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Started thinking about where to host your wedding already? Issues such as prices, packages and booking dates have probably crossed your mind. If not, take a look at the first installment of this series here.
Now, we look at the finer details on what venues could offer you, and how to ensure that your venue choice will keep all of your guests smiling.
Stay the night
Maybe you have a burning sense of wanderlust waiting to be satisfied, or loved ones travelling from far and wide to be a part of your special day? Several venues provide not only a space to tie the knot, but a place to lay your head too.
Be careful though, it’s crucial that your wedding fund is healthy enough to meet the substantial expense of booking accommodation. This is especially true if your chosen venue cannot be hired solely for hosting the wedding, but has to be hired for both accommodation and hosting.
In some cases, booking accommodation only for one night, or your wedding night only, is not enough. Certain venues offer a “weekend getaway” package, which requires that you spend at least 2 nights lodging.
To take things a step further, you may be obligated to book a room not just for yourself and hubby-to-be, but all the rooms on the venue’s premises. Occasionally, this is dependent on the number of guests, where the more guests you invite, the more likely you are to fully book the accommodation.
Alternatively, less pricey options are available, such as “intimate wedding” packages, designed for couples who choose to have only their very nearest and dearest at their wedding. Seeing as so little people are invited, venues might require that you and your lover enjoy a stay usually lasting a minimum of 2 nights.
Otherwise, the venue package may include a bridal suite in which you can get ready, and delight in your first night of wedded bliss. Should you live far from your venue, this would be very convenient for you as it saves you the trouble of travelling a long distance after you’ve gotten all dolled up.
Life is a beach
If you’ve always fantasised about saying “I do” at the seaside, South Africa’s coastline can present you with a multitude of possibilities. If this is you, remember that your nuptial setting is a part of the country’s natural makeup, so embark on your matrimonial journey with caution.
Read more: Real SA wedding: Carien and Tinus
Municipal rules stipulate that you need to pay the price of a permit to hold a wedding ceremony on the beach. Another issue to ponder is the timing of your ceremony, which should be set based on the behaviour of the tide. It goes without saying that it would be best to have your ceremony during low tide. If the wind is particularly strong, you might have to move your ceremony to an indoor venue.
Being showered with confetti after you officially become a Mrs., will unquestionably, be one of the most idyllic moments of your life. Don’t forget that when you’re at the beach, the confetti will have to be biodegradable. If not, bubbles are a fun and playful alternative. The kids will love it.
Watching glowing lanterns float away into the starry night sky, or cuddling before a crackling bonfire, would be a super sweet ending to a magical day. How about watching fireworks dancing above the waters, with your hair swaying in the ocean breeze? Paradise.
There’s a common problem with all of those surreal scenarios- they require decorations or props that involve fire. Such decorations stand a high chance of being vetoed by municipalities because they pose a threat to natural resources. Given this, beach venues, which are compelled to abide by municipalities’ nature conservation rules, are likely to bar them.
One last thing that you must make a note of if you’ll be married on the shore, is that seasons can affect the operating dates of beach venues. Wedding dates from May to September, on account of gloomy weather, are highly unlikely to be available since beach venues could be closed.
Vroom, vroom!
There’s nothing like making a magical entrance to make you feel like royalty on your big day. With so many options to choose from, manmade or natural, via land or air, you’re bound to find something that’s perfect for you- and your venue may be able to help you with that.
To create that utopic fairytale setting, follow in Cinderella's footsteps by taking a ride in a horse and carriage. Imagine a carriage with an old-world yet sophisticated Victorian style, driven by an expert coachman, decked out in traditional English costume. How enchanting!
If the horse and carriage vibe isn’t really your thing, rent out an immaculate, vintage Rolls Royce for you to be whisked away in. If you really want to go over the top though, you could touch down on a helicopter landing pad, like those on certain golf courses.
Although not golf courses, specific wine estates have golf carts available, which makes transporting you and your guests around the estate quicker and easier. Other venues provide a shuttle service for transferring guests in neighbouring or surrounding areas to your wedding.
Caring for the little ones
Having kids running around can add an extra dose of excitement to liven up the vibe at your wedding.
Although most venues do allow children, some venue owners may for safety reasons, prefer not to have any children. Outdoor features like dams are superbly scenic, yet could create a disaster waiting to happen should there be unsupervised children nearby.
Try liaising with your venue to organise a nanny service, to give you peace of mind that they will be taken care of. Your venue might suggest a tried-and-tested nanny service. Certain venues also understand that children can be the fussiest of eaters. So, to please their tiny palates, specialised kids menus are available.
To keep the little rascals out of mischief, it’s best to find a means of entertaining them. Some venues go out of their way to make this happen, with special facilities created just for them, like designated kiddies rooms.
Making everyone feel welcome
No guest deserves to feel excluded. Lamentably, not all venues can cater to guests with special needs, such as paraplegics or quadriplegics. If you have loved ones that are differently-abled, finding a venue that is wheelchair-friendly is a must on your to-do list. Thankfully, many are. Some may not be marked as wheelchair accessible, but can bring in a ramp for wheelchairs if needed.
Although guests might not use a wheelchair, certain medical conditions, or perhaps unforeseen accidents, have the potential to produce a series of unfortunate events. No one wants to think of incidents like this on their wedding day, but they could call for medical attention.
Should they, some venues have a team of staff members trained in first aid who will readily come to the rescue. A select few even have a group of professional paramedics on call! Should you be unsure of whether your venue can offer medical assistance, your safest bet would be to choose a venue in an area with a local medical response team- just in case.
Furry guests
The heartbreaking reality is that majority of wedding venues don’t allow pets.
Some will make provision for them, but you need to bear in mind that only specific types of animals, with specific heights, will be allowed. You might also need to keep them on leashes in certain spaces, and cleaning up after them and keeping them fed is your baby.
If you’re in luck, you may come across a venue that will arrange a professional pet caretaker for you, which may be outsourced from a trusted supplier. A few venues really go the extra mile when it comes to accommodating pets. They could include pet-friendly rooms where you can stay with your pets or even bespoke pet menus. Jeez.
Stay tuned for the third and final part of this series...
Curious about Muslim weddings? Take a look at this:
The low-down on Muslim weddings: Part 1
