How to Choose a Wedding Venue in South Africa

Start with guest count and distance

Decide your guest number before you book viewings. A venue that is beautiful at 80 guests can be uncomfortable at 140. If most of your guests travel, count the drive from the nearest airport and whether accommodation exists within 20 minutes.

The nine questions

1. What is the wet-weather plan, and can we see that space?
2. Is there a noise curfew, and what time must music stop?
3. Are we required to use in-house catering or a preferred supplier list?
4. What is included: furniture, linen, glassware, coordination?
5. How many hours of access do we get for setup?
6. Is there a bridal suite and overnight accommodation?
7. What is the deposit and cancellation policy in writing?
8. How many weddings run on the same day?
9. What is the load-shedding backup?

Seasonality

Cape Town and the Winelands peak between November and March and book 14 to 18 months ahead. Gauteng weddings are most affected by summer afternoon thunderstorms, which is why the wet-weather plan matters more than the view.