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In Destination

Six haunted wedding venues to get married in

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If you or your partner are into the more scary side of life, you may be wondering how to incorporate this into your wedding. You may think it’s impossible, but it’s not. A haunted wedding venue is a perfect option to include on your special day.

It may sound strange, but the architecture is usually stunning so it adds to the ambience and it would be a cool and unusual twist.

Here are six haunted wedding venue examples:

– Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield, Ohio

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This Gothic-styled building in Ohio was formerly a correctional facility which housed more than 155 000 men. There are 215 graves outside the building and many visitors claim to have experiences with paranormal entities.

There have been reports of guests being pushed and punched, cellar doors slamming closed, shadow sightings, and voices in the corridors.

While the history of the building is troublesome, the architecture is stunning and makes for a great wedding venue.

– Ackergill Tower, Caithness, Scotland 

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Ackergill Tower has been standing since the 14th century. It’s lush green grass and wide-open spaces make for a perfect wedding backdrop.

It is said that the ghost of Helen Gunn, also known as the green lady, roams the grounds of the castle. She was abducted and kept in the tower and in an attempt to escape she fell to her death.

– Hampton Court Palace, Surrey

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The palace was once home to Kind Henry VIII. You can imagine that it’s interior is extravagant and perfect for a wedding. In fact, the palace is one of the most famous historic wedding venues in the UK.

Apparently, there are quite a few ghosts roaming the halls. Ghosts include Skeletor, The Grey Lady, and two of King Henry VIII’s wives, Catherine Howard and Jane Seymour.

– Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford Upon Avon 

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Ettington Park was previously the most haunted hotel in Britain. Guests have seen ghosts of a servant girl named Mary, Lady Emma, and a man who walks his dog through the library.

The venue is often chosen as a wedding venue.

– The Rose Hall Great House, Jamaica 

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A wedding in a tropical paradise like Jamaica is perfect! Right? This Jamaican venue offers more than what you expect from a Caribbean Island. The wedding venue is home to the spirit of a widow named the White Witch.

In 1820, the house was owned by John Rose Palmer. He married a woman named Annee. The legend says that Annee had black magic powers which she used to murder Palmer, her next two husbands, and many lovers.

People say she still resides in Rose Hall.

– Rockwood Park & Museum, Delaware 

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The venue offers indoor and outdoor spaces for your ceremony and also does catering. On top of that, paranormal investigation tours are available too!  Add an extra twist, and have a paranormal investigation on the eve of your wedding.

The venue claims that you have the chance to meet “long lost family members” who still reside in the mansion.

Image: Instagram / fosteredphoto

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In Advice

Stunning vineyard wedding venues in South Africa

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South Africa has an abundance of extraordinary wedding venues to choose from. From hotels to vineyards, the country is anything but lacking.

Vineyards are some of the best venues as they can add an extra fairy-tale feel to your special day. Most have amazing indoor and outdoor facilities and come with special wedding packages. If you’re looking to go the vineyard route for your venue, you’re spoilt for choice.

Here are some of our favourite vineyard wedding venues in South Africa:

– The Conservatory, Franschhoek 

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The Conservatory is surrounded by vineyards and ancient oaks. The venue is largely made of glass, which means you’ll get some great lighting if you opt for an indoor ceremony or reception. You have the option to have your festivities outside in the vineyards too.

On their website, The Conservatory says “Our philosophy is simple yet stylish, inspiring but versatile, catering to all who require a blank canvas to create a unique event that transforms a space into a true reflection of themselves.”

– Zorgvliet Wine Estate, Stellenbosch 

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In the Banghoek Valley near Stellenbosch, at Zorgvliet wines, you’ll have the stunning Simonsberg Mountains as the backdrop for your wedding. The estate offers several different facilities for your special day. The Oak room is the venue for receptions, but they also have a chapel and a room for pre-reception drinks.

– Highberry Farm, Somerset West 

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This relatively new venue was completed in 2018. If you’re looking for a venue that hasn’t been seen hundreds of times, then this is the one for you. Views of vineyards, dams, the surrounding mountain range and horse paddocks will be the backdrop of your special day.

The venue sits 120 people, includes a dance floor and comes with facilities including a fully equipped kitchen, a licensed bar, as well as a spacious lawn on which a marquee could be erected or canapés and live music can be held. It also contains a more intimate utility area upstairs that may be used as a chapel.

