As travellers, we get to experience some incredible destinations across the world. Yet few destinations are as meaningful as the one you choose to host your wedding at.

With this in mind, I have put together a list of my favourite Cape Winelands wedding venues. Each of these venues has either been visited or vetted by yours truly, so I can personally attest to their quality.

Scattered across South Africa’s most world-famous wine regions, these stunning destinations are individually unique, aesthetically appealing and professionally operated.

Each estate and venue offers carefully curated packages, incredible settings and imposing backdrops. Throw in world-class wines, breathtaking surroundings and lifelong memories… and you’re all set for the perfect wedding celebration!

A Day To Remember

Although getting married nowadays doesn’t mean you have to marry your way into debt or host the most extravagant wedding around… The idea is still to go the extra mile.

And you will want to plan a day worth celebrating (along with your marriage) for many years to come… After all, if it’s going to last forever, it should be memorable!

So, whether you’re actively planning your big day or scouting for the future, these are my best Cape Winelands-based wedding venues for travellers to tie the knot at:

 

Best Wedding Venues in Fairest Franschhoek

• Boschendal Wine Farm: Classic Beauty and Country Charm Aplenty

Boschendal is one of South Africa’s most iconic wine farms. And indeed, one of my personal favourites. (I have long joked that if money wasn’t likely to be an issue, I would someday get married at Boschendal.)

Encircled by the Groot Drakenstein and Simonsberg mountains, Boschendal enjoys a prime setting. This estate overflows with oak trees, gardens and verdant greenery. And it is blessed with some of the most beautiful Cape Dutch architecture around.

Given all this, Boschendal makes an impression no matter the occasion… So it is clear why it is such a highly sought-after wedding venue.

Choice of Venues:

• Olive Press:

  The Olive Press is a dreamy, natural space, which makes for a special venue. It is blessed with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, poplar tree trusses and picture-perfect views of the mountains and meadow fields. It’s ideal as a relaxed, yet ultra-chic wedding reception. This venue can host up to 250 guests.

• Rhone Homestead:

  Rhone Homestead is one of the estate’s finest offerings. It is steeped in history and yesteryear glamour and ordained with lush, private gardens. This beautiful venue is ideal for smaller, more intimate weddings. It can seat 50 guests.

• Manor House Lawns:

  

  For those craving Boschendal’s natural beauty, this open-air venue is ideal. The Manor House, a historic national monument, is one of the estate’s most iconic pieces and adds a real sense of occasion. This venue is best suited to smaller wedding functions and comfortably hosts 80 guests.

• The Retreat:

  This venue’s natural surroundings mean it is ideal for outdoor wedding celebrations. It can seat up to 72 people. The space includes: homely cottages, a communal boma and a natural swimming pool.

• Exclusive Picnics: Werf Farm Picnic or Rhone Rose Garden Picnic:

  For a more whimsical, laid-back approach to your wedding reception, choose between the famous Werf Farm Picnic or Rhone Rose Garden Picnic settings.The Werf Picnic area is idyllic with its white pavilion, playing fountain and endless lawn, stretching out beneath protective oaks. While the Rhone Rose Garden – spread out under equally proud oaks – offers a choice between carefully laid tables or a picnic lawn experience.

Good to know:

Additionally, Boschendal also offers different locations for popping the big question… And they can provide the following: pre-wedding braais; groom and bridal party gifting; post-wedding picnics on your special day.

All function catering is done in-house by hugely talented executive chef, Christiaan Campbell and his capable team. Menus boast the finest in seasonal, farm-to-table goodness.

Venue rates:

• POA: Please contact the estate directly for their latest rates.
• See more details here.

For more information on Boschendal and their wedding offerings, please visit www.boschendal.com or contact them on: (021) 870 4223/40 or functions@boschendal.co.za.

• La Paris: Where Wedding Magic Lives On After Your Day

La Paris is every bit the dream wedding venue… This estate is complete with sprawling oaks, immaculate garden spaces, a beautiful dam and the imposing Franschhoek mountains. Personally, I consider it one of the most magical settings anywhere.

