Cape Town wedding venues
Cape Town wedding venues
As Cape Town wedding photographers, we often get asked the question: “What are your favourite Cape Town wedding venues?” It’s a pretty hard question to answer as Cape Town and the Western Cape has such a variety of gorgeous venues.
WHICH ARE OUR FAVOURITE CAPE TOWN WEDDING VENUES?
From a personal point of view, our most honest answer would be “the ones that are not actually wedding venues.” By this we mean either a space that is used primarily for another purpose other than a wedding venue, or a location that is “transformed” into a wedding venue.
Another question we often get asked is: “Have you shot at the venue before?” This is where we will let you into our biggest secret. If we answer “yes,” it does mean we are familiar with a venue and it probably makes it easier on the day, but in all honesty, we love the fresh palette of creativity when we see a venue for the first time. So if our answer is “no” you may actually be in for the win, as our creative juices get all fired up. Yes, it’s natural to google what other photographers before you have done, but we like to see it from our own perspective and create something unique.
In saying all of the above, going through our images, we have realized that we have photographed weddings at some pretty amazing Cape Town wedding venues. Some a little further afield – oh that’s the other thing we forgot to mention. Wedding out of town? Heck yes, we’ll be the first to admit we love a road trip
We’ve compiled a list with a few of our images of some of the beautiful Cape Town wedding venues we’ve had the privilege of showcasing.
Let’s start right on our doorstep. The Durbanville valley and surrounds offers an amazing variety of wedding venues. From vineyards and upmarket wineries to rolling wheat fields; from rustic barns and buildings to actual working farms.
First up is Eureka Estate. A modern, venue with glass stacking doors that spill out onto a patio with amazing vistas. It’s particularly pretty in the autumn months when the vineyards turn the most amazing colours.
Another beautiful wedding venue set on an estate in the Durbanville wine valley is Cassia on Nitida Wine Estate. What makes this venue unique is its proximity to a lake. It’s the perfect backdrop for your outdoor ceremony.
Meerendal sets itself apart from the others with its gorgeous rustic wedding chapel set in an old barn. An added bonus is having the luxury boutique hotel in a Cape Dutch manor house for brides to do their preparations in.
Eensgezind, surrounded by rolling wheat fields is another venue with a lakeside setting. It also forms part of a working dairy farm which is great for some fun shots.
The next wedding venue is not quite in Durbanville, but close enough. De Malle Meul, set in the quirky little village of Philadelphia is one of our favourites.
CAPE TOWN WEDDING VENUES THAT ARE A LITTLE FURTHER AFIELD
The Cape Winelands is a very popular destination and is brimming with beautiful wedding venues. We’ve only just scratched the surface here. There are so many more hidden gems that have popped up of late. If there’s a common thread you can run through each of these venues, is their beautiful scenry and close proximity to the majestic mountain ranges of the winelands. Outdoor wedding ceremony and reception set ups have become quite popular, and most of these wedding venues lend themselves to this.
Franschhoek Wedding Venues
Roca on Dieu Donne Wine Estate
Paarl Wedding Venues
Stellenbosch Wedding Venues
Kuilsriver Wedding Venues
We don’t get to work in the Constantia wine valley nearly enough, but one of our favourites there is Steenberg Estate.
Beach wedding venues
Cape Town has quite a number of gorgeous beach wedding venues.
If the ocean is your thing, then then you won’t have to search too hard. From private ceremonies on the beach, to rustic beach venues, to the upmarket 12 Apostles Hotel, there is something for every taste and budget.
Although the ocean is not quite on its doorstep, it’s just a stone’s throw away from Monkey Valley Resport. You could always opt for a beach ceremony and then have the reception at Monkey Valley. If you are having a private beach ceremony, be sure to get in touch with the relevant authorities for permits.
Simonstown has a host of gorgeous beach settings and venues. Georgia & Leon had a vision which was brought to life at Water’s Edge.
The Llandudno Surf & Lifesaving club is a hidden gem. With minimal hiring fee, you don’t get much closer to the ocean.
The Grille Shack is a colourful, quirky and eclectic venue on the beautiful Clarence Drive. Beautiful Kogel Bay beach is a short way away.
For a slightly more upmarket Cape Town wedding venue, it’s hard to beat the setting of the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa. The Atlantic ocean is a constant backdrop, and the scenery is any wedding photographer’s dream of heaven!
Moving up the west coast, there are a host of lovely seaside wedding venues. Blue Bay Lodge is right on the water’s edge and the turquoise ocean makes for the perfect backdrop for your wedding ceremony.
The quaint little fishing village of Paternoster is a firm favourite for couples who love the turquoise ocean. It’s especially popular as a destination location and most couples make a weekend of it. There are several wedding venues in the village.
Out of town wedding venues
It’s no secret that we are travel junkies. We always do a little happy dance when couples book us for an out of town wedding.
Greyton is a charming little town. There are a number of options here from small intimate venues in town, to weddings on beautiful farms and estates.
The gorgeous Abbey Rose is quirky and eclectic, and the chapel with it’s stunning stained glass windows is just beautiful!
The Oaks Estate is a perfect setting for a wedding. The estate offers loads of accommodation options too.
In the little village of Montagu lies Cabriere’s D’Avignon. The farm is steeped in history, and having your candle lit reception in the old stable is magical.
Just outside Robertson lies the lovely Bon Cap Wedding Venue. With accommodation aplenty, a beautiful setting and top class catering, this has always been a favourite for us.
In Tulbagh there are a host of wedding venues too. It’s such a beautiful part of the world, and we wish we got to work there more often.
Here is beautiful Montpellier with its unmistakable chapel on the hill. The reception venue is unique too, in that it’s right there in between the wine barrels in the cellar.
Manley Estate is another one stop accommodation, chapel and venue option.
Another al time favourite is Fynbos Estate just outside Malmesbury. It’s rustic and down to earth and feels like home.
A little further into the Overberg and you get to another wedding venue we’d love to work at more often, the quirky Old Mac Daddy. It has a real holiday vibe to it, and who ever would imagine a sign reading “to the beach” when you are surrounded by mountains and fruit orchards.
De Uijlenes is another great Overberg venue. If you fancy a forest wedding ceremony setting, then this is your place.
Cape Town Wedding venues
Moving on to more of a city vibe now. We adore the CBD, and we know there are a number of urban venues popping up. They are especially popular for smaller intimate micro weddings. We’d LOVE to explore more of these. For now a few from the Centre for The Book which we loved, and some random city spots.
We’ve spent quite a few evenings covering wedding receptions at the Islamia College Banqueting Hall. Catering for sometimes up to 600 guests the team does a fabulous job. Not to mention the yummy grub supplied by La Elegante Catering.
And finally a few images of weddings that were held on family farms. These are not wedding venues, but simply spaces that were lovingly converted to accommodate special people.
2 Comments
What a fantastic FANTASTIC idea to have compiled this! All the photos are amazing but my 2 favourites are the one with the cows and the one with the old Malgas ‘ferry’. Wink wink nudge nudge, you should have included where one can go to restaurants, and where not. You have also given me an idea for a birthday celebration…
Thank you for your lovely comment Ilse! Appreciate it. Glad you could find some inspiration.