– Leipzig Country House, Worcester 

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At the Leipzig Country House you’ll be sure to have your fairytale dreams come true. For your ceremony’s venue you can choose from the century-old brandy cellar overlooking the vineyards or a tranquil garden with towering oaks. The wedding reception will be held in the wine cellar which seats 130 guests.

“The endless vistas, surrounding vineyards, rolling lawns of the amphitheater and rural charm of the historic buildings provide a stunning canvas to capture lasting memories,” says the Leipzig Country House.

– Marlenique Estate, Simondium area of the Winelands district

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The venue is central to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. It can hold 350 guests with dancing and 400 without a dance floor. With mountains and orchards as your backdrop, you’re sure to have a dreamy day.

Open air weddings on the lawns beside the fruit orchards or on their private stretch of the Berg River are an option.

– Bakenhof Winelands Venue, Wellington 

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About an hour away from Cape Town, the venue is situated on a hill of a private grape farm. The incredible views are out of this world and are sure to make you day even more special than it already is.

Bakenhof says, “We focus on a unique, personalised and unhurried experience. Our philosophy is that your day is as important to us as it is to you, with our mission to exceed your expectations – be it day or night, formal or informal, summer or winter, sunshine or rain.”

Image: Instagram /Bakenhof Winelands Venue

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In Destination

You can now get married by Chris Harrison at The Bachelor mansion

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Fans of The Bachelor will be ecstatic to know that the venue where the famous reality show is set is now also available for hire as a wedding venue. To top it off, you can even ask celebrity host of the series, Chris Harrison, to officiate the marriage.

Credit: Instagram/Chris Harrison

Having been ordained as a minister, Harrison has since wed many a lucky couple who hit it off on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.

The famous Villa de la Vina in Malibu, US, is a 200-years-old Mediterranean-style building with a range of luxury features that will make for the perfect wedding venue. The venue, that can host 350 people, has an infinity pool and picturesque views of the surrounding canyons.

If you want to have an extravagant wedding at this lavish venue, you’ll have to contact them for official quotes, but according to Wetpaint, you can rent it out for an icy $2,100 (R17 745) a night for personal use so we can only imagine what a wedding might set you back.

Picture: Instagram

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In Celebs

Pinterest shadow bans plantation wedding content

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You won’t be seeing any images from Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds’ 2012 nuptials on Pinterest and The Knot anymore. The prominent websites joined other platforms taking a stand by placing a shadow ban on all images relating to plantation weddings.

Pinterest, The Knot Worldwide, Brides and Zola recently announced that they would be making changes to their platform that would restrict all references to plantations, as well as any language attempting to romanticise these locations as wedding venues.

Those searching for such content will receive a notification that the images may violate Pinterest’s policies. The sites will no longer work with vendors that are plantations or attempt to romantacise such locations.

This means that images from Ryan Reynold’s and Blake Lively’s 2012 wedding held at Boone Hall Plantation in South Carolina, have now been shadow banned from these popular sites.

This move is in response to a campaign led by racial justice organization, Color of Change, who argued that the weddng industry was glamorising and capatalising sites of human rights atrocities.

“The decision to glorify plantations as nostalgic sites of celebration is not an empowering one for the Black women and justice-minded people who use your site,” Color of Change wrote to the Knot Worldwide executives. “Plantations are physical reminders of one of the most horrific human rights abuses the world has ever seen. The wedding industry routinely denies the violent conditions Black people faced under chattel slavery by promoting plantations as romantic places to marry.”

Many plantations in America thrived off slave labour and became places of human rights abuse for the people forced into these demeaning positions. As such, they’ve become painful reminders of a dark and sordid history for many African Americans who descended from such slaves.

“Weddings should be a symbol of love and unity. Plantations represent none of those things,” said a Pinterest spokesperson. “We are working to limit the distribution of this content and accounts across our platform, and continue to not accept advertisements for them.”

“We want to make sure we’re serving all our couples and that they don’t feel in any way discriminated against,” The Knot’s chief marketing officer Dhanusha Sivajee told Buzzfeed News.

Image: Instagram / Ryan Reynolds

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In Advice

Now trending: ruin wedding venues

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. While they may not be for everyone, abandoned buildings and structures have been trending in the wedding world recently. Couples have been opting for outdoor venues featuring crumbling walls, open ceilings and overgrown bushes for a memorable venue guests are sure to marvel at.