Blessed with multiple venue options, La Paris offers something for every prospective married couple. At this stunning venue, style and chic beauty come naturally… And weddings here are truly beautiful to boot.

Furthermore, the La Paris events team happily assists with all your wedding needs. They can help arrange everything from marriage officers to accommodation and more. Catering options include: Halaal, Kosher, vegetarian and gluten-free. (Note: All special dietary requirements are accounted for.)

Choice of Venues:

• Winery:

  This historical indoor venue, with its marble floors and salvaged French Chateau lanterns, is suitable for both wedding ceremonies and receptions. It can royally host up to 120 guests.

• The Lyceum:
  This vast venue is a place of ultra-elegance, ideal for larger-than-life weddings. Especially as it can easily host +400 guests. It showcases brickwork, arch windows, glass doors and twinkling crystal chandeliers… just what a fairytale wedding needs!

• Rose Garden:

  For a more tranquil, intimate wedding ceremony, the Rose Garden is a must. Surrounded by climbing roses and protectively overreaching oaks, this is a most romantic venue… And it’s certainly my personal pick! It is also suitable for a Champagne breakfast or picnic-style luncheon.

• The Arbour:

  The Arbour venue is perfect for your wedding ceremony. It provides impressive mountains as a backdrop and a magical, wrought iron gazebo, which serves as a focal point.

• The Garden Room:

  Here, fold-up glass doors open onto a black-and-white checked verandah, leading out to the Manor House Lawn. This spacious, yet decidedly intimate venue can host up to 60 guests. It’s great for a small reception or wedding ceremony.
  Regrettably, as of 1 August 2019, this venue will no longer be available. So hurry and book before then!

Reception rates:

• POA: Please contact the estate directly for their latest rates.
• See more details here.

For more information on La Paris and their wedding offerings, please visit www.laparis.co.za/wedding or contact them on: (021) 867 0171 or events@laparis.co.za.

 

• Mont Rochelle: Mountains, Vineyards and Country Majesty

Mont Rochelle has enchanted me ever since I first stepped off the Franschhoek Wine Tram to explore this estate. It offers some of the best views around and both the buildings and gardens are impeccable. Indeed, there are few more impressive and imposing locations to celebrate your wedding at.

The Klein Drakenstein mountains serve as the ultimate backdrop, while each estate wedding venue offers something uniquely beautiful for your special day!

What’s more, this estate is very hands-on when it comes to your big day. For weddings of up to 30 guests, their excellent in-house wedding team has your back. For larger celebrations, they also help find a local wedding planner to assist with arrangements.

And I love that, if you are after a more relaxed, simple country wedding, you can opt for Mont Rochelle’s famous picnics… These are perfect for smaller, more intimate wedding gatherings of up to 10 people, as you can come together with your closest loved ones to celebrate by the dam.

Choice of Venues:

• Rose Garden and Manor House Lawn:

This is certainly my favourite venue among Mont Rochelle’s outdoor settings – and, when you visit, you’ll soon see why. This three-tiered lawn and accompanying rose garden, which the Manor House overlooks, is absolutely gorgeous.

It provides swoon-worthy views so it is ideal for ceremonies or receptions. And, with a marquee set up, the area transforms into a magical reception area. (Note: Manor House exclusive use rate and marquee hire applies.)

• The Manor House:

The Manor House is one of the most beautiful buildings I have seen. With the lawn and rose garden before it, it makes for a blissful setting. This grand lady can be utilised for your reception. To make a lovely feasting area, dining room chairs spill out into the courtyard. This venue can host 80 people. (Note: Manor House exclusive use rate applies.)

• Country Kitchen

This lovely restaurant seamlessly doubles as a modern, country-style chapel. Better still, it can also serve for your reception area too. It offers excellent views of the surrounds and nearby Country Kitchen bell tower. (Perfect for posing next to, with your close friends and family.)

• Vineyard Rooftop

For a more unique spin on things, why not celebrate your wedding day from the vineyard rooftop? The Vineyard Rooftop allows you to soak up breathtaking mountain and vineyard views and it’s the ideal spot to say ‘I do’.

