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    Enchanting Wedding Venues in Port Elizabeth: Celebrate Your Love in the Heart of the Eastern Cape

    Port Elizabeth, now known as Gqeberha, is a coastal gem in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, offering a diverse array of wedding venues that cater to every couple’s dream. Whether you’re envisioning a romantic forest ceremony, an elegant country estate reception, or a rustic barn celebration, Port Elizabeth has the perfect setting for your special day.

    The Plantation – A Forest Fairytale

    Nestled in the tranquil surroundings of Lovemore Park, The Plantation offers a magical forest setting for your wedding. With an on-site chapel, ballroom, bridal suite, and honeymoon suite, it provides a comprehensive wedding experience. The venue can accommodate between 10 to 200 guests and offers in-house wedding planning services. Awarded Wedding Venue of the Year by the South Africa Prestige Awards 2023/24, The Plantation is renowned for its impeccable service and superb cuisine.

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    La Colline – Country Elegance with Scenic Views

    Located just 3 km from Port Elizabeth in the lush greenery of Theescombe, La Colline is a country estate offering a unique setting for weddings. The venue features a stone chapel overlooking a glistening pond, a wrap-around balcony, and a deck with a Bedouin tent. It can accommodate up to 130 guests with a dance floor and 150 without, providing a tranquil and private environment for your celebration.

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    Photo of wedding venue

    Ukuphupha – A Dreamlike Woodland Escape

    Ukuphupha, meaning “to dream,” lives up to its name by offering a woodland setting where natural light filters through the trees, creating a serene atmosphere for your ceremony. After exchanging vows, guests can proceed through a charming forest bridge to the reception area, surrounded by gardens illuminated by fairy lights. The venue also offers a honeymoon suite for the newlyweds.

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    Andante – Tranquil Countryside Charm

    Situated in the picturesque estate of Brooksdale, Andante Wedding Venue offers a tranquil countryside setting for your wedding. The venue is surrounded by lush green pastures, providing a serene and picturesque backdrop for your ceremony and reception .

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    The Boma – Rustic Elegance Under the Stars

    For couples seeking a rustic yet elegant setting, The Boma offers a unique experience. Located in Lovemore Park, the venue features a glass-enclosed restaurant, a large outdoor lawn, and a forest courtyard illuminated by fairy lights. It’s an ideal location for a naturally romantic and whimsical wedding celebration.

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    The Sentry at Hopewell Estate – Bushveld Beauty

    The Sentry, located within Hopewell Estate, offers a premier destination wedding venue surrounded by the picturesque natural beauty of the Eastern Cape bushveld. The outdoor tented chapel, set amidst a lush valley and encircled by rock-faced cliffs, provides a uniquely romantic atmosphere for your ceremony. The venue’s Vineyard Clubhouse offers a versatile space for your reception, with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

    Sourced: hopewellconservation.co.za
    Sourced: hopewellconservation.co.za

    Tips for Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue in Port Elizabeth

    • Consider Your Style: Determine whether you prefer a forest, country estate, rustic, or bushveld setting to match your wedding theme.

    • Guest List: Ensure the venue can comfortably accommodate your guest list.

    • Accessibility: Choose a venue that is easily accessible for your guests.

    • Budget: Consider your budget and choose a venue that offers packages within your price range.

    • Season: Check the best seasons for weddings in Port Elizabeth to ensure favorable weather conditions.

    Port Elizabeth offers a diverse range of wedding venues that cater to every couple’s dream. From the tranquil forests of The Plantation to the rustic charm of The Boma, the elegant settings of La Colline, and the bushveld beauty of The Sentry, you’re sure to find the perfect backdrop for your special day. Each venue provides unique experiences, ensuring your wedding is as memorable as your love story.

    Featured Image: La Colline

    Mpumalanga offers a magical mix of landscapes – from dramatic escarpments and forest hideaways to elegant estates and bushveld lodges. Here are some of the most beautiful wedding venues in the province that promise unforgettable memories.

