South African Wedding Venues

More Destination Wedding Venues

2011-01-20T06:13:00.000-08:00

We love the trend that is becoming evident in modern weddings. Couples seem to be choosing to have smaller, more intimate weddings, sharing the event with close friends and family rather than large weddings where some guests are almost unknown to them! This could be due to the economic realities we live under, as well as the fact that many weddings are not the bride or groom’s first wedding, and if the couple are paying for their own wedding, they get to invite who they want to share their wedding day with.

This smaller, more intimate type of wedding lends itself perfectly to a destination wedding. We are so fortunate here in South Africa as we are privileged to have many quaint villages and stunning localities to make for really memorable destination weddings.

One of our favourite beach destination venues is Grootbos which is situated overlooking the ocean on a Fynbos reserve between Gansbaai and Hermanus in the Western Cape. Grootbos has had the honour of being named in the Top 50 Hotels I in the world. This particular part of the ocean offers the best land-based whale watching in the world. You can choose to have your ceremony in a number of places. If you have always dreamed of a beach wedding, they can set up your ceremony on the beach at sunset. The other alternative is a forest wedding ceremony amongst their 1000 year old milkwood forest trees which makes for unique and beautiful wedding pictures.

Grootbos are well-known for their excellent cuisine, and being so close to the ocean, for their fresh seafood, so you need have no concerns about your reception menu. There is a cosy, intimate underground wine cellar where they hold smaller receptions. Decorated with flowers and bathed in candlelight, the wine cellar offers a stunning reception venue. Alternatively your reception can be held on the terrace overlooking the ocean or in our cosy dining area which boasts amazing views from Cape Point to all the way round to Cape Agulhas.

For your honeymoon, their luxury honeymoon suite has its own private splash pool, private balcony and beautifully furnished accommodation. All meals are included (and these are all delicious!) and there is a plethora of activities ranging from horse riding to shark-cage diving for the adventurous, to hikes through the fynbos. Have a look at their profile on www.saweddingvenues.com/grootbos.aspx.

An area that is becoming increasingly popular for destination weddings is the beautiful Eastern Free State. These venues are situated on farms outside towns that are within easy reach of Gauteng, and are thus perfect for a weekend wedding where the bride and groom and their guests wish to get away from the city and enjoy a relaxed wedding in beautiful surroundings in big sky country.

Clarens is a very popular destination with its art galleries, coffee shops and interesting stores and is thus perfect for a destination wedding. Oranje Guest Farm is a charming venue for your wedding. Have a look at their profile at www.saweddingvenues.com/oranje-guest-farm.aspx.

Clocolan which is situated between the towns of Ficksburg and Ladybrand has a few lovely country wedding venues. One of these is Zuikerkop which is situated on a farm surrounded by rolling green fields, flat-topped koppies, abundant game and unrivalled skyscapes. Have a look at www.saweddingvenues.com/zuikerkop.aspx. You could consider this as a wonderful option for your destination wedding.

Another gorgeous venue with 150 year old sandstone buildings so characteristic of the area is Essence of the Highlands. This venue has magnificent views with clear blue skies in the day and amazing stars during the night. If you look at www.saweddingvenues.com/essence.aspx you will see what we mean! These venues offer accommodation for your guests and an unforgettable experience if you should choose to have your wedding there.

Weddings in Small Towns

2011-01-12T01:25:00.000-08:00

In the past year one thing that I have noticed from our brides is a desire to get out of the city and get married in a small town. It is easy to understand why this has become so popular in this gorgeous country of ours. We have some amazing small towns to choose from not too far from the city. I also think that by having your wedding out of town you make an event out of it. Everyone has to travel to the wedding destination and most probably end up staying in town for a couple of nights. It really creates a celebratory atmosphere. So what are some of the best towns to have your small town wedding at? I have made a list of my favourite five:

1. Clarens, Free State – This is a very popular little town at the foothills of the Maluti Mountains. Its quaint village atmosphere, breathtaking scenery and mild climate make it a popular choice for brides to have their small town wedding from Joburg, Bloemfontein and even Durban. There is a lot to see and do in the area making great day activities for your guests. Our featured venue in Clarens is Oranje Guest Farm. I absolutely love this venue because it has an authentic Free State feel to it and its beautiful sandstone buildings bring real character to the venue. The venue can accommodate up to 170 guests and there is even an old chapel located on the farm. There is an organised team of ladies who are ready to help you with any of your needs, which is great if you planning your wedding from Joburg! For more information have a look at their profile: http://saweddingvenues.com/oranje-guest-farm.aspx

2. Brits, North West – May sound like an unusual choice to most people, but I really love the area and find that it is far less hectic than its neighbour Hartebeesport Dam and so close to Joburg and Pretoria. One of our most popular venues is located here, Zakopane Country Village. With its idyllic setting and impeccable food and service, it’s easy to understand why Zakopane has fast become one of the sought after wedding venues in South Africa. Zakopane Country Village boasts an on site chapel and can host wedding for up to 160 guests. Have a look at their profile: http://saweddingvenues.com/zakopane-country-village.aspx

3. Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape – I love this little quaint village just 1 hour away from Cape Town so much. It is so unpretentious compared to its other wine route counterparts and oh so beautiful. The town is culture rich and pays host to two festivals every year, the olive festival in March and a Shiraz and art Festival in October. My favourite venue in Reebiek Kasteel is Delsma Farm and is situated on the banks of the Berg River. This farm is gorgeous and has so many ‘wow factors’ it is hard to name them all. Just have a look for yourself : http://saweddingvenues.com/delsma-farm.aspx

4. Knysna, Garden Route – Ok it is a stretch to call Knysna a small town, but it has SO much to offer I just had to include it. Plan the wedding off season and you won’t even notice how developed Knysna has become. The setting is perfect and the natural beauty of the place means that there are infinite lovely places to take pictures. My wedding venue of choice in Knysna is Portland Manor. It is a historical country manor with enough space to accommodate most of your wedding guests. Portland Manor really is country comfort at its very best! http://www.saweddingvenues.com/portland-manor.aspx

5. The Natal Midlands – Everyone loves this part of the country and with good reason. There is an enchanting air to the Midlands making it an extremely popular area to get married in. With the Drakensberg mountains as your backdrop what could be better than getting married in the Natal Midlands? Our venue in the Midlands is Lastingham, offering the finest in KwaZulu Natal hospitality and class. The setting is perfect and the owners Mike and Lynne like to concentrate on the details, ensuring your wedding runs perfectly. Check them out: http://saweddingvenues.com/lastingham.aspx

So start looking into having your wedding in a small town and discover that there is so much that these little gems have to offer.

Kathy

2011 – What a fabulous year to get married!

2011-01-07T02:15:00.000-08:00

So he popped the question and you getting married! Congratulations. By the amount of people coming to our site www.saweddingvenues.com we can tell that there were a lot of engagements over the holidays. Suddenly your status has changed to ‘Engaged’ and planning your wedding is your top priority. So many things to do and not enough hours in the day to do them. So let’s get going!

There has never been so much activity on the internet as there is at the moment. All the professionals are online right now blogging, twittering or facebooking about what they do and how they do it. To find inspiration and ideas for your wedding day you don’t even need to leave your computer. Seriously, how cool is that! Twitter I have found to be the easiest way of getting advice from the professionals. So, sign up today and you can get thousands ideas for your wedding. I also find great deals on Ebay, have a look. But you can find absolutely everything on there! Just be careful, it is extremely addictive.

There are two royal weddings this year too. If it is not really your thing it is going to be great to see some of the trends that these two lovely ladies are going to be incorporating into their weddings and if it is your thing, well you are in for a treat! I think the whole world has been looking forward to the day when one of Lady Diana’s sons wed! Diana and Charles’ wedding was so enchanting I can only imagine what William and Kate’s wedding is going to be like.

There are more choices than ever now. It may be daunting for some people, but for me I just think that it makes things more exciting.

So all the best to you and your significant other in planning one of the most important days of your lives.

All the best!

2011 - Local and International celebrities plan their weddings!

2011-01-02T22:05:00.000-08:00

2011 a Year for Celebrity Weddings!

2011 will be filled with bouquets and white dresses as celebrities - local South African and international - plan to tie the knot.

Headlining the local nuptial scene will be the first family. President Jacob Zuma is expected to wed his sixth bride. Gloria Bongi Ngema became his latest fiancée after traditional Zulu gifts were exchanged in December 2009.

Zuma’s glamorous daughter, Duduzile, will wed her businessman fiancé, Lonwabo Sambudla, after the traditional umembeso ceremony which took place in Durban last month.

Zuma’s son, Mziwoxolo, will marry his fiancée Phumelele Shange after the umembeso at the bride’s home in Lamontville, KwaZulu-Natal, in November.

On the entertainment scene Skwatta Kamp rapper Slikour and his girlfriend, Jill Mulligan, are speaking of taking vows after the birth of their child, and new parents model Lee-Ann Liebenberg and her fiancé, former polo player Nicky van der Walt, are also looking to marry this year.

Rounding off the SA list is former South African swimming star Charlene Wittstock, who will marry Prince Albert of Monaco in July.

Scandalous

Internationally, the paparazzi are licking their lips over another two royal weddings in the next year, with Prince William’s recent proposal to his long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton topping the list.

Also set to tie the knot in April is Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter, who is to marry English rugby player Mike Tindall.

Actress Louisana Lopilato will wed Grammy Award winner Michael Bublé in April.

The star-studded weddings will include a good stirring up of controversy as singer Shania Twain marries Frédéric Thiébaud, husband of the former friend for whom Twain’s husband left her.

Also sure to keep people talking is Playboy boss Hugh Hefner, 84, who will walk down the aisle for the third time with Playmate Crystal Harris, 60 years his junior.

Former couple Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey will also be getting married - but not to each other. The actress will wed former football player Eric Johnson, while the former singer weds his actress girlfriend, Vanessa Minnillo.

Singer LeAnn Rimes has become engaged to CSI Miami hunk Eddie Cibrian. The Can’t Fight The Moonlight singer’s actor boyfriend reportedly popped the question over the Christmas period while they were on holiday in Los Angeles.

Singer Lily Allen has also announced her engagement after boyfriend Sam Cooper proposed to her on a beach in Bali on Christmas Day.

Oscar winner Natalie Portman has announced she is both engaged and pregnant. The actress is set to wed ballet choreographer Benjamin Millepied.

And the ever-controversial Britney Spears has set off engagement rumours after she tweeted a photo of herself sitting on Santa’s lap - with a ring on her left hand.

In the photo, Britney has a diamond ring on her ring finger, which has prompted several websites to suggest that perhaps her boyfriend, Jason Trawick, proposed to her over the festive period.

The West Coast

2010-10-07T02:40:00.000-07:00

The West Coast has to be one of the most magical places in South Africa. Pristine beaches are complimented by unique Fynbos making it one of the most desirable areas in South Africa to get married. There are plenty of wedding venues to choose from too stretching from Yzerfontein to the northern region of the country. There are many reasons to choose to get married on the West Coast and here are some of them…
Want to get married right on the beach? The West Coast is one of the few areas in South Africa where it is possible to get married with the sea lapping at your feet. There are many amazing wedding venues located right on the beach to give you a true West Coast experience. The beaches are picture perfect too, ideal for your wedding photographs, just watch out for the cool Atlantic Ocean. Get married in the beautiful towns of Lamberts Bay, Langebaan, Saldanha Bay and Partenoster.
The weather on the West Coast is dry and hot in summer making it the ideal wedding destination. The best time therefore to get married on the West Coast is from November to April when the days are long and warm and dry. The evenings can get quite chilly owing to the fact that you are right next to the cold Atlantic so take that into consideration when planning your wedding. The West Coast becomes a floral wonderland from August to September. This is also a perfect time to get married on the West Coast.
The West Coast is the perfect backdrop to plan your understated beach wedding that will have your guests in ore. Have a look at our West Coast Wedding Venues here:http://www.saweddingvenues.com/Cape-wedding.aspx

The Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo in Soweto

2010-07-23T02:30:00.000-07:00

After the excitement of the World Cup, life for South Africans has calmed down a bit and we can all start thinking about thing other than soccer and where to watch the next game. So it’s time to play catch up and start planning that wedding!

A great aid when it comes to wedding planning is to attend one of the many wedding expos that are held in South Africa. The next Bridal Expo to be held in South Africa will be in Soweto. This is very exciting for many reasons and after the World Cup it seems Soweto is going to be the venue for many events in the future!

BRIDAL INDABA WEDDING EXPO SOWETO JULY 31 AND AUGUST 01, 2010

In the aftermath of the World Cup, South Africans are becoming aware that it is possible to realize our dreams. Since June, places like Soweto and Rustenburg have become household names around the world. Now, South Africa has the opportunity to highlight our abilities – and not only on the football field. We are an extremely talented nation and our endeavours epitomise what our colourful, unique and vibrant country is all about.

But it’s not only overseas visitors who are realising our full potential. We’re realising it ourselves. Locally we have the opportunity to showcase our talents, and to shine. And events like the first ever Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo in Soweto is proof of this. For the first time ever, talented local designers, artists and caterers will be showcasing what they can do to make couples’ wedding dreams come true.

One of these people is K. Mosimane, or Sister Bucks as she is known, a talented designer whose ranges are colourful and traditionally inspired. She opened her first Sister Bucks store in Rosebank, Johannesburg over a decade ago, and was one of the first to open up shop in Maponya Mall when it launched in 2007. Today, she is also one of the Bridal Indaba’s new breed of exhibitors, and is bringing her special touch of Africa to the wedding expo. “I’m promoting my African culture and traditions at the Soweto Bridal Indaba,” she says proudly. “Although I don’t specialise in wedding dresses, I do design them on demand. My store in Soweto proved that there is a big market here, and I’m hoping the Bridal Indaba will bring even more customers.”

The original Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo was started by Corine Scheepbouwer 15 years ago in Johannesburg. Her sister Liz Vrijenhoek joined her in 2007, and they formed Dalani Marketing, an events company that also concentrates on Bridal Indaba Wedding Expos at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways. Now the two are adding another new project, the first-ever Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo in Soweto, to be held at historic Walter Sisulu Square on the weekend of July 31 and August 01. The management of the square is extremely excited about this venture. “I cannot wait to explore this new adventure with Liz and Corine, “ says its Marketing Manager, Charlotte Msibi van Staden. “The Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo will not only bring many local visitors here; it will also offer small businesses and local entrepreneurs incredible exposure.”

Since Corine’s very first Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo many have tried to replicate her success – in fact, there are now over 16 similar exhibitions held all over South Africa every year. Initially, Corine’s wedding expo’s were held at the Balalaika Hotel in Sandton. However, when the venue became too small, they moved to the Indaba Hotel in Fourways.

Corine’s loyal following of exhibitors are all delighted at the prospect of bringing the concept to Soweto. Says Wikus Louw, of WM Studios wedding photographers, who has exhibited with Corine since her very first show in 1993, “I’m looking forward to moving with her into the Soweto market.” Wedding cake expert Kate de Waal of Sugar ‘n Ice is also very excited about the Soweto show. “I’ve been exhibiting my cakes at Corine’s shows for the past 10 years, and I am very excited at the prospect of exploring a whole new market with her,” she says.

The Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo Soweto will showcase a superior selection of wedding specialists, many of whom will be local to the area. They range from wedding dress designers to photographers, cake makers to event planners... all those who can assist in creating the perfect wedding. A highlight will be daily 45-minute fashion shows as well as superb catering for the hungry crowds, which is being handled by the well-known Sakumzi Restaurant on Vilakazi Street.

FNB is one of the sponsors to The Bridal Indaba Wedding Expo in Soweto. These financial partners for life offer cheque, savings accounts home loans and more. They will be exhibiting at the show in Walter Sisulu Square Hall. Entrance is R50 per person and tickets are available at the door.

Weddings on a Budget

2010-05-19T01:15:00.000-07:00

Weddings on a Budget

Wedding expenses can run totally out of control ending what should be the happiest day of your lives into a nightmare of debt, arguments and stress. Even for those of you lucky enough to have parents in a position to pay for your wedding, watching costs and keeping within a budget is essential in these economic times.

A good place to start would be to organise your wedding outside of peak holiday months. If this is difficult to do, then see if you can organise your wedding for during the week, a Friday evening or on a Sunday. Most wedding venues are willing to offer specials or discounts on the days and evenings they are traditionally not so busy. Photographers and other service providers would also be more flexible with their prices on days viewed as not so busy.

Many venues have fantastic specials during the winter months so this is a great way of saving on venue hire. Traditionally winter is “off-season” so service providers would also be cheaper.

The time of day you plan your wedding can have a massive impact on your budget. Instead of a lavish 3 course dinner in the evening why not consider a lighter lunch wedding reception, or even a champagne breakfast? Breakfast also translates into a lower bar bill! You could have a chic cocktail party with classy tapas style snacks and other delicious finger foods, but the more complicated the snacks the more expensive they would be. Remember too many drinks before the guests have anything to eat leads to everyone getting tipsy early on! So it is a good idea to offer something to eat early on in the celebrations. You can have a big bash for all your friends when you get back from your honeymoon.

Keep your food choices simple and choose cheaper meal options like delicious chicken dishes served with fresh salads instead of expensive meat cuts like fillet steak.

As far as music is concerned, a DJ is cheaper than a live band. Make sure that he/she has background music that you like to play when you make your entrance and during dinner.

For flowers and décor on a smaller budget there are a few ways of saving money, For table arrangements try and keep your tables small so that you don’t have a vast empty space in the middle of the table to fill with flowers. A way around this is to present your food on platters placed in the middle of the table from which guests would help themselves. Beautifully presented food can act as the décor for the dinner.

Choose vases with narrow tops as these do not require as many flowers to fill them as wide vases. Use small arrangements of flowers interspersed with lots of candles so cutting down on the number of flowers you will need. Another idea is to fill beautiful glass containers of different shapes and sizes with coloured water at different levels, float candles in these and this can be a very effective way of décor without using expensive flowers. In fact candles and lovely candle holders are a great way of adding loads of style to your wedding décor at minimal cost.

Your wedding favours are a place where you can trim your budget because to a large extent, you can put them together yourself. Consider buying a variety of sweeties in the colour of your theme and displaying them in stylish glass containers, or make up organza bags for your guests to take home.

Some brides are opting to make a donation to a charity of their choice. Have a look at http://www.saweddingvenues.com/favours.aspx to get some good ideas. Give the men a gift of a lotto ticket – you never know, one of your guests may be lucky enough to hit the jackpot!

Please add any cost cutting ideas of your own here! Lets share these brilliant ideas we may have with other brides.

Limpopo Province - an Overview

2010-04-22T02:53:00.000-07:00

Limpopo

Limpopo Province is the Northern-most province in South Africa and borders on 3 other African Countries, namely Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The "great, green, greasy" Limpopo River gives this unique province its name. This is how the Limpopo River was described many years ago by Rudyard Kipling.

It boasts three prominent mountain ranges, namely the Waterberg, the Soutpansberg and the Drakensberg. These contribute to the incredible bio-diversity of this province with its forests and more than 600 bird species. The Tropic of Capricorn runs through this province.

Limpopo is divided into four tourism areas: Waterberg, Capricorn, Soutpansberg and Valley of the Olifants. Within these areas are three national parks and three heritage sites.

The national parks include the world famous Kruger National Park and Mapungupwe Park and Heritage Site. The lure of the Big Five encourages tourists to travel to this area. Added to this are the cultural experiences that visitors can support such as local artists, potters and weavers, or more active pursuits such as 4x4 trails, hiking and rock climbing, so Limpopo can offer people unique travel opportunities.

Limpopo can be defined as a real rainbow nation, being home to English, Afrikaans, Venda Tsonga and Northern Sotho people. The Rain Queen of Modjadji lives in the Valley of the Olifants. The Modjadji Forest of Cycads is something to see. The largest Baobab tree in the world is situated near the town of Tzaneen. It is estimated at more than 2000 years old and even has a pub built in the split in the trunk.

Limpopo can be called the pantry of South Africa with fertile farmlands growing a huge array of tropical fruits, nuts, grapes and many other food products.

Weddings in Limpopo
Limpopo is perfect for your destination wedding if you are travelling from abroad or from another area in South Africa, or if you live there, you are spoilt for choice.

The game reserves around the Waterberg and the reserves bordering on the Kruger Park and lodges in the Northern Kruger Park offer perfect bush wedding venues where you can combine a safari wedding with a trip of a lifetime for you and your guests.

The beautiful forests, mountains and valleys of the Valley of the Olifants, especially around Magoebaskloof, have wonderful lodges and country hotels perfect for a fairytale wedding. In spring the cherry blossoms near the village of Haenertsburg are a sight to behold and are a perfect back drop to a country wedding.

There are magical, mystical lakes situated in the Capricorn area near the magnificent Soutpansberg Mountains. This is an area of forests, both natural and man-made, with some really special traditional sculptures made out of wood or clay to be seen in the small villages. Lesheba Lodge outside Louis Trichardt is one of the lodges which has used these to great effect. Unfortunately they do not hold weddings here, but what a magical place for your African honeymoon.

Finding a Wedding Venue

2010-04-22T02:09:00.000-07:00

When it comes to planning your big day, finding out what wedding venues are available to you is one of the most vital aspects of ensuring that you have the perfect celebration that you always dreamed of. Because the spectrum is so wide, researching wedding venues can often be a very difficult task. It may seem that the choices are so varied that as soon as you feel as if you have made the right decision, you are confronted with a whole new world of possibilities! Ultimately, your decision when it comes to picking from the many wedding venues available will influence all the other choices you make about this special event. Do you go for an intimate wedding with only the people closest to you? Or would you like a large-scale ceremony where you can invite all the people that have played a part in your lives? Would you like an outdoor venue with a backdrop of natural beauty, or an indoor ceremony where you can be surrounded by fairytale-like tradition? Whatever your choice when it comes to wedding venues, it has to be a considered one that will bring about the magic and enchantment that does justice to the special bond that you have with your partner.

One of the huge factors when you are looking at wedding venues is how exactly you are going to finance your ideal choice. It is important to remember that you still have a whole life ahead of you, and that you do not want to start this new life in massive debt. Thus, finding something that will keep you, and your pocket, happy is definitely the best way to go! This does not mean that you have to compromise completely on your vision. Once you start researching wedding venues, you will find that there are some remarkable deals available. Have a look at what each specific venue offers in terms of extra services and facilities. Certain wedding venues may provide phenomenal catering for you and your guests, while others may allow you to outsource cheaper options. If you have a lot of guests coming from abroad, you may want to enquire about wedding venues that offer accommodation on the property. Alternatively, you could search for wedding venues that have inexpensive accommodation in the surrounding vicinity. The last thing you want is to have to cut down your guest list because it is simply too expensive for your nearest and dearest to spend this landmark day with you and the one you love.

The bottom line is that this day should be a day when you, and the people closest to you, can celebrate your special love. This should be done in a way that is unique to your partnership. Having a look at the different available options when it comes to wedding venues may inspire you in a direction that you did not even consider. You may come across the ideal location that will be the most appropriate physical representation of your love! Make sure that your choice of wedding venues ensures that you look back on this day fondly for the rest of your happy lives together.

www.saweddingvenues.com

Hints for Organising a Beach Wedding

2009-11-19T02:00:00.000-08:00

Hints and Tips for Planning your Beach Wedding

A beach wedding is a unique way of celebrating your marriage. In South Africa we are very fortunate to be blessed with one of the best climates in the world, so there are many wedding venues either on the beach, or offering your ceremony on the beach and your reception in doors. So if you are a relaxed, laid back type of couple opt for the ultimate in stress free weddings!

Cape weddings are very popular in the summer months. Because of the climate in Cape Town, sunny hot days can almost be guaranteed during the summer especially from December onwards to April. So this enables the wedding season five months where the bride can be sure that there is not much chance of rain. Windy days, especially in December and January, have to be planned for. A marquee or free form tent can take care of this problem.

