· · Don’t procrastinate. Especially if time is of the essence in order to get a specific date
- · Make sure you get all the hidden costs squeezed out of your venues (believe me there are quite a few at the more renowned ones)
- · Remember that it is your wedding and you are paying the venue so technically they work for you. Be assertive (but not rude). Tell them exactly what you are looking for. Ask for freebies (they will throw them in)
- · Do NOT over venue hunt (as in go see). If you do, you will then find too many faults in every venue and really struggle to find one (trust me on this one, because it’s exactly what we did)
- · Pick 10 venues out of the hundreds you have emailed and then go and see them. Then short list again to 7. Go see those 7. Short list to 3. Pick 1. (one of my best friends and bridesmaids did her venue hunt this way, best way ever!)
- · Make sure that you read and reread the contract and discuss any points you need to with the venue
- · Be sure that the ambience and setting matches the theme of your wedding (Goth meets Cape Dutch does not work. Classic and elegant meets pub does not work)
- · Be sure to not only take your fiancé along, but also your parents and a bridesmaid/groomsman for a 2nd look at your final choice before booking. They will help you make the most informed decision and will point out things you did not notice either good or bad
- · Do not take the whole extended family and bridal party to view your venue before booking. There will be too many opinions
- · At the end of the day, it is the bride and groom’s decision on which venue they pick, however, if you are lucky enough to have your parents contributing a substantial amount or even paying for your whole wedding, do let them have a say
- · Do not over analyzeIf you know exactly where you want to get married, then get the brochure, do your sums and book. Don’t look at other venues. It will spoil your vision.
- · Pick a venue that has natural beauty and that you do not have to spend a fortune redecorating
- and draping
- · Quite a few venues charge extra for waiters/barmen and their transport. Enquire as to this as it ends up being quite costly if you haven’t factored that in
- · Do not book a venue smaller than the list of people you would like to invite. The same goes for booking a large venue, do not book a huge ballroom for 300 guests if you only plan on inviting 80
- · Whichever venue you decide on: Wine farm, hotel, city warehouse, picnic, forest, country mansion, garden, your parents’ house, the beach…remember, it’s about you and your day and what makes you happy
Venue Review (venues we have actually been to look at for
our own wedding)
The Table Bay
Hotel
Where: Cape Town
What: Hotel
Beautiful, elegant, glamorous. Front of house staff super friendly and helpful,
events staff not so helpful and some have no clue what is going on. Correspondence is promised and then doesn’t
happen, replies are half-hearted, questions aren’t really answered. Food quite pricey. Wine very expensive. Corkage R80-R120!
The One and Only
Where: Cape Town
What: Hotel
Elegant and opulent.
Hire fee includes lots of extras.
Co-coordinator very jacked up and responsive. Wines horrendously priced (R140 for cheapest
bottle of white). MCC very expensive
(for a simple Graham Beck +- R250).
Vrede en Lust
Where: Franschoek
What: Wine farm
Beautiful venue. Very
outdoorsy yet elegant. Venue hire fee exorbitant. The hire fee is for the whole weekend
(compulsory and non-negotiable).
Glasses, waiters and barstaff are not included. The events staff seem to be full of
themselves and have a take it or leave it attitude. Menu pricey.
Allee Bleu
Where: Franschoek
What: Wine farm
Not as impressive as the pictures make it out to be. The venue looks out onto the car park. Ridiculously expensive for what they offer. Events co-ordinator jacked up but really busy
so seems like she is on a speed walking mission.
The Rotunda
Where: Camps Bay
What: Ballroom
Very friendly, however they never ever got back to me with a
proposal. You would have the hire the
field next door for parking and that gorgeous chandelier and swagging (that actually makes the venue)
is an optional extra (at R8000!).
Roca Restaurant at Dieu Donne
Where: Franschoek
What: Wine farm
Stunning. Incredibly beautiful, friendly and jacked up. Views to die for. Events staff are on top of everything . No hidden costs. Very upfront and honest and willing to work
with the bride (and groom). They will
get in whichever wines you want if not on their list. Yummy food. (This is actually the venue we chose)
Where: Llandudno/Hout
Bay
What: Restaurant
Stunning views. Gorgeous when done up inside. Rustic but makes the venue. Owner
not interested. Very laize faire.
Groot Constantia
Where: Constantia
What: Wine farm
Nice views. Venue not
worth the price. Whole venue will have
to be decorated. Looks a bit like a
warehouse. Ceremony spot very pretty.
Hidden Valley
Where: Stellenbosch
What: Wine and Olive
farm
Beautiful views.
Co-ordinator very jacked up and responsive. Not sure if it is worth the hire fee.
Palmiet Valley
Where: Paarl
What: Country Manor
Pretty. Old Cape
country style. Manager rude and
unhelpful. Does not want to show anyone
around without an appointment even if you have driven all the way there. Makes a point of not wanting to show you
around and won’t let you look around by yourself. Would rather book at a rubbish dump due to
his mannerism.
12 Apostles Hotel
and Spa
Where: Camps Bay
What: Hotel
Stunning. Co-ordinator
very jacked up and responsive. Staff
friendly and helpful. Inexpensive hire
fee with lots of extras. Wine and food
pricey. Can only have the venue til
22.30. Can hear traffic from the
ceremony spot on a busy day.
Mount Nelson Hotel
Where: Gardens
What: Hotel
Elegant and olde world.
Could do with a bit of an update.
Staff friendly and helpful.
The Vineyard Hotel
Where: Newlands
What: Hotel
Beautiful gardens.
The ballroom however is a conference room and needs an update. Staff friendly and helpful but struggled to
get an evening appointment as it appears they don’t like to do evening
viewings.
In The Vine
Where: Somerset West
What: Venue/wine farm
Rustic and farm style.
Very amenable to package price change to fit a budget. Can see the road form the venue.
The Garden Route Game Lodge
Where: The Garden
Route (about 40kms from Mossel Bay)
What: Game reserve
Breathtaking.
Co-ordiantor jacked up and friendly.
Very well priced. Food could do
with a little more elegance. We would
have chosen this venue if it wasn’t so far away and I wasn’t such a control
freak about having my suppliers within less than 30mins driving distance.
Morgenhof
Where: Stellenbosch
What: Wine farm
Lovely setting. Staff
very friendly and helpful. Food
sensational. The reception hall is a
little on the long side and would be a little unsociable with a larger party. The manor house needs a bit of an update.
Forest 44
Where: Stellenbosch
What: Resturant
Looks stunning in photos.
Looks more like a construction site in real life. And it’s close to the road.
Backsberg
Where: Franschoek
What: Wine farm
Lovely venue.
Co-ordinator very jacked up and helpful.
Has everything all in one spot.
Beautiful gardens. No views from
venue. Quite close to the other
restaurant and non-exclusive if you have a lunchtime wedding.
Tokara
Where: Stellenbosch
What: Wine farm
Beautiful views. Very
unfriendly and uppity.
Non-responsive. Wouldn’t even let
us have a look at the venue. When I
complained I didn’t get a response.
Mountain Shadows
Where: Paarl
What: Country Manor
Very old English country wedding. Family run and very lovely people.
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