Dream venues: to tie the knot
2010-08-15 13:00
Brides and grooms want their wedding day to be the most memorable occasion in their lives. One which guests will talk about for decades.
The secret to achieving this lies in choosing the best venue as it sets the mood for how the day will turn out.
Khali Collins, founder of the SA School of Weddings and owner of wedding planning firm, The Wedding Specialist, shares some tips on traditional weddings and destination weddings.
Destination weddings:
It adds glamour to the event. These weddings are favoured by celebrities.
Singer Lira and her husband, Robin Kohl, married in Zanzibar, while model Shashi Naidoo married Marc Sandler in Koh Samui, the third largest island of Thailand.
Advantages:
There are lots of beautiful venues to choose from which provide a more intimate set-up.
Guests benefit from the more relaxed vibe at such venues.
The couple can enjoy their honeymoon at the venue and take pictures with scenic views.
Disadvantages:
Logistical costs are high because there is no power or running water on the beach.
“In South Africa, we are not allowed to have glass or alcohol on the beaches, which is a bit of a damper if you can’t serve alcohol to guests,” says Collins.
The sand on the beach can get everywhere while the weather can be unreliable.
The tide table must be taken into consideration and, most importantly, a permit – available from the local council – should be organised well in advance if the wedding is not on a private beach.
Top five wedding destinations for South Africans:
» Breezes Beach Club & Spa in Zanzibar;
» Indigo Bay Island Resort in Mozambique;
» Surf Wedding in Bali;
» The Maldives; and
» Mauritius.
Couples should ensure they are legally married upon their return to SA.
Traditional wedding:
Those who want to keep things close to home and the family or are running on a tight budget can have a traditional wedding at a town hall, local church or botanical garden.
These venues are cost-effective but need to be booked well in advance.
Collins says couples should book a venue a year in advance if the wedding day falls on a weekend and during summer.
“They also need to decide whether they want a venue in the urban areas or a more rural type of a venue,” she says.
Advantages of an urban venue:
It is close to amenities. Suppliers are easily available and travel costs are reduced.
You don’t have to provide accommodation for guests and it eliminates long travel. The facilities have water, electricity, sewage and phones.
The security at these venues is usually cheaper as well.
Disadvantages:
Traffic could make guests run late and they don’t get much time to relax and enjoy themselves.
The bridal couple may feel the wedding is over very quickly and they may not get time to relax.
The scenery might not be that exciting.
Advantages of a rural setting:
It is a getaway from the madness of the city and provides more great photo opportunities.
It could also be a weekend away for guests and the journey to the venue is part of the experience.
The reception can go on until late, giving the wedding party and guests more time to enjoy themselves.
Disadvantages:
Rainy weather could spoil the fun if the venue is at a remote area with bad roads.
The whole experience might prove costly as guests might need accommodation and extras.
Emergency services may be limited and in some areas amenities may be minimal or non-existent.
Depending on the season, everyone might be exposed to higher risk of animal and insect bites.
Uninspiring types of venues include:
» Hotels;
» Community or school halls;
» Front yards or gardens; and
» Mountains or bush.
Alternative weddings:
These types of weddings are popular with thrill seekers.
They include outdoor activities that the couple takes part in as they exchange their vows.
This could be anything from cycling, horse riding, rock climbing, or hiking to hot air-ballooning.
Other couples elope to notorious wedding spots like the Little Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas and Gretna Greene in Scotland.
There are many ways to spice up a wedding, but a little bit of imagination could be all you need to make it a spectacular day.
- City Press