Beach wedding venues Cape offer the prospective bride a wide choice. Very popular with brides is to organize a wedding out of the city of Cape Town up the West Coast. Venues such as Strandkombuis and Blue Bay Lodge offer accommodation as well as your ceremony on the beach. These option are very popular with the many South Africans living abroad who come back during our summer (their winter) to combine their wedding with a family holiday. The weak rand makes these weddings very popular as they cost a fraction of what a wedding in the United Kingdom or Europe would cost.

These wedding venues include the beach restaurants like Strandkombuis, Muisbosskerm, Bosduifklip and others that maximize not only the beauty of the beaches, but the bounty of the sea. They offer the freshest sea foods and shell fish, barbequed, and served with salads, warm breads and local speciality preserves. Outstanding wines are produced in the area thus ensuring your carbon footprint is kept as small as possible by buying and using local produce.

Cape weddings along the Garden Route combine beach with gorgeous scenery. Wedding venues in Knysna like Villa Castollini are very popular in combining a beach wedding with a holiday. Kennedy’s in Hermanus is a wonderful venue that is right on the lagoon and offers the most romantic weddings under milkwood trees in an enchanting setting.

Grootbos is a unique wedding venue situated in a nature reserve that stretches down to an idyllic beach which is perfect for beach ceremonies. The lodge itself is an exclusive venue situated in an ancient milkwood forest where the trees are over 1000 years old. The glass fronted suites offer a sanctuary with a private deck overlooking the bay where you will probably spot whales. The 2 honeymoon suites each have their private splash pool for the ultimate in romantic luxury. They offer horse riding at the lodge, so you may wish to ride to your wedding on a horse!

The cuisine at Grootbos is outstanding and they also make use of local produce, including delicious fresh fish from the harbour at next door Gansbaai. Have your reception al-fresco in the forest, or in their cosy intimate wine cellar. The wines on offer are superb and from the surrounding vineyards.

Further up the coast, Crawfords in Chintsa near East London offers so much to the bride who wants a beach wedding. They also offer accommodation for your guests. Situated on the warm Indian Ocean, their endless golden beaches make this one of the wedding venues that would ensure a memorable day.

Kwazulu Natal, with the warm Indian Ocean has a wonderful, semi tropical climate making for ideal beach wedding venues throughout the year. The Bell and Anchor on the South Coast is a popular choice for your beach wedding. Up the North Coast, Collisheen is a wedding venue that is situated amongst the sugar cane fields with views over the ocean.

A beach wedding is a very good theme to work with as far as your décor is concerned. Fairy lights, shells, shades of blue and green, candles, hurricane lamps and white drapes all contribute to the general “feel” you are trying to achieve. Guest favours can include rubber slip-slops, beach wraps and packs with small suntan lotions included. The bride can ditch her high heels in favour of bare feet (as can the guests).

A beach wedding combines laid-back style with that summer feeling making all guests feel that they are on holiday! What a perfect wedding it could be.

Wedding venues

2009-11-17T03:36:00.000-08:00

Wedding venues

Getting married in the South African bush is a dream come true for a lot of people. There is something truly special about the South African bush that is difficult to explain and it is a magical place for a South African wedding venue. Brides should note however that most venues require the wedding parties to take exclusive use of the lodge. So bush weddings can become expensive but are truly worth it as a once in a life time experience.

South African Wedding venues are among the best in the world. With the fantastic scenery it is not hard to believe this. Finding the perfect wedding venue on the other hand can be a bit trickier and the best place to look for a wedding venue in South Africa is on the website www.saweddingvenues.com. We showcase the best wedding venues so it makes it easier for you to find your wedding venue. Our venues are divided into 5 categories making the decision of what kind of wedding you are looking for easier. We feature beach wedding venues, wineland wedding venues, country wedding venues, city wedding venues and bush wedding venues on the site.

Our beach wedding venues are primarily situated in the Cape. The Cape boasts pristine coastlines with powder white beaches and clear waters. It is of no surprise that Cape Town weddings are becoming more and more popular with couples throughout South Africa and foreigners alike. A beach wedding in Cape Town is guaranteed to be a spectacular experience. The Garden Route also offers amazing beach weddings and offers a great destination for a truly special wedding. Finally KwaZulu Natal offers beach wedding venues that are unparallel in beauty and favorable climate. Whether it is a sultry summer wedding or a warm winter wedding you cannot go wrong with a beach wedding in KwaZulu Natal. For those more intimate weddings and for those with an adventurous spirit we also feature great wedding venues in Mozambique, Zanzibar and Mauritius.

Wedding venues in the Cape winelands are world famous as offering the very best that South Africa has. The great views in the region can be seen from most of the wine farms in the winelands. We have beautiful Paarl wedding venues, Somerset West wedding venues, Cape Town wedding venues, Stellenbosch wedding venues, Franschhoek wedding venues, Darling wedding venues, Riebeek Kasteel wedding venues and Breede River valley wedding venues. Small and intimate wineland weddings can get lost in the winelands as most wedding venues cater for larger weddings, but we really have them all, so have a look!

City weddings are great for those who don’t want to travel too far out of their comfort zone and want to take advantage of the beautiful cities in South Africa. It is for this reason there is not much point in looking any further. A Cape Town wedding guide to the best venues is available as well as wedding venues around the major cities in Southern Africa such as Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban wedding venues.

Or perhaps you want to get out of the hustle and bustle of the city and get married in some of the beautiful locations in the country. You would be surprised to know how many beautiful wedding venues there are around Johannesburg. They are in fact so secluded that you would never guess that you are so close to the city. The countryside around Cape Town is beautiful. We also feature country wedding venues around the Garden Route, the Free State, North West province and Mpumalanga.

Tips For the Bride: How to Plan a Bush or Safari Wedding

2009-11-11T05:50:00.000-08:00

Tips for Planning a Bush or Safari Wedding

We have the privilege of living in a country with such a wide variety of bush camps and lodges in which to get married in. Because it is such a popular theme, many bush-themed wedding venues that give a feeling of being in the African bush have been custom built. These are generally situated closer to the city and are thus more accessible. So if you want a bush themed wedding, there is definitely one that will fit into your budget.

The Bush Lodge Venue
These Lodges are normally situated in a big 5 game reserve in Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West Province or in Kwazulu Natal. These lodges are often luxury, 5 star venues. They offer luxury accommodation, 3 meals daily, game drives and game related activities. Some of them include beers, wines and local spirits in their rates, and others charge extra for these. The number of guests they can accommodate is dictated by how large their traversing rights are, how many other lodges there are in the area, etc.

These are the type of venues that work really well for a smaller, more intimate wedding where all the guests stay over for at least 2 nights. The wedding party would take exclusive use of the Lodge. Madikwe Collection Lodges offer a free wedding package for the couple that take exclusive use of an entire Lodge for their wedding.

Maybe the bride and groom wish to elope and want a memorable wedding at one of these exclusive lodges. These Lodges would be able to organize a wedding for the couple only, and may have a wedding package specially designed for couples. These are popular with visitors from overseas as the package normally offers everything from the priest to the photographer, flowers, and cake. This makes it so much easier for the bride as all she has to do is arrive on the day with nothing to stress about.

These Lodges are unsuitable for those weddings where the couple wish to have many guests, as besides not being able to cater for large parties, these Lodges also do not allow day visitors.

For larger weddings where not all the guests need accommodation there are many options like Out of Africa Village in Hartebeespoort, Knotted Roots, Ubumanzi and many others found on http://www.saweddingvenues.com. Many of these have buck and other animals that you can use in your photographs, so you can still get the safari feel to your wedding.

There are lodges that can accommodate larger parties. Kapama and Moholoholo in Limpopo can both accommodate up to 100 guests, but Kapama would require all the guests stay over in luxury accommodation. Moholoholo is a wild life rehabilitation centre and is an option for the budget conscious bride.

In the Eastern Cape there is a very special place called Inkwenkwezi which not only has small game, but also access to the beach thus giving you many options.

The good news is that no matter what your budget is, there is an option for you if you want an African Bush theme wedding.

Shalwyn: Our Gorgeous Country Wedding Venue

2009-11-05T06:05:00.000-08:00

Shalwyn Venue and Conference Centre beckons.

Located on Shalwyn Farm, Tala Valley, in the heart of the Kwa-Zulu Natal Midlands, it is a mere 20 minutes from Pietermaritzburg, 45 minutes from Durban and just a five hour trip from Johannesburg. A short distance to travel to enjoy pure country bliss.

Our family-run sugar cane farm and wholesale nursery, we invite you to celebrate your special day in our piece of paradise.

Our venue is an old shed transformed and restored to an elegantly rustic taste. Handmade driftwood chandeliers lower the high ceilings and cast romantic hues against the block walls. Large wooden doors opened wide afford breathtaking views of the valley.

The reception room oozes with its own unique character. Features a large thatch pub which serves guests inside as well as those outside on the sprawling wooden deck. Enjoy a drink out here with good friends while the African sun sinks behind darkening hills, perfect for post ceremony gatherings. During the colder months you and your guests can gather round roaring log fires and admire the endless starry skies.

Neighbouring the reception room is our charming chapel with glass windows overlooking dams, hills of sugarcane and natural beauty. Choose to have your ceremony here, on our deck or on our perfectly manicured lawns.

The main attraction to Shalwyn is our vast open space and sweeping views, engulfed in quietude, you quickly forget you are not far from the city.

St Fort Country House, Clarens, Free State

2009-10-12T06:43:00.000-07:00

Set on 2200 acres of Free State mountain farmland, St Fort boasts a sandstone farm house, built in 1913 and lovingly restored into a luxurious and comfortable four-star guest house. It is situated 5 km from Clarens in a stunning setting surrounded by mountains.

Hiking trails, mountain biking trails, camp sites, unique picnic spots, the superb guest house and of course, the unique wedding venue provide the experience of a lifetime.

Tired of clinical white wedding halls where two weddings are held back-to-back on a Saturday? And, if you are first in line, you have to take your veil and run before the next bride comes strolling down the aisle.... then St Fort is the place to be.

Come and enjoy your rustic farmstyle wedding in our renovated sandstone barn. Experience the comfort and hospitality of the countryside, and have the wedding organised exactly the way you want it.

The wedding venue, a renovated sandstone barn, provides the ideal opportunity to create a true farmstyle wedding, but with every modern facility needed to make the wedding an unforgettable experience.

Up to 150 persons can be catered for, and every detail can be arranged by our experienced and creative wedding coordinator.

The farm has the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery, to create wonderful photographs of the bride, bridegroom and their entourage. To view the contact details of the photographers used for this profile, please hover the mouse over the relevant picture.

Contact us for any further information, or for a quotation for a truly custom-made, affordable wedding to suit your needs and dreams.

How About These?

2009-10-09T02:07:00.000-07:00

Wandelei Shoes

This is the story about these delightful shoes:

A pair of these would save your feet on your wedding day! Imagine if you could take those stilettos off after a day on your feet, and slip a pair of these on to dance the night away!

The shoes are lovingly made from the best materials. The top layer is soft as cotton and very tender to the bride's feet. The centre layer wondrously dampened her step and the sole was durable and protective. The slightly raised heel was special and it made her gracious movements even more attractive.

The clever designer conjured up a stunning, feminine and narrow shape onto her shoes, emphasising her tender little feet. To ensure that her gentle, sensitive toes would feel well, every shoe was equipped with a narrow spacer.

The spacer transformed into two narrow straps, lending excellent support to the lovely bridal feet. The interior of the straps are lined with soft micro fibre velour, soft and velvety as peach blossoms.

The bride was very happy about her first pair of shoes that perfectly matched the colour and style of her most gorgeous dresses. Yet the bride was extremely fashion conscious and had a large number of dresses and jeans in her honeymoon wardrobe. Naturally, her shoes were supposed to match her most beautiful outfits exactly.

Because she loved gifts as much as her shoes, she carefully wrapped each pair in wonderful, small woven and color matching organza bags.

These are called Wandelei Shoes and to find out where you can buy them contact:

Nazreen: nazreen@sekao.co.za

- More comfortable with a soft bed for the heel and arch for the foot

- The straps are hand sewn and have a more comfortable fit around the toes

- Machine washable

Destination Wedding at Tuningi Lodge, Madikwe

2009-08-28T05:41:00.000-07:00

We had the pleasure of organising a wedding for a couple who travelled to South Africa from Tokyo. The bride has always dreamed of having a wedding in the African Bush and after 18 months of planning, her dream came true!

The guests arrived from all four corners of the globe and made their way from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg up to Tuningi Lodge which is situated in the Madikwe Game Reserve. Madikwe is a Big 5 reserve situated in the North West Province on the Botswana border. Here they were treated to 3 days of celebrations interspersed with some excellent game viewing. On their first day the highlight of their game drive was when they saw a leopard with 2 cubs. On the same drive they saw wild dogs with their pups. These two sitings were just an introduction into the way their visit was heading.

On the way back from their first evening game drive, the vehicles stopped at a clearing in the African bush. It was lit by lamps and open fires in braziers with a large fire burning in the middle. Perfectly set tables surrounded the fire place and each chair had a blanket thrown over it to keep out the considerable evening chill. There was no electricity and there were game rangers on guard to discourage any inquisitive elephant or lion in case they wanted to inspect proceedings.

As the guests alighted from the vehicles, they were greeted by the rythmic drumming and 14 Zulu dancers in full regalia. First course was a warming soup. After this the guests were treated to Zulu dancing. What an atmosphere there was with the fires crackling, and myriads of stars shining in a cloudless sky. A fully plated dinner was on offer consisting of delicious barbecued fillet steak and even the plates were hot.

The next day was the wedding day. It dawned clear but with a very cold wind blowing. After consultation with the bride and her bridesmaids it was decided that the ceremony would be moved from out in the bush to be held in the Lodge itself. What a disappointment as for 18 months we had been planning this bush ceremony. With about hours to go until ceremony time the groom called the lodge staff and the co-ordinaters together and insisted that we hold it in the bush.

There was a mad scramble to set up chairs, flowers, etc. By some miracle the wind dropped and the weather warmed up considerably. The bride's and bridesmaids' strapless dresses were perfect for the occasion. The only hassle was the bridesmaids negotiating the rocky terrain in their gorgeous high heels. As the bride and groom said their vows and were pronounced husband and wife, the Lodge choir burst into song with a traditional African wedding hymn. After a few more songs the bride and groom climbed into their "Just Married" open landdrover and drove back to the Lodge for their reception.

In the warm cosy lodge the guests were entertained by a marimba band while they had some really great food. The speeches were spectacular, and the dancing went on until late!

What a perfect bush wedding!

Wedding Venue Z Hotel Zanzibar

2009-08-03T06:19:00.000-07:00

Wedding Venue of the day goes to the Z Hotel in Zanzibar.

This beautiful hotel is located in the north of Zanzibar near the town of Nungwi amd makes the perfect idylic tropical wedding venue in Southern Africa. Hotel Z has been voted by Tripadvisor as the top hotel in Zanzibar and it is not hard to see why. Hotel Z offers tailor made wedding packages that will suit all couple. Getting married in Zanzibar has never been easier and more affordable than at Hotel Z.

Your Wedding at Z Hotel

Get married on the unspoilt beach or on the deck at the Z Hotel with the azure ocean in the background.

We can accommodate weddings of up to 70 people.

Wedding Package

Rates will differ for the amount of people in the wedding party, and extras can be arranged and added, within reason, on request of the wedding party.

Guests will need to be in the country at least 3 days before ceremony.

Processing of all documentation

Transportation of the Registrar to the hotel

Marriage certificate

Registration fees

Commissioner for Oaths fees

Wedding cake (small) if larger needed will be an additional cost (optional)

For USD$450.00

Additions:

Wedding floral arch/s available at cost of $55

Basic flowers and décor $40

Moet $90 per bottle

Champagne ( Vueve Clicquot) $120 per bottle

Or extra bottle of sparkling wine $50 per bottle

Sunset cruise for 2 on local Dhow sailing boat $60

Photographer and cd back ups of photos $360

Accommodation

Not only is the Z Hotel voted best on Tripadvisor, it is also extremely good value for money.

There are four different accommodation options. The rates quoted are per room Bed and Breakfast.

Rates start at $ 230 per room per night.

Wedding Video

2009-07-27T05:30:00.001-07:00

You HAVE to watch this video on Youtube!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-94JhLEiN0

Laura and Steve

2009-07-01T03:49:00.000-07:00

My boyfriend, Steve, and I met 4 years ago at varsity when the fund raising organisation we were both involved with had an orientation weekend in Nyanga. There was an immediate attraction but we only got together a few months later. He has been by boyfriend and my best friend ever since.The engagement story...We had planned to go home to my parents’ farm after work on Friday and stay 2 hours from Cape Town and so get to the farm a bit earlier on Saturday. Steve and I discussed accommodation spots for the Friday and debated where to stay, what time he could leave work etc. and eventually decided on a place that he said he would book as a little surprise for us.On Friday, after leaving work early, getting my tyres pumped up, putting petrol in and packing all the padkos I had bought, we left. We drove along the N2 and after a while I said “isn’t this the wrong highway?” Steve replied that we were taking a route that someone from work recommended because of the bad traffic on the N1.We looked for the turn and I said “oh that must be it” but then we had missed it (typical of Steve, whose direction sense is a bit fuzzy). He said he would just turn around in the airport. But when we got to the airport he said he had organised a surprise, we were going to fly somewhere in South Africa, but our flight was only later so we needed to go to my flat first so that I could pack some smart clothes! So off we went (Steve had now put in a CD he had made me of special songs) and then later we were dropped off at the airport.

I still didn’t know where we were going and only found out when we checked in that we were flying to Jo’burg; Steve said it was only a stopover. We spent the night at our hotel and then in the morning Steve asked if I would like to go to Sandton City (he knew that I would!). So of course we went to Sandton City and he said he had one more surprise- if I saw anything I liked he would buy it for me! So we did a whirlwind shop because I wasn’t turning down that opportunity! We made our way out of Jo’burg to our mystery destination which turned out to be a game lodge near Sun City (Kwa Maritane). Steve said he had made lunch reservations near the Palace. A Palace concierge lead us up to the 9th floor and I thought, “Oh, I haven’t been to this restaurant before!” The lift stopped and we went up two flights of stairs before coming out at a single table overlooking the entire area, set for the two of us, complete with 3 waiters. We went up the spiral staircase to see the view from the top of the Kings Tower and I was busy taking photos of the view when Steve started saying something, and then he got down on one knee and proposed, and gave me a beautiful ring! We then had our private lunch consisting of selections that Steve had specially chosen for each of us. We spent two nights at Kwa Maritane, went on a game drive and ended it off magically with a hot air balloon ride over the Pilansberg Game reserve (something we had always wanted to do) followed by champagne and breakfast. We then flew to Port Elizabeth and hired a car to drive to my parents’ farm for two nights as Steve had thought that I would like to see my parents to celebrate the good news with them.Steve had organised every tiny detail with such care that every moment was a surprise. I was touched by how thoughtful he was- he knew I would love to go shopping at Sandton City, that I would appreciate a private engagement, that I would love to see my parents afterwards and that it would be incredibly special to do the hot air balloon ride we had always spoken of.A friend of mine said “this is the storybook engagement that everyone dreams about”, for me it certainly was!

Give Back on Your Wedding

2009-06-22T05:05:00.001-07:00

Wedding Favours

Spending a lot of money on a South African wedding can be daunting.

Why not give back something to a charity in lieu of Favours?

Here are our favorite charaties to donate to on behalf of your guests: A timeless gift!

SPCA

Getting married is such a joyful time, which is why many couples ensure that each guest receives a “favour” or small gift as a token of appreciation for attending and expressing good wishes. They also serve as constant reminders of the happy day.

May we suggest that there may be animal lovers amongst you and your guests and that you could make a meaningful gesture that will last a lifetime – for the animals!

Why not donate a set amount per guest to the SPCA? A card at each place setting could indicate that this has been done in the names of the guests and that you feel sure they will appreciate this action to help animals in their name.

There are over 90 individual SPCAs in South Africa plus the National Council of SPCAs which has the nationally operational units working to protect Wildlife, Farm Animals, Equine, Animals in Exhibition, Sport and Recreation plus the Research Ethics Unit.

www.nspca.co.za has a list of all the SPCAs with contact and banking details. You may have a preference such as helping animals in your own area or a specific type of animal you wish to assist.

Cotlands

Cotlands is a long-serving South African 'non-profit' agency that continues to meet the ever-changing needs of children impacted by HIV/AIDS in our country.

South Africa has been identified as the country with the greatest number of HIV/AIDS-infected people in the world. Recent reports reveal that more than five million South Africans are currently living with the impact of HIV/AIDS, while some of Cotlands’ programme focus areas (e.g. Cotlands' Hlabisa Home Base Care project) have estimated infection rates of more than 40% of the total population.

Give to Cotlands and you will be changing the lives not only of this generation but for many generations of South Africans to come! If you wish to sponsor this charity for your favours please contact kathy@saweddingvenues.com for more information.

Or contact me Kathy if you have any questions.

www.saweddingvenues.com

2009-06-22T03:35:00.000-07:00

Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve

About Us
Inkwenkwezi is situated in the malaria free Eastern Cape of South Africa. The reserve is situated within an area of one hundred square kilometres encompassing five different biomes (vegetation types) which offer varied game viewing.
It is one of the few reserves with a tidal estuary. The reserve has five of the big five and a variety of antelope as well as giraffe, zebra & other predators.
The reserve is five minutes from magnificent beaches and a 40 minute drive from a national airport. Driving to Inkwenkwezi is a pleasure as the roads are tarred right to the entrance.

Your Wedding
Inkwenkwezi’s charming thatched open-air chapel with its red carpet laid out for the bridal couple to walk down to say ”I do”. The chapel is situated at Emthombeni (under the old wild fig tree) and paradise garden settings with water features incorporating waterfalls, small ponds and streams with rapids. To capture this beauty way into the night, strategically placed lights light up the garden.
After the service the couple may wonder into our paradise garden for their photo session. The variety of breathtaking scenes, interesting features will give you the opportunity to have a range of unique photographs to keep as mementoes of this important day.
During the photo session the guests are invited to have a pre-arranged Inkwenkwezi welcoming drink. While the tranquil sound of running water relaxes the guest and their chatter carries through the garden as you are being photographed.
On walking into the thatched Emthombeni, you are welcomed and you become one with the enchanting gardens when the big sliding glass doors are opened.
Our beautiful, well-designed and equipped bar is operated as per your instructions. We offer a Cash Bar or a Tab Bar. We however require you to hand in your Tab Bar requirements prior to your special day.
Our kitchen will cater accordingly to your requirements and only the finest and freshest ingredients are used. On our buffet, more than generous portions are served. We include to this letter options for you to choose your buffet menu. The MC invites the bridal table and then each table for their turn at the buffet.
Your unique table décor and artistic displays will ensure that your special occasion is not short of being exclusively to your needs.
At Inkwenkwezi our main aim is to give attention to detail, in order for you and your partner to have a memorable day. Prior to your big day we invite you to meet with our coordinator to discuss in detail the various options.
We will therefore endeavor to fulfill all your expectations.

Accommodation
The Bush Camp offers accommodation for twelve guests in six en-suite safari tents. All tents have electric lights, twin beds, slatted headboards, bedside tables and bedside lamps, bedside mats, telephones, chest of drawers.
The en-suite bathrooms feature a shower, (hot and cold water) which is crafted to resemble a cave and blends with the natural rock and bush of this area.
From its hilltop site the camp overlooks a valley and each safari tent is positioned on a raised timber deck offering you your own private game viewing.
The Valley Camp offers twelve guests accommodation in six custom designed luxury tents with the emphasis on spaciousness and quality. The tents are positioned on individual timber decks and situated in a valley nestling amongst indigenous trees.
Guests booking for accommodation over the wedding period at Inkwenkwezi get an extra special discounted rate. We will offer our luxury tented accommodation to your guest at a special price on the night of the wedding, the bride & groom’s accommodation in our honeymoon suite for the wedding night will be complimentary.
Alternative Accommodation also available at Umnenga Lodge situated close to the beach, and an approximately 6 km form the reserve.Each room is equipped with a television and en-suite bathroom.
We also have accommodation available at Chintsa Sands guest house, situated 6km from Inkwenkwezi Private Game Reserve at Chintsa West, a stone throw away from our pristine beach.
Please feel free to ask us for more information and extra special prices regarding the above for your wedding guest. (50 rooms to choose from, something for everyone).

www.saweddingvenues.com

Please Vote Now

2009-06-17T03:41:00.000-07:00

Please Read Our Most Romantic Proposal Stories and Vote Now For The Best Story By Leaving Your Comment

Henri and Marijke

2009-06-17T03:40:00.000-07:00

We started dating in August 2006 after being good friends for the previous 8 months living in Pretoria where we both studied. From the beginning I knew there was something special about this girl and that I wanted to marry her! After being together for 1.5 years, around April 2008, I decided to buy a ring and ask her to marry me in the coming December holidays. I subtly took her around to jewelry stores to get a feel for what she would like while making it clear that I would only be ready for marriage after about three or four years when we were both professionally qualified in our careers. Meanwhile I had made arrangements for flights and accommodation in Cape Town for three days, a part of the country she has never been to and consistently begs me to go to.

