Having your wedding in Africa is both romantic and exciting. Planning said wedding could become stressful, but consider the great advantages to celebrating your special day in Africa rather than Europe or America.
1. The low value of the South African Rand compared to the US Dollar or Pound Sterling means that you get more bang for your buck
2. Africa has seven months of sunshine compared to three or four months in the
United Kingdom or the States.
3. Escape those dreaded relatives and take only your closest family and friends
4. English is the official language in South Africa and many other African
countries, so making yourselves understood is not a problem
5. Africa has some of the most beautiful and romantic settings in the world.
Scenic winefarms, deserted beaches and exciting safari lodges make for endless choices.
6. It is the perfect way to combine a honeymoon with your wedding plans
The trick to a stress free (is that possible?) wedding is to choose a wedding venue that does all the organizing for you. You tell them what you want and they do the rest. If that isn’t possible, then make sure you have a great wedding planner lined up.
Great places that organize everything for you are:
• Ulusaba Safari Lodges in the Sabi Sands area of the Kruger National Park is a 5 star resort which offers the big five as well as a luxury holiday.
• Garonga Safari Lodge is a 4 star lodge situated in a private reserve near the Kruger National Park. Perfect for absolute romance in a Big Five environment.
• Marlin Lodge on an idyllic island in Mozambique offers barefoot luxury and a wedding with a difference. All you have to do is arrive, wedding dress in hand!
• Breezes Beach Resort in Zanzibar is a popular wedding venue. They organize everything for you and you say your “I Do’s” overlooking the ocean. The only downside is the other residents tanning on the beach.
• 12 Apostles, a 5 star hotel in Cape Town with magnificent sea and mountain views. And if your guests are on a budget, then there are plenty of cheaper hotels close by where they can stay.
• Grand Roche is a glamorous hotel in the winelands. This 5 star hotel comes complete with its own chapel for intimate weddings.
4 Comments
I’m looking to get married soon - well, before the end of the year, though in lifetime terms I suppose that is soon - and would dearly love to find somewhere interesting and ‘different’ to do so. And I do believe that the wedding and honeymoon ought to go hand-in-hand (lol). I’m pleased and excited to find a site that can hopefully guide me (us) to that once in a lifetime experience - which I naturally hope it will be. Any suggestions would be most appreciated
Hi Steven
The end of the year will mean Summer time here in Africa, so at least the weather will play ball!
November/December offers great weather in Cape Town, KwaZulu Natal and the Kruger Park (although the last two do experience sporadic summer rain) so your first desision should be whether you want a beach wedding, a wine estate wedding or a wedding amidst the animals in a game reserve.
Any of these wedding ideas will be the perfect start to your lives together and are easy to tack a superb honeymoon onto.
hey steve,
we are a couple living in the carribean and both born in africa. we would like to get married in south africa’s kwazulu natal ( my fiance’s family lives near Durban). it seems really difficult to find something in the bush and rustic while stil being affordable.the date would be april 2010.
i was hoping you could help me, maybe something just sprung into your mind.haha
thank you in advance
Hi Lodi
Thanks for your comment! You don’t mention what your budget is, but there are a couple of lovely places in KwaZulu Natal that shouldn’t set your bank account on fire.
Zululand Safari Lodge is in a private reserve near the Hluhluwe Game Reserve. The lodge has just been completely renovated and is looking great. The cost for 2009 is R600 per person with dinner and breakfast. A wedding package can be negotiated.
If your budget is a little higher than that, then Hluhluwe River Lodge is a great option. This lodge also offers greaat activities such as quad biking, river cruises and guided tours. The rates for 2009 start at R1600 per person for dinner and breakfast.
Rhino River lodge (which I haven’t been to myself) is also situated near Hluhluwe Game Reserve and rates are both catered and self catering. So a good option for the budget driven.
Most lodges will help you organise an officiator, flowers and a nice menu for your wedding meal. And they will usually allow you to have the ceremony in a lovely bush location!
Good luck and let me know if I can assist you in any way.