    Kralinbergh Estate – Ermelo

    Set in an oak-forested, rural part of Mpumalanga, Kralinbergh Estate is heritage-rich and beautifully romantic.

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    What makes it special:

    • Offers both a spacious chapel (for indoor ceremonies) and a forest chapel outdoors under century-old oak & cedar trees.

    • Includes a honeymoon suite and guest accommodation in the original farmhouse, blending old-world charm with modern comforts.

    • Most wedding packages are inclusive: tables, chairs, crockery, cutlery, glasses, wait staff, bartenders, and some drinks & snacks.

    This is perfect for couples wanting a romantic countryside or farm wedding with rustic elegance and heritage.

    Whispering Thorns – White River / Lowveld

    Situated in the lush Lowveld, Whispering Thorns offers a countryside feel with refined touches.

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    Highlights:

    • A glass‐faced venue and chapel that lets light flood in.

    • Guesthouse accommodation for visitors: good for staying over.

    • Accommodates up to ~200 guests. Beautiful views over the Lowveld’s grasslands make for dramatic photographic backdrops.

    Ideal for medium‐to‐larger wedding celebrations with style, great natural lighting, and scenic surroundings.

    The Umbali Wedding Venue – Nelspruit

    Close to the city (but with elevated, scenic views), Umbali in Nelspruit is great for couples who want a mix of elegance and accessibility.

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    What it offers:

    • Panoramic views over the Kaapschehoop Escarpment and surroundings.

    • Careful landscaping, gardens, excellent service, and freedom to handle many of your wedding details through their event teams.

    • Ample parking, good access from the city, and in‐house infrastructure for receptions.

    Good for larger weddings, especially when many guests are travelling from the city or prefer something not too remote.

    Additional Venues & Natural Settings to Consider

    • Lowveld National Botanical Garden (near Mbombela) – lush gardens, indigenous trees, river views. Beautiful for ceremonies outdoors, especially among flora & waterfalls.

    • Casterbridge Hollow Hotel in White River – sophisticated, boutique, artistic vibe for couples seeking elegance mixed with charm.

    • Misty Mountain on Long Tom Pass – dramatic vistas of escarpments, ideal for photo shoots & nature lovers.

    Tips for Choosing Your Ideal Venue in Mpumalanga

    • Guest numbers vs lodging: Some venues are remote or boutique and may not have many rooms – account for accommodation and how many guests need to travel.

    • Weather & season: Mpumalanga has varied climate zones. If part of your wedding is outdoors, ensure there is backup in case of rain (especially in the Lowveld summer).

    • Accessibility & travel: For guests coming from Gauteng or abroad, proximity to major roads or airports can be important.

    • Photography & views: Many venues here offer spectacular natural scenery – escarpments, valleys, forests. Planning your ceremony time around light (morning, golden hour) will make a big difference.

    • All‐included vs extra costs: Some venues include furniture, cutlery, staff, drinks. Others charge them separately. Get quotes that show everything so there are no surprises.

    Featured Image: Whispering Thorns | Glass Wedding Venue

    There’s something magical about a beautifully lit space filled with towering trees and the smell of pine. Nature always has a way of calming the mind and rejuvenating the soul, so it’s no surprise that basking in the glow of a few sparkly fairy lights and the delights of Mother Nature makes for an incredible wedding venue.

    There is an array of mesmerising wedding spots in South Africa that make for the perfect forest wedding. If you’re in love with the idea of donning your bohemian wedding dress, grabbing your groom and getting married while being surrounded by a sea of tall trees, here are a few incredible forest wedding venues around South Africa to add to your list:

    Die Woud – Caledon, Western Cape

     

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    The Forest Walk Venue – Johannesburg, Gauteng

    Smitsfield Farm Venue – Lothair, Mpumalanga

     

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    Winery Road Forest – Cape Winelands, Western Cape

    De Uijlenes – Overberg, Western Cape 

    Beloftebos – Stanford, Western Cape 

    Picture: Instagram Bridgette Wuest