Emily Moon River Lodge
Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
I won’t lie, every time I get a wedding enquiry and the location says Emily Moon, I pee a little of excitement and jump up and down and throw my hands in the air screaming EMILY MOON, YES! If I ever got married, it would be here. I guess the feeling whenever I go here is like going to my second home, from the rustic decor (which I LOVE!), the ambience, you wouldn’t believe that the N2 is about 2km away, the view over the Bitou River that rolls on as far as the eye can see and those beautiful mountains.
Take a walk down by the lagoon and watch the sunset over the river and mountains, those cocktails are to DIE for, not to mention that Pizza at Simon’s bar. Another big plus for me is the staff, I am a HUGE supporter of friendly and helpful staff and these ones along with Kay and Monty are just the best! But we are not talking about my social gatherings, we are talking weddings. Both bridal parties can get ready on the property in beautifully decorated rooms with the most magnificent natural light coming through. The rooms themselves have stunning views of the lagoon and there are plenty of photo opportunities for both bridal parties.
The ceremony can take place in a few locations from the James Room, the restaurant or even outside. Depending on where you have the ceremony the reception can be chosen. The swimming pool area provides such a great area for your guests to enjoy canapés and a cocktail or two whilst you are on your couple shoot, the area is big enough for your guests but small enough that makes it feel that you are all together. Your guests can wander the property and literally dream that their houses looked like this. I FRIKKEN LOVE THIS PLACE!
What they say:
Emily Moon is the ideal venue and caters for up to 80 guests. The deck offers stunning views of the wetlands, winding river and far distant mountains and is the perfect setting for cocktails and canapés prior to dinner, whilst the pool surrounds are ideal for taking your vows. Emily Moon River Lodge is filled with treasures collected from travels all over Africa, Asia and Polynesia – which provides stunning backgrounds for your photographs.
Kay & Monty Vineyards
The crags, Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
Kay & Monty could possibly be my biggest supporters, the whole Rare Earth Collection in fact. I love these people! Probably the venue I have photographed the most and trust me when I say this, other than that bridge photo, I try and do something different every time with my clients, it is such a challenge to keep finding new places, little spots, different backgrounds, textures and so far so good! In Plettenberg Bay, I think this venue seats the most people, about 200 in the glass cage (that's what I call it), throw some fairy lights at night and wow this place looks stunning!
Being on a wine farm, of course you sip some of Plett's finest wines, they won't disappoint! Kay & Monty is a fully functioning restaurant so getting an outside caterer is not necessary, their food is YUMMY!
What they say?
Set amidst rolling paddocks and with a dramatic mountain backdrop, Kay and Monty Vineyards is an award-winning working boutique wine farm and polo estate. The estate, when booked for a function, is available exclusively to those guests for the duration, and the party will have the venue as well as the accommodation all to themselves. Once the ceremony is complete and festivities can begin, you can enjoy white wine and bubbly from the estate’s own cellars.
Grand Africa Lookout Beach
Lookout beach, Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
Jeanine, Jeanine and JEANINE! The most amazing person that will be by your side during your wedding planning. This girl will do back flips, burpees, handstands and drink a tequila with you!
Okay lets talk venue, situated on one of Plettenberg Bay's Blue Flag beaches, you are surround by the true beauty of Plett, the Formosa mountain range, the lagoon and of course the ocean. So if you love sand between your toes and salty sea breeze in your hair, then this venue is definitely for you!
What they say?
Isn’t it quite grand to dine by the sea with your feet in the sand? Our elegant nephew Grand Africa Lookout Beach has opened its doors in a unique location right on the beach in Plett. In a trendy and sophisticated ambiance, you may very well be at our Grand Beach in Cape Town, sip on a glass of wine, lay back and be grand…
The Rose Pavilion Bosky Dell
Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
I have only been lucky enough to photograph one wedding here, I was blown away by the beauty of the Rose Pavilion, it is just that, ROSES everywhere and all the colours you can think of. Nestled deep down between mountains and surrounded by natural forest, it really is something else to see. You get that feeling when you drive down that you are driving to witness something special. My wedding had a bohemian feel and the Persian carpets with all mis matched chairs in the ceremony area was mind blowing (to me of course). The aisle is something else, it must be about 100m and you are surrounded by smells and pops of pinks from the roses, BEAUTIFUL!
The lady in charge of this place is Rae, and she is on the ball, along with Sue from Newstead, you are possibly in the safest hands if your wedding is at either of these places, they are constantly there looking to see if anything is needed, needs cleaning, more food, more drinks etc. Basically they run a tight ship!
With this beautiful setting you can only imagine the photo opportunities, between the flowers, the dam, the forest sections and if you have some time, get up to the vineyards for sunset and those beautiful mountain backdrops. Please can I have more weddings here!
What they say?
The Rose Pavilion is one of the Garden Route’s most unique indoor/outdoor wedding & function venues. The Pavilion is at the centre of an award winning rose garden on Bosky Dell Farm and is surrounded by fynbos and natural forest. Besides the wedding and function venue, Bosky Dell also has 12Ha of vines which offer an alternative backdrop for weddings that are hosted by The Rose Pavilion.