What’s more, it is well-positioned, lying adjacent to Miko Restaurant and Terrace. (It can host 80 people and is included in the hotel exclusive use rate and marquee hire.)

• Gazebo

For outdoor weddings, look no further than the gazebo. It offers great views of the vineyards and can host 20 people.

• Vineyard Lounge

Especially ideal for snug, indoor weddings during winter, the Vineyard Lounge offers gorgeous mountain views and plenty of atmosphere.

• Miko Restaurant 

Mont Rochelle’s main restaurant, Miko, is both an incredible restaurant and venue in one. It is well-suited to serving as a formal reception/dining area. It can host 60 people and is included in the exclusive use rate (although additional fees may apply).

Good to know:

Mont Rochelle can assist with luxurious accommodation (either in the Manor House or 22-room hotel) – and a variety of catering options. Choose between a casual braai (BBQ), an à la carte menu or a set menu (designed to your liking).

For wedding functions of more than 60 guests, Mont Rochelle can hire a marquee for you. Note: Marquee hire and arrangements incur additional costs. Also, please be advised that all wedding functions work on a ‘number of guests’ quote policy.

Wedding Options:

• Option 1 – Your Perfect Wedding Day (plus accommodation).
• Option 2 – Exclusively Yours (two-night minimum stay during Low Season; three-night minimum stay during High Season).
• See more details here.

For more information on Mont Rochelle and their wedding offerings, please visit virginlimitededition.com/en/mont-rochelle or contact them on: +27 (011) 325 4405, 0800 056 343 (South Africa toll free) or enquiries@virginlimitededition.co.za.

 

• Vrede en Lust: Secret Garden Weddings in the Winelands

Located near the foothills of the Simonsberg, at the start of the Franschhoek Winelands, lies the family-owned and run Vrede en Lust Estate. This fine estate is one of the most esteemed wedding destinations around. Not only is it a dream to visit, with its beautiful Cape Dutch architecture, lovely eatery and incredible garden spaces and vineyards… But it is a truly special wedding venue too.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say it really is like hosting your wedding in the secret garden of the Winelands… and what could be better than that?

This estate has the necessary wedding facilities on-site… This helps remove the stress and travel time between locations away entirely!

What’s more, their talented wedding team is on-hand to ensure your wedding turns out as desired. They specialise in bespoke wedding packages and can tailor to each couple’s needs. Meanwhile, Vrede en Lust’s delightful eatery, Lust Bisto and Bakery, can handle all your catering needs.

Choice of Venue:

• The Vineyard Terrace

At Vrede en Lust, you can hold your ceremony out on the picturesque lawn, which overlooks the vineyards and mountains beyond. Then, when it’s time to truly celebrate, head across to the majestic, all-season Vineyard Terrace.

This lovely venue, impressively enclosed by glass walls, offers incredible views and a glorious, 300-square metre outdoor floor space. And, situated adjacent to the Vineyard Terrace, is the historic cellar, which is included in the venue hire. The cellar is backed by generator power so even if Eskom’s power cuts strike – the party goes on undisturbed!

Personally, I love that, at Vrede en Lust, you can also enjoy idyllic photo sessions and pre-drinks in the gardens.

The Vineyard Terrace – combined with the cellar – makes for a wonderfully adaptable, impressive venue. Best of all, you can easily decorate it according to your choice of decor or wedding theme. It can seat up to 120 guests with the dance floor inside – or, weather-permitting, 150 guests with the dance floor outside.

Good to know:

When you book this exciting venue, accommodation is included in the rate. And, for the duration of the couple’s stay, exclusive use of both the farm’s wedding venue and accommodation is offered to them and their guests. Handily, the accommodation is located within walking distance of the wedding venue and can sleep up to 40 guests.

Rates:

• See more details here. 

For more information on Vrede en Lust Estate and their wedding offerings, please visit www.vnl.co.za or contact them on: functions@vnl.co.za

 

• Rickety Bridge Winery: A Fairytale Wedding Brought to Life

Rikety Bridge Winery is one of Franschhoek’s loveliest country estates. It’s down-to-earth, though it still maintains an undeniable sense of classic Cape grandeur. The views from this estate sweep across the valley, creating a picture-perfect setting each and every time you visit.

