Weddings under an African sky

South Africa’s rich cultural heritage (where else can you find 11 official languages?) makes it the ideal destination for couples from all over the world to get married. From a typical western wedding with the dress, the bridesmaids, the flowers, the procedures; up to the payment of the lobola (bride price), there is something for everyone.

Destination weddings and honeymoons in South Africa

Whether it’s a wine estate in Cape Town, Knysna Heads, a stark farmhouse in the Karoo, the top of the Drakensberg mountain or the Big 5 Game Reserve, couples will find the South African wedding venue of their dreams; followed by an amazing honeymoon.

Take, for example, a traditional Shangaan wedding, which is celebrated with much ceremony and jubilation. Wives and husbands enjoy separate ceremonies leading up to the actual wedding, and the entire community is involved, ensuring a blessed union.

A safari-style wedding

At Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Wildtuin, a unique wedding ceremony it has been created that combines elements of Shangaan culture (the local communities are all Shangaan) with English and Afrikaans traditions.

One of the most beautiful areas of the Sabi Sabi property is called “Fig Crossing” -A sandy river bank and a huge rock, behind which grows a huge sycamore fig tree, casting its dappled shadow over the top of the rock. In the shady riverbed, a simple wedding table is set, with a white linen tablecloth, champagne on ice, driftwood, pods, and wildflowers. Next to the table are safari chairs for the guests and the priest and a zebra skin dotted with rose petals for the couple to stand.

Votes are exchanged against this magnificent environment, and the rings are wound on a porcupine quill. It is a Shangaan tradition for the couple to exchange gifts; in this case, the groom gives her bride a ndbele blanket, signifying her willingness to protect and house her during her marriage. The bride is then given a traditional beer mug filled with juice to offer to her husband, a symbol of her intention to care for him and meet his needs during her marriage. Finally, there is the exchange of bracelets: one of beads for the bride and one of metal for the groom, gifts of great value in the local community.

After the ceremony, the couple takes photos around the rock, the tree, and in the sandy river bed before celebrating with champagne. They then travel back to the lodge for the wedding banquet.

Exquisite wedding receptions

Back at the safari lodge, the wedding table is recreated and the festivities begin with singing and dancing of the local community. It is customary to make a lot of noise, sing and play drums, before starting the wedding party. The singers will sing old songs and improvise with a new song composed with the names of the bride and groom. All the guests participate in the dancing and the celebration and then sit around a fire to eat and drink in the celebration. While local beer is an integral part of any wedding, excellent local wines and champagne are also included.

When the night is over, the bridal couple will retire to a “honeymoon” suite set up with rose petals, candles and champagne. the perfect end to a perfect day.

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