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    Gauteng is a treasure trove of breathtaking wedding venues, offering diverse settings for every couple’s dream day—from verdant gardens and elegant estates to rustic countryside escapes. Here are some truly enchanting options to consider:

    Shepstone Gardens – Johannesburg

    Nestled in the heart of Jozi, this picturesque venue features lush gardens, a historic stone chapel, and a glass-roofed marquee. Ideal for sunset ceremonies that blend historic charm with nature’s beauty.

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    Morrells Boutique Estate – Northcliff

    This elegant estate evokes Provençal romance with manicured gardens and fragrant lavender and olive groves, perfect for an intimate, luxurious wedding experience.

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    The Munro Boutique Hotel – Johannesburg

    An urban gem offering panoramic views of Johannesburg’s green belt. Expect boutique-class sophistication, chic indoor spaces, and a lush poolside perfect for romantic receptions.

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    The Moon and Sixpence – Muldersdrift

    A serene countryside venue featuring rustic gardens and a charming thatched-roof chapel—ideal for nature-loving couples seeking a tranquil, romantic setting.

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    Oakfield Farm – Muldersdrift

    This award-winning venue combines rural charm with modern elegance. The glass-walled ceremony space surrounded by greenery creates a breathtaking, storybook wedding atmosphere.

    Inimitable Wedding Venue – Muldersdrift

    Stylishly contemporary, this venue offers riverside chapels and chic reception halls with striking glass and steel architecture, a modern luxury experience.

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    Memoire Wedding Venue – Muldersdrift

    Surrounded by majestic willows and oaks, Memoire presents a refined and glamorous setting with delightfully designed chapels and reception spaces.

    The Forest Walk Venue – Midrand

    A magical woodland venue featuring a forest chapel and draped reception area—perfect for a fairytale, nature-inspired wedding.

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    Cradle Valley Venue – Cradle of Humankind

    Rustic elegance meets heritage in this natural venue. Stone chapels and sweeping views of the surrounding reserve make this spot ideal for intimate, countryside celebrations.

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    Benedetto On Vaal – Vanderbijlpark

    Nestled along the Vaal River, this picturesque venue combines rustic charm with contemporary comforts—complete with a chapel, garden island, and scenic garden photo corners.

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    Riverside Country Estate – Near Johannesburg

    A waterside jewel with romantic gardens and willow trees. Choose from the intimate Willow Hall (40–120 guests) or the more grandiose Wisteria Hall for larger celebrations.

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    The Blades – Roodeplaat

    Set against a peaceful dam, this versatile venue offers chapel, hall, and garden ceremony options. Fairy lights and waterfront views craft a magical, elegant atmosphere.

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    Real Couple Insights

    Anecdotal recommendations from recently married couples add authenticity and a personal touch:

    “Oakfield Farm in Muldersdrift has a semi-open chapel surrounded by massive trees… the reception hall has big windows looking out over a lovely garden. It was gorgeous.”

    “Forest Walk Venue, honestly stunning, they have an outdoor glass chapel too.”

    Gauteng’s wedding venues offer a rich tapestry of styles, from garden romance to urban luxury, rustic countryside to heritage estates. Whether your heart is set on verdant gardens, forest backdrops, architectural elegance, or water-side serenity, you’re sure to find a venue that makes your 2025 wedding unforgettable.

    Featured Image: Riverside Country Estate

    The Northern Cape, South Africa’s largest province, offers a diverse array of breathtaking wedding venues that cater to every couple’s dream. From the arid beauty of the Kalahari to the lush banks of the Orange River, the region provides unique settings for a memorable celebration. Here are some of the most enchanting wedding venues in the Northern Cape for 2025:

    Naftali Estate – Kanoneiland

    Nestled between the mighty Orange River and lush vineyards, Naftali Estate offers a picturesque setting for weddings. Couples can exchange vows with the backdrop of vineyards and the tranquil river, creating a serene and romantic atmosphere.

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    Sweetfontein Karoo Lodge – Britstown

    Located in the heart of the Karoo, Sweetfontein Karoo Lodge combines rustic charm with modern elegance. The venue can accommodate up to 250 guests and offers both chapel and garden ceremonies, making it a versatile choice for couples seeking a blend of tradition and nature.

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    Karoo Gariep Wedding Venue – Hanover

    Set against the backdrop of the Karoo’s vast landscapes, Karoo Gariep Wedding Venue provides a tranquil setting for intimate weddings. With a capacity of up to 180 guests, couples can choose between chapel or garden ceremonies, ensuring a personalized experience.

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    Kalahari Sands – Kalahari

    For those seeking a unique desert wedding, Kalahari Sands offers an intimate venue with a capacity of up to 32 guests. The venue provides a serene and private setting, ideal for couples desiring a secluded celebration amidst the Kalahari’s vastness.