While it may seem macabre and weird at first, these venues offer their own kind of romance. There is something special about a place left behind. Venues like these have a history, a story to tell.

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Take, for example, this ancient convent in the Amalfi Coast. The stunning architecture still stands, giving a glimpse into a time once lived. You barely need any decor: the venue itself is the masterpiece.

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The spaces don’t have to be abandoned, they just need to give off an old world spirit. It’s even better if they’ve existed for decades and once had a different use. This stunning venue was originally an icehouse.

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This building is reminiscent of a rundown castle that once existed. You can almost hear the clipping of horse hooves, the rustling of trailing medieval gowns.

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These wedding venues are timeless, unique spots to say ‘I do’. If you want your wedding day to stand out, this just might be the type of venue for you.

Image: Instagra / Emily Battles

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In Advice

Unique ceremony seating arrangements

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Wedding are usually pretty standard, but they don’t always have to be. Those that want a unique take on their wedding ceremony can make a statement in a variety of manners, from an alternative wedding arch to personalised vows. But what about your ceremony seating arrangement? Your guests need to sit, so they might as well do it in style. Small touches like rearranging your seats in shapes or replacing the seat all together with another object will give our guests something to Instagram about.

Take some inspiration from these unique ceremony seating arrangements.

A seat with a view:

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Rose-tint my world:

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Stylish side seating:

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Ring, ring:

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Poolside perfection:

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Pretty picnic:

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Simple stumps:

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Hay there:

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Classy curves:

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Rounded out:

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Beautiful benches:

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Image: Unsplash

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In Emotional

Couple get married mid-flight

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Forget about the mile high club, this couple is in a league of their own. In what is to be believed a world first, this couple got married mid-flight in celebration of their mutual love of aviation.

For David and Cathy Valliant, aviation has always been a special part of their relationship. The couple met for the first time back in 2013 at Sydney Airport after a year of chatting online. David had even intended to propose on board a flight but at the last minute lost his nerve.

“Our love of aviation is what brought us together,” Cathy told CNN Travel.

Naturally, when they got engaged, there was no better place to say ‘I do’ than up in the air.

As Cathy is from New Zealand and David is from Australia, the couple wanted to get married in between their home countries. So, they decided to tie the knot at the halfway mark on board a Jetstar Flight 201 from Sydney to Auckland.

“We wanted it to symbolize our love for aviation, our love for Australia and New Zealand and our love for each other. I thought: I’ll be cheeky and ask Jetstar,” Cathy said. “Without telling Dave, I posted on Jetstar’s Facebook page with the question. I was so excited when they said they’d see what they could do.”

Jetstar pulled out the stops to make this couples dream a reality.

“When New Zealander, Cathy and David from Australia told us that they wanted to get married in-between their two countries, we knew we had to help make their dream come true,” the airline wrote on their Facebook page. “In what we believe to be a world first, the couple exchanged vows on a Jetstar flight, 34,000 feet above the Tasman.”

Watch the video below:

https://www.facebook.com/JetstarAustralia/videos/544942566063897/

The couple had their legal ceremony on land at Sydney airport, followed by their special airborne ceremony. Ground crew member Robyn Holt acted as the wedding officiant.

“Being a part of Cathy and David’s day and celebrating their love and their passion for aviation was unforgettable,” said Holt. “The passengers enjoyed being a part of it, too. As an airline we love bringing people together, and this was one of my most memorable wedding celebrations.”

“It was the most amazing experience and something we will remember for the rest of our lives,” said Cathy Valliant in a statement.

Image: Facebook / Jetstar Australia

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In Advice

The pros and cons of having a vineyard wedding

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Vineyards are a lovely setting for a wedding with romantic appeal. This type of venue is a breath of fresh air from your typical wedding venue and it makes for an interesting view.

Check out the pros and cons of using this type of venue for your wedding:

The location

Vineyards are lush and charming and therefore will provide a beautiful backdrop for pictures. This is assuming they haven’t harvested yet, which you will need to enquire about as some vineyards only allow weddings after harvest season. Due to the fact that vines need lots of space, the venue will be big enough to host all your guests and there will most likely be areas for both your ceremony and reception. Make sure that there is an inside venue in case the weather isn’t looking too great on your wedding day.