Two points were very important to me:

1.) I wanted her to be completely knocked of her feet

2.) I wanted her to remember it forever and be able to tell a fairy tale story to our grandkids with reference to a special place...

I chose December because we would both be on holiday at our childhood homes in Amanzimtoti with our families. We both actually come from Amanzimtoti and went to school together but did not really know each other well due to a year age difference and me leaving for boarding school in grade 10. I got permission from her parents in July 2008 during a quick visit to the coast and made them swear to secrecy. Our holiday started on the 12th December 2008 and our flight was booked for the 15th December 2008.

We arrived at home, Amanzimtoti, the Friday and I visited her the Saturday. At this point she still does not know anything about even visiting Cape Town. I had arranged for my boss to phone my mobile which I conveniently left at her house while I was out with her father buying stuff for a braai. She answered my phone when she had seen it was my boss and he briefly explained to her that he has to speak to me urgently and that our company, a civil engineering consulting firm, had secured a contract down in Cape Town. Upon my arrival back at her place she relayed the message and I phoned my boss out of earshot and thanked him for the favor. After I hung up I approached Marijke and her family members and told them that I would have to fly to Cape Town Monday morning and that I would only return Wednesday evening. Marijke started to get angry when I informed her there was more….my boss had gotten her a ticket as well as he knows we are actually on holiday together in KZN. I further informed her that I was only required to attend a meeting the Tuesday afternoon and that we would be able to enjoy Cape Town for most of the time. She was so excited to go she almost started packing immediately. The folks even played along by showing a bit of disappointment at our departure so quick after our arrival. Any way we landed in Cape Town Monday Morning early and set of to the hotel on Granger bay. The weather was awesome and I immediately suggested that we go to Table Mountain, my plan from the start. We were on top of the mountain within 2 hours after our flight around twelve. We walked around for a bit until I found the perfect spot overlooking Houtbay and Simons stad. The area was deserted accept in the distance a tourist was taking photographs of the landscape. I approached him alone telling Marijke I was going to ask him to take a photo of us two. I informed the Spanish guy that I was about to ask my Girlfriend to marry me and instructed him to take as many photos as possible.

We posed for the first shot where after I went down on one knee and held her hand. I told her that I have always known that I wanted to make all her wishes come true for the rest of her life. She was totally shocked!!! After few more romantic sentences I removed the ring from my pocket and asked her to marry me to which she shouted YES! YES! I placed the ring on her finger and we embraced. The Spanish fellow congratulated us and went on his way. We enjoyed the moment for the next 45 minutes after which she asked me what the hell happened to my four year plan! After a long explanation from my side she started phoning everybody to announce the good news! We headed back to the restaurant and enjoyed two bottles of sparkling wine till the sun set approximately 20:30. I also informed her that in fact we were in Cape Town alone and that we had all three days to our selves before heading back to our awaiting families. Now every time she sees Table Mountain or images of it she will remember the first time she was on top of that Majestic Mountain she got engaged!!!

Vote for This Proposal Story By Leaving A Comment

Ayanda's Romantic Proposal Story

2009-06-17T03:39:00.000-07:00

My proposal happened unexpectedly……….

It was Friday the 13th February 2009. My now fiancé (then boyfriend) and I had date reservations for later in the afternoon but due to having a stressful day at work….the only thing that was buzzing in my mind was going straight to bed and sleep. When I got home, I sent him a text message postponing our date for next Friday.

He called me to decline the request because I promised early in the week that against all odds we will go out even for a drink then come back home. Honestly I wasn’t up for it and just slept thinking I will get away with it.

Deep in my sleep my phone rang, it was him informing me that he’s waiting outside my house to collect me for our date. After hustling with him for about 30 minutes, I decided to drag myself out of bed, face him and postpone our date. We didn’t see much of each other over that week so Friday was the only day as our weekends had agendas of their own to focus on.

The look on his face as he was begging me and telling me how much he missed our time together just punched my heart. I gave in and went back to my room to freshen up for our date. We both agreed that we only going to have a drink then head back home to give our bodies some rest.

Off we went to Cappuccino in Midrand for a drink, after an hour he paid the bill. We stood up as usual; I was walking in from towards the door as we were leaving. He was walking right behind me then he called my name, as I was turning back to give him my attention………….there he was down on one knee, in front of everyone……….he proposed!

I just nodded ‘Yes’ as words couldn’t come out of my mouth, he placed the ring on my finger and sealed everything with a passionate kiss. Before I came back to my senses……..I heard applauses from everyone in the restaurant. I was overjoyed.

He dropped me off at my house, I couldn’t sleep all night. At about 5:30 am on the 14th February 2009 my mother woke me up, walk in my bedroom along with my older sister who is married and has her own home. I was shocked to see her as she slept over that night and then my younger sister came along as well to my bedroom. I thought someone very close to me has died or something bad has happened so they came to inform me. Honestly I wasn’t in a mood to be sad because of the joyful evening I had previous night……

My mother politely asked me to take a seat but I preferred to stand due to being unsettled, but finally I decided to sit thinking what if I faint or loose balance due to shock. Then my mother start saying, ‘my child we need to prepare because elders from Pietersburg are coming; they are coming to start discussing the Lobola negotiations about you?’

In a normal case Kathy, in situations like this……the elders from you boyfriend’s side firstly send a letter to my family asking a hand in marriage for their son and to discuss Lobola negotiations however in this case everything was done without my knowledge thus when I heard the news I was in shock…..as I didn’t know anything. I thought my mother was joking but just to cut the long story short……..everything unfolded on that day at 8am and now I am officially engaged to a man I love with everything I have and everything I am.

This is one experience, I will treasure for the rest of my life. We are currently busy preparing for our wedding and I am so looking forward to what God has instore for us.

Liezelle and Raymond's Romantic Proposal Story

2009-06-17T03:38:00.000-07:00

On the 31st January 2009, my now fiancé Raymond Abrahams proposed to me. We went to the beach apparently for a “walk” and then something to eat. Not to my knowledge, he had a friend from work help him with all the background preparation.

He used the note in the bottle concept…. We were walking along the beach, and he pointed out the bottle lying on the sand. I noticed that the bottle had something in it. When I got closer, I realized it was a note/letter. I got really excited because I thought it was a treasure map or something! He told me to check and see what the letter said (trying to seem inquisitive himself).

I took out the note in the bottle and read it, it said the following:
My love, this message I send you hoping you’ll find it before its too late!
My love for you has grown so much this past while & now I realize I cannot live without you!
As this bottle has traveled the water, so did my heart in search for my soulmate.
It is with this in mind……..

At this point he took the ring out of his pocket, went down on bended knee and asked me to be his wife! I feel the tears of joy coming on again.
Before I said yes or even looked at the ring, I hugged him and cried for almost 5mins…. He was crying too.

His friend from work then came along with picnic basket that Raymond (my fiancé) prepared and packed himself….. We then took a drive to Redcliffs/Redhills (don’t remember the place’s name…wasn’t important at the time) and had our picnic there…. Lovely prawns, scallops, oysters, calamari steaks, smoked turkey, cracker bread, smoked salmon spread and of course the bottle of champagne to celebrate! After the picnic we went back to the beach where we spent a few hours just relaxing and enjoying each other’s company.

So yes, that’s how it all happened…. Im going to be “a wife” soon… Im going to have “a husband” soon…..Im going to be Mrs. Abrahams soon!

Hope my fiancé’s proposal touches you like it touched me.

Lauren and Peter

2009-06-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

Im a 22 year old-young women who 2 and a half years ago met her life partner!

I realised after only a year of dating that this was THE ONE! We are partners, lovers,

soul mates and best friends. He is my ultimate and I am his!

It was in August last year that I (the Girl), decided to propose. I asked my mom for her wishes

before mentioning it to any one else. Her reaction was no no no! The guy is meant to propose to the girl!

We discussed it a little further and I managed to talk my mom out of her views and into utter excitement.

Im her only girl and her princess has finally found her prince:)

Next was getting everything planned. I wanted to have the proposal local as we are very close to our family and wanted

to share the excitement with them. I decided that doing the proposal on his birthday would help make the proposal more of a

suprise as he would expect to be spoilt rotten on his birthday. His birthday was only in November so I had quiet a bit of time to plan.

Closer to the time - I set up a get together with his parents to ask for there sons hand in marraige. They were over the moon!

I asked them "what happens if he hates the idea of me proposing and says no" - his dad laughed and said "tough luck to him, I already

say yes on his behalf!". With that out the way - the day of the proposal was all to wait for.

I booked him into the Saxon Boutique Hotel Day Spa for the morning of his birthday for his "birthday".

I then met him mid day for a lunch at the saxon before he continued with his spa day and I left to get my hair and

make up done for the dinner to follow that evening. After his spa day - the saxon chaeffeur drove him home to our house

were his tux lay waiting for him on the bed. He got ready, and was driven back to the Saxon only to find me (Dolled up to the nines)

in the saxon bar. My plan was that we have a few drinks at the bar, but that idea fell to pieces when he arrived. I BECAME SOOOOO NERVOUS!

I was shacking! he couldnt work out what was wrong with me:) We hit two Jagerbombs each and went outside to a private gazebo in the garden surrounded with Koi ponds, rose petals and Candles. This is where we were going to have a private dinner in the garden - just the two of us. On the Table was his birthday present. I had wrapped the ring

box in different size boxes that fitted into one another getting bigger and bigger. I aksed him what he thought it was and he said an Ipod docking station and that

I really shouldnt have. I told him to open the present. Inside he found a smaller box with a note on top of why I love him and why we belong together.

This unwrapping the boxes and notes took about 6 layers to get to the ring box. When he got to the ring box I read the last note before he was allowed to open the box.

The note said: I LOVE YOU! FOR ALL THE ABOVE REASONS AND A MILLION MORE! peter Rayne - Will you marry me?

I then instantly burst into tears! He jumped up and grabbed me holding me in a tight hug and planting huge kisses all over my shacking body.We then kissed and hugged for a few minutes and sat down for him to open the ring box - and it was then that I realised he hadnt said yes yet!?!? We were both so shacken up and overwhelmed at the situation

we forgot the formalities of the format of a proposal - questions asked. question answered! He then of course said yes!

We then sat down and enjoyed the evening together with champers, great food, amazingly special phone calls to wish us Mazeltov and running over how he never expected this for a second but was the very best thing that could have ever happened:)

I am sure you will agree that all of the above is one of a kind proposal and I look forward to hearing from you.

Stacy and Grantham

2009-06-17T03:36:00.000-07:00

I love the way my husband, Grantham aka Snorks, proposed!! It was 2006 I'd gone to London on a 2 year working visa to help start a church, Snorks came over a month after me but on a cricket contract down in the south of England so I only got to see him once but at the end of the cricket season he came and stayed with friends of ours for 6 weeks in London! He told me secretly that he wanted me to be his wife but that he needed to speak to my dad. He had to change his ticket and stay an extra month as my parents were coming to London for my birthday. He asked my dad the day before my birthday but he decided to not propose yet but to wait until I was back in SA, a little bit of a torture for me!!!!

THE EXCITING PART

5 months later I came home for easter and 2 weddings but I was going back to London in 2 weeks for another 4months so I wasnt 100% sure if Snorks would propose, even though I did know he had a ring ready and waiting. I thought if he did he'd take me up onto the mountain and propose, but if you know me I'm an out there person so as much as this would have been amazing I need a little more excitement especially as I knew he was one day going to propose. I arrived in Joburg on Wednesday 28 March 2007 so unbelievably excited to step onto SA soil as I hadnt been home for a year. I sat on the plane and cried my eyes out cause I was home and going to see my man and family. Unfortunately I waited an hour to get my bags but at this time 3 other plains had landed, this was before they changed OR Tambo and therefore all passengers came out of the same terminal. As I walked out with my massive trolly to find Snorks all I could see was hundreds of people. I stood still in the middle and started looking for him, next minuite he runs out to me gives me a big hug and a bunch of flowers and tells me he loves me so much, next minuite he puts his hand in his pocket pulls out a ring box gets onto his knee, opens the box and says will you marry me, in front of about 200 people. Wow I was completely shocked, said yes, yes YES! Grabbed him and kissed him, by this time everyone was shouting and screaming congrats, there was even a flash that went off (not sure if it was taken of us though)! If you know me it's completely my kind of proposal but if you know my hubby it's totally out of character for him, he's quiet and loves the out doors. He did really well!!

Martin & Jeanique's Romantic Proposal

2009-06-17T03:33:00.000-07:00

I would like to share our amazing proposal experience with you (I hear we can win our honeymoon!)...

My fiancée (her name is Jeanique) and I have been dating for 8 months after we were matched by non other than our parents! We had been discussing marriage since the early stages of our relationship, but I still took her completely by surprise. We have started looking for wedding venues since the beginning of this month (as they fill up quite quickly) but I was yet to propose. I could see that she would have liked to be engaged while the whole process was going on, but she was under the impression that I agreed with the fact that our engagement should not last longer than approximately 6 months.

As the initial date for our wedding was to be March 2010, she assumed that we would get engaged by approximately August/September this year. However, we got engaged last weekend in an idyllic setting with another surprise – I want to get married in September this year!

I had found an amazing guest house in Bishopscourt (called Bishopsgrace) which we were to visit on the day to scout as a possible wedding venue (we are looking for something elegant but intimate). I contacted the guest house the previous week and arranged a viewing to determine whether it would fit the proposal – and it was absolutely sublime. The views of the rugged peaks with the lush green of Kirstenbosch simply take your breath away, so it was an easy decision on the place of proposal.

I arranged for them to set up a table on the veranda overlooking the gardens and mountains with breakfast ready for us when we arrive. The previous day (Saturday) I had white linen napkins embroided in burgundy with our initials (MJ and JM) with the date – as something we can keep to remember the day by. I also bought a luxury orchid plant (her favourite flower) as a table centrepiece (see details later), as well as 4 bunches of blood red roses. I then took some sepia and black & white photos of Scrabble letters (arranged on the playing holder) with words like “Marry me”, “love”, “peace”, “joy” etc with a grain wood background.

I delivered all these items on the Saturday for them to drape the table with. The rose petals were to be stripped and scattered on the table, with the napkins suitably placed, and the photos also scattered on the table and inside the orchid leaves. A bottle of bubbly was also requested in an ice bucket, with rose petals all over.

On the Sunday, I picked her up in the morning (we live in the Northern suburbs) and we headed to three possible venues that were booked for the morning (a restaurant in Hout Bay, a wine farm in Constantia and Bishopsgrace). Jeanique therefore knew that we were going to Bishopsgrace, but she was merely under the impression that we were going to scout it as a possible wedding venue. In fact, I had to organise with other venues that they “cancel” on us on Sunday so that we could just “happen to go to” Bishopsgrace!

The start of the morning (whilst looking at the first two venues) was obviously quite nerve wrecking for me as my attention was clearly elsewhere while she had no idea! I constantly had to remind myself that I had to act as if I didn’t know where the place was (I even took my GPS with as if to try to find it on there!). Jeanique is incredibly inquisitive and would have picked up the slightest offish behaviour on my part, so I really had to exert myself so that she didn’t expect anything.

Upon arrival at the guest house, I naturally had to act that it is the first time I am seeing the place. Also – I had to “introduce” myself to the hosts of the guest house, who also had to act like I had never been there before. In the entrance hall, I excused myself to the bathroom, while the hostess showed Jeanique the package information. This was done to keep her in the entrance hall while I run around to the patio to hang her engagement ring (that I had designed without her knowing) on the tip of the curved orchid plant (I didn’t want to have the cliché box). When I ran around to the table, a lady (whom I presumed to be a guest) was standing at the table looking at everything and quickly enquired as to if I’m the “groom”! While she quickly ran out (the guests politely vacated the house while we had the visit), she noted that she would marry me if my girlfriend declined based on the look of the table!

I slowly walked back to the entrance hall, now clearly engrossed in the biggest moment of my life. I took Jeanique by the hand, and she could clearly see that something was different, because she immediately asked what was the matter. I just said “I haven’t been completely honest with you…” and lead her to the patio. The staff were so wonderful, they had already strewn the rose petals from the living room to form a little red path to the table.

When we got to the table, I knelt on one knee and simply spoke from my heart (I deliberately didn’t have any speech prepared – I was going to mess it up anyway!). I later joked with friends that it was easy to go down on one knee as my legs were so wobbly they were about to collapse under me anyway!

She immediately started crying and accepted my proposal just about as I was finishing my question – after which I put the ring on her finger and we exchanged bursts of crying and laughing simultaneously. The amazing thing about it was that we were completely alone (the only background noise the sound of Josh Groban and Sarah Brightman) and could then enjoy a wonderful, leisurely breakfast together. Only after this did we phone the family and friends (who of course all knew that this was coming except her).

The reason why the proposal was a brunch is that she is currently busy just about every evening with a production at the Artscape. However, for the day, I organised that she didn’t have to be in the production that day, which meant no interruptions. She was completely dumbfounded that the whole day was just ours, as our schedules have been very busy with the show being on.

Ultimately it turned out so much better than what I imagined it to be – it was just the perfect day to a perfect start of our lives together.

Willem and Danielle

2009-06-17T03:31:00.000-07:00

Last night I met the woman I'm going to marry!"

These were my words to my brother early January 2005 upon him asking how my weekend was. After some convincing Danielle and I started going out on June 17th that same year. I now know what love at first sight is...

On the 13th of February 2009 we got engaged! Just 4 days shy of being together a wonderful total of 44 months. I felt the time was never going to be as right to ask Danielle to marry me and she said yes.

My planning started in October the previous year and I must admit that it couldn't have turned out any better! Everything was perfect for the perfect woman!

Our engagement was pre-empted with a lot of lying and misleading. Close to the end of January I informed my then girlfriend that my sister has invited the family to come and spend Valentines weekend on their new farm in Hoedspruit. It was also my sister's birthday so we had little choice but to go. I apologized for not being able to do something special with her on Valentines as it was quite a big day in our relationship. She was disappointed but accepted it nonetheless.

I then proceeded to phone/email my entire family to tell them that I am taking Danielle on a special Valentines weekend to a lodge near Nylstroom where I grew up - Metsi Metsi Country Lodge. They must just stick with the story of going to my sister's farm and how much fun it will be. Luckily everybody played along and she didn't expect a thing.

Meanwhile I found the perfect design for her ring and asked my cousin to make it for me to be ready the morning of 13 February as she is a very talented and qualified jewelry designer.

Almost everything was in place - Danielle thought we were going to my sister; My family thought we were going on a Valentines weekend; I made the booking at the lodge & the ring would be ready in time.

I took Friday off from work and met up with the future in-laws in order to ask for Danielle's hand in marriage. I was very nervous, but everything turned out well and I was on my way to fetch the ring from my cousin. I got the most beautiful ring in the world and went home to start packing. Danielle was meeting me at around 14h00 and I had to be ready!

I also bought some normal Valentines gifts like chocolates, candles, teddy bear, etc. The ring was in a small velvet bag. I took a shoebox and put the ring right at the bottom. I then put all the normal Valentines gifts on top which hid the ring. Then I wrapped the box in stunning, shiny & romantic paper & attached a Valentines card on the top with a poem that I had written myself!

Then I wrapped the entire box again with normal birthday paper so that Danielle would think that the present was for my sister:)

She arrived on time and we headed off to my sister. I said to her that there were terrible roadworks on the N4 and thus we would have to take the N1 North. I also asked my Mom to sms her to say we must drive safe. Danielle was completely unaware that her life was about to change...

Danielle fell asleep on the highway which gave me a chance to go through my speech again. She woke up just as I took the off ramp towards Nylstroom. She asked what was going on and I simply smiled and said: "Did you really think I would take you to my family for Valentines?"

She was extremely surprised and excited! I then put on our favorite song and she held my hand the whole way into town. We eventually got to the lodge at about 16h30. It is a 4 star lodge that we have visited in the past as the owners are good family friends. We were also the only guests which made it that much more special.

We took our bags to the suite and proceeded to walk down to the wooden deck overlooking the dam. I had organized a romantic sunset dinner with 3 courses, candles & wine. Everything was made up beautifully and Danielle was blown away - all the while thinking this is a great Valentines!

As the sun was going down and we had finished dessert I said she should open up some presents. She took the shoebox with the crappy paper and opened it up only to be shocked to find a beautiful Valentines card and a much more appropriately wrapped box. She read the card and got a little teary-eyed. Then she opened the box and took out the gifts one by one, I asked her to leave the little bag for last:)

Candles - chocolates - teddy - nightgown - vase ... then she opened up the bag, saw something shining and with a strange expression asked me what this is?

I got up, walked around the table, got down on one knee and took her hand. At this point we were both pretty close to tears. I then gave a little speech which I'm not going to repeat now and she just starting crying, shaking her head and said YES! She continued to cry for about an hour as we enjoyed our first engagement dance under starry skies...

It was the most amazing moment and night of my life and I can not wait to spend the rest of it with my Danielle!

I hope you enjoyed our little fairy tale....

Jose

2009-06-17T03:30:00.000-07:00

I recently got engaged to the most beautiful woman alive :-)

I thought my proposal was cute,and so did my fiance'.

My fiance is VERY fond of cupcakes,especially the ones from a bakery in cape town called Charley's bakery.So i got them to make me 5 wicker chocolate cupcakes saying :WILL YOU MARRY ME, and i left the last cupcake empty so i could put the ring inside.We went away for the weekend to Knysna for my birthday, and went out for supper the evening of my birthday.After supper i took a drive down to the lagoon and parked the car.I said to her that she must wait there because i bought her a gift and just wanted to get it out of the boot of the car. I opened the boot where the cupcakes were lying,took the ring out of the box,put it in the last cupcake, and told her to close her eyes as it is a surprise. I walked over to her side of the car,went down onto my knee,put the box of cupcakes on her lap and told her to open her eyes.
When she opened her eyes and saw what was in front of her,she just burst out into tears cause it was a complete surprise!!!
After her crying and getting all excited,i just looked at her and said: Can i take that as a yes,and she replied: of course you can....FIANCE'.

Well that's my story which made me the happiest man in this world

Itai & Rufaru

2009-06-17T03:29:00.000-07:00

Where to start
My boyfriend ( Itai) lives and works in Joburg and I have the great privilege of living in Cape Town. we have been dating since November 2005 and he moved to Joburg in January 2007. We see each other every 6-8 weeks on average, sometimes less, sometime more.
I spent most of January 2009 working in Joburg so we got to see quite a lot of each other. In February i was on leave studying for my accounting board exam in March. So we had decided we were not going to see each other till after my exam.

One week before Valentine's Day, Itai called me to ask me what i was doing on Valentine's Day. When you have a big exam ahead of you and your boyfriend lives in Joburg, the answer is easy " Nothing". it was also a strange question for him to ask because he doesn't believe in Valentine's Day and i usually have to beg and scrimp (almost) for a rose on that day. he tells me that he wants to do something for me and asks how much time i can take off. A couple of conversations later, we agree on 4hours ( 12pm to 4pm). My mind starts ticking ( i don't like surprises)...what could it be? And then i figured he would never fly down from Joburg for a 4hour visit so it couldn't be that. Maybe a massage or the like....