Overlooking the historic, lush vineyards, the buildings – namely, the beautiful Manor House, wine tasting centre, Paulina’s restaurant – and the grounds all offer amazing views.

So, cross over the bridge towards Rickety Bridge and allow yourself to be enchanted by this perfect country location… Safe in the knowledge that weddings here are as precious (and thrilling!) as they come.

Rickety Bridge’s enticing wedding packages all include the following: venue hire, a welcome drink (one per person) and wine, canapes and a three-course meal, so this really is excellent value-for-money! The estate can also happily assist with wedding coordination, accommodation (there are 22 rooms in total) and of course, a variety of scrumptious food menus and drinks options too!

Choice of Venues:

• Historic Cellar Room

After your ceremony, the cellar room transforms the cellar into the ideal reception hall. With decor and lighting, this room turns into a place of sheer wedding magic. It is especially ideal should any dark clouds threaten on your big day. So be sure to relax in this cosy, airy space, as you savour every moment of your wedding.

• Rickety Bridge Lawn

Say ‘I do’ on the expansive Manor House lawn, which overlooks the vineyards and the distant mountains. Few settings are as impressive and well-suited to a wedding ceremony. In fact, weather permitting, you can even host your reception here. This allows you to feast and dance the night away underneath the star-pricked country skies!

Good to know:

To help you unwind, Rickety Bridge also offers its own spa treatments and therapy room. Let yourself be pampered with their in-room treatments and mobile spa offering.

Rates:

• POA: Please contact the estate directly for their latest rates.
• See more details here.

For more information on Rickety Bridge Winery and Country Estate and their wedding offerings, please visit www.ricketybridge.com or contact them on: (021) 876 2129, 083 377 4103 or functions@ricketybridge.com.

 

Stunning Stellenbosch Wedding Venues

• Zorgvliet Wine Estate: Wedding Splendour Guaranteed

Tucked away in the Banghoek valley, one find Zorgvliet Wine Estate… Surrounded by the Simonsberg mountains and its own lush vineyards, this fine Stellenbosch estate is famed for its wine, picnics and of course, its setting. As a whole, this is a place which instantly makes a positive impact on its visitors.

Additionally, Zorgvliet is also a popular Stellenbosch wedding venue… And a decidedly elegant one at that! It offers a wonderful selection of wedding venues and options. (For example, you can choose between two special wedding packages: Black Canvas or Painted Picture.)

Besides its lovely venues, Zorgvliet offers sumptuous accommodation (sleeps 34 guests), catering services and wonderful pre- and post-wedding feasting in the picnic and restaurant area… You can even hold special picnics and braais (barbeques) under the stars!

Choice of Venues:

• The Chapel:
  

  Built in 1732, this enchanting chapel, with its classic wooden pews and stained glass windows, is perfect for exchanging your vows inside. It can easily accommodate 120-140 guests so you don’t have to scale back on the guest list. For outdoor ceremonies, why not opt for the carefully maintained gardens?

• Banghoek Room:

  Banghoek Room is both charming and airy, so it’s ideal as a pre-drinks and canape location. And I love that it offers a tastefully decked out lounge, with gorgeous vineyard views.

• Oak Room:

  This beautiful venue is most classy and makes for an ideal reception area. Its crystal chandeliers and beautiful lofty ceilings make it suitable for any theme or colour scheme. Plus, it offers impeccable vineyard and mountain views. The Oak Room can also accommodate 120-200 guests, depending on whether you choose a seated dinner or cocktail-style event.

Rates

• POA: Please contact the estate directly for their latest rates.
• See more details here. 

For more information on Zorgvliet and their wedding offerings, please visit zorgvliet.com or contact them on: (021) 885 1399 or info@zorgvliet.com.

 

• Quoin Rock Wines: Unparalled Wedding Wonders

Quoin Rock is honestly one of the most show-stopping estates you will encounter anywhere… Like a phoenix risen from the ashes, this estate is one of the hottest wine farms around at present. Best of all, it wears creative flair and elegance like a second skin.