Since vineyards are generally out of the city, guests will either have to travel to and from the venue, or stay over somewhere nearby. Hopefully guests will be willing to make the trip and won’t leave too early. The great thing about the venue being some distance from the city is that escape from city life and the total privacy that you will have. Find out if there is a noise curfew as often vineyards have strict end times, and you don’t want to have to cut your reception short when everyone is having a good time.

 

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Food & drink

If you’re a wine lover, then this is the perfect venue for you as you can incorporate wine elements into your wedding theme. You also might be able to have custom wine labels made for their wine bottles which adds a touch of personalisation to your wedding. Just check that they can serve liquor other than wine as it is not everyone’s drink of choice. You might have to use the catering options provided by the vineyard but this should not be a problem as vineyards usually have great restaurants.

 

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The logistics

You should be able to decorate as you would like but you will also pay for all your rentals. The cost for this type of venue hire is high and so with the rental fees you could be paying a very high figure. However, the venue will most likely have wedding packages that you can choose from and depending on the type of food, drinks and decor you choose, you could get a good deal.

 

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If you love the sound of being surrounded by beauty and have the money to pay for this type of venue, then this could be the wedding of your dreams.

Image: Unsplash

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In Advice

Louisvale: love in the winelands

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Romance among the vines, what more could you ask for? South Africans and international couples alike have been choosing from the country’s many beautiful wine farms as wedding venues. For a modern yet traditional venue, look no further than the luxurious Louisvale wine farm.

Located in the picturesque Devon Valley area of the Stellenbosch wine district, Louisvale carves its own spot in the fluctuating foothills of the 3-million-year-old Cape Folded Mountains.

A distinct history is honoured here.  The first man-made structures in the area were created by the Nomadic Khoekhoen. Their designs typically featured domed structures resembling tortoises and made from Taaibos laths covered with woven reed mats and animal skins. When the European settles arrived in the 17th century, they brought with them Cape Dutch architecture.

Louisvale as we know it today combines these design aesthetics: Neo Cape Dutch meets modern Khoekhoen architecture. With a Rheinzink dome roof, open spaces, floating glass and a stunning concrete floor infused with abalone shell chips, the function area is nothing short of breathtaking.

The original manor house still stands proud, perfectly juxtaposing the modern function area with its traditional gables and lime washed, plastered walls.

It’s easy to see why Louisvale would make the perfect wedding venue. Couples can have their wedding ceremony outdoors with an impressive 280° view of the winelands, then move their wedding indoors for the reception. With floating glass windows that can be slid open, there is no sacrificing the incredible view.

It costs R50 000 to rent out the venue for the day, which includes all existing furnitures, tables, ceremony chairs, standard cutlery and glassware and exclusive use for the day. The bridal party organises their own decor and can bring in third suppliers for whatever they desire.

For in-house catering, Louisvale’s menu’s start at R500 per head depending on the final menu selected. And believe us, you’ll want them to cater. From grilled lamb steak on a bed of creamy polenta to confit duck leg with butternut puree and a citrus glaze, their dishes will have your guests’ mouths watering.

Louisvale is well-known for their high quality wines, many of which are award-winning. From Chardonnay to Merlot, every wine is expertly crafted by winemaker Simon Smith to suit multiple taste palettes.

Louisvale is perfect for the modern-yet-traditional couple. Ring in your nuptials at this beautiful venue for a memorable day and even more memorable views.

For queries and inquiries on holding your wedding at Louisvale, please contact [email protected]

Address: Devon Valley Rd, Devonvallei, Stellenbosch

Trading hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am – 4pm.

Image: Instagram

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In Venues

Beluga whale attends wedding

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Nobody likes uninvited guests at their wedding. But what if it’s a Beluga whale? One couple was delighted when the friendly sea creature swam up to them during their aquarium wedding in Connecticut, US.

The couple obviously love the ocean and its inhabitants, and we agree, they are beautiful. Standing beneath a dome of blue water and coral fish, this was already the perfect setting. Then one more attendant swam over to be included in the festivities.

They had a whale of a time!

Belugas are naturally curious like most sea mammals, and are known to have a friendly nature. And apparently, they’re really good photobombers! The internet is having a party with the picture, captioning cute comments like: ‘Something old, something new, something borrowed, something Beluga!’

Picture: Bored Panda

 

 

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