I soon put that to one side, not having time to dream about a surprise that might disappoint me ( yes, i am a cynic). Valentine's Day morning arrives and i have this feeling that maybe he IS coming down to visit me. So i think , let me call him and if his phone is off, then he is on a plane and if he answers; then its not that. For some reason however, i get distracted and don't end up calling. The anticipated 12pm arrives ( i have been told to dress comfortably - so have a long argument with my sisters about why i will NOT wear a dress and heels). Itai calls me and asks if "they have picked me up". Who is they I wonder? I say no and he sounds panicked " they must be running late".... He hangs up and calls me a few minutes later to tell me that "they " ( whoever they are) are on their way and will be there at any moment. Soon after my door bell rings and a man in a Cape Coloured accent asks me to come down to the gate. i go down to find Itai downstairs. completely surprised.

I don't surprise easily so that was a feat to pull off......
We spent the rest of the day hanging out..... we went to Llandudno beach ( the first beach we went to after we started dating). At this stage i was in a complete blur...so happy to have Itai around and didn't care what we did. And ofcourse i was not expecting anything else, i just thought it was an elaborate Valentines Day Surprise. After Llandudno, we went to Iziko Museum to see the Wildlife Photography Exhibition and after that he suggested that we go to the Gold of Africa Museum because " they have a new display and we haven't been there in a while"

The Gold of Africa Museum is significant because we tried to go there on afternoon in November 2005 but bad weather, power cuts etc... prevented us from going in and we ended up having coffee at a lovely little restaurant nearby where he eventually couldn't take it anymore and asked me to go out with him.

So we were walking around Gold of Africa museum ( which is basically the history of gold through Africa and hence FULL of gold rings and artifacts).....get to the end and itai wants to go back to look at some map. We go back into one room and itai says" i think we missed this display the first time round". So i looked at the display and then suddenly i recognised the ring in the display as one i had seen when i had been in Joburg with him and liked. And i said " isn't that MY ring?" itai says" i don't know" So basically i spent the next couple of minutes looking at this ring from all angles saying - "yes, it is the same, no, it only looks like it, how strange that i would see it both in joburg and cape Town? what is it doing in a museum? " Itai responds " why don't you take a closer look?" And i (with my nose to the glass cabinet respond " what do you mean, take a closer look?" And then itai, pulls out a key, opens the cabinet, takes the ring, gets down on one knee...and the rest is pretty evident.

So 3 years, 3months and 3days to the day that he asked me out, i agreed to be his wife.

Craig and Candice

2009-06-17T03:26:00.000-07:00

Finally we were on our way to our newly bought timeshare at Ngwenya lodge on the Crocodile River, bordering the Kruger National Park – very exciting! Our friends had come up to join us for the weekend and it was going to be a great couple of days with them and then some time with just Craig and myself. What a wonderful way to spend our week in the bush! We had an awesome time with our friends but eventually on Monday morning they were all on their way back to the daily grind. Lucky for us we still had four more days of rest and relaxation, what more could I have asked for? Well…

We were sitting on the balcony overlooking the river, listening to the Hippos playing in the water in front of us and watching the most amazing little display of fireflies flickering in the reeds on the river bank. Craig asked me what I felt like doing the following day; I suggested that we take an early morning drive through the park if the weather looked good.

5am I get woken gently, “come on get up, the weather is good, we going to go for a drive through the park” at this time of the morning I must admit I did not feel like doing much least of all getting dressed up… so I put on a pair of shorts and a strappy summer top, pulled my hair into a pony tail and I was ready to go. Craig was up and ready to go, very strange for him as he is not at all an early morning person.

We were off… to the park… So I thought! Because of the rain a couple of days earlier we were not able to use the Crocodile bridge entrance to the park so we had to drive to the next closest gate. After missing the turn off for the Malelane gate I asked if we were going to take another route and go in through a different gate. To which Craig replied very calmly... “You’ll see”. At this stage I was in no mood to question any further so sat quietly while we passed two of the gates along our trip to who knows where!

Eventually we pulled into a place with a big sign that said Elephant Whisperers. I looked at Craig and smiled, knowing that he had arranged a surprise for me. I had wanted to go on an elephant ride for along time. He smiled back and said we are here!

We were greeted by the friendly smiles of the staff at the elephant sanctuary and lead onto a big deck area where the elephants were playing and eating and breaking branches off of the trees, all within arms reach away. Craig dashed off for a couple of minutes; I assumed that he needed to go to the bathroom after the long drive. I sat watching the little elephant playing close to the deck and the large male in the distance uprooting small trees for fun.
Eventually we were lead off down the path by the guides where we were taught all about the elephant and how they show emotion and we got to feel and feed and touch a little one. It was absolutely amazing to learn how clever they are, they can learn up to 50 times more commands than an average dog. On this note they then chose a couple of people from the group to come forward and feed the little one by holding his trunk saying our names and then feeding, we did this four times. After we had done this the handler threw his cap a little way off and told the elephant to fetch it and go and give it to Candice, he went off picked up the cap with his trunk and brought it straight to me… Wow!

Then it was time to go for photos with the elephant, we had our picture taken with Tambo a male elephant who weighed 5,2 tons and stood over 4,5 m tall. It was quite intimidating to stand under this huge animal. Once that was done we got to go on our elephant back safari. We got to go on Tambo, we climbed up onto the ramp and climbed onto this beautiful animal and we were off, we walked for about half an hour with the guide telling us all sorts of information about the elephant and the story of how Tambo came to be at the sanctuary – apparently he has caused 2 million rands worth of damage to a lodge where he used to live after a female that he liked rejected him for another bull elephant.
After our trail through the bush at the sanctuary we returned to where we began our walk and all the other guests were helped off of their elephant and started to leave, we were still on our huge elephant! I started to wonder why everyone else was leaving and all the elephant were having their harnesses taken off and stored away, but we weren’t. Eventually they started leading all the other elephant down toward the dam and Tambo followed at this stage I thought that we were perhaps going to get off at another point. We got to the river and there it was a beautiful table set with the most delicious fruit and croissants, champagne and orange juice at this point I was very surprised, Craig had organized such a beautiful breakfast for us. How lucky was I to have such a wonderful man. So off we climbed and strolled down to the deck with the breakfast, I was greeted by someone who washed my hands with herbs and flower petals in a stone carved hand basin and dried them with a fresh fluffy towel.

We sat down to have some refreshing orange juice after being in the sun for a while, 4,5 m in the air! The elephant were playing around the dam and enjoying the vegetation around them when one of the guides came over and said that they wanted to see if the little elephant that they had taught my name earlier in the day would remember me. So we got up and saw this little cutie strolling over to me carrying a basket in his trunk, it was the cutest thing I’ve seen. As he got nearer to the deck the guide instructed him to find Candice and give her the basket, so he came plodding along and as he got near to me stopped and swayed his head from side to side and stretched out his trunk to give me the basket, It was amazing that this beautiful creature could remember who I was.The guide then said that there was a little gift inside the basket for me, I could see flowers at the bottom of the basket and immediately thought that Craig had organized him to bring me some flowers, little did I know.. I reached into the basket to remove the cloth covering my gift… and felt a little square box… my heart nearly stopped, I took the box out of the basket and Craig took it from me… By this stage the guides had all disappeared. He knelt down on one knee and opened the box, he looked deep into my eyes as if he was looking straight into my soul, and the most beautiful words poured out of his mouth like honey! Will you spend the rest of your life with me and be my wife? Well... “Of course I will, yes, yes, yes!)

We sat and ate our delicious breakfast and drank champagne, it was like we were the only people on earth. Craig had arranged every little detail without me knowing one little thing, we have been together for 11 years, best friends and high school sweet hearts, we are more in love now than we have ever been and cherish every moment that we have to spend together.
I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with my awesome soul mate.

Weddings in Mauritius

2009-05-04T06:15:00.000-07:00

Webersburg - Stylish, Romantic and in the Winelands

2009-02-26T03:52:00.000-08:00

Webersburg warmly invites you to its elegantly restored Cape Dutch Homestead, Boutique Winery and Elite Events Venue, which is nestled in the lower valley of the Helderberg Mountains in the heart of the Stellenbosch Winelands. Dating back to 1786, the Manor House and Jonkershuis at Webersburg invites you to experience the finest Cape Dutch heritage in its most stylish and comfortable expression.

Encircled by other world-renowned estates, including Alto, Rust en Vrede, Ernie Els, Meerlust and Waterford, Webersburg is just a short drive away from beautiful beaches and exclusive golf estates.

The guest rooms and lounges are spacious and homely. Everything feels personalised and inviting; from the elegantly restored antique décor to the plush couches and fine linen. The bathrooms are beautifully finished with marble, gilded mirrors and sparkling contemporary fittings.

For guests who do not opt for en suite kitchens, delicious farm-style breakfasts are provided every morning.There are ten luxury cosy suites to choose from, with the option of either five rooms with en suite bathrooms, or five rooms with en suite bathroom and Kitchen Combinations.Spend lazy summer afternoons splashing in the sparkling swimming pool or reclining on the rolling lawns. Snuggle up in winter in front of cosy fireplaces with Webersburg red wine.

At Webersburg it is easy to experience the gentle passage of time as the sun rises and sets casting shadows across the mountains and valley. Romantic, relaxing and refined - this is a glorious homestead experience.

The Venue at Webersburg was launched on 17 October 2007 and can be described as truly breathtaking. “During construction, clear development parameters were drawn up and adhered to, resulting in an unobtrusive, yet breathtaking structure that does not detract from the original Cape Dutch architecture, but rather embraces it,” says Fred Weber, owner of Webersburg Wine Estate: “We are proud of what we have accomplished and hope that others will join us in making this a platform for their memorable moments”.

The Aleit Group have been contracted to manage all functions, but this does not exclude other event coordinators from utilizing the Webersburg premises. Their collaborative attitude ensures seamless and stress-free function co-ordination as each client, be it trade or consumer, is assured of a dedicated events manager on site.

The Venue at Webersburg have already played host to a number of bespoke weddings and lavish birthday celebrations. It is also the most sought after corporate event venue in the winelands.

Getting Married in Mozambique

2009-02-26T02:25:00.000-08:00

The Most Romantic Proposal Story

2009-02-04T02:09:00.000-08:00

We are looking for the most Romantic proposal story out there. If you have a beautiful story to share please let us know and you could stand a chance to win a dream African Honeymoon!

Have a look at http://myproposalstory.blogspot.com/

or email your story to kathy@saweddingvenues.com

Some Exceptional Encounters on the Wild Side!

2009-01-28T00:40:00.000-08:00

An exceptional wildlife safari recently took in the Okavango Delta camps of Mombo and Duba Plains. The wildlife sightings and interactions we saw left us simply in awe and unsure what to expect next.

Duba Plains Camp is a small, intimate camp on a vast concession that plays host to endless lion and buffalo battles that is very unique to the area. We saw phenomenal lion interaction with the introduction of a new male to the Tsaro females.

With the demise of the formidable Duba Boys last year, a new male has entered the fold and in the process of mating with the rather disjointed nine Tsaro females. On the last morning of our stay we saw seven of them trailing the buffalo herd when the new male showed up. He had some warm greetings from two of the females who appeared to be lactating hidden cubs. The others were a bit icy and then from nowhere the male lion bolted into the middle of a group of these females who appeared to be defending one of the last remaining cubs of the Duba Males (interestingly the two-year-old subadult female).

It was incredible to see a full grown male lion spring all fours off the ground to intimidate this young female and then chase her full tilt across the floodplain roaring incessantly trailed by some of the other females. We did not see any interaction with the wily old buffalo here but this certainly was an awesome lion-on-lion interaction.

From Duba Plains, the one-hour scenic helicopter transfer to Mombo Camp was one of the best I have ever been on and our pilot Annie is a very accomplished game-sensitive pilot. Her manoeuvring around elephants was awesome with minimal disturbance to the herd.

Mombo Camp was pure wildlife madness and out of control with the famous female leopard Legadema bringing down an adult female impala on the first afternoon drive right behind our safari vehicle. It appeared as if there were wild dogs in the area as the impala ran into our leopard sighting with their distinctive rocking/fleeing motion. Legadema caught the impala mid-air and brought it down on its head, instantly killing it without a sound. She quickly opened up the flank, drank down some blood and took a few mouthfuls of flesh before abandoning the carcass at dusk. This was rather strange behaviour but she was just outside her core territory and still has the liability of raising one-year-old twins.

The next day, mid-afternoon, Legadema was seen catching and paralysing a baby warthog and then leaving it to her year-old cub to finish the kill and learn some well-needed skills. The young leopard was however chased down and tackled by the irate mother warthog before she could escape up a flimsy Acacia tree!

The squealing warthogs also brought in two lionesses that narrowly missed catching the mother warthog but this distraction enabled the young leopard to retrieve the kill and take it high into a tree. Legadema herself had taken flight from the lions in the meantime and scaled up a baobab tree, to look anxiously on as the lionesses tried one at a time to climb the small acacia. Luckily they soon got bored and wondered off to kill two other warthogs not too far away. After all this drama the young leopard finally got to enjoy her well-earned spoils.

We thought the action was all over for this trip, until the final morning when four young male lions had brought down a buffalo that night and we arrived at first light to see 40 spotted hyaenas take over the kill. The four lions returned not long after and started a tug of war with the buffalo carcass. After much gnashing of teeth and chasing of hyaena they finally surrendered to the lions, which finished off the remains of the buffalo. Awesome way to end an amazing safari!

-Gregg Hughes- Wilderness Safaris

Weddings and Honeymoons in Mozambique

2009-01-20T23:50:00.000-08:00

Weddings and Honeymoons in Mozambique

Saweddingvenues.com's New Year's resolution is to become the expert on weddings and honeymoons in Mozambique.

This beautiful country has recently become an extremely popular destination in Africa for weddings and honeymoons. South Africans and other nationalities alike are beginning to explore this gem on the east African coast line thanks to its drop dead beautiful beaches and exotic flair.

So I have the amazing task on traveling up to Mozambique from Cape Town in February to see just what Mozambique is all about. It is well know that Mozambique is not an easy country to access. I am already beginning to find that out trying to get decent flights into the country. It seems as if most of the airlines who fly into Mozambique from South Africa are not exactly what I would term friendly, efficient or accommodating. As soon as I find great fares and great service I will recommend an airline. Then comes the problem of getting around within Mozambique. The roads are notoriously bad in Mozambique. I will have to see what the best ways of getting around are. What I can gather from my experience so far is it is definitely easier to fly into one point and stay there - not too much traveling around (maybe only for the very adventurous!).

We have so many stunning places in Mozambique which I can't wait to see! Tell you all about it when I get back!

Kath

An Intimate Wedding At Samara Private Game Reserve

2009-01-16T02:27:00.000-08:00

"Let us take you back in time to an Africa of old, where herds of Eland and Springbok roam the Plains of Camdeboo and the magestic Cheetah reigns supreme."Escape the traffic jam of vehicles and experience the solitude and peace of Samara - 70 000 acres of land in South Africa's malaria free Great Karoo.Discover the Africa one has always dreamt and read about, with vast open plains, spectacular sunsets and starry skies with the Milky Way so close you, can almost touch it.
Surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of mountains, Samara Lodge sits in perfect serenity with the reserve’s pristine wilderness. Combining colonial comforts with the essence of Mother Nature, the lodge treats you with exceptional service, meaning you can kick back and allow the tranquility of the Karoo to envelop your soul. Track cheetah on foot, watch mountain zebra frolic and marvel at herds of majestic eland in this malaria free reserve.

We offer a choice of two lodges: Karoo Lodge that can accommodate parties of up to 12 in luxury suites; Manor Lodge accommodates groups of up to 8 guests. We can organise your safari wedding of your dreams for you.

A Wineland Wedding in Stellenbosch, South Africa

2009-01-13T06:02:00.001-08:00

Backsberg lies on the slopes of the Simonsberg Mountains, equidistant from Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. This is the ideal location to host a wedding in the heart of the Cape winelands surrounded by history and old Cape Heritage, spectacular views and a wonderful ambience.
Backsberg Estate is not only famous for its award winning wines but also for the beauty of the estate.

The philosophy of Backsberg remains that of providing pleasure and enjoyment to a broad range of wine lovers by producing wines not only with structure and finesse, but with a high level of 'drinkability'.

An archway formed by magnificent old trees lines the mile long driveway and leads to manicured lawns and garden beds bursting with colour and fragrance – a wedding photographer's dream.
The venue options are endless with allocated lawns, surrounded by nature and breathtaking views.

You may choose your outside venue for your wedding ceremony or marquee reception for 100 – 1000 guests!

Neville’s Place at Backsberg is a versatile venue suitable for groups of 50 up to 250 guests. The draped ceiling and wooden floor enhance the overall appearance and ambience of this large venue. On one side, French doors open onto a verandah overlooking the estate gardens and mountains in the distance. On the other, the venue opens completely, flowing into a stunning courtyard boasting a central garden feature and a cozy corner complete with a feature fireplace.

Another exclusive venue, the historical Vat Cellar, is also available for Wedding Ceremonies and small Wedding Receptions.

A professional and dedicated team will welcome you to Backsberg and assist you in planning your Wedding step by step down to the finest detail.

Your Wedding at River Place

2009-01-13T05:48:00.000-08:00

Our stunning wedding venue, River Place, is half way between Johannesburg and Pretoria, and is situated on the Hennops River. For a memorable country wedding, our venue is the answer to your dreams.

You want your wedding day to be special and at River Place, we'll do everything we can to help you create the most special memories.

No doubt, you'll want to take your time about getting ready. Exclusive stone cottages on the estate will give your wedding party all the privacy and time then need to look their best. We can also arrange for hair stylists and make-up artists to come to the venue.

The bridal couple have the option and added convenience of spending their wedding night in one of the cottages and to enjoy a heavenly breakfast/brunch the next morning before going on their way.

When it comes to the arrangements and details, once again, the keynote is flexibility. You might want to exchange your vows in one of our stone-clad chapels with stunning views, on the lawns or on the wooden deck next to the river.

You might choose to hold the reception at al Fiume restaurant on the banks of the river… in the stone conference centre or in a marquee specially erected on one of the lawns, all of which can be specially dressed to create the mood and ambience you want.

And remember, when you book a venue at River Place for a wedding, the venue will be for your exclusive use for as long as the wedding is expected to last.

Choose River Place for your wedding and the initial threads of your life together will be woven from unique memories: dappled light on the stone bridge over the river…the sound of the river creating a backdrop to your vows…the sun setting over the koppies in the distance…the moon rising through the indigenous trees…a delicious wedding feast with a difference…a time filled with love, light and laughter…a special time that both you and your guests will treasure for years to come.

He's Proposed - Now What?

2009-01-05T04:16:00.000-08:00

Congratulations on your engagement! This is the time of year for proposals, rings and then the excitement of organising your wedding. We have had so many enquiries to the wedding venues on our website, http://www.saweddingvenues.com/ since the beginning of the New Year that we know there are many of you who have been proposed to! In fact, this is the season!

Now the big question in your mind is "Where do I start?" One place to begin is to look through a venue web site such as http://www.saweddingvenues.com/ . The Venues are grouped according to type, so you can start to decide whether you want to have a bush, beach, city, country or a wedding in a faraway exotic location. If you email them all and get all their prices, wedding packages, menues, etc. your plans will start to focus and will become clearer on matters of price and what you can or cannot afford. The more popular venues are booked out a year in advance - more for some of the more popular dates, especially over the Christmas Holiday period, so it is important for you to start planning early.

At this stage you may want to enlist the help of a planner or co-ordinator to give you some advice and direction. Remember, this is what we do every day, so we are aware of the pitfalls you may encounter, as well as everything that has to be organised to make your day a massive success.

Many of the venues have their own co-ordinator and wedding package, so this could also make your life much easier. Many of them also have preferred service providers but obviously you are not under any obligation to use them.

Remember, it is YOUR day; not anyone else's, so you get to choose the venue and everything else. Your husband-to-be can spend this time planning the perfect honeymoon for you. For more ideas on this most special holiday, please look at www.saweddingvenues.com/honeymoons.aspx for some awesome options!

Good luck, and enjoy the journey!

South Africa as a Wedding Destination

2008-12-03T00:11:00.000-08:00

South Africa is such a fantastic choice if you wish to get married away for your wedding destination. The climate plays along with gorgeous sunshine most of the year around – in fact somewhere in South Africa the sun is shining today. From the legal perspective, all the paperwork that is required can be done in South Africa as well, and there is not a minimum time that you are required to stay in the country before the wedding, as is the case in some other countries.

South African Wedding Venues have so much to offer the bride on her wedding day. The choice of wedding venues is vast, so one of the ways to choose a venue is to decide on what type of wedding you want. We have divided venues into various categories to make your choice easier. The other way to choose is if you have a geographical area or a specific city or part of the coast in mind, you would choose this and would tie it in to the best time of year for that specific reason. South African wedding venues are very popular with couples from the Northern Hemisphere because high season summer here is during the cold, long, dark winters up north, so what better excuse is there for a wedding and to tie it in with a holiday thus escaping from the cold for a few weeks of sun and fun.

South African Wedding Venues are world class in the facilities they offer. If you wish to combine your wedding with a bush or safari holiday, there are numerous lodges in game reserves offering the big 5+ (lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo) of Africa on view, as well as luxury accommodation and wonderful facilities to enable you to have the wedding of your dreams out in the African wilds. These lodges can cater for parties of just the two of you or up to 100 guests and more.

Of course South African Wedding venues offer sophisticated city venues for those couples wishing to be married in one of our cities. Many of these venues offer the entire package and you will find they have a chapel or an outside ceremony venue, as well as a reception or wedding banquet facility maybe in a beautiful garden setting that you will be able to use for stunning wedding photographs.

If you want a more relaxed beach wedding, South African beach wedding venues are amongst the most stunning in the world. Snow white beaches, azure sea, and your ceremony can be set up in the sand with your reception either in a bedouin style tent or in the beach venue that you can have beautifully decorated in your beach theme.

The winelands near Cape Town offer the most charming venues in a setting second to none. Magnificent views of the mountains, old Cape Dutch manor houses and glorious wine and food make these wineland wedding venues a favourite with locals and visitors alike.
South African wedding venues are amongst the best in the world for a destination wedding, and we are the specialists at helping you organise your dream wedding, be it beach, safari, city or country venue that you choose.

Honeymoon Africa

2008-12-02T23:38:00.000-08:00

There are many great places to spend your honeymoon but and African Honeymoon is sure to be the most special option one can choose. They say that you can feel Africa's soul and that is true- once you step off the plane and walk on African soil you will feel this too. African Honeymoon s are also really diverse and honeymooners have so many options to choose from. I like to group African Honeymoon s in the following catagories:

African Safari Honeymoon

Island Honeymoon

Secret Hideaway Honeymoon

African Safari Honeymoon

This is the main reason most visitors come to Africa is to go on an African Safari. It has to be one of the most special experiences for anyone and to experience it with your new life partner this is truly amazing.

African Safaris can cater for all budgets and you really do get what you pay for in many cases. The dollar and pound are really strong against African currencies so your money can really stretch far. African is home to some of the most amazing lodges... Breathtaking is a word to describe what you will find in Africa. For an amazing African Safari Honeymoon contact Laura:

at laura@saweddingvenues.com

or have a look at www.saweddingvenues.com/african-honeymoons.aspx

African Island Honeymoons

One would be surprised to find that Africa is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and islands in the world. So why settle and go on honeymoon in the Carribean like everyone else when you can be wild and adventurous and go to Africa. You can even combine a bush and beach experience and experience everything Africa has to offer. Island Honeymoons are relaxing and fun and going on an island honeymoon provides a great way to relax after the stress and excitement of a wedding.

African Secret Hideaway Honeymoons

I think the name says it all. This is a true peaceful and private way to spend your honeymoon. We have found the most beautiful locations across Africa to spend you honeymoon. Africa is still integing in the way that we still have unfound places and protected areas dotted around the continent to allow for you to spend your honeymoon in complete privacy and luxury : Have a look at my suggestions at www.saweddingvenues.com/dream-hideaway-honeymoons

Have a look at Serenity below for a great Hideaway honeymoon option

Your Honeymoon in this Forest Paradise

2008-11-28T06:54:00.000-08:00

Serenity Eco Forest Reserve is situated in a densely forested valley surrounded by the ancient Southern Mpumalanga mountain ranges on the border of the world famous Kruger National Park.