Its immaculate architecture, inventive food and incredible setting – which sees it encircled by the stunning Stellenbosch mountains in its own secret valley – makes it truly unique. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Quoin Rock embodies everything sophisticated, earthy and edgy in one killer sweep.

Add to this a beautiful manor house, positioned 400 metres above sea level, and a state-of-the-art, all-glass function venue – and you truly have a dream wedding venue on your hands.

With wedding packages tailored to perfection, suave in-house catering on offer and capacity for up to 300 guests, Quoin Rock is the last word in a grand, destination wedding.

Choice of Venue: 

• Quoin Rock Function Venue

If this all-glass beauty doesn’t have your mouth dropping open in quiet wonderment, then I am not sure what venue will. Envisioned and designed by Julia Gaiduk, this incredible venue – which was formerly a warehouse in another life – is one of the most imposingly beautiful architectural structures around.

This 380-square-metre function hall, which overflows with luxurious finishes and unique lighting, offers both a great indoor and outdoor setting… Folding sliding doors and countless glass windows open onto an outdoor deck, revealing the beauty of the natural surroundings. The venue overlooks the estate grounds and the majestic Simonsberg mountains – and few sights are better!

It can hold 200 seated guests – or  300 guests for a cocktail/buffet-style celebration. Either way, it’s safe to say that you won’t need to leave anyone off your invitation list if you choose to host a larger-than-life wedding here. What’s more, there is enough parking for 120 cars, with extra parking for five buses.

You might not need much decoration to turn this into an unforgettable wedding venue… so why not pull out all the stops on the food front by turning to the estate for your catering?

The stylish Cigar Lounge above the main venue provides a modern, yet romantic setting for drinks at sunset… The perfect way to end off a wonderful wedding.

At Quoin Rock estate, you really can tick all the boxes for a most spectacular day.

Good to know:

During your wedding, you can also book out the gloriously situated Manor House Complex for your exclusive use. The Manor House can accommodate up to 14 guests.

Rates:

• POA: Please contact the estate directly.

For more information on Quoin Rock and their wedding offerings, please visit quoinrock.co.za or contact them on: (021) 888 4740 or info@quoinrock.co.za.

 

• Blaauwklippen Vineyards: Vintage and Modern Beauty Blended Perfectly Together

April 2024 Update:

Due to a devastating fire, which has gutted the Manor House, Jonkershuis and the Cathedral as of 07/04/2024, please note that Blaauwklippen has suffered great loss and damage to historical monuments and its estate.

This is a developing story as I write this update in April 2024 – but I am sure the estate’s recovery will take some time. I do not know if they will rebuild their wedding venues or accommodation – or what the future holds for their celebrations and events at this time.

Please keep this in mind as my original post featured their wedding venues and accommodation in full.

Blaauwklippen Vineyards is one of the most relevant estates you will find anywhere – and yet, it is also one which has perfectly retained its historic Cape Dutch splendour, combining vintage and modern touches with sheer ease.

The result? A quietly stunning Stellenbosch estate, where new and old-world elements blend seamlessly together, leaving a deep imprint upon its guests.

Good to know:

The estate offers two unique, all-year event areas in The Piazza and The Cathedral respectively. What’s more, the opulent-meets-vintage Manor House and softer, sunny Jonkershuis provide the perfect accommodation option for the bride and groom’s nearest and dearest, before or after the wedding.

Choice of Venue: 

• The Cathedral 

In 2018, Blaauwklippen added yet another element of timeless, modern beauty to their already magical estate with the addition of the stunning, all-glass wedding and events’ venue, The Cathedral. Custom designed for the estate, this noble structure can accommodate up to 200 guests, with a dance floor.

Few settings will rival this graceful structure, which sits amid a gentle field, where oats and reeds dance in the breeze… Add to that the stunning Stellenbosch mountains as a backdrop and the estate’s impeccable Cape Dutch Manor House and Jonkershuis as your foreground – and it becomes a place of pure magic.

