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Saying I do within the secure confines of a residential estate and with unparalleled views as your backdrop is the ultimate dream come true for some.
However, with over 6,000 closed communities or estates in South Africa, competition can be a little stiff, to say the least.
With wedding season fast approaching, now is the best time to make sure your venue ticks all the right boxes for couples wanting to tie the knot. We chat with industry experts about the current wedding landscape and some of the newer trends worth considering.
1. Versatility is key
In 2023, couples are prioritising intimate celebrations that emphasise personalised experiences. While this shift reflects a desire to create cherished and unique moments with loved ones, large extravagant affairs where no expense is spared should not be discounted says Nicola Kruger, General Manager of the Forum Company in Cape Town.
‘As couples continue to navigate the evolving landscape of wedding trends, their quest for creativity and imagination will drive them to explore new boundaries. In response to this, venues need to adapt their offering, so they have versatile spaces catering to both large and intimate weddings. They should also ensure that they have customisable options available that suit all tastes and budgets,’ adds Kruger.
2. Offer more than just a room
Nowadays, couples want to enjoy celebrating their entire wedding weekend surrounded by family and friends and thus are looking for venues with accommodation. Hosting a wedding at your estate means more than just offering up your banqueting hall. If you have a hotel on your estate, make sure the wedding party is offered a discounted rate. If you don’t then consider rental options for a large home on the estate, or alternatively suggest accommodation options that are close by.
You should also consider what additional estate amenities will be offered to the bridal party. Perhaps they can enjoy a round of golf, enjoy a special offer at the spa, or have bottomless soft drinks at the restaurant.
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3. Embrace interactivity
Couples are seeking more engaging experiences that marry traditional dining with more creative experiences to encourage mingling and foster a sense of togetherness. This is usually followed by a more formal, plated main served at the table.
Think social harvest tables for starters, live cooking stations, and food carts with interactive dessert walls and mixologists. ‘A great way for estates to make a couple feel special is to incorporate their favourite drink into the restaurant menu,” says Kruger.
It’s a sentiment echoed by Paula Janse van Rensburg of Dial-A-Picnic. ‘Country style estates that exude a rustic chic charm can really go to town when it comes to catering – especially if couples want to move away from the typical sit-down meal, and instead enjoy the great outdoors,’ she says.
4. Be environmentally conscious
Sustainable solutions are front of mind for most of us and rightly so. Weddings can rack up quite a carbon footprint, and couples are becoming incredibly selective of the type of suppliers they choose for their big day.
Make sure your estate’s recycling and waste management practices are clearly explained to the wedding couple ahead of time and display them around the venue so guests are aware.
‘Venues that don’t have a glass bank or bins for empty champagne, wine, and beer bottles can easily apply for one with The Glass Recycling Company. Large events like weddings generate a lot of food waste so estates should be composting as much of this as they can. Other sustainable practices include encouraging couples to use biodegradable confetti, like potpourri, bird seed, petals or herbs, and urging guests to carpool to reduce their carbon footprint and traffic on the estate,’ says Shabeer Jhetam, CEO of The Glass Recycling Company.
Finally, don’t forget the foreigners
South Africa remains a popular wedding destination thanks to the weak Rand and a variety of experiences like luxury safaris and stunning beaches. A destination wedding venue must offer more for guests than just a location though, with most guests tending to make a holiday of the occasion.
‘Experience is key for international couples,’ says Precious Thamaga-Mazibuko, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most sought-after wedding and event designers. ‘Couples traveling from afar will be wanting an array of mini-events to entertain their guests, typically starting with a cocktail event followed by the ceremony and then an after-party and perhaps even a breakfast the next day,’ she says.
Therefore, when catering to destination weddings, venues need to offer more than just one area for hosting guests. Pool areas, manicured gardens, bowls lawns, hotel lounges, and stand-alone bars are great breakaway zones that can host smaller gatherings throughout the wedding weekend.