The lodge nestles approximately 250 meters higher in altitude than the Kruger National Park and therefore allows for a more friendly temperature throughout the year, a temperature difference of between 3 and 5 degrees Celsius less than the warm and dry climate of the Southern Kruger on any given day.

The lodge is surrounded by 1300ha of biologically diverse eco systems, a combination of true forest vegetation and mountain grasslands define the Serenity landscape. Some of the forest trees date back to more than a 1000 years and with that comes an abundance and varied bird species, rare butterflies, tree orchards, dragon flies and natural roaming game found in this reserve.

Serenity has been nationally classified as a unique and distinct true forest biome, one of its kind in South Africa. Every effort is made to preserve and protect the sensitive eco systems by minimizing our ecological footprint, conserving water, saving energy, using only bio-degradable products and continuously eradicating alien plants.

The mountains surrounding Serenity give birth to the Buffalo River, which meanders through this virgin forest and flows into the Kruger National Park through the Crocodile River, which is the source of water supply to many people in the area.

Experience chandelier waterfalls, well demarcated walking trails through the forest or partake in romantic picnics, wellness treatments or a spectacular sundowner drive overlooking Swaziland, Mozambique and Kruger Park, or just relax in the privacy of your deck and enjoy the symphony of forest ambience.

Your Honeymoon Suite is romantically nestled in the forest overlooking the cascading mountain stream with its private deck. A wedding night to remember with all the gracious trimmings - afternoon decadent homemade selection of teas and cake, sherry, chocolates and all the romantic turndowns.

Included is a romantic picnic to be enjoyed within the reserve's beautiful forest and a special gourmet candle lit dinner al fresco style.

Immerse yourself in this natural treasure and experience the ultimate well being that is uniquely Serenity. We would like to offer you a glimpse of our facilities and if possible, set up an appointment to view the property and to meet with you to discuss the "most perfect day of your life!"

What Not To Happen At Your Wedding

2008-11-12T01:22:00.000-08:00

Friendly Elephants

2008-11-12T00:58:00.000-08:00

These amazing pictures show why you shouldn't get between an African elephant and its favourite food! Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens. When they returned one year and found the luxury accommodation in the way, they simply walked through reception.

The animals came in two-by-two: Hotel staff and visitors have got used to the elephants' impromptu strolls through reception. Now the family group, headed by matriarch Wonky Tusk, return every November to gorge on mangos - up to four times a day.
Andy Hogg, 44, director at the Bushcamp Company that runs the Lodge, has lived in? South?? Luangwa National Park since 1982. But in all his years of dealing with wild animals he has never seen such intimate interaction between man and beast.
'This is the only place in the world where elephants freely get so close to humans,' says the 44-year-old.
'The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangos from our trees. When they are ripe they come through and they stand about for four to six weeks coming back each day or second day to eat the mangos.'
Living in the 5,000 square mile national park, the ten-strong elephant herd are led to the lodge each day by Wonky Tusk.

'The elephants are not aggressive but you don't want to tempt anything as they are wild animals. 'It is the elephants choice to come into base camp and they have been doing it for the last ten years.
'There are other wild mango trees around and they seem to prefer this one.'
And even thought the lodge was unwittingly built upon the path, Andy says they had no idea the elephants would insist on returning.
'It wasn't a design mistake - no-one really knew they were going to come through,' he says. 'The lodge was built and then the elephants started coming through afterwards.'

Honeymoon in Paradise - Azura Resort, Mozambique

2008-10-27T06:27:00.000-07:00

The Most Romantic Spot on Earth!

Imagine an unspoilt island within a National Park, deserted beaches of pure white sand, sparkling turquoise seas crisscrossed by local dhows plying their trade, swaying palms, sunny days and star studded nights…and you have Azura Mozambique.

Azura is the country’s first luxury 'eco' boutique retreat.Built entirely by hand by the local community and operated in partnership with them, it has just 14 villas, each with their own infinity pool and designed for both pampering and barefoot escapism.

With wonderful Mozambican cuisine and friendly service, a vast range of activities and experiences including scuba diving, deep sea fishing, stargazing and a unique African Spa, you have the perfect undiscovered island getaway. Our handbuilt villas blend modern chic with all that is traditional in Mozambique. The creature comforts you would expect from a luxury boutique resort are there, set off by locally sourced wooden beams and traditional artwork beneath a thatched jekka roof.

Each is just footsteps from the beach, yet designed with seclusion in mind. Nestled amidst indigenous gardens, we have created your own sanctuary. A haven of rest and relaxation, where you can feel at one with the environment. A fusion of indoor and outdoor space where time becomes your own.

Wander down to the pristine white beach and welcoming azure sea beyond. Lounge around on plump cushions on your daybed, or tan in private and cool off in your sparkling plunge pool. Dine on your deck, or sip champagne in your beachside Sala as the sun goes down. Lie in your bath and gaze at the view, or shower beneath the stars. Do whatever you want to do. Our villas are a welcoming place to stay. You may not want to leave them at all.

Shayamanzi House Boat

2008-10-16T04:31:00.000-07:00

THE LAKE JOZINI EXPERIENCE!

Northern KwaZulu Natal

This Summer, instead of Surfin' USA, Rocking around the Clock, Living next door to Alice,or just being bored, check out our new websites &what we have install for the kids this Christmas season!
You can be Surfin' Lake Jozini, Rocking the Houseboat, Fishing with Alice and fighting boredom by Dancing in the Moonlight!
Wait until Jo-zee how a simple scroll-down can change the tides,offering you a Cool Summer...

The ‘Reel’ deal
Tiger Fishing has certainly arrived at Lake Jozini, with a 6.1kg fish winning the Annual Tiger Fishing Bonanza, held over the long weekend in September. Ryan Tippet ‘s fishing report gives you the results as well as current tips on how to land a Jozini Tiger!

Family fun
Shayamoya Tiger Fishing & Game Lodge has always been a firm favourite for the kids, and in preparation for the Christmas holidays, we have geared up our kids activities even further. Mum and Dad can be assured their precious darlings are being well looked after and entertained while they also get to take a well deserved break. Our 3 night special is the real deal!

Silly-season
Shayamanzi Houseboats are a great option for the holiday season, and there are still availabilities. Don't forget to ask about the frequently requested combination package , overnighting at Shayamoya Lodge on your first night. Discounts included.

Wedding In Africa

2008-10-07T00:16:00.000-07:00

Africa is such an exciting place it makes choosing a wedding venue extremely challenging. There is just so much to choose from. From a dream wedding in the historic Cape winelands, to the rustic African bush to something completely exotic like Lake Malawi Africa really does have it all. A trip to Africa is a once and a life time experience that you can share with you most dearest and close family and friends on your wedding day. A wedding in Africa creates an opportunity for you to have the wedding of your wildest dreams!

South Africa is one of the top destinations to get married in Africa as it is easy to get to, has plenty of beautiful locations to choose from and has a wonderful climate. If you are considering a wedding in South Africa consider the following:

Cape Town – Cape Town and the surrounding areas are an ideal place to get married in Africa. Situated right on the tip of Africa Cape Town is a charming city full of history and culture. Cape Town city wedding venues are chic and charming offering couples with different budgets and tastes a wide variety. The historic wineland wedding venues are a perfect choice for couples. The wine regions around Cape Town are picture perfect!

The Safari Wedding in South Africa – One fantastic things about South Africa is that there are so many great places to have a safari wedding. Choose from the malaria free regions of Madikwa, Waterberg and Pilansberg, the world famous Kruger National Park, Limpopo, Northern and Western Cape or the exotic KwaZulu Natal venues.

Gauteng – Easy to access and a surprising amount of variety Gauteng has a lot to offer locals and visitors from afar.

Mozambique – White sandy beaches and crystal clear waters make Mozambique a dreamy location for your wedding. Over the past five years Mozambique has become much more accessible to tourists. There are hassle free and affordable flights from Johannesburg to various locations around Mozambique. Whether it’s a wedding in Pemba on a tropical island or in the capital Maputo the choices are truly stunning.

Zimbabwe – The Victoria Falls is a dreamy location to get married. This African landmark will create an unbelievable backdrop to your wedding.

Malawi – Lake Malawi is truly a sight to behold and is an absolute breathtaking African Wedding location. This beautiful area host the largest tropical fish population in the world, offering heaven on earth to dive and snorkel enthusiasts. The range of accommodation can suit any budget and the beauty of the country will have your wedding guests talking forever.

Mauritius and Seychelles – These beautiful islands make an ideal getaway for an intimate wedding in Africa. Pure luxury awaits you and your guests - the sound the sea lapping around you and the palms waiving in the breeze will quickly put you at ease to enjoy your wedding. Mauritius and the Seychelles makes an other beach wedding look ordinary.

Honeymoon in Paradise - Mnemba Island

2008-10-03T01:49:00.000-07:00

Mnemba Island Lodge is situated on an exclusive island just 4.5 kilometres (2.8 miles) off the north-eastern tip of Zanzibar in the azure Indian Ocean. Surrounded by an atoll of breathtaking coral reefs, it boasts some of Africa’s most wonderful dive sites.

The Zanzibar Archipelago and its ‘Spice Islands’, discovered by Arab traders in the 8th century, are bathed in the heady scents and romance of a bygone era. Traditional dhows (coastal Arab sailing vessels) drift across the horizon, and gentle soft-spoken islanders tend to your every need. You may fill your days relaxing on the soft white-sand beaches or indulging in irresistible pursuits in the gloriously warm waters. Fresh fruit, fish and shellfish are served daily, and romantic candle-lit dinners at the water’s edge will capture your soul.

Mnemba is renowned as one of the most romantic ocean destinations in the world, offering a privacy and rustic exclusivity unparalleled on the African coastline.

Our intimate private island has just 10 romantic beachside bandas. Pristine white beaches offer unparalled swimming and suntanning. Spectacular coral reefs within a marine reserve allow excellent scuba diving and snorkelling. The threatened green turtles nest on our beaches. We offer incredible diversity of marine life. Add this to our warm Zanzibari service and 24-hour swimming in front of the bandas in the warm Indian Ocean, and you would be forgiven for thinking you are in heaven!

Pafuri - The Perfect Safari Wedding Venue

2008-10-03T01:20:00.000-07:00

Pafuri Camp lies on a gentle bend along the northern bank of the Luvuvhu River,in the northern most part of the world famous Kruger National Park, under the shade of enormous ebony and nyala berry trees. The Luvuvhu draws many different animals to its waters, from elephant, buffalo and nyala to wading birds and fish eagles. The main deck has ample room to sit and watch the daily passage of wildlife to and from the river, and the swimming pool is perfect for cooling off in the heat of the day. The dining and lounge areas are open to the river view, and a lower-level terrace is perfect for watching sunrise with a cup of freshly brewed coffee, or sipping sundowners as the sky darkens and the crickets begin to sing.

Pafuri Weddings
If you have always dreamed of celebrating your wedding somewhere so pristine, beautiful and in touch with nature, can we introduce you to Pafuri Camp? Come and celebrate your wedding with your loved ones on the gentle bend of the Luvuvhu River at Pafuri Camp. The camp is situated in one of the most remote and pristine areas of the Kruger National Park. This will definitely be one of the most precious and memorable days of your lives. Your wedding photos can be a record of this most romantic safari.

You have various options to choose from concerning your wedding. We want to help you tailor your wedding to suit your needs and create an experience to exceed your wildest romantic expectations.

Ceremony

There are various options for the ceremony but we recommended one of the following:

Under a Tree Canopy - Levuvhu East / Twin Baobabs - Levuvhu West
When the intense heat of the day starts to subside, wedding guests will gather on the main deck of the lodge where they will be met by the Pafuri guides who will then transfer them to a clearing under the shade of some Appleleafs and Nyala Trees or to a magestical site where two Baobabs catch the suns last rays of the day.

At the site, the guests will be met by the Pafuri Choir, dressed in traditional Shangaan clothes. The choir will entertain the guests with their dancing and singing to set the mood for an unforgettable evening!

Vows will be exchanged under the big overhanging branches of a Nyala Tree when choosing ceremony site 1. Otherwise it will be exchanged under the interlinking branches of the Twin Baobabs. As the sun starts to disappear behind the trees and the shadows start to get longer, guests are invited to toast the new couple on the start of their new life together. At site 1, the sundowners and snacks will be enjoyed at the same place where the ceremony took place. At site 2, the sundowners and snacks will be served on the banks of the Levuvhu River at the Mangala Picnic Site.

Wedding Banquet

After the ceremony and sundowner cocktails, guests are invited to come and celebrate the wedding by attending the Wedding Banquet which will be held on the main deck of the camp. The main deck will be covered with lanterns, candles and fairy lights, to set a romantic mood for the evening. Table décor are done according to the theme of the evening and are made up in the choice of colours of the bridal couple.

Flower arrangements of their choice will be on each table, whether it is single flowers in vases or a flower arrangement as centrepiece. We will arrange for a seating plan according to the bridal couple’s wishes, accompanied by name place-tags at each table.

This is a stunning option for brides who are interested in a Safari wedding.

Africa Honeymoons

2008-09-30T01:39:00.000-07:00

The best thing about getting married some might say is enjoying your honeymoon. Although Africa might not be the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks about luxury honeymoons Africa is fast becoming a top choice for those wanting a truly romantic and memorable experience on their honeymoon.

At http://www.saweddingvenues.com/ we feature the very best Africa has to offer and we are passionate in matching couples up with their ideal honeymoon destination.

We have catagorised African Honeymoons into three distinct and exciting location types:

African Safari Honeymoons - We feature the best and most luxurious Honeymoon destinations in the African Bush. We have venues in South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique and Kenya, to name but a few. We have chosen venues which we believe will live up to visitors expectations when embarking on a holliday of a lifetime. Every week we feature a different African Honeymoon Venue for you to have a look out. Not only are our venues luxuriously wild but they are all easily accessable buy air but secluded enough to be out of the main stream.

http://www.saweddingvenues.com/honeymoon-safaris.aspx

African Island Honeymoons - Some might not know it but Africa has some of the most romantic and picturesque islands in the world. Africa has vast numbers of unspoilt beaches and islands dotted around the coast lines. There are many options to choose from for your dream African Island Honeymoon. From Mozambique to Zanzibar to Maurituis to the Seychelles the choice is yours.

http://www.saweddingvenues.com/island-honeymoons.aspx

African Hideaway Honeymoons - For those looking to get away from it all and looking for complete privacy this is the option for you. Africa is a vast continent with wide open spaces and many secluded areas to choose from. Africa's scenery is vast and always changing. Have a look at our 'to-die-for' dream African Hideaway destinations.

http://www.saweddingvenues.com/dream-hideaway-honeymoons.aspx

What is your Decor Style - Tips for your Wedding Decor

2008-09-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

Hints to help you find your Décor Style

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life and you want to make sure everything is on the mark. Your décor colour and theme is no exception. It is a difficult decision to make but I hope this article will help you.

The most important decision is to decide on a décor style. Once you have made this decision, then everything else can follow on from this. We think the following categories will be helpful in finding your décor style that you wish to follow: seasonal, rustic, garden, urban, seaside and cultural.

The most obvious way to choose your style is to follow on from the venue you have chosen for your wedding. If you have a venue overlooking the sea, then the seaside décor style would follow on from this. Your colour scheme is easy to choose, and the room décor can follow the beach theme. The colour of your bridesmaids' dresses, table linen, flowers and room décor would follow on from the beach theme. Comb the beach for shells, driftwood and interesting pieces of glass, etc that you could incorporate into your décor theme. It is important to remain disciplined with your choice otherwise you could land up with a bit of a “fruit salad” mix-up.

A Seasonal theme can look stunning. Spring with fresh greens, pale pinks and other pastel colours give you a wide range to choose from. Team this up with your favourite spring flowers, a menu composed of seasonal fresh vegetables and fruits and you have a winner. Go with brighter colours like shocking pink or cooler blues for a summer wedding, oranges, golds and reds for an autumn wedding and silver, white and blue for a winter wedding. Remember to take the theme through your wedding, from your invitations, place cards, colours for flowers, table linen, chair covers and bows, flowers for the ceremony, reception and your bouquet and even the colours the wedding party should wear.

A rustic theme can combine earthy elements like bowls of richly coloured fruit used as table decorations, neutral shades teamed up with orange or deep forest green for the table linen and bridesmaids' dresses. If your venue is in the country or has a thatched roof with open rafters and open fireplaces, this theme can work really well. If you are offering guests a cocktail drink while your photographs are being taken, remember to serve one that matches your colour scheme.

If you are having your wedding in a marquee or a bedouin free form tent, a garden theme would be perfect. You may be able to hire crockery with a flower or leaf motif or your overlays could have a botanical print or a trellis design. This would work especially well if you are having a breakfast, lunch time or tea time wedding. The marquee could be decorated with loads of greenery to add to the garden effect. Have your wedding cake decorated with plenty of fresh flowers to continue the theme.

An urban theme is perfect for a more formal, sophisticated wedding. Black and white looks stunning and can be teamed up with mirrored vases and tall silver candelabra on the tables. Use black tablecloths with square white crockery and white flowers to really make a statement. Have white chairs with black bows or black and white striped bows. Add some shocking pink as an accent colour to really knock them out!

A cultural theme is a fantastic choice for us in South Africa and for people wishing to get married in Africa as we have a wealth of diverse cultures that make up our nation. Many people from other countries get married in South Africa to take advantage of our stunning venues, great weather and favourable exchange rate. An African theme is a wonderful choice as it lends itself to creating a memorable wedding. Choose from the colours of the African sunset for your wedding colour scheme. Team these up with flowers picked from our indigenous list, such as proteas in an array of colours from palest pink to orange and yellow. Use paper hand made from elephant dung (yes, really) for your invitations and place names and decorate with porcupine quills, feathers, dried leaves and seeds. Use African mud cloth on the tables, hang lanterns to add romantic ambiance and loads of candles. Use a carved wooden bowl as a ring bearer. As favours you can have bead and wire ornaments made by our many talented artists to give to guests. African artefacts are readily available in South Africa and as the saying goes “local is lekker” !

Honeymoon Resorts on Mozambique

2008-09-02T04:13:00.000-07:00

Mozambique is a beautiful option for a dream beach honeymoon. With pristine beaches and an abundance of activities for you to enjoy you can not go wrong!

Mozambique boasts a stunning coast line. The Quirimbas National Park and Mozambique’s Bazaruto Archipelago make up the majority of the coast line. Both areas have beautiful reefs and an array of marine life, including Turtles, Whale Sharks, Reef Sharks and an abundance of fish species.

Mozambique is not generally known for its safaris, there is however a little gem in the north called the Niassa reserve. This reserve covers 42 000 hectares, it is a protected area boasting the big 5.

There are many honeymoon resorts in Mozambique for you to choose from. With various forms of accommodation, for your honeymoon I would definitely recommend Rani Resorts.

Rani Resorts has 5 honeymoon resorts in Mozambique, 4 of these are located along the coast line, and the 5^th is located in the Niassa Reserve in Northern Mozambique. Rani Resorts offers unparallel service the staff will go out of their way to make sure you get the most out of your stay!

Medjumbe and Matemo Island are located in the Quirimbas National park. Both islands are reached via light aircraft, about a 20 minute flight from Pemba. Both resorts offer fabulous beach accommodation, roll out of your bed in to the warm Indian Ocean and explore the near by reefs. With snorkeling, diving, deep sea fishing, and relaxing in a hammock just some of the activities on offer, your time on the islands will fly by!

Indigo Bay is located on the island of Bazaruto in the Bazaruto Archipelago, which is a proclaimed marine national park. Indigo Bay offers various forms of accommodation for your honeymoon. The island gives you the most out of privacy, activities and culture.

The 4^th lodge is located in the beach town of Pemba which offers a fusion of cultures, delicious seafood and warm hospitality.

Lugenda Wilderness Camp, the 5^th of the collection consists of only 8 tents, giving an intimate feel in the bush experienced by few. Lugenda Wilderness camp is reached via light aircraft from Pemba.

Not matter which honeymoon resort you choose to stay in, Mozambique will give you the best in nature, privacy and intimacy, the best way to start a marriage!

Adventure Honeymoons In Africa

2008-08-26T08:04:00.000-07:00

All honeymoons normally follow a particular formula, sun, sand, water, good food, booze and a lot of relaxation. This is a fantastic formula but not for all, what about the more adventurous couples?
Africa is the perfect destination for couples wishing for a honeymoon with a twist. With so many fantastic locations and activities available around Africa any couple will surely be able to put together their perfect African adventure honeymoon, whether this involves trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro, tracking Gorillas through the mountainous region of Uganda or braving the cold waters of the Atlantic in pursue of the Great White Shark.

We have put together a suggested itinerary for an African adventure honeymoon which involves an array of activities for the brave and takes you to one of the natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls which borders Zimbabwe and Zambia is the widest water fall in the world spanning over 1708 meters, 550, 000 cubic meters of water tumble over the rocky edge on average every minute. The mist from the falls at its fullest can be seen 50 km away, this is a site that must be experiences yourself! Not only are the falls majestic to look at, the water pressure, terrain and environment make the area a playground of activities.

Our suggested Itinerary combines some of these activities on offer with luxury accommodation and an African bush experience. Brave the massive rapids that have been voted the best and safest in the world on a 2.5 day 2 night adventure. Bungee Jump off the Victoria Falls Railway bridge, 111 meters to the canyon floor, this bungee can take on the form of a "Star Elevator" or perhaps a "Shooting Star," jumps for the brave! Swim in the devils pool, a natural rock pool at the tip of the falls where the current won't wash you over, just watch out for lost Crocodiles and wandering Hippo's! Brave a walk with Lions and take in the nature surrounding the Falls in the Victoria Falls Private Game Reserve.

With all these activities the package then takes you to the unique Lake Malawi, the 9th largest lake in the world and waters containing the largest array of fresh water tropical fish. We suggest you stay on the island of Likoma at Kaya Mawa, a beautiful hand made resort on the tip of the island. here you may relax or enjoy more water sports, diving, snorkeling, water skiing, tube riding, or canoing around the island.

This package really combines parts of Africa which are often over looked and activities you will be proud to cherish for the rest of your lives!

Our New Exotic Mozambique Honeymoon Package

2008-08-22T03:52:00.000-07:00

Mozambique is becoming one of Africa's most sort after honeymoon destinations, with so many activities on offer and the perfect climate it really is the ultimate honeymoon destination. Mozambique has a range of different accommodation and destination options, we have put together a 10 night and 11 day Mozambique honeymoon package where you will experience the best of what Mozambique has to offer in regards to destination and accommodation.

This package starts you and your partner off on an exciting light air craft to Niassa reserve which spans over 42 000 square kilometers of Northern Mozambique. You will explore where few have been before, a perfect experience for those who would like to experience to "real" bush. This region is only accessible from June to December of each year. Your accommodation will take the form of 8 East African style tents only 40 meters from the Lugenda river bank.

From the bush you will fly to the majestic island of Medjumbe off the coast of Pemba in the Quirimba Archipelago. Here you will take time to relax, take in the scenery and enjoy the abundance of activities on offer, from water sports, diving or fishing. Accommodation takes the form of 13 private beach chalets which all have their own private plunge pool.

This package is a fully inclusive package of all meals, accommodation, non motoried activities and local beverages. A dream honeymoon!

Honeymoon Ideas

2008-08-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

The day of your wedding will be one of the biggest days of your life. The best part of the day is knowing that soon you will be on a loving, luxury, fun honeymoon vacation with your loved one. The most difficult part about the honeymoon is deciding where to go, as this will be your first vacation as a married couple, this trip has to be spectacular!

