Cape Town - The Mother City. Known to locals and foreigners as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. With its spectacular tourist offerings, world-class beaches, and the appeal of its natural wonders, this city gathers in awards from around the globe.  

Given its wealth of remarkable venues and offerings, Cape Town is the perfect place to host your destination wedding. Choosing your wedding venue is probably the most important decision you will make when planning your special day. But it’s often something couples struggle with. Even though planning a destination wedding may be a little more challenging than simply planning one in your home town, there are numerous benefits that make it well worth the effort. With long summers, splendid spring and autumn months, and wet but mild winters, Cape Town’s weather and beautiful scenic surroundings are the perfect foil for any venue.

If you are considering on having a destination wedding in Cape Town, here are a few pointers you should keep in mind when planning.

 

The Wedding Date

From November to April, summer brings long hot days, warm nights and little rain. These are of course the most popular months for weddings.  Autumn, which starts around April to the end of May, is also mostly warm, and is another favourite as the countryside and vineyards transform into a beautiful palette of red, brown and orange.  Even in the coldest season between June and August, there are many clear days and many venues perfectly suited to winter weddings – with indoor and outdoor facilities.  Every season offers something unique and depending on what you prefer, Cape Town is an ideal destination for weddings all year round.

Location

Wedding venues in Cape Town range from intimate ceremonies on the beach to garden weddings, Winelands weddings or, for the more adventurous, bush weddings at a private game reserve. Having blue flag beaches, winelands, fynbos-clad countryside, and even the dramatic CBD city centre with views of Table Mountain, Signal Hill and the Waterfront. How many other cities can offer all of the above?

Catering

Known for our food and wine, rest assured, you will find many excellent catering options in Cape Town. Most venues offer in-house catering and can tailor their existing menus to suit your preferences. You will also be able to pair wines with the selected menu. With your guests from all over the world, why not opt for a South African-themed menu? Canapes can include bowls of biltong (including many varieties of game biltong), smoked snoek pate (snoek is a local, seasonal fish) or South African chakalaka arancini and boerewors. Follow with smoked kudu carpaccio and for your main course delicious grilled springbok loin. What a wonderful way for your guests to experience South African cuisine. 

Themed Wedding?

Expanding on the local theme, we have found that adding a touch of South African tradition to a destination wedding makes for a very special day. This can be incorporated in your décor and flowers; music and entertainment or even guests’ favours. Add fynbos into your arrangements; think bold arrangements with King Proteas. For entertainment why not surprise your guests with traditional African face painting during your ceremony, or a marimba band and African dancers to perform during pre-reception drinks? Alternatively, give guests a little something to remember their trip by, whether it be a beaded animal, local craftwork, or a jar of fynbos honey.

Accommodation

Accommodation is an important part of the planning as most, if not all, of your guests will be travelling from abroad. When recommending venues to clients, we offer guests a variety of establishments to choose from.  Included is accommodation in and around the CBD, for guests who wish to do a bit of site-seeing before or after the wedding. Depending on where your preferred venue is situated, we can recommend hotels and villas close to the venue. Most venues do, however, offer an all-inclusive package that includes accommodation, so that you and your guests can stay together, on-site.

 

Travel preparations

Depending on your date, it is best to book flights and accommodation in advance due to availability and prices. With your guests travelling for afar, planning a weekend wedding celebration will give guests enough time to enjoy the setting and offerings, together, for an extended period. Plan a Winelands tour and go wine tasting, or book the cable car and have lunch on top of Table Mountain. This is a wonderful way for guests to meet and interact with each other.  When it comes to transportation, for day to day trips one can simply use Uber or hire a car. With bigger groups we often suggest booking a shuttle service, which can transport guests to the various planned activities and to and from the venue on your wedding day.

For readers who have never been to Cape Town, click here to watch a video filmed by Cape Town Vacation Travel Guide.

Photographs featured captured by Yolande Marx Photography

Shelley from Where’s My Wedding