South Africa is increasingly popular as a wedding destination, and when one considers the country’s scenic appeal, romance, and value-for-money status, it’s really not surprising.

According to Pam Black of function resource centre Celebration House, couples can afford a five-star wedding with all the frills for less than what they’d pay in the United Kingdom. The average cost of a wedding in Britain is around £15 000 or £20 000, but the same function would cost only R80 000 in South Africa, despite the recent strengthening of the rand. Consequently, she says, the savings are enormous.

An drawcard for weddings 'down south' is the excellent weather. The "wedding season" in South Africa extends from September to the end of April, and even into May, with 39 weekends of good weather available, according to Pam. In contrast, only around 13 weekends in the UK offer good weather, she says. Although of course, if you’re bringing your guests out from foreign climes, you can get married any day of the week.

Function coordinators are invaluable if you’re trying to plan a wedding from afar. But, adds Pam, "it’s essential to choose somebody with a good track record". A good coordinator will be able to come up with a wedding plan that incorporates your vision, and will be able to organise venues, accommodation, flowers, catering, photographers, and anything else you may require. Fees differ — some will charge a flat rate, others a certain percentage of the overall cost.

So what are some of the most popular options for out-of-towners wanting to get hitched in South Africa?

Winelands wedding
The fairytale wedding you’ve always wanted can come to life in the Cape Winelands. Romance is in the very air here, among the historic oaks, rolling hills and beautiful old buildings, needing only a horse-drawn carriage (which of course can be arranged) to complete the picture. Perfect for incurable romantics and anyone who wants a “classic” wedding.

Many wine farms have award-winning restaurants, so excellent food and service is par for the course, and one less thing that needs to be organised. It’s also the perfect place for a honeymoon, with luxury accommodation often available at the estate.

Popular venues just a short drive from Cape Town include Morgenhof, Steenberg, Zevenwacht, the Lanzerac Manor and the Grand Roche Hotel in Paarl, but the list is endless.

Beach wedding
South Africa has some of the world’s most beautiful beaches with long, idyllic stretches of white sand, dramatic scenery and crashing waves. Who wouldn’t want to get married here? If you get married between July and October, you might even have a Southern Right whale or two dropping in on the festivities.

Pam Black’s top five tips:
  • Book your venue and photographer one year in advance
  • Get everything in writing for all bookings. People move around a lot in the function industry, so having "hard copies" of all agreements is very important.
  • Visit an attorney and draw up an antenuptial contract (ANC) before the wedding. If you’re marrying a non-South African, it’s also a good idea to check on any legal or visa implications.
  • If you’re coming from the UK, bring your wedding shoes with you, as a much wider selection is available overseas.
  • The price of flowers goes up around dates such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day, so be aware that you could be paying a lot more if your wedding is also around these times.

    • Favourite locations close to Cape Town include Boulders Beach, with penguins in attendance, outside Simonstown, Camps Bay and world-famous Clifton beach. Another option would be some of the beautiful beaches on the Garden Route, the Eastern Cape or along the KwaZulu-Natal coast.

    Beach weddings can be made easier with the help of conveniently-located restaurants. The Boulders Beach Lodge offers a function room, restaurant and pampering wellness centre, while the Strandloper Restaurant on the West Coast has become known for their excellent food and relaxed functions in their rustic outdoor restaurant.

    Safari wedding
    Weddings in game parks combine breathtaking beauty and exotic experiences with a real "Out of Africa" feel. Don’t think you’ll be roughing it either — private game lodges combine wilderness and luxury in the most addictive of ways. If you ever wanted to be treated like royalty, this is your chance!

    Lodges such as Shamwari in the Eastern Cape, Sabi Sabi, Phinda and Londolozi are very popular for weddings and honeymoons, with superb accommodation and cuisine. Limpopo, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal are especially renowned for their safari lodges.

    Celebration House, in Cape Town, showcases the services of more than 130 businesses and is an invaluable resource for anyone planning a function or wedding. Free advice and information is available at the centre itself and at its website: www.celebrationhouse.co.za