether you are planning a grand affair with over 150 guests or a simple and intimate wedding with you close family and friends the perfect wineland wedding venue is out there waiting for you to find it.

Stellenbosch wedding venues

Stellenbosch is a picturesque university town located a convenient 45 minutes from Cape Town and is often the first place people look when starting the search for their dream wineland wedding venue. We feature the following Stellenbosch wineland wedding venues on Saweddingvenues.com.

Blaauwklippen

Blaauwklippen is one of the Western Cape wine region’s oldest and most respected wine farms and also strives to be one of its friendliest and most welcoming for your wineland wedding.

Klein Bottelary

If you are looking for the original Cape wineland wedding with elegance – Klein Bottelary is just the place! We will make your special day perfect.

Stellenrust.

Nestled between the Stellenbosch and Helderberg mountains with a breathtaking view over Cape Town and its majestic Table Mountain, Stellenrust’s modern facility is only the begining of amazing possibilities for your perfect Cape wedding.

Backsberg Estate

Backsberg lies on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains, equidistant from Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. This is the ideal location to host a wedding in the heart of the Cape winelands surrounded by history and old Cape Heritage, spectacular views and a wonderful ambiance

Nooitgedacht

Nooitgedacht is a 300-year-old wine estate bordering the picturesque town of Stellenbosch in the Cape Wine Lands, South Africa and the perfect venue for your Cape wineland wedding.

Clouds Estate

Clouds Estate is an undiscovered gem in the heart of the Stellenbosch / Farnschhoek Winelands for your exquisite Cape Wedding. Situated at the top of the Helshoogte Pass, this unique 4.5 hectare estate overlooks the beautiful Banhoek Valley, edged by the majestic Drakenstein mountain ranges. We will organise your perfect wineland Cape wedding.

Webersburg

Set amidst rolling vineyards and towering mountains, Webersburg is one of the most sought after venues in the Stellenbosch winelands.

Paarl Wedding Venues

Paarl is a beautiful wineland town nestled in between majestic mountain and is easy to access from Cape Town making it an obvious choice when planning your wineland wedding. We have the following wineland wedding venues in Paarl:

Bakenhof

Allow Bakenhof to host the most beautiful day of your life – where your memories will be captured and where you will experience romantic hours which you will fondly remember for as long as you live.

Palmiet Valley Wine and Country Estate

Wineland weddings at Palmiet Valley are very special. A cellar wedding at Palmiet is a unique feature of this beautiful estate. Many couples choose to get married in the Estate’s beautiful gardens with only the sky and the majestic mountains and vineyards as the backdrop.

Le Bac Manor

Nestled among wineyards Le Bac Manor enchants. It`s our passion, our pride… Le Bac Manor serves as a beautiful wedding venue and the design blends old and new, akin to the excellent wines & meticulously prepared cuisine we serve.

Kronenburg

Surrounded by majestic mountain views, vineyards and beautiful sunsets, Kronenburg is ideal for a Cape wedding day in the Winelands never to be forgotten. Surrounded with natural beauty and a unique ambience, the entire estate is yours for your perfect Cape wedding day.

Darling and Malmesbury

It might be off the beaten track but there are many reasons why you would want to get married in this region. See for yourself by looking at our fabulous wedding venues in the are:

Cloof Wine Estate

The West Coast village of Darling is home to artists, actors, retired financiers, farmers and other interesting people (we’d count ourselves amongst those). Cloof offers a romantic Cape wedding venue in the Cape Winelands and plenty more.

Allesverloren

Have your Cape wedding at Allesverloren. We are approximately 100km northeast of Cape Town, lying below the Kasteelberg. This, the oldest wine estate in the Swartland, which is renowned for its red wines, now has a stunning new air-conditioned wedding venue for your perfect Cape wineland wedding.

Fynbos Mountain Retreat

We are to be found an hour’s drive up the west coast from Cape Town, just outside the town of Malmesbury. Situated in a hidden kloof of the Paardeberg, our lovely farm nestles against the mountains, tranquil and faraway, yet within easy reach.

Franschoek

There is a reason why this area is so sought-after by so many people as the natural beauty is evident everywhere. The picture perfect historic buildings that line the streets of this small town create an atmosphere reminiscent of a bygone era. Have a look at our gorgeous wedding venues:

Allee Bleue

Celebrate your special Cape Wineland wedding at Allee Bleue, an established historical wine farm, accentuated by avenues of trees, meandering rivers and breathtaking views. We have everything to make your Cape wedding a memorable occasion.

Rickety Bridge Winery

You will find the very special ambience of Rickety Bridge Winery the ideal wineland wedding venue for your Cape wedding day. The mood is one of understated elegance and the surrounding scenery is sublime, perfect for your Cape Wedding.

Boschendal

Plan your Cape wedding day in the lush gardens on one of the oldest wine farms in the New World with a French viticultural heritage dating back to 1685. Built in 1812, the Manor House is an excellent example of Cape Dutch Architecture. Your wineland wedding would be unforgettable at our Cape wedding venue!

La Residence

With its unique location and spectacular views, La Residence is the ideal venue for weddings. We pride ourselves in giving warm personalised service and exceptional cuisine thus ensuring an unforgettable experience for you and your guests.

L’ermitage Chateau & Villas

L’ermitage village offers the perfect setting for those who want to make their wedding really special and romantically unique. The champagne air off the fields of fynbos, the embrace of the Franschhoek Mountains and the spectacular natural setting promises to make L’ermitage weddings a much sought after attraction.