Your friends will definitely be throwing honeymoon ideas your way these ideas will normally entail their perfect honeymoon destinations. You must work out what your partner and your idea of a perfect honeymoon is. The best way to do this is to determine:

A) What climate you would like
B) What activities you wish to enjoy on your honeymoon
C) How far you wish to travel
D) What cuisine you’re going to spoil yourselves with
E) And what destination will suit your budget

All inclusive honeymoon package are often a fantastic way to make sure you do not blow your budget. You will find all inclusive honeymoon packages available at all destinations. Another good idea is to think out side the box, in regards to your destination.

One destination often gets overlooked as a honeymoon option. This destination is Africa. With a beautiful climate, a range of activities, glorious food and a natural habitat incomparable to the rest of the world this is a honeymoon destination that you would never forget!

Here are two fabulous honeymoon ideas for Africa that you are assured to enjoy!

Number 1- Bush Safari in the famous Ngorongoro Crater, a world heritage site, which is situated in Tanzania.

No game viewing compares to seeing the great migration in the Serengeti. The Ngorongoro Crater lies at the Eastern Edge of the Serengeti, this great crater is a lush habitat suited to an abundance of game. The habitats of the Ngorongoro Crater do not need to worry about the massive trek across the Serengeti because this land is so fertile. Watch masses of Flamingo take off at once from the great lake, or a cheetah take down a tired Impala. The Ngorongoro Crater is one of the only spots in the world to spot the highly endangered Black Rhinoceros it is thought that there are only 3700 left in the world!

The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge is the best accommodation in this area. It is with out a doubt one of the most architecturally spectacular lodges in Africa. With unbeatable service, beautiful accommodation and mouth watering food, you can not help but enjoy every second of your stay!

From the crater I would suggest heading to the warm Indian Ocean for more relaxation and fun. Mnemba Private Island in Zanzibar is further than paradise, it is heaven. The island is surrounded by an atoll of coral reefs, as it lies with in a marine reserve. If you love the ocean, snorkeling, diving and fishing this is the place for you! Only ten rustic palm frond bandas are located on the island nestled in the secluded tropical forest which is surrounded by the soft white sand. Delicious seafood, warm hospitality and this beautiful setting make this one of the most romantic islands in the world!

My second honeymoon idea located in Africa is a combination of the beautiful Victoria Falls and the glorious islands of Mozambique. Amazing island honeymoons.

The Victoria Falls is located on the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. These spectacular falls are a must see at one time in your life, just spectacular. This area is rich with other activities for you to enjoy, especially if you are adventurous!
Bungee jumping, White water rafting, river safaris, abseiling, ballooning, Elephant back riding and game watching are just some of the activities to enjoy. The best place to stay to enjoy these activities is the Stanley and Livingstone Resort, which is located on the Zimbabwe side just minuets away from the falls. The resort backs on to a reserve so that you may dine with the animals whilst they drink out of a water hole, a very unique experience. With only 16 suites available you will also receive the privacy you crave on a honeymoon!

From the falls why not make your way to one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Medjumbe Private Island in Mozambique. This magical island is a short light aircraft flight from Pemba in the Quirimbas Archipelago. Breath taking coral reefs surround the Island, this is the place to go to enjoy amazing marine life, beautiful seafood and fantastic hospitality. Only 13 beautiful beach chalets occupy the island, all with private plunge pools, Medjumbe Private Island is offered as an all inclusive package. The island has often been described as the place to go for bare foot luxury and privacy.

These are only two honeymoon ideas for Africa this continent really has so much to offer. Good luck with the planning! Read More About African Honeymoons.

Africa - Your ideal Honeymoon destination.

2008-08-15T06:57:00.000-07:00

It doesn’t get more exotic than Africa, which is why it is the most ideal destination for honeymoons. Not only can you find gorgeous romantic spots in the bush, Africa is home to some of the most stunning beaches and islands in the world.If you take a look at the usual honeymoon packages you will find mainly European and Caribbean deals. The problem with these is that you have to deal with mass tourism markets. If you have an African honeymoon you will experience a much quieter and intimate holiday. Your own little piece of paradise!So what type of African honeymoon is the right one for you?
Well, you could go for an exotic island honeymoon off the warm African coast. Surround yourself in complete luxury and soak up the sun on some of the most pristine and beautiful beaches in the world.
Or how about being pampered in the beauty of the bush on an extremely romantic honeymoon safari? Let time slip away as you relax and enjoy yourselves while going on regular game drives.By why settle for one when you can have them both? Take a look at our awesome honeymoon packages. Remember everything is flexible so you can literally tell us what you are looking for and we can make it happen.No matter if its on an island, in the bush, or a combination of both, you are sure to find your perfect African honeymoon destination here.

Your Wedding - Tips for Saving $$$

2008-08-12T04:15:00.000-07:00

How to Keep your Wedding Budget Afloat.

In these more difficult economic times with so much emphasis on the rising cost of everything from food to fuel, it is important to ensure that your wedding budget stretches as far as possible.
For as long as you can remember, you have probably been dreaming of your fairy-tale wedding day. The reality is that you can cut down in some areas making substantial savings thus ensuring that your wedding day will still be as special as you have dreamt of.

The first place to look is at your Guest List. Is it really important for you to invite that cousin four times removed that you only have met once? Trying to keep it to close family and friends will not only cut your costs down considerably, but will ensure that you actually know everyone at your wedding really well. If you can shave guest list from 200 to 150 or from 150 to 100 guests you will be saving plenty of money, and you will probably enjoy your intimate wedding so much more surrounded by people that you both know well.

Another area of saving is by having your ceremony and wedding reception or banquet at the same venue. You have paid for venue hire in one place. So why hire another venue at more expense for your ceremony? This obviously does not apply if your religious beliefs do not allow it.

A further area of saving is in the decor department. Sometimes you can use the setting of your venue to tie in with your theme so you do not have to go overboard with extra decorations. Think of a beach theme if your wedding venue is near the sea. You can collect shells, pebbles, driftwood and other "beachy" items and use these with loads of candles as table decoration. Fairy lights and white draping create a very romantic effect. You won't need as many flower arrangements to create the mood on your big day.

If there are any areas where people can help you save, take them up on their offers. If you are lucky enough to have a relative or friend who is an excellent seamstress and who offers to make your dress for you take her up on her offer. This can save you thousands, and you get to choose your style and fabric yourself. The only area a saving is not always a good idea is your photographer. These are pictures you are going to want to show to your grandchildren one day, so you don't want a weekend snapper taking them. Pay for a professional photographer and rather save in other areas. An idea may be for the professional photographer to spend 3 hours with you at the ceremony and for the formal photographs after the ceremony of family and wedding party. Then the "amateur" could be responsible for the photographs at the reception when the formalities are over. In this way you would get the best of both in saving on the hours you hire the professional photographer for.

For more ideas on organising your wedding, go to http://www.saweddingvenues.com/.

Phinda Game Reserve

2008-07-14T02:16:00.000-07:00

Phinda Game Reserve Weddings

Phinda comprises 18 000-hectares (44 478-acres) of prime conservation land, seven distinct habitats that shelter an abundance of wildlife including Africa's Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, black and white rhino, buffalo) and over 380 bird species, while the marine diversity off the nearby coast of Sodwana is said to rival the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Our game safaris and walking safaris are legendary.
At Phinda we offer a choice of 7 intimate luxury safari lodges with an abundance of exceptional wedding venues at which to enjoy your magical Safari wedding. An African wedding at Phinda is a truly unforgettable experience.
We cater for very special intimate weddings for just the two of you, or share your wedding day with up to 70 of your closest family and friends.
Your Wedding Ceremony at Phinda At Phinda Private Game Reserve we offer a choice of extraordinarily beautiful venues for the exchange of your vows.
Mountain Setting
This magical setting atop nThabankosi Mountain, couples can exchange vows of life-long marriage before friends and family, or simply one another, in a setting so beautiful it will stay with the couple long after the ceremony concludes. We prefer to host ceremonies at this location at the most beautiful time of day which is just prior to sunset. This venue can accommodate 50 guests maximum, and is a standing venue only.

Bush Setting
It doesn't get better than a wedding in a spectacular bush setting. Before sunset, guests and Groom await the Bride before they share their vows in an untamed African landscape.
River Setting
Accommodating a maximum of 8 Guests, this water-based wedding really offers couples a unique setting in which to marry. Just before sunset, the Groom and guests aboard the River Boat await the Bride's arrival. Then embark on a cruise of the Mzinene River whilst the ceremony proceeds.
Your Wedding Banquet at Phinda
At Phinda we offer a variety of venues for your wedding reception.
Boma in the Camp
A Boma is an old African tradition used for celebrations. Spacious yet cosy, with an unforgettable atmosphere at night created by dozens of lanterns and huge fires, the Boma offers an alfresco dining venue, uniquely African. Delicious cuisine is served at the fireside, under African skies. The Boma can comfortably seat 40 Guests and there is a bar and space for dancing, should you wish to make use of a DJ. This option is only available for dinners.
Wedding Bush Banquet
At Phinda we are renowned for wonderful bush banqueting in surprising settings. Dinner is served illuminated by dozens of candles and lanterns, in a spectacular clearing in the bush under a star-studded sky. Dining tables adorned with linen, cut glass and silverware often make one wonder how dining alfresco in such style is possible. Close to the sounds and smells of the African bushveld, this outdoor option offers a spectacular and unforgettable dining affair, as an option for a wedding reception dinner.
Lodge Dining Areas/Decks
Delicious Pan-African dinners can be enjoyed by the wedding party in our beautiful Dining Areas, all with views of the surrounding Zululand bush.
Please note: Wedding ceremony and banquet setting subject to weather and will be confirmed on the day.
Facilities Available at Phinda The Wedding Banquet
A choice between Classic and Pan-African Wedding Menus and a choice of two Wedding Cakes.
Wedding Luxuries
Sundowners and hors d'oeuvres served after the ceremony, a bottle of sparkling wine on ice, a gift and romantic turndowns await the couple's arrival in their suite.
Private Vehicle
To transport bridal couple and guests to chosen setting for the wedding ceremony, if needed.
Music
A music system is available. It is recommended that bridal couple provide their preferred music selection.
The following wedding services are available to you, at an additional cost:
The Minister
A priest is available to perform the legal ceremony at our lodges. A notice period of 12-weeks is needed to reserve the minister for the day. He will complete all the legal documentation that is required.
Wedding Flowers
A choice of fresh roses, lilies and African bouquets are available for the ceremony - Bride's bouquet, groom's corsage, gentlemen's buttonholes and dinner table settings. Bear in mind that because of the natural beauty of the setting masses of flowers are unnecessary. Wedding Co-ordinator
A wedding co-ordinator is available to help you with the finer details of your wedding at Phinda.
Wedding Entertainment
So as not to disturb other guests, a DJ is only an option to couples reserving the sole-use of the entire Lodge. The DJ is then available to handle your ceremony's music and music for your reception.
An African choir provides an emotive element to any occasion. The Lodge Choir is available depending on the lodge chosen.
The Traditional Dancers and Drummers will entertain wedding audiences. The fee goes directly back into the surrounding community.

Have Your Wedding in Malaria-Free Madikwe

2008-06-19T08:27:00.000-07:00

This is all about the most wonderful Safari Game Reserve and best of all, its Malaria Free!

About Madikwe

Madikwe Game Reserve is South Africa's second largest game reserve and Makanyane is situated on 1,800 hectares of private ground within the reserve. The reserve is a joint venture embracing the North West Parks and Tourism Board, the private sector and local communities.

Established in 1991, Madikwe was the site of operation Phoenix - the largest translocation of game ever undertaken - with over 10,000 animals reintroduced into the reserve.

Madikwe Game Reserve is more than just an incredible malaria-free safari destination, it is an internationally significant conservation initiative.

The species that populate Madikwe include lion (in the Tswana language, "Tau"), leopard, black rhino and white rhino as well as large herds of elephant and buffalo. The rare African wild dog, cheetah, spotted and brown hyena, giraffe, zebra and numerous antelope species also roam the reserve.

Over 340 bird species also make their home in Madikwe which sprawls across richly varied eco-zones, from rocky peaks, across open grasslands, to verdant valleys, each zone with its own distinctive inhabitants

Items to Remember

Dress informal. Neutral colours recommended. From November to March, bring casual summer clothes. A warm jersey/sweater is recommended for the cooler morning and evening temperatures. From April to October, bring casual light clothing. You will need a warm insulated or padded jacket for the cold morning and nights. Comfortable walking shoes, track shoes or boots are useful for the bush walks.
Sandals are useful for walking around the lodge and pool area. Shorts and T-shirts are needed all year round for the warm midday period. Swimming costume. Sun block, sun hat, sunglasses and lip balm are recommend.

Wildlife

Madikwe Game Reserve has an astonishing array of wildlife. Elephant, rhino (black and white), lion, leopard, buffalo, wild dog, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, hippo, brown hyena, spotted hyena, springbok, eland, kudu, wildebeest, warthog, crocodile and Chacma baboon are some of the larger species to be seen. Smaller species include rock dassie, African civet, genet, bush baby, porcupine, and aardvark. Madikwe is also a superb area for bird watching, with over 340 species being identified in the area.

Let Sex and the City Help You Choose Your Fabulous Wedding Gown

2008-05-30T02:20:00.000-07:00

"Sex and the City" the movie, is taking the entire world by storm. There is really good news for brides to be in this movie, as Carrie is getting married, and when Carrie needs something to wear, you can be sure that there is no holding back! She has to choose a wedding gown, and tries on 11 breath-taking gowns before making her final decision. There is sure to be one amongst these that would be perfect for any bride on the planet! Get other great ideas from her wedding for your bridesmaids' outfits, flowers, decor etc.

And what would Sex and the City be without the avant-garde fashion? Almost every grand couturier gets a plug, from Christian Lacroix to Vivienne Westwood, Chanel to Balenciaga, Christian Dior to Oscar de la Renta, and of course no Sex adventure would be complete without its staple Manolo Blahnik. Series costume designer Patricia Field returns to dress the cast in fabulous fashions and doesn't miss a stitch.

Bishops Grace - An Elegant Intimate Honeymoon Venue in Cape Town

2008-05-20T04:54:00.000-07:00

Bishopsgrace is a breathtaking statement in design and style, situated in Cape Town’s most prestigious suburb, Bishopscourt, with unparalled mountain views.

Each of the six suites, with private balconies, reveals an understated and timeless luxury, complimented by a manicured garden and magnificent mountain views.

All luxury bedrooms are en-suite with ultra luxurious bathrooms, private north facing balconies and spectacular views. Our magical feather beds are themed in each room. Satellite flat screen television sets, DVD players, mini bar with complimentary drinks and snacks, tea/coffee making facilities, local mobile phones and hairdryers are available in all suites for your comfort.

We are centrally situated to the famous tourist sites and landmarks of Cape Town including The V & A Waterfront, Robben Island and Cape Point, as well as superb shopping centres, restaurants and beaches.

Wedding Photographers

2008-05-09T06:08:00.000-07:00

We have launched our new look profile for wedding photographers. We have listed photographers under Cape Town Wedding Photographers, and Gauteng Wedding Photographers. We wish to profile the best professional photographers in South Africa to ensure that your choice of photographer is made with confidence.

Cape Town Weddings

2008-05-09T05:57:00.000-07:00

Cape Town Wedding Venues

The Cape is one of the most popular destinations on earth to have your wedding. The choice of wedding venues is endless and the natural beauty of the Cape is a wedding photographers dream. A Cape Beach Wedding Venue, either in Cape Town, up the West Coast or the popular Garden Route, Cape Town City Wedding Venue, a Country or a Bush/safari Wedding Venue, or a Wineland Wedding Venue in Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek, Wellington or Darling, the call is yours.

We have made choosing your venue that much easier by placing all the Cape Town wedding venues on one page called Cape Town Weddings so you can see them all at a glance. Each venue has contact details.

Medjumbe Private Island

2008-04-30T06:30:00.000-07:00

Imagine having your honeymoon on your own private island? Well, your dreams can come true. Medjumbe Private Island has earned its enviable reputation as Mozambique's best-kept secret. This tiny, pristine Quirimbas island with its bewitching ocean views and stunning coral reefs, is world-renowned for offering barefoot luxury, privacy and unparalleled hospitality. Its signature is stylish simplicity, with delicious seafood, some of the world's premier diving and fishing, and a wealth of romantic delights combining to form a heady menu.

In addition to private beaches, countless coves to be discovered and blissful surroundings to be experienced, Medjumbe also caters for numerous activities. For example, the coral reefs surrounding Medjumbe are one of Mozambique's best kept secrets. The untouched marine environment allows for constant new discoveries, what ever your passion is.

Have romantic dinners on the beach, stroll hand in hand on silver white beaches, snorkel in translucent, crystal-clear turquoise water.... Medjumbe is what fantasies are made of!

Wedding Photographers

2008-04-14T04:58:00.000-07:00

Finding good wedding photographers for your special day is extremely important for capturing all the right memories. We have a great list off wedding photographers so you can make your special day even better!

Chief's Luxury Tented Mobile Camp

2008-03-24T03:18:00.000-07:00

Dim the lights, roll up your window flaps, and allow a symphony of night sounds to be carried through your tent as you reflect on a day filled with exhilarating experiences.

Imagine choosing where you want to get married? Do you dream of a wedding on a beach in Mozambique, a desert in Namibia, a wedding on the Drakensberg Mountains or a wedding in the Bush? If our trucks can get there, we can set up for your adventure wedding.

The backdrop to Chiefs Luxury Tented Camp is for you to decide, from crashing waves along the Indian Ocean, mountain tops of the Drakensberg to safaris in remote bush locations. And from the desert dunes of Namibia to the indigo waters of Mozambique. We set up a luxury camp for you and your guests in any location you choose. And if you need some help with ideas, we are able to assist here too.

The camp is able to accommodate a maximum of 140 guests in 70 dome tents, each tent with its own 'en-suite' shower and chemical flush toilet.

Within the modest space confines of the tent, the beds can either be parted in a typical sharing configuration or simply moved together to accommodate couples.
Chiefs will astound you in its elegant simplicity. We are able to serve you three course dinners as well as all your other meals from our mobile kitchen.
This is truly an adventure wedding to beat all other adventure weddings!

Winter Wedding Promotion at Irene Country Lodge

2008-03-19T04:34:00.000-07:00

Save Loads of Money by taking Advantage of our Wedding Promotion .

Winding down the oak-lined country lane where cows graze in green pastures, you will arrive at a haven of peace and tranquility in the hub of South Africa's economic heartland. Nestling in the historic village of Irene, the Irene Country Lodge is centrally located between Johannesburg and Pretoria, and a mere twenty-five minute drive from Oliver Tambo International Airport.

The area has a rich cultural heritage and many national leaders and historic figures have left their mark in Irene. Smuts House is the restored home of General Jan Smuts, a former Prime Minister of South Africa and world statesman.

Combining old-world charm with superb modern convenience, Irene Country Lodge is the ideal wedding venue with the latest facilities, excellent service and unsurpassed luxury.

Take Advantage of our Seasonal Promotion 15 April - 15 September 2008

Book your wedding to fall between 15 April and 15 September 2008 and receive the following added to your wedding package, compliments from Irene Country Lodge

1. Complimentary use of the ceremony venue
2. One Glass of complimentary sparkling wine per wedding guest for toasting purposes
3. Complimentary glass of sherry for all guests
4. 50 % Discount on accommodation for friends and family
5. Book 15 or more bedrooms for you wedding party and receive a voucher for 2 nights at Shishangeni Private Lodge*
6. Complimentary 1 night bed and breakfast voucher to be used at Irene Country Lodge to celebrate your anniversary*

We would love to hear from you and show you around our venue. Please view us at http://www.saweddingvenues.com/ for more information.

Have Your Honeymoon at Elephant Valley Lodge

2008-02-26T04:27:00.000-08:00

Elephant Valley Lodge

Chobe National Park, Botswana

The Chobe region is home to the largest population of wild elephant in the world. This is estimated to be approximately 120,000 individuals.

Their sometimes daily passage takes them from Zimbabwe through the Chobe and on into Namibia before returning. Elephant Valley Lodge lies along one of these routes and is situated in the Kasane Forest, which is adjacent to the Chobe National Park.

Elephant Valley Lodge is unique for several reasons and amongst these is the fact that it is situated within a game rich reserve affording the guests wonderful sightings between our open landrover safaris into the Chobe National Park and boat cruises along the Chobe River. Open guest areas, including an open-style lounge and verandah area, a secluded hide, refreshing swimming pool and 20 ‘meru styled’ tents complete the lodge which lies beneath a forest of sturdy knob thorns. Each of the tents features twin beds, ensuite shower and toilet, mini safe and fan.

Activities
At Elephant Valley we have found that a morning cruise along the Chobe River provides a couple of distinct advantages they include the following; During the morning the river is distinctly less busy with fewer boats. This also permits a longer experience, assuming that sightings kept us busy, and we do not have to cut the trip short to get back before sunset. It does also permit a greater length of the river to be explored.
In the afternoons we have found that the Chobe National Park is conversely less busy and we are able to enjoy a sundowner along the river to capture the sunset on camera. It is also during the late afternoon that game becomes most active.
Guests at Elephant Valley are encouraged to join our qualified guides on both daily activities, these include a river cruise along the Chobe River in one of our spacious skimmers and an afternoon safari from the comfort of a custom built game viewer in the Chobe National Park.

Why I am getting married in South Africa

2008-02-14T04:24:00.000-08:00

South Africa is the Best Place in the World for your Wedding

I have been engaged for a month now. My fiancé and I will be marrying in March (29). We live along the east coast of SA.

As a surprise my fiancé took me to the Nkandla mountains, the highest peak, to propose to me. He bought the ring from India and we will be leaving soon as he has a job offer there. Yet nothing could deter us from having our wedding ceremony under the African sky or our honeymoon anywhere else in the world.

We love this country where the people work hard and play even harder under the African sun. The braais, the beers and the sporting events are the best in this country. The people have an extraordinary way of living their lives to the max. There is a quality of life back in SA that you just don’t get anywhere else – not domestic help or security-wise but there is a sense of being at home, people enjoy themselves here, South Africans work hard and there is a general positive attitude that you can’t get anywhere else – an exciting buzz/energy.

The country also has buzzing cities filled to the brim with cultural variations, ethnicity and vibrance. Daytime entertainment flows seamlessly into nighttime parties and sights. The country boasts great weather, diverse locations whether it is a bush and safari wedding, a beach wedding, or a country wedding, a city wedding or a wineland wedding, you choose because with venues as below, you never lose.

South Africa is a country like no other. Within our borders you'll be treated to golden beaches and sandy shores, breathtaking mountain ranges, bustling cities, vibrant cultural hot spots, animal life and landscape beauty that the most vivid imagination could not picture.

Exploring the landscape you will find a scenic combination of rivers, lush flower-filled fields, valleys and mountain ranges as it winds gently along this incredible coastline mesmerized by the little villages and towns that appear along the way, vast landscapes, impressive mountains and fauna and flora that is sure to dazzle.

The mountain areas are exhilarating, the air fresh and the views open and uninterrupted. Mountains crowd close to the shoreline which is dotted with beaches and bays, and wonderfully coloured wild flowers delight the eye. Grand mountains draped in foliage and flowers, rivers and valleys are all traversable on winding mountain roads, mighty waterfalls and evergreen forests, perfect golden beaches, warm waters and a sea teaming with sea-life.

You will be amazed by the wild and birdlife that aren't phased by your presence. Truly, South Africa is a country packed with wonderment, beauty and unrivaled attractions.

The west coast tablecloth of cloud which flows over the top of Table Mountain like steam overflowing a giant pot. At night in summer, you will see the face of the mountain illuminated by a bank of five lights.

The country side displays its splendor of rose farms where you can get the perfect rose, florists with flair for beauty, SA is like a blank canvass that all the people who stayed and all the home comers are going to paint a picture on.

The east coast is a magical place on earth were you can view the dolphins and whales in the bays. Orchards and vineyards are there in abundance, too along the longest wine route in the world. Along you will find dams and wetlands and will find that the national bird and an endangered species are often visible along Route 62. The Cape boast deciduous fruit orchards. And the coast boasts nature walks with wooden walkways that lead you through the lush forest, over a river, under a waterfall and eventually to a dam where the geese and ducks are prolific.