This impressive package includes two nights’ accommodation (and breakfast) in both the Manor House and Jonkershuis; exclusive use of the Cathedral (including a setup day); Die Werf/Manor House lawns; and the pool area, as well as bespoke crockery, cutlery and glassware.

Note: For an additional fee of R 20 000 (excluding 15% VAT), you can also hire out the beautiful Piazza area.

• The Piazza

For an equally fun and beautiful, yet more relaxed wedding venue, why not opt for the Piazza – and enjoy all the aesthetic perks that come with it?

This venue, which doubles as the tasting room and bistro, can accommodate up to 150 guests (with a dance floor section) and includes a range of bespoke furniture (as seen in the Piazza area), crockery, cutlery and glassware.

So, if you wish to channel romantic, Moroccan-inspired vibes, with terracotta pots, wicker baskets, candles and trailing tulips, then the Piazza – a stunning indoor-and-outdoor venue combination – should be your first pick.

Note: For an additional fee of R 25 000 (excluding 15% VAT), you can also enjoy one night’s optional accommodation (with breakfast included) in the Manor House and Jonkershuis. These two accommodation offerings consist of ten rooms, each as gorgeous as the last.

Rates:

• POA: Please contact the estate directly for their latest rates.

For more information on Blaauwklippen Vineyards and their wedding offerings, please visit www.blaauwklippen.com or contact them on: (021) 880 0133 or events@blaauwklippen.com.

 

• Bellevue Estate: Ideal for a Modern Wedding with Classic Touches

Situated along Bottelary Road, one finds the beautiful Bellevue Estate, a Cape landmark in its own right.

This famous wine estate, which has been producing wine for centuries, offers a stunning setting for a modern wedding, with all the best, classic touches of a Cape wine farm…

This even includes the original Cape Dutch homestead (and a signal cannon), perfect for posing together as a newly-married wedding couple.

Choice of Venue: 

• Reception –  Bellevue Restaurant and Event Venue

The venue has recently undergone some exciting changes, ensuring it is fresh, relevant and even more beautiful than before. Tucked away inside one of the historical cellar wings, the estate restaurant and event venue offers a tasteful, oh-so-chic interior, equipped with a spacious terrace that overlooks the lush lawns.

This makes it ideal for weddings year-round, while still creating a lovely outlook for you and your guests to savour. Whether you wish to host a large, opulent wedding or keep things more close-knit and intimate, Bellevue’s venue – which can host up to 200 guests – is perfect for you.

Add to that, exceptional catering services – spearheaded by the capable Executive Chef and Venue Manager, Eddie Enslin – service excellence and the estate’s own award-winning wines… and your special day is set! Menus are unique but can be carefully designed to suit everyone’s needs and dietary requirements.

Venue hire includes: basic crockery and standard wine- and champagne glasses for up to 200 guests; post-wedding cleaning services; a bar (complete with ice and glasses); rectangle wooden tables; 114 wicker and wooden chairs, as well as additional Barossa tables and 60 Trudeau Wine barrel chair options too, if needed.

Rates:

 

Situated near Stellenbosch, Hazendal is one of the most beautiful wine farms you will encounter anywhere. Year-round, this estate is a wonderland for families, couples and friends to explore. There really is so much to see, savour and enjoy here – everything from marvellous picnics to vintage cars and magical garden spaces.

With its blend of 300+ year-old history and striking, modern touches, this estate is the ideal place to host your wedding – be it big or small. With a range of classy venues to choose from, this estate gives couples the freedom to choose the venue of their dreams, while also enjoying the gorgeous surroundings that both the estate – and its gardens – has to offer.

Hazendal effortlessly combines natural beauty with contemporary, elegant designs, making it ideal for a fairytale winelands’ wedding.

Choice of Venue: 

• The Glasshouse:

Located next to Hazendal’s historic homestead and edged by ancient oak trees one finds the breathtaking Glasshouse venue. With its impressive glass frame and lovely surrounding gardens, this venue is ideal for year-round celebrations. What’s more, it is perfect for indoor and outdoor festivities alike.

It can be used for pre-drinks, memorable ceremonies or as a stunning reception area. The venue hire includes: up to 100 black, wooden, cross-back chairs, in-house sound and lighting, aircon and setup of ceremony chairs.