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    Tswalu Kalahari Reserve – Kalahari

    As one of South Africa’s most exclusive game reserves, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve offers a luxurious and intimate setting for weddings. Surrounded by the pristine wilderness of the Kalahari, couples can exchange vows in a truly unique and private environment.

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    Augrabies Falls National Park – Augrabies

    For couples who appreciate nature’s grandeur, Augrabies Falls National Park provides a dramatic backdrop with its 60-meter waterfall and rugged terrain. The park offers various venues for ceremonies, including areas with panoramic views of the falls, ensuring a spectacular setting.

    Witsand Nature Reserve – Witsand

    Known for its unique ‘singing sands,’ Witsand Nature Reserve offers a mystical setting for weddings. The reserve’s vast dunes and tranquil environment provide a serene and unforgettable location for couples seeking a distinctive wedding experience.

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    Hantam National Botanical Garden – Nieuwoudtville

    During spring, the Hantam National Botanical Garden bursts into a kaleidoscope of wildflowers, offering a vibrant and colorful setting for weddings. With its diverse plant species and scenic landscapes, the garden provides a picturesque venue for nature-loving couples.

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    Kimberley Club – Kimberley

    For couples interested in history and elegance, the Kimberley Club offers a stately venue with a rich heritage. Established in 1881, the club has hosted royalty and dignitaries, providing a sophisticated setting for weddings with a touch of class.

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    Kgalagadi Lodge – Kgalagadi

    Situated in the arid beauty of the Kgalagadi, Kgalagadi Lodge offers a unique setting for weddings. With a range of accommodations and facilities, couples can enjoy a blend of comfort and adventure in this remote and stunning location.

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    The Northern Cape offers a diverse range of wedding venues, each with its unique charm and character. Whether you’re drawn to the serene vineyards along the Orange River, the dramatic landscapes of the Kalahari, or the rich history of Kimberley, the province provides unforgettable settings for your special day. As you plan your 2025 wedding, consider these enchanting venues to create lasting memories.

    Featured Image: Pixels

    It’s wedding season, which means venues are getting calls from brides and grooms all over South Africa. But where to book your big day?

    A new study is spilling the tea on the most popular wedding venues around the world, collecting data from TripAdvisor and Instagram.

    The wedding financial experts at money.co.uk analysed TripAdvisor to reveal the venues with the most mentions of ‘weddings’ in their reviews and then used Instagram data to discover which ones have been shared the most on the platform and ranked them from highest to lowest.

    The data has since revealed the most popular venues in the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

    So, just which South African venues made the cut?

    The Oyster Box in Durban takes the number one spot with nearly 8000 Instagram hashtags and over 100 mentions on TripAdvisor. Avianto in Johannesburg comes in at number two, while Cape Town’s Cavalli Estate swoops in at number.

    Here’s a look at other incredible wedding venues: 

    If you’re planning a destination wedding and looking for the full list, check it out here. Otherwise, here’s a closer look at what makes these venues so special:

    The Oyster Box 

     

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    Avianto 

     

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    Cavalli Estate

     

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    You’re on the hunt for the perfect wedding venue in Cape Town but don’t know where to start? With so many incredible venues to choose from in the Western Cape, it can be a tough choice to make. But don’t fret, we have you covered.

    Here are six Cape Town wedding venues we can’t get enough of right now:

    Nitida Wine Farm 

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    Why we love it: 

    Nestled along the Durbanville Wine Route, this dreamy wedding venue provides an intimate setting for bridal couples looking for something quaint. Gorgeous views of the Cassia dam and the rolling vineyards aren’t too bad either for those all-important wedding pictures.

    • Location: Durbanville, Western Cape
    • Contact: 021 976 0640

    Belair Pavillion 

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    Why we love it: 

    If you’re looking for that WOW factor, then look no further than this exquisite venue in the heart of Paarl. The award-winning venue offers incredible views of the surrounding landscape and a light and airy space with which to soak it all in.

    • Location: Suid-Agter-Paarl Road, Paarl
    • Contact: 083 987 2264

    Grande Provence Heritage Wine Estate

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    Why we love it: 

    Is there anything more romantic than a French-inspired wedding venue? Perhaps there is, but there’s nothing wrong with pretending you’re in the South of France. Grande Provence in Franschhoek offers bridal couples a beautiful blend of romance, elegance and lush greenery with a restaurant on-site to help you whip up something delicious for your guests.

    • Location: Main Road, Franschhoek
    • Contact: 021 876 8600

    Blaauwklippen Wine Estate

    Picture: Blaauwklippen Wine Estate

    Why we love it: 

    It’s not just the good food and wine Blaauwklippen is renowned for, it also offers a magical wedding venue for bridal couples looking for something their guests will never forget. The venue is a custom-designed glass structure – the perfect setting for dancing under the moonlight or watching the sun dip behind the Stellenbosch mountains.