There's plenty to do in this country like swimming, fishing, walking and watching dolphins, whales, birds and all the people walking their dogs on the beach.

Day safaris at the National Parks are very popular both among locals and visitors as its not everyday that you get to have an up close view of lion, buffalo, rhino, leopard and elephant all in one place.

Holiday accommodation is extensive all over the country with places like free-standing holiday houses, luxury villas, holiday cottages and self-contained chalets often in a garden or bush setting, holiday apartments and suites.

Between Heidelberg and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, rivers and golden beaches. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forests invite long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming boating and fishing.

A wide range of leisure options, spectacular scenery and a mild climate guarantee a truly unforgettable holiday experience.

All in all, South Africa is a country like no other. We are most blessed to experience the wealth, richness and splendour that it has to offer, we will never say our vows to each other or to God in any other place on earth.

Blandford Manor - peaceful haven for your country wedding in Gauteng

2008-01-29T03:23:00.000-08:00

Making your wedding dreams come true.

It is the little details that make your wedding at Blandford Manor something special.

Blandford Manor is set in a beautiful country estate perfect for creating the most romantic day of your life. The attractive reception area is spacious and ideally suited to weddings for up to 150 people. Rolling lawns and lush gardens offer unsurpassed opportunities for your guests to relax outside. Beautiful scenery creates the perfect setting, leaving you with fanatastic photographs of your special day.

Events are all about planning and location. Blandford Manor is perfect, close to central Sandton and Randburg yet as tranquil as any country estate. Our on site team of organised and experienced professionals will help you to organise your event and take the drudgery out of preparing for the day. Our comprehensive team of experts can provide the names of a host of service providers that will complete your plans, from the photographer, the DJ and decorators to florists and make-up artists.

Rolling, luxuriant lawns surrounding the main conference facility make Blandford Manor the perfect location for outside exhibitions. Anything from exhibits of garden furniture and fittings to motor vehicle launches can be organised at Blandford Manor. The Fig Tree or Papyrus Lapas are available for refreshments during your event.

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge - A memorable Wedding Venue

2008-01-28T23:39:00.000-08:00

This safari Wedding venue, situated on a sprawling game farm, is unique for its setting, breathtaking views of the Swartberg Mountains, vast Klein Karoo plains and blue skies become a natural backdrop - a photographer's dream to capture the special moments for the bride and groom to remember and to treasure.

This bush wedding venue situated 7 km outside Oudtshoorn, in the Southern Cape, South Africa, the Lodge is in the heart of ostrich country, half-an-hour’s drive from the Swartberg Mountain Nature Reserve and the isolated valley of Gamkaskloof ("Die Hell"). It lies just off the famous Route 62 and is part of the scenic circle route – Oudtshoorn – the Swartberg Mountain Pass – via the historic village of Prince Albert – through the spectacular Meiringspoort gorge which you exit just before the quaint village of De Rust, after which you return to Oudtshoorn.

This Wedding venue is unique for its setting, breathtaking views of the Swartberg vast Klein Karoo plains and blue skies become a natural backdrop - a photographer's dream to capture the special moments for the bride and groom to remember and to treasure.

The KAROO WEDDING CHAPEL is situated on the edge of a natural water hole with a wide wooden deck as entrance to the intimate little chapel.The deck is an extension to the restaurant and this creates a beautiful space for wedding guests to take their seats and witness the couple exchanging their wedding vows.

For more information on this and other wedding venues, please go to www.saweddingvenues.com.

Cape Town Wedding

2008-01-28T14:20:00.000-08:00

Cape Town is probably THE most beautiful place to get married in the world. Towering Table Mountain makes for a magical backdrop. Take a look at some of our beautiful wedding venues.

A Honeymoon in Franschhoek

2008-01-25T04:09:00.000-08:00

Basse Provence

Basse Provence, a four star rated country guest house is situated on an historical working wine farm in the picturesque valley of Franschhoek. This landmark Cape Dutch manor sits invitingly amongst the vines and 300 year old oak trees. The interior is a fine blend of traditional Huguenot heritage and South African culture.

The Manor House two luxury en-suite bedrooms on a bed and breakfast basis. Bedrooms are on the first floor and have breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards and mountains. Manor 1 is totally self contained, having its own private entrance.

Guest Cottage - Basse Provence is proud to offer a new, superbly refurbished two bedroom cottage with spacious en-suite facilities. Set within the oak trees on their historic Cape Dutch wine farm, it offers a large terrace and private garden and full use of the guesthouse pool.

BASSE PROVENCE IS FEATURED AS A DREAM HIDEAWAY HONEYMOON ON WWW.SAWEDDINGVENUES.COM

2008-01-25T03:18:00.000-08:00

A Garden Wedding In Cape Town, South Africa

Constantia Woods is a Portfolio of three unique guest house properties situated in the leafy heart of the world-renowned Constantia Valley near Cape Town, South Africa. Unwind in the glorious surroundings of this tranquil estate where exquisite Mountain and Valley views prevail.
Enjoy the pleasure of a country lifestyle close to urban conveniences.

Enjoy the consummate hospitality of Cedarwoods Guest House or the freedom of one of the two self-catering villas, Cherrywoods and Rosewoods, all situated amidst the beauty of one of the Constantia Valley's finest landscaped gardens and woodlands.

Constantia Woods Luxury Guest House and Self-catering Private Villas are decorated with themes of bygone eras, filled with period pieces, genuine antiques and memorabilia. Nothing has been spared to make yours the most interesting and enjoyable stay in Cape Town that you could ever imagine.

Weddings at Constantia Woods

We offer an exclusive, genteel and luxurious venue for those who desire an Intimate Wedding reception and ceremony, from a private sit-down dinner party in our beautiful Georgian dining room to cocktail receptions for up to 60 guests. Enjoy your first night as a married couple in the exquisite Honeymoon Suite, with its stunning four poster bed.

A Wedding In Mauritius and the Seychelles

2008-01-25T03:04:00.000-08:00

A Wedding in Mauritius and the Seychelles

Mauritius lies like a rich green emerald in the turquoise velvet Indian Ocean. Reached from South Africa by daily flights, it has all the elements of the ultimate escape at a price you can afford.Mauritius is a sophisticated tourist destination.

Quality and high standards apply to every aspect if the infrastructure; accommodation, food and service in the hotels, sightseeing, transportation and attractions. Shoppers can find good value and high quality goods.The people are welcoming, warm and friendly. Their pride in this tiny island republic is reflected in their prosperity and good standards if living.

Mauritius’ greatest assets as a holiday destination are its beautiful, white, sandy beaches, naturally protected by coral reef which almost encircles the entire island. The clear, calm waters off the coast make conditions ideal for all kinds of watersports, which include windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling and waterskiing.

Outside the reef are some of the most prolific deep sea fishing areas, particularly off the Le Morne Peninsula where the, marlin breeding grounds yield record trophies annually. This is the most special day, to be remembered and relived during your life together. Spending it anywhere other than paradise just won’t do. Mauritius can provide the perfect venue for this day. Exchange your vows on a palm-fringed beach with the setting sun casting a warm glow over the wide, blue ocean. Sip champagne before a romantic dinner by candlelight, as the summer breeze cools the evening air. What you need to know Beachcomber Tours takes care of all your wedding arrangements, leaving you with nothing to do but look forward to your special day.

There are certain formalities, which must be completed before departure: we will guide you through the procedures so that everything is properly organised.You can choose where you would like your ceremony to take place. Select a venue in the romantic gardens or on the beach at sunset. Each hotel has experienced staff on hand to make sure the arrangements go according to plan.Venue is a key-element, especially for the gorgeous pictures you want to take back home with you. Discover a choice of mesmerising spots to pronounce the long-awaited “I do” and indulge in fabulous photo shoots of your wedding day: tropical gardens for an exotic feel, gazebos on the beach if you dare to be different, Suites and Villas if you want total privacy as well as a selection of lounges, terraces and restaurants that exude elegance and intimacy.For your reception, we are truly flexible and propose “A la Carte” options.

Choose between intimate cocktails, themed evenings and dinners on the beach, on a private yacht, or on an exclusive catamaran by sunset.Personalised ServiceLet the air be filled with the sound of music, from a jazz band or piano bar. Just know that there is nothing we cannot do on your wedding day.We have a unique “1 wedding per day” policy to provide you with a maximum assistance on your big day. To help you throughout the wedding’s preparation, a wedding coordinator will provide you with personalised help from the choice of the venue to assistance with official formalities. Your traditional wedding cake is on us.

For additional style and glamour, you will also be pampered by a team of professionals including a florist, a beautician (for your make-up, hair and manicure), a photographer and a cameraman - a complete professional care by Beachcomber.Of course, if you wish to travel with your friends and family, we will provide the wedding party with tailor-made quotes and packages and will look after them during their stay. On the wedding day, if availability permits, you may have another room at your disposal for all the last-minute arrangements, for your guests, bridesmaids or the bride to be!At the end of the day, you will find in your room all of your wedding gifts carefully arranged, among which an invitation from Beachcomber for a candlelit dinner for two in one of our restaurants.All arrangements, such as flowers, photographer, video, hairdresser and witnesses are requested well in advance. Everything is catered for by professionals.

Le Mauricia

Right in the centre of the lively village of Grand Bay, Le Mauricia has become the hottest spot for the young and young at heart. The smart-casual character of Le Mauricia blends high quality accommodation with superb service, at a most affordable price. Sport and entertainment are the focus of this hotel which caters for the younger, fun-loving market, honeymooners. Le Mauricia is within walking distance of Grand Bay with its many restaurants, clothing shops, market and clubs.

Le Mauricia as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Le Canonnier

Le Canonnier Hotel Mauritius is situated in the north of Mauritius on the sheltered historic peninsula La Pointe aux Canonniers, where you can enjoy year round sunshine and a fine climate with wonderful views across the coral reef and the north coast islets to the bustling and colourful village of Grand Bay.Here you will find history combined with all the comforts of modern living, set in 16 acres of exotic tropical surroundings, bordered by three beaches, set in lush gardens and a superb choice of accommodation.

Le Canonnier as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Le Victoria

Dazzling sunsets, a spectacular pool, great restaurants and well appointed, spacious rooms are synonymous with the holiday life-style of Le Victoria. Situated in the small village of Pointe Aux Piments, an ideal geographical situation midway between Port-Louis, the capital city, and Grand Baie, the most fashionable seaside resort on Mauritius. The beach is particularly fine white sand, and the hotel is surrounded by luscious tropical. The Swimming pools are stunningly beautiful, and overlook the Ocean.

Le Victoria as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Trou aux Biches

Typically Mauritian in its architecture, Trou aux Biches exudes warmth and hospitality. The hotel is on the north west coast close to Grand Bay. This hotel is set in shaded grounds, bordering two kilometers of white beach, one of the most spectacular shorelines in Mauritius. The calm waters, protected by coral reef are ideal for watersports and swimming.

Accommodation is in individual chalets dotted around throughout the palm grove, offering guests peace and privacy. Winding pathways lead to the public areas and restaurants.

Trou aux Biches as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Shandrani

Shandrani, situated on the south coast of Mauritius, is a classic example of 5-star sophistication. The largest hotel of the Beachcomber portfolio, it is set in lush tropical grounds bordered by three separate beaches creating an air of peaceful seclusion. Accommodation is superb spanning a range of suites, family units and rooms, all with views of the sea.Shandrani offers something for everyone. Two large pool areas and four different restaurants provide a change of scenery and experience. It has that getaway feeling appealing to honeymooners and couples.

Shandrani as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Paradis

With 7 km of protected beaches and wonderful views, Paradis Hotel & Golf Club has one of the most beautiful locations in Mauritius. The resort stretches along a spectacular peninsula, against the imposing backdrop of Le Morne Mountain. Built on the island's prime resort site at Le Morne, Paradis has beautiful ocean views, excellent golf course and a full range of other sports. For a more active holiday, this is the resort to choose.

Paradis as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Dinarobin

Beachcomber Hotels' Dinarobin Hotel Golf and Spa is Set on the south-western coast of Mauritius on Le Morne Peninsula, Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa is an elegant 5-star hotel with luxurious accommodation in private bungalows. A major attraction is the cuisine, considered to be among the finest on the island. The Spa by Clarins has earned the reputation as the most superb in Mauritius. It is situated on one of the most beautiful sites on Mauritius, shaded from wind by jagged Mountains behind the hotel, and boasting some of the best beaches on the island.

Dinarobin as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Royal Palm

The flagship of the Mauritian-owned Beachcomber Hotels Group and the grande dame of Mauritian hotels, this six-star exudes class, hauteur and stateliness. Its rooms are palatial, furnished with exquisite Indian objects, pictures and furniture. Its gardens are infinitely manicured. And its architecture is discreet: the white, three-storey thatched pavilions largely hidden from view by the towering palms that shade the ivory-sand beach. It goes without saying that service is impeccable - not fawning but friendly and always correct. The swimming pool may be modest, but its position on the island's loveliest stretch of coast in the north, near the lively resort of Grand Baie, makes this an irrelevance. Protected by a reef, Mauritius is surrounded by water that is warm, calm and emerald-green, so the sea swimming is superb.

Royal Palm as a Perfect Honeymoon Destination For more info email: beachcomber@saweddingvenues.com

Sainte Anne Resort and Spa

The Seychelles, a few sparkling spots on the map of the world…115 coral and granite islands spread in the Indian Ocean, each with its own legend and mystery. In the heart of this untouched Eden, a 500-acre private island, tucked like a gem between diamond-like beaches and magnificent gardens and ideally located to discover the rest of the Seychelles’ Archipelago.Welcome to At Sainte Anne Resort & Spa, each day is a moment of intense emotion. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, the nature is gorgeous…A dream-holiday come true. In the intimacy of your Villa, the songs of birds sound like music to your ears. Experience luxury and nature at its very best, unforced and unpretentious, all yours to explore.The Ocean, in its turquoise robe, invites you to discover its best-kept secret: a silent aquatic ballet performed by marine artists with the most amazing names and costumes.Sainte Anne Resort & Spa spreads itself between beaches, gardens and mountain.

Some great choices for your Wedding in Cape Town

2007-12-12T00:42:00.000-08:00

BISHOPSGRACE

Bishopsgrace, is a breathtaking statement in design and style, situated in Cape Town’s most prestigious suburb, Bishopscourt. Each of the six suites, with private balconies, reveals an understated and timeless luxury, complimented by a manicured garden and magnificent mountain views over Devil's Peak and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

All luxury bedrooms are en-suite with ultra luxurious bathrooms, private north facing balconies and spectacular views. Our magical feather beds are themed in each room. Satellite flat screen television sets, DVD players, mini bar with complimentary drinks and snacks, tea/coffee making facilities and hairdryers are available in all suites for your comfort.

We have one suite that is self catering with direct garden access. There are a further 5 suites with luxurious stand-alone baths in the bathrooms. These have a pool set in beautifully manicured gardens with breathtaking views towards Devil's Peak.

Bishopsgrace caters for up to 24 guests for weddings on their patio or in the dining room. For a larger ceremony, a marquee can be erected on the lawns.

For your intimate wedding in Cape Town or for a larger wedding, Bishopsgrace is definitely a venue worth looking into. For more information please have a look on our web site http://www.saweddingvenues.com/

An African Safari Wedding

2007-12-03T04:55:00.000-08:00

THE OUTPOST - a Safari Wedding Venue in this little corner of heaven in the African Game Reserve

The Outpost lies in a vast wilderness area in the northernmost part of Kruger National Park. This region, called the Makuleke Region, is bordered to the north by the Limpopo River and Zimbabwe and to the east by Crooks Corner and Mozambique.

The Outpost provides an ideal location for your intimate wedding in our African Wilderness. There are a number of beautiful areas within the concession from which you can choose the perfect location. A clearing in the Bush can be set up for your ceremony. Or under a Baobab Tree or at our stunning lodge, you will find the ideal location for your Safari Bush Wedding.

Acclaimed Italian born architect Enrico Daffonchio designed The Outpost. Using simple, clean lines and combining elements of steel and canvas the unashamedly contemporary design of The Outpost emphasizes its beautiful surrounds but blends and preserves the wilderness that is its home.

Notwithstanding its remote location, The Outpost strives to provide excellent cuisine. The style of food reflects its African surroundings. Care is taken to source the best produce whether available locally or whether it is flown in fresh from Johannesburg. The Outpost offers a variety of places to dine. Breakfast is served under cover in the dining area in the main building with views of the Luvuvhu River Valley. Lunch is either served in the dining area or a picnic lunch is prepared and served out on safari at the riverside or under the Baobabs. Dinner is either eaten in the enclosed courtyard under the stars or on the deck next to the pool.

Guests Complaints

2007-11-07T03:50:00.000-08:00

Think you're planning the perfect party? Not so fast. We know what guests really think about cash bars, waiting for the bridal party to arrive, late-night drinking, and seating arrangements. To spare your friends and family the kinds of things that make guests grit their teeth, some veteran wedding-goers graciously agreed to tell us what you need to know to make your wedding rave-worthy."I don't like long pauses between the ceremony and reception, as it is terribly inconvenient for out-of-town guests."

Receiving Line Traffic Jams

"I hate long receiving lines. I once went to a wedding with over 300 guests and I sat in the last row of the church. Therefore, I was also the last row to leave the church. I had to wait for more than an hour to get to the receiving line and to exit the church."--Heidi, 25, Blacksburg, VA

"I dread those receiving lines with about ten people in them, including the entire wedding party. I suppose it's great for the very few guests who know the bride and groom's families and all of their wedding party pals. But most of us just want to congratulate the couple and their parents. Unfortunately, you always get stuck making chitchat with a stranger in a bridesmaid dress who doesn't particularly care who you are, either, while the people in front of you hug the bride."--Margaret, 42, Sarasota, FL

We're Not Going to Maui Tomorrow

"My wife and I recently went to a wedding on a Sunday evening, and we had to be at work the next day. The ceremony was at 5 p.m., the reception wasn't until about 6:30, and dinner wasn't even served until 8. The meal was finished around 9:30, and most of the guests were not from the area where the wedding took place. We left before the reception was over, and still didn't make it home until midnight."--John, 35, New York, NY

Shall We See a Movie?

"I don't like long pauses between the ceremony and reception, as it is terribly inconvenient for out-of-town guests."--Jocelyn, 27, Austin, TX

"If your ceremony ends at 5 p.m. and the reception starts at 6 p.m., you can assume that guests will be heading for the reception hall immediately following, so maybe it's best to book the location from 5:30 on. It's so awful to feel like an eager beaver and just be waiting in the reception hall lobby until the party officially 'begins.'"--Amy, 25, Middletown, CT

A Little Mystery Never Hurt

"One thing I didn't like was seeing the bride before the ceremony. It was totally anticlimactic when she came down the aisle."--Sarah, 24, Brooklyn, NY

"I hate when people decorate the pews and altar in their church after guests are already seated. I have been to two weddings where I watched the attendants or friends attach flowers and bows to the pews and set up candles at the altar while all the seated guests watched. It looked so disorganized and informal."--Danine, 46, Miami, FL

"I hate it when the bride and her dad or the bride and groom stop halfway down the aisle for a photo op."--Frank, 31, Ann Arbor, MI

Nowhere to Run

"I don't like it when there is no place to sit during the cocktail hour. My family tends to eat a lot of hors d'oeuvres, and they need a place to set down plates, drinks, cameras, purses and gift envelopes.
Also, I went solo to a friend's casual wedding in Atlanta, where I didn't know anyone but the groom. Since there were no table assignments, I had literally nowhere to sit. All the seats were in use or were 'reserved' with jackets and bags."--Domenica, 27, Kinnelon, NJ

Am I a Cheap Date?

"Guests should never be expected to pay for drinks. You would never host any other private party and expect your guests to pay for their own alcohol."--Elizabeth, 25, Frederick, MD

"I hate cash bars. It's like sending your wedding present COD."--Susan, 28, New Fairfield, CT

"I'm sorry, but limited bars are generally a bummer. Ditto for wine drawn from a tap."--Liza, 25, Cincinnati, OH

We Like to Party, But...

"My brother-in-law was so drunk when he gave his best-man speech that he started an argument with his younger brother, yelling obscenities over the microphone in front of the entire reception, including my extremely conservative family. My advice is to get the speeches over with early, or ask those giving speeches to refrain from drinking until they have spoken."--Susan, 29, Charlottesville, VA

"I went to a wedding with my boyfriend and I didn't know his family very well. I knew they liked to party, and so do I, but I was really shocked at this reception. They held it at a nice country club, but people were dancing on the tables, they were so drunk. They should have closed the bar. I can't imagine how those people got home."--Michelle, 36, Raleigh, NC

Don't Strand My Man

"The worst is when you're in the wedding party and your date doesn't know anyone at the wedding, and has to sit at a different table than you."--Jennifer, 28, Chicago, IL

"My husband was the best man in a wedding, and I was seated at the opposite end of the room while he was with the wedding party. It felt really strange and awkward."--Julie, 34, Los Angeles, CA

The Not-So-Great Smoke Out

"I went to a wedding recently, where, after dinner, the waiters passed out cigars. About one quarter of the guests took them, and within fifteen minutes the place was filled with smoke. It was disgusting, and I left."--Andrew, 46, Los Angeles, CA

Okay, Break it Up

"Cake-smashing, by far, is so replete with subliminal messages that I'd so rather not bear witness to during a wedding that I think it best be banned. This ritual is uncomfortable to watch, totally passive-aggressive, and not at all the zany, jocular show the couple thinks it is."--Amy, 25, Middletown, CT

"The whole cake-smashing-in-the-face event makes me wonder if the couple is just getting out their aggressions from all those pre-wedding quarrels."--David, 51, Atlanta, GA

The Most Dreaded Dance

"All cheesy music, including interactive songs like the Macarena and the Electric Slide, should be banned. Grandma and Grandpa should be spared the humiliation of having to dance to these musical abominations."--Elizabeth, 25, Frederick, MD

"I hate that dorky Chicken Dance. It's not a nice thing to put your guests through. I have never heard someone say that they liked everything about a wedding but missed doing the Chicken Dance; but I have heard people speak with dread about the impending possibility of being subjected to this 'tradition' at some point in the night."--Laura, 30, New York, NY

Who's Running This Show, Anyway?

"I went to a wedding where we guests were given birdseed when we left the church to toss at the bride and groom when they made their grand exit. The trouble was, the couple spent 30 minutes in the church having their pictures taken, and we were all standing around in the hot sun holding fistfuls of birdseed. Once the ceremony starts, I don't think the photographer should stop the action for more than a few minutes for the rest of the day."--Ben, 36, Syracuse, NY

The Good News

"I really like it when a wedding is unique and doesn't follow a 'How To' manual. It leaves me feeling like I really experienced something, and will walk away with a memory."--Vikki, 30, Greensburg, PA

"I love being asked to take part in making a special guest book. I went to one wedding for which we were each mailed a page to write in and decorate however we wished, and then to bring to the wedding to be put in a book for the couple."--Jessica, 38, Seattle, WA

"The best weddings are the ones that make me cry during the ceremony. If I cry, I know I have been touched by the couple, and after that I am just really happy to be there sharing the whole event."--Lisa, 33, Philadelphia, PA

"I absolutely love the day-after-the-wedding brunch tradition. Nothing fancy is necessary, just a chance to see the happy couple and wish them well without all the fanfare of the wedding day."--Beth, 52, Chicago, IL

"I love when the couple welcomes children to the wedding. It's the biggest family-oriented event of your life, and the kids of close family and friends should be there. It makes for a happier occasion."--Susan, 31, New Fairfield, CT

"Nothing makes a wedding better than a bride and a groom who are smiling and clearly enjoying themselves. It's completely contagious."--Mark, 51, Reading, PA

Source: www.msn.com

Visit our site: www.saweddingvenues.com

Whirlwind Weddings

2007-11-02T04:02:00.000-07:00

Whirlwind weddings - Bad idea or happy ever after?