Venue capacity varies according to what you are utilising this venue for; please see below:

– Ceremony: up to 100 guests.
– Reception (capacity is dependent on the floor plan and where the dance floor is set out): up to 60 guests.
– Reception (with indoor dancefloor): up to 45 guests.

• The Pavilion:

Combining an element of nature and gorgeous, detailed architecture – Hazendal’s Pavilion is a truly impressive venue for exchanging your marriage vows.

Floating gracefully atop a small pond and surrounded by manicured gardens, with views of the homestead, distant Bottelary Hills and Simonsberg alike, this venue is picture-perfect, as it is ground-breaking and unique.

This breathtaking venue can host an intimate ceremony, accommodating up to 20 people max.

For larger groups, guests can be seated on the surrounding lawn, where they can witness the couple crossing the walkway, as they symbolically take their first steps together as a married couple.

This venue’s maximum capacity is 200 guests. Please note: Ceremony chairs are not included in the venue hire.

• The Kraal:

As a heritage site that once housed travellers’ oxen, The Kraal serves as the perfect al fresco, wonderfully rustic venue.

As this is an outdoor venue, it’s use is weather-dependent but, in fair weather, it makes for the perfect venue. It allows you to soak up the estate’s gorgeous surroundings and distant views of the hills, while enjoying the fresh country air in a more humble, historic setting.

This al fresco venue can accommodate a maximum of 120 guests, with dance floor space for 80 guests. Included in the venue hire are wooden topped, black-framed tables (no linen required), wooden benches, cabanas structures with curtains, fairy lights and a misting system (fixed), standard glassware, cutlery and crockery (for reception use) and the basic setup of tables, a bar, use of the lawns in front of the homestead for relaxed pre-drinks and modern, black cocktail tables.

Please note: This venue is weather-dependent and Hazendal assumes no responsibility for (weather-permitted) ideas and plans in their outdoor spaces.

• Avant-Garde:

For those craving a slightly more elaborate, opulent venue, the luxurious Avant-Garde is ideal. This elegant venue comes complete with an aquarium, hand-painted ceiling and chandeliers. It also offers impressive views of the wine cellar and vodka distillery. This is definitely a unique, classy venue if ever there was one!

What’s more, the wine tasting lounge – perfect for pre-drinks usage, at a separate fee – opens out into the Avant-Garde. This original cellar, dating back to 1870, has been reimagined and now offers a wonderful blend of traditional-meets-contemporary design. With a statement bar, cosy indoor fireplace and private tasting lounge floating above, the lounge is the ultimate accomplice to the Avant-Garde.

The stylish Avant-Garde venue can accommodate a maximum of 80 guests (the same applies to the wine tasting lounge). It includes tables, chairs, the wine tasting lounge’s furniture, glassware, cutlery and crockery, the bar, a white dance floor, modern, black cocktail tables and the use of the expansive lawns in front of the homestead too. (Yet another excellent option for your pre-drinks setting.)

• The Grand Hall:

For those who wish to have a complete blank canvas venue to work with, The Grand Hall is the venue for you. Thanks to its versatile nature, it allows couples the chance to transform it into the place of their wedding dreams.

The glass-to-floor ceiling wall, which runs the length of the hall, adds a touch of extra beauty, while also providing a gleaming view of the steel cellar.

This elegant venue can accommodate up to 250 guests, making it ideal for larger weddings, if needed. Included in the venue hire are 18 white, rectangular tables, 180 Nooi white chairs with chrome legs, standard glassware, silver-plated cutlery and white crockery (for reception use), the bar, a white dance floor, use of the lawns in front of the homestead for pre-drinks and modern, black cocktail tables.

• Homestead Lawns:

Couples also have the option of hiring the expansive, picturesque homestead lawns for their reception space. With an impressive setting and ample space, these lawns are sure to provide a lovely, airy reception venue, if you so choose.

However, only Hazendal’s Bedouin tent is permitted at this space. For an additional fee (charged separately from the venue hire) the tent can be rented, setup and dismantled accordingly. While glassware, cutlery and crockery are included in the venue hire – tables and chairs are excluded from it.