    • Location: Strand Road, Route 44 Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch
    • Contact: 021 880 0133

    Die Woud

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    Why we love it: 

    Die Woud is a “place where dreams are realised” with bridal couples saying “I do” under towering wattle trees and oak trees. The glass marquee is another gorgeous feature of this venue and is ideal for nature lovers as the natural elements form part of your wedding ceremony.

    • Location: N2, Myddleton, Caledon
    • Contact: 082 930 1688

    Muratie Canvas

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    Why we love it: 

    Located on the gorgeous Muratie Wine Estate, the venue offers a 20×20 space, beautiful views of Cape Town and a sprawling grass area for your guests to mingle. It’s a great option for bridal couples looking for an intimate setting which immerses guests in nature.

    • Location: Knorhoek Rd, Koelenhof, Stellenbosch
    • Contact: 082 744 9144

    Feature Image: Muratie Wine Estate

    Hear the distant roars of wild lions while watching the blazing African sunset at none other than Limpopo’s finest Abelana Game Reserve — the perfect place to escape the bustle of everyday life and dive into a little romance.

    2020 was a tough year for the travel industry, and many love birds had to put their wedding day on hold. But now, all that’s left to focus on is a whole lot of love as couples across the world get ready to say “I do”.

    It’s time for love to take center stage and there’s no better way to celebrate than at one of the most gorgeous locations in South Africa.

    Welcome to Abelana Game Reserve…

    A history of union with Abelana Game Reserve’s first bush wedding: 

    Situated on 15 000 hectares of pure unadulterated beauty, Abelana welcomed their first bride and groom on the scenic Malati Weir.

    An intimate, mid-afternoon gathering saw no more than 42 guests come together in celebration of the couple, who said yes to forever with panoramic views overlooking the Selati River, which only enhanced the already magical moment. 

    The dinner reception was a classic-chic affair hosted at the Abelana River Lodge with not much of the lodge altered in terms of decor — raw beauty. A beaming bride and groom ensured that Abelana’s first bush wedding was the perfect African-ever-after. 

    Saying “I do” at Abelana Game Reserve 

    There’s something uniquely indescribable about being serenaded by the sounds of the bushveld, and Abelana is hoping to bring boatloads of African ambience to your wedding day.

    Located just a 5 hours drive from Johannesburg, the luxury lodge is now launching its bespoke wedding package to the public. The perfect bushveld wedding is not only available but accessible to brides and grooms ready to tie the knot. 

    Thanks to Abelana Game Reserve, Limpopo’s burnt skies and natural brilliance are just a booking way from becoming your wedding reality.

    Couples can expect only the best service from the Abelana team with wedding packages including, but not limited to: 

    • A dedicated team was allocated to attend to the bride and groom on the wedding day 
    • A complimentary Abelana wedding cake  
    • A romantic turndown 
    • Luxurious king-suite accommodation for up to 40 overnight guests
    • All standard accommodation inclusions apply to overnight guests, such as meals and game viewing activities

    COVID-19 has played a big part in wedding plans, but an intimate bush wedding still remains an attractive prospect for couples who are considering the implications of the pandemic.

    COVID precautions are the lodge’s top priority and nothing beats naturally wide-open spaces, fresh air, and ample room for social distancing that’s offered when choosing to book your wedding here. 

     

    Abelana River Lodge follows stringent protocols to protect tourists, wedding guests and staff, including: 

    • Guest temperatures are scanned on arrival at the reserve gate, and each guest completes a contact-tracing and general wellness form.
    • Staff temperatures and wellness are assessed and recorded on a daily basis.
    • All staff are required to wear a mask at all times, and to sanitise their hands frequently.
    • Guests are required to wear their masks in the lodge’s indoor public areas.
    • All suites are rested between guest stays.
    • Hand sanitising stations are positioned at all entrances to the lodge and hand sanitiser supply is available on each game viewing vehicle.
    • All surfaces are wiped down with sanitiser on a regular basis, and game viewing vehicles are wiped down between each game drive.

    So, what are a few things that brides and grooms-to-be should consider when planning their “safari wedding?” 

    “Wedding couples should be passionate about nature, animals and bush life. Don’t be too attached to the timing of your big day. Out here, we could run into any number of situations that could delay the whole itinerary. We encounter roadblocks – not the city kind – and detours created by fallen trees and wildlife. We may put a plan in place, but when you come face-to-face with a breeding herd of elephants, we wait; you wait – everyone waits. It’s part of the magic,” says Natalie Roberts, assistant lodge manager. 

    Ready to book the venue of your dreams and say “I do” while immersed in nature? 

    For more information on the lodge and its wedding packages, please contact Bryan West at 061 952 4302 or [email protected]

    Pictures: Abelana Game Reserve

    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.

    Credit: Matjiesfontein.com
    Credit: Matjiesfontein.com

     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.

    Credit: Facebook
    Credit: Facebook

    Picture: Matjiesfontein.com