More and more people are dashing to the altar with alarming haste. But is it really such a bad idea?
When Sex and the City creator Candace Bushnell suddenly announced that she was getting married, the surprised question on everyone's lips was: 'To whom?' The lucky man had proposed just eight weeks after they met. The following week, they tied the knot. (Bushnell probably had stuff in her fridge that had been around longer.)But there's also something peculiarly life-affirming about the reckless abandon of a whirlwind romance. How brave to murmur 'till death do us part' after a brief acquaintance. It may seem as insane as taking your life lessons from Generations but more and more people – including a surprising number of jaded 30-somethings – are falling for fairy tales.
'It's a cliché but I'd given up on men when I met Tom,' says 30-something Kate Smith*. 'I hadn't had a date in five years. I'd even signed up with a dating agency, but didn't find anyone. Then I met Tom on a train and we started chatting. It turned out we lived just three streets apart.'
They soon got married. That was four years ago. Now they have a son. 'My parents weren't happy at first but that may have been because Tom didn't have a steady or "respectable" job – he works as a construction contractor. Also, my best friend told someone I was rushing things simply because I was desperate.
'Although I knew he was right for me,' says Kate, 'I lost two friends at the time. Funnily, both of them are still single.'
David Jones* proposed to Sharon* three weeks after their first date: 'I was surprised but I sort of knew it was going to happen,' she says.
Three years down the line, Sharon has just one small regret: 'I wish I'd known his family better on our big day. We get on so well now, I would have enjoyed myself even more.'
This proposal happened even faster: media executive Justine* was proposed to by a travel writer half an hour after they started dancing together at a party. She didn't take him seriously, of course, but now they have a blossoming romance: 'It was a delightful gesture in a world that distrusts chivalry,' she says.
And marriage? Well, she's hoping for a fairy tale. And they plan to have their wedding at a very romantic beach venue somewhere in Mauritius!
Relationship counsellor Denise Knowles does not disapprove. 'I don't think it's foolhardy,' she says, adding that people are leaving marriage until much later, so they know themselves much better and have a much better idea of what they want in a partner.
She also points out that couples are more financially secure and can finance their own weddings, so they no longer need the approval of their families.
But there are more romantic reasons too, she says. 'If you're in your late 30s or 40s and you finally find someone you feel comfortable with, and excited about, it can bring out feelings not experienced since adolescence. It can also be very intense, so making a momentous decision such as to marry fairly soon after meeting often seems logical.'
Flirting and dating queen Tracey Cox, coauthor of Would Like to Meet... (BBC Books), disagrees: 'If I had married every man I thought was "The One" after the first six months, I'd have been married about 25 times.' And she should know: she's been engaged three times, married once and is currently divorced.
'In the initial stages there's no way to tell if someone's right for you for life. Your body is going crazy releasing all these love hormones. Rather hang on for two years until different hormones, oxytocin and dopamine, have kicked in. They're the snuggly, commitment ones. That's when you'll know if it's likely to work.'
Cox is dismissive of star-struck lovers who claim they 'just knew'.'That kind of person says that about every Tom, Dick and Harry they go out with.'
This doesn't offer much comfort to those whose biological clocks are just about to chime midnight. 'Having children is a big issue for many of our clients and may explain why so many people of a certain age rush into marriage,' says a spokeswoman for a large dating agency.
She says men have a biological clock too: 'By 35 many men are desperate to meet the right woman and start a family.' The quickest wedding between clients she introduced took place within six weeks. But that couple is now divorced.
Where do we stand? We're all for happy endings. Passionate love is a miracle worth fighting for, and settled, content love even more so. Plus, to love each other for life is a decision you can make together. If you know that, you're away.
*Names have been changed

Source: Bride Magazine Nov 2007

Get Married In the Waterfront, Cape Town

2007-10-22T06:07:00.000-07:00

If you want to plan your small intimate wedding in Cape Town, South Africa, why not consider a floating venue, moored at the world-famous V & A Waterfront, in Cape Town South Africa.

Tigger 2 Charters offers an up market concept of cruising from the V & A Waterfront along the shores of the Cape Peninsula in elegant comfort and style on their latest, state of the art cruise vessel.
What better way to see the awe-inspiring Cape coastline than from the sea in the pure style and luxury of this state-of-the-art 53ft catamaran cruiser.

Tigger 2 can accommodate up to 50 passengers including crew and can comfortably seat 36 guests at a time for a buffet or plated dinner although we have also hosted many wedding ceremonies consisting of only one couple.
We cater for breakfast, luncheon and Champagne Sunset wedding ceremonies or receptions. Our events co-ordinator will work hand-in-hand with you and offer the best advice to make your special day a remarkably memorable experience.
So whether you are looking for an ideal wedding venue or an intimate romantic getaway, why not cruise into the sunset in luxurious comfort and style?

Beach Wedding Venues in Southern Africa

2007-10-18T02:34:00.000-07:00

Beach Wedding Venues in Southern Africa

Your wedding should be a time of great excitement and romance and what could be more romantic than saying "I do" on a white expanse of beach sand with the sea in the background.

A beach Wedding in South Africa is a wonderful option to consider when you are at the stage of choosing exactly where and when to have your wedding. Our amazing climate almost guarantees you a lovely day, but all the venues will have an alternative for you just in case the weather doesn't play along.

You may choose to have a low key, no-fuss kind of event; barefoot on the beach, a simple covered pergola with a few of your friends in attendance. You may wish to have the whole shebang: flowing white dress; white draped chairs; decorated pergola; fairy lights in the evening; candles in lanterns strung along the walkway for your sunset beach wedding; and even insisting the guests dress in white to complete the romantic picture.

Beach Wedding venues in South Africa can offer all these things. Maybe you wish for an island beach wedding with just the two of you. This is also possible and you have a choice of awesome venues in Mauritius, Seychelles or Zanzibar. A beach wedding is something you will treasure the memories of for the rest of your lives.

Collisheen Estate, KwaZulu Natal

2007-10-17T03:21:00.000-07:00

Take a step back in time into the land of the pioneers of early Natal and experience the peace and tranquility offered on an original sugar estate. Collisheen is such an estate and they can help you oganise an unforgettable wedding in KwaZulu Natal.
The estate was established nearly a century ago by it's founders Douglas Liege and Zillah Hulett. After a trip to Ireland they decided to name the estate "Collisheen" in memory of a town they had visited and enjoyed. Through the years they ran Collisheen as a cattle farm, dairy, timber plantation and of course a sugar estate.
Set amongst magnificent old trees the estate offers a private function facility that is exclusively yours for your special day. Panoramic views of undulating sugar fields are complemented by the warm "family" hospitality of the staff at the estate.
Thirty minutes from central Durban and an arms length from Ballito, Collisheen offers a perfect venue for conferences, meetings and corporate training.
Collisheen offers a perfect wedding venue with a bridal salon, chapel, full reception facilities, picturesque gardens, water feature, and extensive parking. Our chapel, complete with private garden, and our extensive functions room, bridal salon and outdoor arena with water feature and landscaped gardens are the perfect venue for an intimate and stylish wedding.
Collisheen has a B&B on the premises and is close to an extensive range of accommodation, from luxury country hotels to bed and breakfasts and self-catering facilities should your guests want to stay over.

How not to be the Wedding Guest from Hell!

2007-10-12T00:51:00.000-07:00

How to be the Perfect Wedding Guest
Here are 10 hints to prevent you or your family from being the guests from hell.

1. Please return your RSVP timeously. The bride and her family who are planning the wedding need to know the numbers of guests attending and also whether you are attending or not. A wedding is a very expensive event and requires plenty of planning. The right thing to do is to make sure your reply arrives in time.

2. It is highly embarrassing for the bride to be faced with the dilemma of informing you that you may not bring your latest partner, or favourite family member so dont expect to take your latest girlfriend or boyfriend. Only the person who the invitation is addressed to may attend. If you are engaged to your partner or if the invitation doesn't preclude children, may you bring them. Some weddings are planned small affairs and have no space for extra people. Secondly weddings are very expensive and numbers have to be restricted.

3. If you have to travel out of town to the wedding, the bride should be organised and have a web site up with accommodation options and fun things to do whilst in town. Sites like Facebook are ideal for this as the bride can put up all her information. Otherwise they are going to get plenty of phone calls from everyone wanting to find these things out.The weekends' itinerary can also be printed and sent out to people who are not internet savvy.

4. Most brides have a gift register, and they have it for a reason. Your idea of a wonderful gift may differ from the bride's idea - stick to the gifts on the registry or alternatively give them the cash.

5. Please arrive on time at the church or wherever the ceremony is. Its not cool to rush in after the bride has made her entrance. It is her day, after all!

6. If you plan on giving the bride a huge heavy present please drop it off at her home before the wedding. It is a hassle to try and keep track of huge presents at the reception venue especially if it is at a public place.

7. Not a good idea to stagger up to the MC during the reception, grab the microphone and make an impromptu speech about the bride or groom. The wedding has been months in the planning and if they had wanted you to have your say, they would have asked you!

8. Please don't request any music from the DJ, especially if it involves Bony M or the Village People! Many hours has been spent planning the play list - enjoy what is on offer!

9. This is not the time or the place to attempt joining the Olympic team for drinking! Don't be over- ambitious on the dance floor, either - the bride's on show, not you!

10. Let everyone enjoy the day - these are some of the basics of wedding etiquette!

How to Look Thinner in Photos

2007-10-09T07:19:00.000-07:00

I'd be lying if I said I've never been tempted to destroy a picture because my eyes were closed or because the camera definitely added those five kilos. I came across a few articles that answer that nagging question most of us have contemplated: Why does the camera add the extra weight? Blame it on lighting.

Unlucky for us, we don't have the luxury of having our own lighting technician casting light in all the right angles. Thankfully, there are secrets to looking thinner in photos. Here are six top tips:

- Turn partially sideways, planting one foot in front of the other.

- Pull your head forward to eliminate double chin.

- Hold arms slightly away from the body.

- Take a deep breath as you pull your shoulders back, chest forward.

- Look away from the camera, then turn towards it, breaking into a smile before the snap.

- Wear an entire outfit of just one color.

Here's what I say: You're beautiful. Embrace every bit of yourself. Ten years from now, those "extra" pounds are not going to matter. What will matter is that a special moment with your friends and family was captured on film.

Gift Registry

2007-10-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

Decide what you need and stick to it
By making a list before you enter the store of the things that you really need and want it will be easier not to get distracted by all the glitzy store displays.

Determine your style
You want all the gift you recieve on your wedding day to reflect your personal style and taste. Most importantly you will want every thing to match and flow together, so decide what 'look' you are after before you place anything on your register.

Avaliability
If you have guests coming from across the counrty choose a shop which has stores across the country.

The fine print
Check the store's shipping and return policies, and make sure they apply to your registry—and suit your needs.

Manage your registry
As items get snapped up, add more so that all of your guests will have a selection to choose from when they go to purchase your gift.

Size up your space
If you know you'll have to store items, be realistic about how much space you have in your house or apartment.

Consider your options
These days the sky’s the limit when it comes to registering. You can go traditional and register for china, flatware and other household essentials or you can opt for a registry that reflects you and your partner's style.

For other interesting wedding related articles please visit http://www.saweddingvenues.com/

KwaZulu Natal Weddings

2007-08-30T07:10:00.000-07:00

DURBAN

Subtropical in climate, Durban offers year round opportunity for your choice of wedding venues. Lush brilliant green vegetation ensures plenty of places for those all important photographic opportunities. Indian, African and Western culture blend in the melting pot and this is evident in the local food and architecture.

DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS & NATAL MIDLANDS

This is a World Heritage Site and offers many options from sophisticated hotels and spas to more basic accommodation. As a wonderful honeymoon option, the resorts will appeal especially to couples who love hiking and are into adventure holidays.This spectacular natural site also contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of 4,000 years. The Midlands have a unique atmosphere with many great wedding venues. Outdoor and adventure activities are interspersed with an arts and crafts outlets on the Midlands Meandre.

KWAZULU NATAL ZULULAND

Big 5 game reserves offer some great options for your Safari or Bush Wedding. How about a wedding aboard a houseboat on Lake Josini or at one of the Bush Lodges in the game reserves. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park is also a World Heritage Site. Zulu history and the traditional Zulu life is very much in evidence here.

THE BEACHES

To the North and to the South of Durban lie the expansive golden beaches that KwaZulu Natal is famous for. Surfing, fishing and swimming are the order of the day. Many of these beach resorts offer gorgeous beach wedding venues and honeymoon spots.

Please visit: http://www.saweddingvenues.com/

Limpopo Weddings

2007-08-30T07:05:00.000-07:00

Limpopo

Limpopo is the Northern most province in South Africa, and is home to some of the best private and national game parks in Africa. The beauty of the bush is truly food for the soul, and Limpopo has a special experience to offer everyone.

The Waterberg

The Waterberg is a richly diverse area in Limpopo. The Waterberg mountains create a divide between the great fertile Bushveld basin in the east and the flat grasslands that stretch as far as Botswana and beyond towards the West. This divide creates a unique mixture of vegetation and geomorphology giving rise to thornveld savannah on the floor of the valley while cooler climates higher up the slopes of the mountains create a wetter and milder microclimate suitable for interesting plant and animal species not usually found in this part of Southern Africa. This is an ideal place to get married in South Africa

Magoebaskloof

Magoebaskloof is the escarpment on the edge of the highveld, and ventures through th some of the most magnificent country down to Tzaneen and the Lowveld. The area in and around Tzaneen has plenty of wedding reception venues to offer and some of the most beautiful scenery in the country. When in the Area be sure to check out the Modjadji Nature Reserve!

Western Cape Weddings

2007-08-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

The Western Cape

The Western Cape is regarded as one of the most beautiful provinces in South Africa and gives a visitor and a bride so many varied and wonderful options. Cape Town is the capital of the province, and is located right on the tip of the African continent. Western Cape Province is bordered on the north by the Northern Cape Province, on the east by the Eastern Cape Province, on the south by the Indian Ocean, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean.

Cape Town

Cape Town is famous for its harbour as well as its natural setting in the Cape floral kingdom, including such well-known landmarks as Table Mountain and Cape Point. Often regarded as one of the world's most beautiful cities because of its geography, Cape Town is the most popular South African destination for tourism. Cape Town has a host of Wedding Venue options. The future bride can choose to get married in the winelands that grace the suburb of Constantia. The beaches of Cape Town also make great wedding venues, with the beautiful white sand and clear blue and turquoise waters. The city has some of the best hotels in the world, including the world famous Mount Nelson Hotel amoung others, which make for a perfect city wedding venue. Cape Town really is a spectacular place to visit and/or get married.

The West Coast

The West Coast is the region of the Western Province that stretches 400km from north to south along the coast line of the Atlantic Ocean and borders the Swartland region on the east. The quaint historic towns of the West coast make this region a tourist destination, for a quiet getaway to the towns, or a trip to the beautiful deserted beaches. Towns of the West Coast include, Saldanha Bay, Paternoster, Vredenburg, St. Helena Bay, Langebaan, Hopefield, Darling and Yzerfontein. If you want to escape from the city of Cape Town for your wedding, the West Coast is the option for you.

Cape Winelands

South Africa's Cape wineands is a tourist destination unique unto itself. First established in 1659, the various wine farms in the Cape produce first class new world wine which are among the best in the world. Situated in and around Cape Town, there is an exciting 'wine world' to be discovered in the Cape.

Hermanus

Hermanus is located just over an hour's drive from Cape Town, and is a popular destination for whale watchers in season. It is a beautiful town to get married in and hosts beautiful beach and country wedding venues.

Free State Weddings

2007-08-29T04:53:00.001-07:00

A Wedding in the Free State

Choose the Free State for your South African Wedding. The Free State lies in the heart of South Africa. This is big sky country, with rolling hills, endless green plains and towards the east, golden sandstone mountains and vistas overlooking the mighty Drakensberg Mountains. This province brags about 340 days of sunshine a year, so a wedding planned in the Free State will almost certainly be on a sunny day.

Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital of the province and not for nothing is it known as the Rose City. In spring and summer the city puts its best foot forward with a gorgeous display of roses both in private gardens and in public places.

Eastern Free State
The Eastern Highlands of the Free State offers picture-book views of the Maluti Mountains, snow-capped in winter. The orchards explode into colour in the spring with cherry, peach and apple blossoms. Ficksburg has its own cherry festival in October of each year. Summer days are hot with thunder storms rolling in over the plains in the afternoon. Vast fields of sunflowers add a spectacular show of colour to the countryside. In autumn the landscape turns golden as the poplar trees change colour.

Vaal River
Further north brings you to the green banks of the Vaal River offering lush landscaped and manicured riverside country wedding venues. This area is within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria.

Wineland Weddings, South Africa

2007-08-29T04:05:00.000-07:00

The Fairest Cape Winelands

South Africa's Cape wineands is a tourist destination unique unto itself. First established in 1659, the various wine farms in the Cape produce first class new world wine which are among the best in the world. Situated in and around Cape Town, there is an exciting world of wine to be discovered in the Cape.

Constantia Winelands

The Constantia Winelands are located in a picturesque suburb of Cape Town. Constantia is the oldest wine region in South Africa, and is considered the birthplace of the country's wine farming area. There are a small number of wine farms in Constantia, framed in the historic and leafy Constantia valley. There are a number of activities and interesting places to see in the Constantia valley, making it one of the 'must see' attractions of Cape Town.

Stellenbosch Winelands

Stellenbosch is synonymous with South Africam wine, and is the heart and soul of the winelands.Stellenbosch is home to the most estates, wineries and cooperatives and many other interesting attractions. The quaint town of Stellenbosch is home to the prestigious Stellenbosch University. There is plenty to see in and around Stellenbosch. The scenery is breathtaking and dramatic, framed by the towering Helderberg Mountains. The famous Cape Dutch buildings add a special and truly unique feel to this wine region.

Paarl Winelands

Paarl is well known as a wine and brandy making region. Located 40 minutes from Cape Town, Paarl has a lot to offer. The town of Paarl, just 38 km from Stellenbosch, lies cradled in the Berg River Valley. It is renowned for its illustrious past, its unrivalled natural beauty, flourishing wine and fruit industry and gracious architecture. The 11 km long Main Street is dotted with historic buildings, shops, restaurants and charming places of accommodation, and is where the head office of the wine industry, the KWV, is situated.

Franschhoek Winelands

Franschhoek offers the most exciting and prestigious wine farms and restaurants. This is definately the place to visit for those pepole who really appreciate the best culinary delights South Africa has on offer. Wine farms and the town of Franschhoek are a testoment to their French roots, originating from the French Hugenots who settled in the region in 1692. This really is a South African wineland must see,with a vibrance and beauty utterly unique to Franschhoek.

Wellington Winelands

Wellington, with a rich history and tradition of over 300 years, is a great place to visit for those looking to see something off the beaten tourist trail. Wellington's friendly atmosphere will capture your attention and once you discover the charm of this unassuming town, its culture and its special attractions you will be plesantly surprised.

Mauritius and Seychelles are the perfect settings for your Wedding and your Honeymoon

2007-08-23T05:51:00.000-07:00

Planning on getting married? Dreaming of an Island Wedding? Why not get married in Mauritius? Mauritius must be the most romantic place on earth to get married. Mauritius has long been established as a wedding and honeymoon destination and is among the top three wedding spots. Few destinations are more romantic than Mauritius. It lies like a rich green emerald in the turquoise velvet of the Indian Ocean. It has all the elements of the ultimate escape. A Wedding here is recognised throughout the world so all the paperwork can be organised for you by your wedding planner or tour operator. The possibilities for your wedding venue are endless. Venue is a key-element, especially for the gorgeous pictures you want to take back home with you. Discover a choice of mesmerising spots to pronounce the long-awaited "I do" and indulge in fabulous photo shoots of your wedding day. Choose your balcony on your room for a Private Wedding; the stunning hotel Gardens; on one of the Beaches; on a Catamaran; on a Jetty; in a Restaurant or on a Sailing Boat. These are some ideas to make your Wedding a day to remember.

Beautiful surroundings, romantic locations, and outstanding hospitality - Mauritius sets the perfect honeymoon scene, the kind of romantic setting that couples dream about all their lives. Mauritius is a year-round destination. Temperatures during the warm, dry months between April and October are normally in the mid-twenties, rising to the upper-twenties in the summer months between November and March.

The Seychelles archipelago, four degrees south of the equator, is recognized as one of the world’s most unspoilt natural havens, where many rare species of flora and fauna still thrive untouched by modern threats to the environment.

The Seychelles comprises 115 islands scattered over 1.3-million square kilometres of the Indian Ocean. The contrast in scenery is remarkable as it varies between the lush green vegetation of the granitic islands, and the barren landscape of the coralline islands.

The appeal of the islands is universal, whether it is the visitor seeking peace and tranquility in luxurious surroundings, the environmentally aware who will study the uniqueness of the region, the seafaring set who will take to the ocean in catamarans and yachts or the serious explorer who will venture to the far flung islands where very few have ventured before.

Mauritius and Seychelles are the perfect settings for a honeymoon. After all the excitement of the build up to your wedding, all you want to do is relax and enjoy each other’s company, lazing on the beach, enjoying moonlit walks, savouring delicious meals and making plans for your future together. Lasting memories are made on your honeymoon. So it’s important that you make the right choice of where to stay, and choose a resort which suits your lifestyle.

What could be more appealing than to relax in postnuptial bliss within the seclusion of Paradise?

A Wonderful Wedding on a Steam Train!

2007-08-21T03:07:00.000-07:00

First of all - if you had to choose the most romantic and different place to have your Southern African Wedding this venue has to be up there at the top of that list. I had the wonderful experience of being shown around this stunning venue - The Rovos Rail Capital Park Station. This Station looks nothing like any station you have seen before. The Waiting Room is beautifully furnished with plenty of comfortable sofas and chairs and this serves as the venue for the Wedding Ceremony. Or alternatively, the wide platform can be decorated with a red carpet, umbrellas, chairs and flowers for the ceremony. The third alternative is to use a large verandah on the 2nd floor that overlooks the station. The bride can choose to arrive in style on one of their perfectly renovated steam engines which would bring her to the platform or more traditionally, brought to the front of the station.

After the ceremony, the wedding party and their guests climb aboard into either one or two dining cars (depending on how many guests there are), and taken on a steam train ride for 5 hours whilst enjoying gorgeous food and wine. The price you pay includes everything, including venue, food and drinks. The experience is unique and unforgettable - your wedding will be remembered for many years to come!

Country Weddings

2007-08-08T22:25:00.000-07:00

The South African country side offers a natural beauty perfect for a country wedding. Historical homes or romantic inns, country hospitality and home-style cooking complete the picture for an amazing country style wedding.

Admire views from wide wrap around verandas unique to South African colonial architecture, or enjoy a quiet drink gathering around a romantic fireplace. Accommodation is usually available for the bride and groom and their guests offering the perfect opportunity to stay on alone for your honeymoon.

Receptions can usually be accommodated internally in formal dining rooms, or externally in magnificent settings. Beautiful grounds, gardens or lakeside areas make it the ideal setting for your perfect country wedding.

Musical entertainment is easily organised to get your guests up and dancing.

Go Green On Your Wedding

2007-08-08T04:26:00.000-07:00

Save the earth

How to add shades of green to your wedding day:

— Limit guest travel. Have the wedding in the town where most guests live; help arrange car pools.

— Have a daytime wedding, outdoors when possible.

— Choose recycled paper for invitations and place cards.

— Serve organic, locally grown food.

— Decorate with organic, locally grown flowers, fruits and veggies. Create smaller centerpieces. Choose potted plants rather than cut flowers.

— Seek out caterers who recycle materials and use linen and china instead of disposables.

— Wear vintage clothes and jewelry, or choose “green” fibers like silk or organic cotton.

— Use candles.

— Go acoustic.

— Hire a hybrid limo, or a horse and buggy.

— Pick digital over film.

— Check out businesses that claim to provide green services and see if they really do; many new companies have entered the rapidly growing market.

— Find out how much greenhouse gas your wedding will create at TerraPass.com, which offers to then “offset” the event by inviting you to invest in energy saving technologies.

— Pass it on: Show guests that an elegant event can also be light on the environment.

Article from MSN