South Africans are lucky to have a myriad of magnificent wedding venues across the country. From beachside venues and vineyards to countryside stunners and modern museums, there is something for every bridal couple.
If you’re looking for a venue straight out of a fairytale, we’ve got the perfect one. Shepstone Gardens in Johannesburg mixes old world glamour with modern finishes to give you the best of both worlds.
Shepstone Gardens is situated in Hope Road, in the heart of Mountain View in Johannesburg. The main house was one of the original Witwatersrand Ridge houses commissioned by the Modderfontein Dynamite Company after the Anglo Boer War at the turn of the 20th Century.
The venue has been privately owned by the Rayner family for the past 35 years, and they have worked to restore it while still maintaining its heritage and charm.
On the grounds are an on-site chapel, a glass marquee and a grand hall. The on-site chapel has intricate stone walls, large stained-glass windows and a stunning glass roof that screams opulence and whimsy.
If you’d like an outdoor ceremony, you can say your I do’s at their natural arch, which is is perched right next to a functioning bell tower to add that extra fairytale-esque spin to your big day. To bring you back to earth, the Johannesburg skyline acts as a beautiful backdrop, creating an interesting juxtaposition of city and garden.
The glass marquee is a mesmerising location. Marble floors, stone pillars and chandeliers create a striking finish against the vibrant green of the grounds. It’s opulent and glamorous yet down to earth at the same time. The glass marquee can be used as a ceremony or reception venue, the choice is up to you.
If the glass marquee isn’t your style, another option is the grand hall. This space offers wood flooring and tall pillars that acts as more of a blank canvas to truly allow your decor to take centre stage. It’s the more timeless, old school option of the two locations. It’s even got a library next door that can be used as a cozy lounge or a separate area to display your after dinner sweet treats.
Shepstone Gardens offers in-house catering and decor, making the planning process even easier. What we love is that they also offer the Lorax Initiative in partnership with Food & Trees for Africa. For every wedding guest that sponsors a tree as a wedding gift, Shepstone Gardens will match it and sponsor another tree.
“The joy that is experienced around the beauty of Shepstone Gardens is afforded because of a deep love and care for the earth it has risen from. It is fitting, then, that we perpetuate that love and spread it far and wide to where it is needed most,” they explain on their site.
Feature image: Instagram / Shepstone Gardens
