When it comes to the big day – the day that’s revered as one of the biggest and most important days of our lives – there’s a deluge of decisions to make, and a plethora of things to consider when ensuring your bride or your groom, your mother and her friends, your in-laws and their cousins, their cousins’ cousins, and you, experience a day to remember (perfect wedding venue). It’s never just about the simple act of saying “I do” to the person you’ve committed to saying “I do” to. It’s also about saying “thank you” to all of the people (and some of their cousins) who’ve witnessed, assisted, endured and perhaps even engineered the blossoming of your love, from its ripe little seedling, all the way through to its eagerly anticipated matrimonial fruition. And more often than not, that “thank you” is said in the most unashamedly ostentatious way. Because you can – it’s your big day. You want your guests to marvel at the popping colour scheme, salivate over the South Uist salmon petit fours, and quaff back the pretty pink bottles of bubbles. You want them to have as much fun celebrating you in your dress, as you do.
Inevitably, what begins as a humble and sincere sentiment of less is more, with a splash of laid-back loveliness, very quickly becomes the wedding of a century, like no other wedding has ever been done before. The finer details being of utmost importance. From the perfect positioning of the dance floor to the conscious curating of the table plan. The flowers to the flower girls, the romantic light features to the trustees that make the speeches. The carriage, the cake, the music, the dance. Lest we forget, the dress. It is without question, though, that it is the venue that ultimately binds the entire day together. It’s the view that remains forever imprinted in your guests’ memories and hallway frames, like your new initials that are embossed onto the place settings and the vows engraved into the rings. It’s the ambience of the space that brings the crowd together, for the cheers, the happy tears, the joy and the love overflowing. It is the venue that says the “thank you” that sincerely sings from your heart. Your vow to everyone, for all of the years prior and all of the years to come. For the memories of this day, to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, till death by too much dancing does occur.
In celebration of your union and upcoming nuptials – whether the proposal has occurred yet or not – we’ve put together a list of some of our favourite hideaways where the setting screams, “a wedding is in order!”
Here are our hideaways that have become the perfect wedding venue…
Le Jardin
Deep in the Devon Valley wine region of Stellenbosch, Le Jardin opens its wondrous and whimsical Manor House doors to a cascading garden with secret pathways, a giant natural pool, Teepee tents, and a ridiculously romantic Glass house where the long table lends its legs to a gathering of loved ones, all toasting to you, as you say, “I do”.
Glendirk
The grandeur, the history, the charm and the opulence of Glendirk’s Cape Dutch manor house in Bishopscourt, summons the blue-blood in all of us for a royal, lavish gathering beneath the giant camphor trees, silverleafs, oaks and the rolling hills of the Constantia vineyards.
Penhill Farm
Where in the world would you rather wed than at a glorious country retreat where the land is vast, the cottages are aplenty (all the cousins), the dams are natural, the views are boundless, the activities are endless, and the beauty of the scenery is everlasting? Penhill Farm is perfect for a great big fat week-long wedding.
Patina Farm
There’s something irresistibly nostalgic and romantic that permeates every part of Patina Farm, where the style of the property seamlessly takes care of the aesthetics of your wedding. Situated in the heart of the Stellenbosch wine region, the activities around the big day will add to the magic of it all.
Pafuri Camp
Romance doesn’t get better than in the bush at Pafuri Camp, where the wilderness seeps into every aspect of the nuptials, seducing all those spectating with the sun setting and the stars lighting up the night sky, as the speeches get drowned out by the lion’s call, and the traditional tribal dancing ensues.
Bobbejaanskloof
This gorgeous farmhouse sits amidst the indigenous fynbos, old forests and sweeping plains of Plettenberg Bay. Boundless lands unfold off the front lawn of Bobbejaanskloof where the cattle will happily escort you down the aisle, as the afternoon light clips the long grass that’s swaying with the high-pitched tones of your best friend’s magnificent version of Pie Jesu.
Maison Franschhoek
In the heart of the reputable wine valley of Franschhoek, home to the most delectable range of award-winning wines and restaurants (including Chef’s Warehouse on the very doorstep of the property), Maison Estate ticks every single box on the trickiest of Bridezilla lists out there. When it comes to wedding perfection, this hideaway will blow every “thank-you’s” socks off.
Cloudbreak
A sight to behold from every angle, Cloudbreak in Bishopscourt, with its glorious country church-like arches and sophisticated, artistic, urban farmhouse feel is an idyllic venue for intimate gatherings in the garden, in front of the palatial porch, looking up to the majestic mountain.
Bushman’s Kloof
Nestled at the foot of the ancient Cedarberg mountain range, Bushmans Kloof offers a truly extraordinary experience for you and all of your weddings guests, feasting beneath the blanket of stars, beside the roaring fire pits, as the leopards bark away at the best man’s speech.
Perfect Wedding Venue
Please do contact us on [email protected] if you’re planning a wedding. Enquire here and send us a quick brief so that we can send you some options and our brochure. We look forward to booking your special celebration!
* Main image: Photograph Shanna Jones Photography
