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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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Feature Image:  

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 

Picture: Nitida Wine Farm

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 

wedding venues cape town
Picture: Belair Pavillion / Instagram

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

Picture: Grande Provence

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

Picture: Die Woud

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

Picture: Muratie Canvas / Facebook

 

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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https://www.instagram.com/p/BpBnD6XH7fK/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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