Forest Hall Estate
the crags, Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
Forest Hall, I did my first wedding here, it holds special memories. Forest Hall provides bridal couples three or four different ceremony options, probably the most along the Garden Route. You have the sea view, the forest, the in front of house and if your party is small enough, you could even have it on the pebble beach. It truly is a magnificent venue. I say its probably too beautiful, bridal couples often want the forest, the beach and surrounds for their couple shoot, which obviously has logistical problems, I think if you can narrow it to only the beach (which we will need a 4x4 and 10 minutes and 10 minutes down) or the forest section with the surrounds. I always, ALWAYS vote for the beach, it is like no other beach along this section, its little pebbles and the when that sun sets, it turns gold and it is truly spectacular. I love this place!
What they say?
With its dramatic and elegant architectural proportions and ample outdoor areas, the Forest Hall Manor is an ideal venue for weddings. The kitchen can cater for a large number of guests, and the living and recreational areas of the Manor and the Estate can be set to accommodate specific seating requirements. The garden, the forest, the views - all combine to provide the perfect setting for ceremonies and parties.
Bramon Wine Estate
the crags, Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
Bramon holds a very special place in my heart, this was my first "big wedding" and I was lucky to have two amazing people as my couple. They were so much fun and if I look back on it, if that wedding didn't go well, I am not sure I would be here! Also apart from a wedding venue, this is the place that I come and celebrate every year Sharyn Hodges Photography birthday's for the exact reason I mentioned above.
Have you ever thought about getting married in a wine cellar? Well then Bramon is your place! The views of the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the background are stunning, they have a little dam and if you brave enough time, get in a canoe. There is a small cottage on the property that the girls can get ready in. It is a small drive from here to the cellar (not even 2 minutes). Just like Kay & Monty, Bramon is a restaurant and man do they make some YUMMY foodies, do I even mention THAT BREAD! I dream about that BREAD! "How can we pay you", in BRAMON BREAD! Putting a stretch tent over the "tables in the vineyard" provides another feel that no other venue has. As far as couple shoot opportunities maybe a little bit limited here. There is the cellar that has some awesome crates, the cellar doors, the vineyards and the dam.
What they say?
Bramon is set in the vineyards overlooking views of the gorgeous Tsitsikamma Mountains. The restaurant seats 80 people inside and 100 outside, in between the vines and under the newly added awning, which adds greatly to the ambience and expanse of the indoor/outdoor feel Bramon has become synonymous with. Ceremonies can take place in the Cellar (except during harvest time) or in the gardens surrounding the restaurant.
Kurland
The crags, Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
Where to start is more like the question that should be asked. Open fields, polo ponies, old stables, mountain backdrops for days, the pavilion, hidden forests, that dam and and and. If old world meets new world is your thing, then Kurland is definitely your venue. It really is a remarkably stunning venue!
What they say?
Due to its magnificent and indeed unparalleled gardens and grounds, Kurland Estate is an idyllic venue for your dream day to create a truly unique wedding.
To ensure that your wedding is created exclusively for you, and indeed a stress free occasion from the very beginning, we recommend the engagement of a professional wedding planner. The Kurland Homestead, Villa and Venues and Garden Route Weddings by Marius partner to provide a magical, unforgettable wedding in an environment that speaks of style, quality and elegance.
Be assured of a most memorable wedding day at Kurland.
Skyvilla Boutique Hotel
Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
I recently photographed my first wedding at Skyvilla (March 2021) and I was pleasantly surprised. The rooms have ample light and stunning "bay views", the ceremony area overlooks the lagoon and the Formosa Mountain range. My bridal couple got a stretch tent but I believe you can have your ceremony in on of the areas at Skyvilla. Photo opportunities, we did a few photographs in the fields and with the mountains in the background and then we left for another location. This might be a deciding factor if you looking to book here. Otherwise a really stunning venue with amazing venue!
What they say?
With breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean, Tsitsikamma Mountains, Keurbooms River and the Lagoon, a wedding at Sky Villa Boutique Hotel becomes an experience never to be forgotten. We can host a reception of up to 120 guests within the hotel, with larger weddings being accommodated in the garden.
Fairview House
the crags, Plettenberg Bay, garden route
Why I love it?
Whether or not more wedding happen here, Fairview House has breathtakingly stunning mountain views and when that sun sets, wow, it looks stunning. Fairview House is a little of the N2 and I was trying to listen if I could hear any cars or trucks go by, heard on nature! Accommodation is sorted with 8 rooms and photo opportunities are a plenty here!
What they say?
I couldn't find anything about weddings, but this is what they say about their guesthouse.
Fairview House is a family-owned boutique hotel situated on 68-acres of spectacular countryside, named for its exceptional views over the Tsitsikamma Mountains and fynbos-rich valleys of the Garden Route National Park.
It’s Cape Dutch-style architecture is a perfect foil for the contemporary finishes, while the luxury homestead itself has been carefully designed to ensure the stunning surrounding landscapes can be appreciated from everywhere on the property.
For the discerning guest, it’s an opportunity to discover a world of breathtaking beauty and tranquility.
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