It’s time for part five of this seven-part series on the best SA wedding venues (click for the best venues in the Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal). Once again, I grilled wedding pro Gaby Frescura, of SA bridal blog SouthBound Bride, for her top budget, mid-range and blowout safari wedding venues across SA. So if you’ve always dreamt of being a bush bride, these options are for you!
Best budget venue:
Bushfellows, Limpopo
Maxine and Frans’ real wedding at Bushfellows, photographed by Simone Franzel
The lowdown: “Bushfellows offers a range of indoor and outdoor reception and ceremony venues, including a stone chapel, garden, bushveld and waterhole locations,” explains Gaby. “They do great, hearty, South African food for your reception. Plus, they offer a host of accommodation options sure to suit a variety of your guests’ budgets.”
Maxine and Frans’ real wedding at Bushfellows, photographed by Simone Franzel
Contact: [email protected] or www.bushfellows.co.za
Real wedding alert! Click here to see a full gallery of Maxine and Frans’ real wedding at Bushfellows, Limpopo, photographed by Simone Franzel.
Best mid-range venue
: Rain Farm Game & Lodge, nr Ballito
Sarah and Matt’s real wedding at Rain Farm Game & Lodge, photographed by Fiona Clair
The lowdown: “The perfect weekend wedding destination, this wildlife sanctuary is conveniently located on the KZN North Coast but feels like you’re deep into the bush – and there’s accommodation for up to 60 guests, including luxury treetop tents,” says Gaby. “The Boma makes for an elegant safari-style reception venue, and has a fire pit for chilly nights, while a wellness spa and beauty salon on-site ensures that wedding preparation is a breeze for brides.”
Sarah and Matt’s real wedding at Rain Farm Game & Lodge, photographed by Fiona Clair
Contact: [email protected] or www.rainfarmgameandlodge.co.za
Real wedding alert! Click here to see a full gallery of Sarah and Matt’s real wedding at Rain Farm Game & Lodge, photographed by Fiona Clair.
Best blowout venue:
Makanyane Safari Lodge, Madikwe Game Reserve
Tom and Jessica’s real wedding at Makanyane Safari Lodge, photographed by Alexander Smith
The lowdown:
“Ceremonies at Makanyane Safari Lodge can take place at a variety of heart-thumpingly fabulous locations: a deck overlooking the waterhole, a lookout point with a view of the open plains, in cool of the emerald forest, before dinner under the milky way… there are so many options!” exclaims Gaby. “Accommodation is extraordinary – rich textures, luxe facilities and the Big Five right on your doorstep. Wedding experiences at this super-exclusive, five-star game lodge are an intimate affair, shared by just the couple themselves or 16 of their closest friends and family over three nights.”
Tom and Jessica’s real wedding at Makanyane Safari Lodge, photographed by Alexander Smith
Contact:
[email protected] or www.makanyane.com
Real wedding alert!
Click here to see a full gallery of Tom and Jessica’s real wedding at Makanyane Safari Lodge, photographed by Alexander Smith.
Do you have a safari wedding venue to recommend? Tweet us at @GLAMOUR_sa with #GLAMWedding to share!
Sarah Browning, 24, is the managing editor of GLAMOUR. She moved to SA from London three years ago and lives in Cape Town. In this #GLAMWedding Wedding Blog, Sarah’s sharing her wedding-planning journey with you. Join the conversation! Tweet your thoughts to Sarah via @GLAMOUR_sa using #GLAMWedding. For more of Gaby Frescura’s pro wedding advice, visit her SA bridal blog, SouthBound Bride here.
Follow Sarah on Twitter: @sarahmbrowning
Find out more about the #GLAMWedding blog here!
