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    Enchanting Wedding Venues in the Free State: Your Guide

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    The Free State, with its vast open plains, majestic mountains, and charming small towns, offers a plethora of breathtaking wedding venues. Whether you’re envisioning a rustic barn celebration, a fairytale orchard ceremony, or a luxurious estate affair, the Free State has something to suit every couple’s dream. Here are some of the most beautiful and unique wedding venues in the province for 2025.

    R’new @Vaal – Vaal Dam

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    Situated along the banks of the Vaal Dam, R’new @Vaal offers a unique blend of nature and luxury. Couples can exchange vows within ancient Khoisan bushmen stone circles or in the heart of a magnificent Chartres Labyrinth, beautifully lined with roses, grapevines, and botanicals. The venue boasts luxuriously appointed rooms, a botanical gin distillery, and a homestead and spa for ultimate relaxation.

    Goose Hill Wedding & Guest Farm – Bethlehem

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    Nestled in the heart of the Free State, Goose Hill Wedding & Guest Farm offers a picturesque setting for your special day. The venue features a charming chapel, spacious reception area, and on-site accommodation, making it ideal for both intimate and grand celebrations.

    The Rosendal Country Retreat – Rosendal

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    Located in the quaint hamlet of Rosendal, The Rosendal Country Retreat is surrounded by the stunning Witteberge mountains. The venue features the charming Sandstone Chapel, perfect for a romantic ceremony, and offers two unique reception venues: The Gallery, a modern glass and steel space with mountain views, and the Ballroom, a larger venue with a cozy lounge and a magical ambiance created by thousands of fairy lights.

    Welgelegen Cherry Estate – Ficksburg

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    Known as the cherry capital of South Africa, Ficksburg is home to Welgelegen Cherry Estate. The estate offers a beautiful setting for weddings, with cherry blossoms in spring providing a stunning backdrop. The venue can accommodate up to 250 guests and offers on-site accommodation for a convenient and memorable experience.

    Lavender Hill Country Estate – Eastern Free State

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    Lavender Hill Country Estate is a breathtaking wedding venue situated in the Eastern Free State. With 25 hectares of perfect nature, the estate boasts exquisite gardens filled with roses and lavender, Arabian horses, exotic geese, and breathtaking views of the Maluti Mountains and Ash River. The venue offers a tranquil and romantic setting for your special day.

    Oranje Guest Farm – Between Fouriesburg and Clarens

    ORANJE GUEST FARM, FOURIESBURG - Businesses in Clarens

    Oranje Guest Farm is a working farm nestled among the beautiful mountains of the Eastern Free State, located between Fouriesburg and Clarens. The venue offers a rustic and charming setting for weddings, with breathtaking views of the Maluti Mountains and the Rooi Mountains. The farm provides a unique and memorable experience for couples seeking a countryside celebration.

    Bella Montagna – Eastern Free State

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    Nestled in the heart of the scenic Eastern Free State, Bella Montagna has been creating unforgettable wedding experiences since 2016. With breathtaking views, elegant facilities, and a warm, personalized touch, Bella Montagna provides the perfect backdrop for your special day. Whether you’re envisioning a rustic celebration or a sophisticated affair, Bella Montagna is where cherished memories are made.

    Sandstone Sleeper Estate – Ficksburg

    Sandstone Sleeper Estate is a unique venue located in Ficksburg, offering a blend of rustic charm and elegance. The estate features a beautiful chapel, spacious reception area, and on-site accommodation, making it ideal for both intimate and large weddings.

    Monte Bello Estate – Bloemfontein

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    Monte Bello Estate is a luxurious venue situated in Bloemfontein, offering a blend of modern amenities and rustic charm. The estate features a beautiful chapel, spacious reception area, and on-site accommodation, making it perfect for couples seeking a sophisticated celebration.

    Tuscan Rose – Bloemfontein

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    Tuscan Rose is a charming venue located in Bloemfontein, offering a romantic and intimate setting for weddings. The venue features a beautiful chapel, elegant reception area, and on-site accommodation, ensuring a memorable experience for couples and their guests.

    Tips for Choosing Your Ideal Venue in the Free State

    • 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: The Free State has varied climate zones. If part of your wedding is outdoors, ensure there is backup in case of rain (especially in the Free State 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-Inclusive 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: Lavender Hill Country Estate

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    Mpumalanga Wedding Venues: Majestic Settings for Your Dream Day

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    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

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