Cape Town wineland wedding venues

With the natural beauty that is Cape Town there is no need to travel too far when looking for a wedding venue for your wineland wedding. Cape Town is blessed with a fabulous climate and historic wine estates for your wedding. Our venues in Cape Town include:

Simons at Groot Contantia

Cape Town has so much to celebrate and even more so for your Cape Town wedding – good times, good weather, good friends, or just a stunning wedding venue, and Simon’s ensures good food in a great setting for ensuring a memorable day.

D’Aria Estate

D’Aria Estate is designed to awaken and celebrate the senses – to see, to smell, to touch, to taste, to hear and to feel. We invite you to follow your heart to D’Aria and experience your wedding here!

Meerendal

Romance will lead you down paths you never knew existed. Celebrate your wedding day in the tranquil setting of Meerendal’s vineyards, wheat fields & mountain views. Exchange your vows in our quaint wooden, candle-lit chapel.

Cassia Restaurant

Cassia has its feet in the water, its face to the mountains and is wrapped in views of vineyard, moving water and hilly horizons. Its architectural simplicity is a contemporary reflection of classic Cape Heritage. Cassia’s beautiful natural setting makes it a wonderful country venue for a romantic wineland wedding.

Constantia Uitsig

Set amongst the lush vineyards of the scenic Constantia Valley, the Estate affords a peaceful and elegant setting, providing the perfect location for your Special Day.

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Aug 4 2009

Intimate Weddings

With the harsh economic climate there has never been a better time to have an intimate wedding with only your friends and family who are really close invited or even just the 2 of you. Second marraiges are also the perfect intimate wedding occassions as most people doing it for the second time don’t want a wedding that is over the top and extravagant and simply want in intimate wedding that will allow them to celebrate love and partnership.

South Africa in my opinion is a perfect option for an intimate wedding location. We just have so many beautiful locations to choose from you will be spoilt for choice.

As an experienced wedding planner I have been able to see first hand the best places to get married at in South Africa and here they are:

1. Grootbos Nature Reserve – Grootbos Nature Reserve is the perfect location for a romantic and intimate wedding near Cape Town. Located in a picturesque nature reserve the area is famed for its Fynbos, Milkwood forests and long white sandy beaches. Get married in the forest or on the beach, the choice is yours. The accommodation is nothing but the best and the honeymoon suite even boasts its own private plunge pool. The food is another highlight at the reserve and will have your mouth watering at the very thought long after you have left. Grootbos has a very sweet and simple wedding package specifically designed for a stress free wedding!

2. Madikwe Game Reserve – The Madikwe Collection is a select portfolio of lodges that has been put together to offer an eclectic choice of accommodation within the world renowned Madikwe Game Reserve in the North West Province of South Africa. Ranging from the family orientated style bush retreats to truly sumptuous 5 star luxury appointments; this collection has been created to ensure that your safari is tailor-made with the finest products in the Madikwe Game Reserve. The staff are warm and friendly and eager to ensure that your wedding is perfect. There is a fabulous wedding package on offer at Madikwe that covers everything!

3. Singita Lebombo – If money is no object for your intimate wedding then the best place to get married is at Lebombo. Located near the Lebombo Mountain range in Singita, a concession in the Kruger National Park, Singita Lebombo offers the ultimate safari experience for couples. The architecture is awe inspiring and the interior design of the lodge is beyond comparison. Weddings at Singita Lebombo are designed to suit the couple’s needs and believe me nothing is too much to ask for at this lodge!

4. Bushmans Kloof – I love Bushmans Kloof as an intimate wedding venue as it has so much to offer. Their weddings that they have done in the past are magnificent with such amazing attention to detail. It is about 4 hours from Cape Town, so far enough away to let you feel that you getting out of the city, but not too much of a schlep. The landscape is amazing and at night the stars blanket the skies. Perfect for an intimate wedding near Cape Town!

5. Z Hotel Zanzibar – The Z Hotel in Zanzibar has been voted the best hotel in Zanzibar on Trip Advisor and it is not hard to see why. The décor is beautiful and the hotel is located right on the picture perfect beaches. The Z Hotel is located on the northern tip of Zanzibar Island. Get married on beach with the crystal clear waters lapping at your feet or get married on the deck with the ocean as your backdrop. It really is paradise.

073-jasminastefan

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Aug 3 2009

Wedding Venue Z Hotel Zanzibar

Wedding Venue of the day goes to the Z Hotel in Zanzibar.

This beautiful hotel is located in the north of Zanzibar near the town of Nungwi amd makes the perfect idylic tropical wedding venue in Southern Africa. Hotel Z has been voted by Tripadvisor as the top hotel in Zanzibar and it is not hard to see why. Hotel Z offers tailor made wedding packages that will suit all couple. Getting married in Zanzibar has never been easier and more affordable than at Hotel Z.

Your Wedding at Z Hotel

Get married on the unspoilt beach or on the deck at the Z Hotel with the azure ocean in the background.

We can accommodate weddings of up to 70 people.

Wedding Package

Rates will differ for the amount of people in the wedding party, and extras can be arranged and added, within reason, on request of the wedding party.

Guests will need to be in the country at least 3 days before ceremony.

Processing of all documentation

Transportation of the Registrar to the hotel

Marriage certificate

Registration fees

Commissioner for Oaths fees

Wedding cake (small) if larger needed will be an additional cost (optional)

For USD$450.00

Additions:

Wedding floral arch/s available at cost of $55

Basic flowers and décor $40

Moet $90 per bottle