Looking for a truly unique wedding experience? In today’s society, there are no rules so anything goes. Your wildest dreams can come true with just a little bit of planning.
If a church wedding or a backyard celebration isn’t for you, fear not. There are many alternative options across the country that allow you to celebrate your nuptials in style. Here are some of South Africa’s more unusual venues.
For adventure seekers: Hot air ballooning
What could be more romantic than exchanging vows high up in the clouds with views of the Cradle of Humankind or the Magaliesberg below? For those unafraid of heights, a ceremony in a hot air balloon is a unique choice – and guarantees breathtaking wedding photos.
The baskets can accommodate between two and eight people and flights take off at sunrise, lasting about one hour. The hot air balloons take off from land at a luxury lodge which can arrange a Champagne breakfast for you and your guests after your flight.
Best for luxury seekers: Stanley Island
You don’t have to be an A-list celebrity to hire your own private island for your wedding day. Stanley Island on the banks of the Keurbooms Lagoon in Plettenberg Bay is the only private island in South Africa and boasts an indigenous milkwood forest, private beaches and stunning views of the lagoon for a truly special celebration.
With the waterside wedding and function venue only able to accommodate 40 guests, this is best suited to more intimate weddings. The island itself can also sleep up to 20 people.
Best for travel enthusiasts: Rovos Rail
Venture back in time with a vintage-themed wedding at Rovos Rail wedding venue in Capital Park Station in Pretoria. For couples looking for something a little different, a wedding at Rovos Rail offers romance of a bygone era and can accommodate up to 120 people.
Say your promises on the platform with the old steam train as the backdrop after which you can take your wedding photographs in the picturesque grounds and the vintage carriages. You will then join your guests on the train itself for a glamorous 1920s-inspired reception – think the Great Gatsby – and a three-hour journey. Expect five-star food and service.
Picture: Instagram / Air Ventures
