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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

    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

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B47c4svhwN2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5LU3GxhC_z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxf8GRoHs6p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5i0xQyBYP2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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

    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:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B1jX6m9BAAa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Rose-tint my world:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3ZxSz7AKRL/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Stylish side seating:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4Xwj_spZTd/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Ring, ring:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BtUZOLRnY8p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Poolside perfection:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3j9Xbqnljg/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Pretty picnic:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B45hSWSH1lD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Simple stumps:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqz8-2dgpk3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Hay there:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BNc7PBggQRc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Classy curves:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B18_xiqiGn9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Rounded out:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3IcTUVH92l/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Beautiful benches:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5DpOdRpC5a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Image: Unsplash

    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

    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

    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

    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

     

     

    If you’re getting married in paradise, why not have your wedding decor reflect it? Tropical wedding decor is a great way to bring the island to your wedding, even if you’re not there. Incorporating natural elements and lots of colour gives your wedding a relaxed atmosphere, perfect for the laid-back couple.

    Invites:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B47BPVEAHa9/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Aisle:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3emeXXA5sk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Table numbers:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5Cja6Gn_j8/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Table decor:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B45kkAwocww/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Coconut drinks:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B441S2JDse-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Chill zone:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4tqZiWFQ3j/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Bouquet:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A_MhzFAo-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Getaway car:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A6dqTKttW/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Surfboard drinks menu:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-8dXkDBwX/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Floral chandelier:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-ErabhXI4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Photo backdrop:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B48xQkrAoR5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Image: Unsplash

    Hotel weddings are popular venues for a reason. Hotels are generally beautifully decorated and have the facilities to cater for weddings. It is essentially a one-stop shop, making it one of the most convenient venues to choose from. Of course, as with any wedding venue, there are some limitations.

    Take a look at the pros and cons of this venue type to see if it would work for you:

    The location

    The beauty of this venue is that you can have both your ceremony and reception in one place. Hotel venues are usually already pretty and elegant and so you will not have to do much decorating.

    However, if you would like to decorate, you might be limited in terms of what you are allowed to do in the space. You will also have to accept the fact that this venue means that your wedding will have a standard ballroom look and you might not be able to have much personalisation.

    If you do decide to have your wedding in a hotel, they will most likely book rooms for the bridal party and groomsmen to get ready in. Guests that have travelled for the wedding will be able to stay in the hotel and won’t have to worry about transport to and from the venue, plus, the hotel might even give a group booking rate.

     

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    The facilities

    Hotels will have plenty of parking space, bathrooms and the ability to house a lot of people with ease. There will be built-in sound systems for all audio requirements. The staff are experienced in dealing with lots of people at large events which will keep things running smoothly. You won’t have to rent any furniture or cutlery or crockery as they will have more than enough for your event.

    But then again, this leaves little room to personalise your wedding. if you want your wedding to be unique, you might feel constrained by the limited options of this kind of venue.

     

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    The logistics

    While the convenience of hotel weddings is appealing, it also means that you might be limited by hotel rules. Since the venue is in a working hotel, your wedding might have a time limit as the noise might bother other guests. You could potentially have to use the hotel bar for drinks and their catering service instead of being able to choose your own.

    Another negative is that hotel weddings are generally quite expensive. Even if the hotel offers wedding packages, these might limit you even further in choosing your own photographer or videographer as you might have to use the ones that come with the package.

     

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    While you might save on rental costs with a hotel wedding, the venue alone could be quite costly. You also run the risk of being bound by vendors approved by the hotel. at the end of the day, however, it will probably save you a lot of time and stress when you’re planning the wedding if your heart isn’t already set on specific vendors.

    Feature image: Unsplash