Good to know:

While many of Hazendal’s beautiful venues can be combined to serve as show-stopping additions to your big day, the estate can happily cater to lavish affairs and smaller, more intimate weddings alike.

Overall, the estate is able to accommodate 20-300 people, with something for every dream. In addition to Hazendal’s Signature wedding package, the estate has gone the extra mile and created Intimate and Winter Wedding Packages ideal for smaller wedding groups.

In addition to these specially curated packages, the estate has also compiled an informative, helpful planning guide, which revolves around their weddings. To peruse this guide, please click here.

Rates:

• POA: Please contact the estate directly for their latest rates.
• See more details here.

For more information on Hazendal and their wedding offerings, please visit www.hazendal.co.za or contact them on: (021) 903 5034 or weddings@hazendal.co.za.

 

 

• BOSJES: Where Natural and Man-Made Beauty Abound

Tucked away in the beautiful Breede Valley, one finds BOSJES. Unassuming at first, this farm quickly makes its presence felt, as you roll up the drive towards impressive, architecturally masterful buildings and gardens shadowed by the imposing Waaihoek Mountain.

BOSJES is honestly one of the most well-rounded, incredible destinations that I have encountered to date. It is a natural paradise, as much as it is a wonderful wedding venue and a family-friendly gem.

With the contrast of its esteemed Cape Dutch architecture and cutting-edge, modern additions, this farm is the perfect blend of old-meets-new. Its striking, winged BOSJES Kapel (Chapel); gorgeous, perfectly landscaped gardens; and on-site spa and luxury accommodation cement BOSJES as a fairytale wedding venue if ever there was one.

While their beautiful, peaceful wedding venue can host up to 100 people, it is ideally suited to 80 guests or less. To me, this allows for a more intimate wedding experience.

Choice of Venues:

• BOSJES Kapel/Chapel (only for wedding ceremonies)

BOSJES Kapel is one of the most unique, exquisitely beautiful chapels that you will find anywhere.

Surrounded by dreamily landscaped gardens and perched atop a tranquil island of water, BOSJES Kapel feels like discovering a place you never knew you needed.

Not only is the BOSJES Kapel a truly striking place to hold your ceremony – but it also offers the perfect backdrop for stunning, post-wedding ceremony photos.

(Note: BOSJES only allows couples getting married on the farm to host their wedding photoshoots here.)

• BOSJES Kombuis (only for the reception)

Included in the wedding package is the use of BOSJES Kombuis, where you can hold your relaxed, yet ultra-elegant reception. With its airy ceilings and impressive glass walls, BOSJES Kombuis is the perfect complement to the gorgeous chapel: BOSJES Kapel.

Although the maximum capacity of BOSJES Kombuis remains 100 guests maximum, prospective couples have the option of spreading their wedding reception between BOSJES Kombuis itself and the spacious, rolling lawns that front it.

These lend themselves perfectly for a marquee(s). (Please note: Maximum capacity remains 100 guests regardless. Also, the marquee(s) are excluded from the package pricing and must be erected at your own expense.)

The deck area – which offers a stunning view out over the game camp and majestic mountains – is ideal for pre-reception drinks and snacks.

Good to know:

The BOSJES wedding package not only includes the use of the Kapel and BOSJES Kombuis – but it also includes a two-night stay in three double rooms in the wonderful Skuur guesthouse.

This two-night stay is suitable for a maximum of six guests. However, the remainder of the Skuur’s rooms will be reserved for your celebration weekend.

Please note: This extra accommodation is not included in the package rate and must be paid for separately.

Rates:

• POA: Please contact the estate directly for their latest rates.
• See more details here.

For more information on BOSJES and their wedding offerings, please visit www.bosjes.co.za or contact them on: (023) 004 0496 or events@bosjes.co.za.

 

 

Planning Your Honeymoon in the Western Cape?

I also have a post with some great, budget honeymoon spots in the Western Cape. These recommendations are perfect for saving a pretty penny and having an absolutely amazing honeymoon.

Read my best budget honeymoon stays here.

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