Where you get married is an integral part of the big day. You want your surroundings to be absolutely stunning and the photos to be a beautiful reminder of the day. We found these spectacular, slightly off-the-beaten-track venues to keep in mind as you go on the search of the perfect space.
Granny Mouse Country House
Considered one of the most romantic venues in the KwaZulu Natal Midlands, the Granny Mouse is a sight to see. The chapel has panoramic views over the Caversham Valley and is the perfect combination of countryside and luxury. It has an old time charm to it, and is far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life.
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Lord Milner Hotel
This venue is in a somewhat obscure place of the country, but trust us, you want to go there. On the fringe of the Karoo, the hotel is one of those rare places that takes you back in time and makes you feel like you’re not even in this century. Named after Lord Alfred Milner, the hotel is also a heritage site and was completed in 1899, and shortly thereafter served as the Headquarters of the Cape Western Command.
Forest Hall Estate
If you want a fairy tale inspired venue, this place is for you. Situated outside of Plettenberg Bay along the Garden Route, the venue is one with nature and has an enchanted forest look. Almost no need for expensive decor, as nature is your backdrop!
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Oranje Gasteplaas
It’s not news that Clarens in the Eastern Free State is arguably the view-mecca of the inland. Nestled in the Maluti mountains, you get the veld atmosphere without having to sacrifice class. Think open green fields, cattle grazing and mountainous peaks popping up all around.
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Flycatcher Castle
This awe inspiring structure is on the outskirts of Graskop towards God’s Window in Mpumalanga. Set in the style of a 17th century Italian castle, the venue is an experience in itself. The castle was constructed using hand picked relics and works of art to create a magnificent masterpiece set in one of the most beautiful areas of the country.
Picture: Matjiesfontein.com
Accessories are the final cherry on top of the cake. From jewellery to hair accessories, there are a host of additions that can be made to complete your…
Looking to get engaged soon? While there is no specific right time for everyone across the board, research has shown that people tend to get engaged on very particular days of the year.
If you’re waiting to propose or to be proposed to, one of these dates might be of significance in your future. These are the most popular days of the year to get engaged.
Christmas:
Christmas is one of the most popular Christian holidays of the year, so it makes sense that many people would get engaged on this day. Typically, people spend Christmas with their family, making it a great time for a proposal as everyone can celebrate together when the big question has been asked.
Valentine’s Day:
Of course the most romantic day of the year would be a popular time for engagements. Loved-up couples honour Saint Valentine by becoming betrothed on this special holiday. As a day particularly designed for romance, Valentines Day makes it easier to plan an elaborate proposal as your partner would not be suspicious of why you’re planning something.
Christmas Eve:
If Christmas is too stressful, Christmas Eve makes a perfect date to get engaged. Some families have a Christmas Eve dinner and exchange gifts then, instead of on Christmas itself. For Christmas lovers, the lead up to this festive event is just as fun and exciting. Because of this, Christmas Eve has become a popular date to get engaged.
New Years Eve:
The last day of the year makes for a great time for a proposal. People tend to be celebrating New Year’s Eve to usher in the new year, and are typically with their closest friends and family. This special day also provides a host of fun activities like watching fireworks, or going to a party. Those that decide to get engaged on this day thus start the new year on a high note.
New Year’s Day:
New Year’s Eve might be a bit too chaotic and busy for some people. On New Years Day, many people are reflective of their life and how they want to be better for the year ahead. Many have therefore chosen this day to begin the year with a big life change by getting engaged.
Anniversaries:
Anniversaries are dedicated days to celebrate your love and how far your relationship has come. Most couples tend to already have plans for their anniversary, and what better way to end it than with a proposal? It’s a great way to honour your love and commitment to one another.
Birthdays:
Birthdays are special days to honour someone’s life, making it the perfect time for a proposal. A ring makes for a great birthday present!
The Saturday before Valentine’s Day:
The Valentine’s spirit spreads the weeks before the lovers’ holiday. Considering most restaurants and vendors mark up their prices for Valentine’s Day, proposing the Saturday before the holiday makes for a more cost-effective time to propose while still having Valentine’s romance in the air.
Picture: Unsplash
Weddings have been happening since time immemorial. From the ancient Romans and Greeks to today’s millennials, weddings have stood the test of time as the ultimate symbol of…
Celebrations are best enjoyed with a glass of bubbly…or in this case, a black salt pineapple cocktail or a citrus whisky tonic. We’re here to help you reinvent your wedding cocktails, so our Wedding Etc food team is sharing their original cocktail recipes.
Oh yes, let the party begin!
