Exclusive Wedding Venues - The Nutcracker

As a top wedding destination for both local and international bridal couples, South Africa boasts some of the most iconic wedding venues. There are the more rustic options located on beaches, in the bush, forests, riverbanks, mountainsides, farmlands and vineyards – or the sophisticated city venues across the nine provinces. With the endless options, it can be difficult to decide on the perfect location. This is why we’ve identified the top 3 exclusive wedding venues countrywide.

Top 3 Exclusive Wedding Venues

Schoone Oordt (www.schooneoordt.co.za)

Situated in Swellendam in the Western Cape, this gorgeous Manor House with its fragrant rose garden, Conservatory restaurant and stunning vistas makes this one of the most exclusive wedding venues. Established in 1853, this charming farm house is seeped in history and there is an emphasis on unaffected luxury, elegance and attention to detail. Swellendam is just two hours from Cape Town, making it easily accessible, and manages to balance the rustic farm-style feel with sophisticated service and furnishings.

Fine dining is a priority at Schoone Oordt which serves country food using locally and ethically-sourced ingredients. They also make a lot of the food inhouse, including the breads, cheese biscuits and cakes. In addition to the food, Schoone Oordt boasts incredible on-site accommodation, consisting of 11 luxury bedrooms which open onto the lush gardens. The Honeymoon Suite is a private space, tucked away on the edge of a shady forest near the gurgling Koornlands River.

The Nutcracker Country Wedding Venue (www.thenutcracker.co.za)

In the South African Free State, just outside the gorgeous town of Parys, is another exclusive wedding venue in the form of Nutcracker. Situated on a working Pecan Nut farm along the banks of the Vaal River, the venue also exudes the warmth of a country venue with easy access – just an-hour-and-a-half’s drive from Johannesburg. The team from Nutcracker offers personalised service, with an executive chef ready to create gourmet cuisine using only the freshest local ingredients.

The perfect venue for an intimate weekend wedding, Nutcracker is able to accommodate 160 wedding guests at its beautiful reception venue alongside the Pecan orchard – or smaller weddings in its forest-based, open-air venue. Wedding ceremonies can be held within the quaint, stone-built chapel with the option of an outdoor luxury picnic reception. There is exquisite on-site accommodation for 30 guests and endless nature-based activities in the area – including visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vredefort Dome.

Kilima Game Reserve (www.kilimagamereserve.co.za)

Renowned for its beautiful game reserves, South Africa is home to many safari wedding venues and Kilima Game Reserve in the Limpopo province is one of the most exclusive. Located at the foot of the Murchison Mountain Range along the Mulati Riverbed – and very near the legendary Kruger National Park – Kilima is a private game reserve with an abundance of wildlife residing in the mountain forests and savannah grasslands.

The Kilima team offers 5-star service and personalised attention for every visitor and is able to cater for up to 300 wedding guests. Alongside the gourmet food options, guests will enjoy the luxurious spa facility and high-end safari accommodation including luxury airconditioned thatched rooms, a lapa, pool and bar – all the while viewing nearby wildlife. This is truly a picture-perfect exclusive wedding venue!

Whatever dream wedding you envisage, there is an exclusive wedding venue option available in South Africa. Fusing untouched African beauty with modern sophistication, these are the destination wedding venues to consider.