Choosing the Perfect Wedding Venue in Stellenbosch

The beautiful town of Stellenbosch, found along the famously magnificent Cape Wine Route, is becoming an increasingly popular destination for couples wishing to tie the knot. And while other famous weddings around the world include Las Vegas, Italy’s Verona, Central Park in New York and the exotic Bahamas islands, Stellenbosch is undeniably the most famous wedding location in South Africa. Offering astoundingly beautiful venues and set amid luscious vineyards, century old homesteads, stone fronted churches and romantic Stellenbosch accommodation, Stellenbosch is a truly beautiful place to get married.

Choosing the exact location of a wedding can be trickier however. You’ll need to consider your own dreams, budget and desires but will also have to think of your guests and convenience. Make sure you’ve looked at every aspect of a venue before you choose to say your “I do” there.

• Budget: before you can even go venue hunting it’s absolutely essential that you know what your budget is. You might need to contact a wedding planner for guided estimates and have a strict number in mind
• Location: do you want a venue in the middle of nowhere, in the quaint town centre or on the outskirts of town? You’ll also need to consider how far guests might have to travel to arrive at the venue and travel home
• Transport: If you choose a venue that is a far drive, consider ordering transport for your guests. Many venues take care of this and even offer golf cart rides to assist those with disabilities to get around at the venue
• Religion: if you’d like a religious ceremony you’ll need to ensure that the venue has a chapel or the facilities to cater for it. Many Stellenbosch accommodation and wine farms have their own small churches on their estates or are conveniently situated near to them
• Facilities: Make sure that the venue has the facilities for the exact wedding that you’d like. For instance, if you’d like it outside, the need to have a luxury tent and if you’d like to have it inside, they’ll need to have a room large enough to comfortably hold all of your guests
• Accommodation: you might want to spend your wedding night in nearby or onsite luxury accommodation in Stellenbosch. You might also like to find out whether the venue has a room in which you can get ready on the morning of your wedding
• Children: most wine farms in Stellenbosch are open to children being on the premises however you will need to double check with them first. It’s also a good idea to take a look around and see if there might be a playground to keep them occupied
• Photographs: As many couples choose to get married in Stellenbosch due to its magnificent beauty, you shouldn’t have to worry about your photographs. Ask the venue if they can recommend a photographer to you or include one in their venue package

If you’re planning your big day in Stellenbosch, you can be sure to have the wedding of your dreams. This stunningly beautiful location is a romantic paradise, offering you the privacy, beauty and luxury that you’ve been dreaming of for your nuptials. While you might have to consider a few things before paying the deposit on a wedding venue, you’ll undoubtedly quickly find the place that you’ve been dreaming of and will be able to start planning a day you’ve been dreaming of.

Original Source: Villa Grande

Spier: experience real (Viti)culture

Spier is one wine farm close to plenty of accommodation in Stellenbosch that really offers it all. From organic farm to plate meals, sprawling picnic lawns and award winning wines, there is something for the whole family. You’re bound to find enough to do at this activity hub to keep you and your partner busy the whole day.

Begin the day with a farm to table breakfast at the well-loved and notorious 8 restaurant. Majority of the produce used for their delectable meals is organically grown on the farm – something that Spier prides itself on. Understanding that the soil is alive and is the start of happy and healthy food is a notion that this environmentally conscious farm applies to all aspects of their offerings.

Follow this with a leisurely walk through the expansive grounds, or visit the birds of prey Eagle Encounters; a raptor rescue centre and educational facility to create awareness and an appreciation for South Africa’s collection of birds of prey. Watch an interactive falconry display as handlers show off beautiful owls, buzzards, kites, falcons and hawks.

Alternatively see the farm on a Segway; a popular and eco-friendly mode of transport for many wanting to adventure through the Spier vineyards. This has in recent years become a popular way to explore the precious grapes on the farm that create the award winning wines. These red and white fruits have helped Spier to build up quite the award collection over the years; the most recent include 2011 Produce of the year and the Most Successful Produce of 2011 at the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show.

Spier’s selection of wines combines traditional methods with biodynamic principles which helps them to create healthy vineyards. Their range of Organically Grown wines is particular strong in this aspect as the grapes used for these wines are grown without synthetic fertilisers, herbicides or pesticides. This means that only the fittest grapes survive, so you know you are enjoying only the best from each bottle.

Other wines that the farm produces include a Chenin 21 Gables, produced from vineyards over 40 years old. This wine falls under their “Spier 21 Gables” selection of wines, and while popular, it isn’t as well received as their flagship wine, Frans K Smit. This wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz and is named after the cellar master – just like the hard working and legendary Mr Smit, this wine is limited edition.

Taste these wines and many more at the Spier tasting room, you’re bound to leave with a few bottles to enjoy long after you’re visit. Alternatively enjoy the wine during a picnic on the farm’s verdant lawns. Purchase a healthy selection of preserves, breads and anti-pastas from the 8-to-go outlet and enjoy nature at its best.

Explore the craft market showcasing the best hand crafted goodies that South African artisans have to offer. The manor house has a different form of artwork on display and is well worth a visit before leaving Spier to return to your Stellenbosch accommodation, to rest for the next day’s adventuring of this famous wine route and surrounds.

Original Source: The Green Life