Vodka & Pineapple Cocktail With Black Salt Rim
Makes: 6 cocktails
Difficulty: Easy
Tropical flavours are such a popular trend right now – we’ve glammed this up with the dark and mysterious black salt. The pineapple, paired with the mineral undertones of the black salt, creates a deliciously refreshing drink.
INGREDIENTS
6 cups pineapple juice
300ml Anestasia Vodka
12 blocks ice
12 tsp black salt
1 pinch salt
To serve
6 large slices of pineapple
6 pineapple leaves from the crown
METHOD
1. Combine the pineapple juice, vodka and ice in a cocktail shaker or in a large jug. Stir and allow to chill while you prepare the glasses.
2. Dip the rim of the glass in a small saucer filled with some pineapple juice, coating the rim.
3. Pour the black salt into another saucer, and roll the rim of the glass in the salt, allowing it to stick to the pineapple juice
4. Once the glasses are ready, pour the cocktail into the glass and add a pinch of black sea salt to each glass.
5. Serve the cocktail with a large slice of pineapple and garnish with one of the leaves from the crown.
Spumanté & Pomegranate Cocktail
Makes: 6
Difficulty: Easy
What is Spumanté, you’re wondering? It is a lovely, slightly sweet wine, with a fruity and floral undertone – and a lively sparkle! Paired with the sharp flavour of the pomegranate juice, this is a balanced and invigorating cocktail.
INGREDIENTS
1 bottle Ovation Spumanté, chilled
6 tsp honey
2 pomegranates, thinly sliced
½ cup pomegranate juice
METHOD
1. Divide the Spumanté between the glasses, and add 1 tsp of honey per glass. Stir to combine.
2. Garnish the edge of the glass with a thin slice of the pomegranate
3. Just before serving, pour a small amount of pomegranate juice into each drink.
4. Serve chilled.
Citrus Whiskey Tonic
Makes: 6 cocktails
Difficulty: Easy
Use any citrus juice you fancy for this drink – it really depends on how sweet or sour you like it. For a sparkling and glamorous finish, add a small pinch of edible gold glitter to the glasses.
INGREDIENTS
24 blocks ice
300ml American Barrels Bourbon whiskey
4 cups tonic
1 tbsp citrus juice (orange, grapefruit or lemon juice)
To serve
6 small pinches of edible gold glitter
METHOD
1. Divide the ice between 6 glasses, and top up with a double shot of bourbon in each glass.
2. Finish the cocktail by filling the glass with the tonic, and stir in a tablespoon of the citrus juice.
3. Serve immediately.
Gin, Berry & Lime With Cashew Snack Bucket
Serves/Makes: 4
Difficulty: Easy
The small snack bucket in the cocktail is a fun way to keep your guests satisfied while the couple is getting their photos taken. You can add any snacks you like!
INGREDIENTS
300ml Flowstone Bushwillow Gin
4 cups strawberry juice
To serve
6 cups crushed ice
1 ½ cups fresh raspberries
3 limes, halved and flesh removed
1 ½ cup raw cashews
METHOD
1. Combine the Flowstone Bushwillow Gin and the strawberry juice together, stirring thoroughly.
2. To serve, fill 6 glasses with the crushed ice and place a few fresh raspberries into each glass.
3. Pour the cocktail over the crushed ice.
4. To garnish, settle the halved lime into the crushed ice and fill with a quarter cup of cashews.
5. Serve immediately.
Honey Bubbles
Serves/Makes: 5 glasses
Difficulty: Easy
This trend is new to SA, but really ancient. Mead is a wine made from fermented honey, creating a distinct flavour like nothing you know.
INGREDIENTS
1 Bottle of Melaurea Mead Methode Traditionelle, chilled
To serve
6 small pieces of honeycomb
METHOD
1. Divide the Melaurea Mead between 5 glasses.
2. Garnish the side of each glass with a small piece of honeycomb.
As seen in Wedding Album Magazine 1/2019 issue. Out now!
Photographer: Andreas Eiselen
Photographer’s assistant: Sean Dollery
Stylist: Chiara Turilli
Stylist assistant: Brad Botha, Kate Turner and Elizabeth Mackenzie
Wedding dress shopping can be stressful. With so many cuts and styles available, brides can easily become overwhelmed by the options. To make things easier, here’s our wedding…
Displaying your napkins in a fun and different way will instantly upgrade each table setting and won’t cost you any extra money.
Take a look at these simple and achievable napkin displays and the impact they have on the place setting:
Napkin ring
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Pocket Fold
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Tie the knot
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Fanned out
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The drape
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Plate wrap
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Feature Image: Visual Poetry