Best Wedding Venues in Cape Town, 2020.

Cape Town has some of the most stunning wedding venues in the world, with lush scenic views and lavish modern spaces – there’s a perfect venue for every couple. You could choose to get married on a white sandy beach under beautiful blue skies on the coast, amongst stunning scenery surrounded by mountains and vineyards or even in boutique hotels offering delicious meals and even spa experiences for the soon-to-be newlyweds. 

With so much on offer, Cape Town is a haven for international and local couples looking to celebrate their upcoming nuptials. Some of the most well known locations for weddings are in the Cape Winelands and along the Garden route – in locations like Franschhoek, Stellenbosch, Somerset West, Elgin and Ceres – because what’s better than enjoying a crisp glass of red or white wine on the day you, your friends and family celebrate your marriage and enjoy breathtaking views of the winelands. 

Before we head into our list of the best wedding venues in Cape Town, to help you prepare for your 2020 wedding – we know you might also be searching for additional wedding planning resources to guide you.

Have a look at our blog page for articles like What does a Wedding Planner Cost in South Africa, and What Does a Wedding Planner Do? as well as our Ultimate Wedding Checklist to help you plan the perfect wedding from sending your save-the-dates to your tying the knot at your wedding ceremony. 

Having planned your wedding budget (if you need some tips, have a look over our Wedding Budget Calculator) it’s time to decide on the best wedding venue for you and your partner to celebrate your nuptials!

Allee Bleue

Allee Bleue is a stunning wine estate situated in Franscchoek with 360 degree views of the Franschhoek Valley. The estate features well-kept gardens, lovely vineyards and spaces for hosting large and smaller scale weddings. The venue even offers an in-house wedding coordinator to ensure your wedding day proceedings are seamless.

The estate offers two main options in terms of hosting your wedding. You can choose to hire the Grand Hall, for R50 000 – 66 000 (dependant on the time of year), the Courtyard package for between R30 000 – R42 000, or the Gardens package for R50 000 – R70 000. 

All packages include allocated amounts of tables, chairs, linen, glassware, cutlery, crockery, and even leather lounge suites for your wedding guests. 

A courtyard wedding features a tented venue with remarkable vineyard views and hosts up to a 100 wedding guests. Whilst the Grand Hall Package is slightly larger, and is able to host up to 350 guests and the Gardens package offers thrilling views of the Franschhoek Valley, set in beautifully manicured gardens and vineyards and able to seat 350 – 500 wedding guests. 

Vrede en Lust

Franschhoek is home to impressive views and some amazing venues for hosting weddings. Vrede en Lust is an award winning wine estate with breathtaking views of the Franschhoek Valley. The estate offers weddings in an outdoor setting or if you prefer, an indoor setting enclosed with glass walls to ensure you keep those picturesque views. 

With on-site wedding coordinators, Vrede en Lust can accommodate seamlessly organised weddings for either 120 wedding guests indoors or 150 wedding guests outside, with a dance floor included. An even more unique element to planning your wedding at Vrede and Lust is that it can accommodate your wedding guests with full access to accommodation on the estate for the duration of your wedding. 

The buildings are historical, featuring classic Cape Dutch design and are paired with luscious rolling vineyards outside for a spectacular views, appealing to almost any couple!

Rockhaven Farm

Rockhaven Farm is situated in the Overberg region with picturesque views of the Elgin Valley. It’s renowned for its stunning views that create the perfect backdrop for any wedding ceremony or reception. 

The venue can provide the food for your wedding reception as well as drinks and snacks for your wedding guests. There is also onsite accommodation for those wishing to book rooms for their wedding guests. The venue is situated around 70km from central Cape Town and Elgin has a reputation for beautiful views including impressive mountains, lakes and a great selection of wines to enjoy. 

Previous guests have found it’s best suited for smaller scale weddings as the farm creates a tranquil intimate natural setting that’s a perfect fit for a smaller sized guests lists, and the food has received great reviews.

Groot Constantia

Groot constantia is a very well-known wine estate situated closer to Cape Town in the suburb of Constantia. It’s a classic for weddings and features two main venues to choose from, Jonkerhuis Restaurant and Simon’s Restaurant. 

Simon’s Restaurant offers a function room that can host up to 200 guests, whilst the overall venue is fit for a maximum of 450 guests. With on-site coordinators, you can expect your wedding proceedings to run smoothly and according to plan. The venue does not include accommodation, but it is a classic for creating elegant weddings in Cape Town. 

Jonkerhuis offers to accommodation guest lists of all sizes, from intimate weddings to large scale weddings featuring upwards of 200 wedding guests. You have the option of setting your wedding in the Groot Constantia Vineyards with a serene backdrop featuring the False Bay coast, or you can have stunning wedding pictures taken in front of an avenue of beautiful oak trees. You’ll have the Manor House on-hand to host your wedding guests for the reception or just drinks and snacks.

Vergelegen Wine Estate

Vergelegen Wine Estate is situated just outside Cape Town in the Somerset West area. It features handcrafted wines, luscious gardens with rolling lawns, and a history dating back over 300 years. 

The estate claims to not offer the capacity to host wedding ceremonies, although through research the portfolios of wedding photographers, it appears couples have managed to get married in the gardens. Regardless, Vergelegen does allow receptions at the two restaurants on the estate. The first being Camphors, which is a restaurant able to accommodate around 60 of your wedding guests, whilst the Stables at Vergelegen have a maximum capacity of 100 guests for wedding receptions.

The picturesque views, lovely wines and on-site coordinators could make the Vergelegen Estate an ideal venue for your wedding reception.

Welgemeend

Welgemeend is a venue for functions, events and is a popular with weddings and is based in Gardens, Cape Town. The venue offers historical buildings featuring Cape Dutch architecture, and can accommodate a maximum of 120 wedding guests, and 80 seated guests with a dance floor included. 

The restaurant is not open every day, and the venue is used for the purposes of parties, events, and conferences primarily – so once booked, Welgemeend will devote their attention to making sure your event is a success. 

The premises provides views of Table Mountain, perfect as the backdrop for wedding photos or as a garden for lovely wedding ceremonies & receptions. There’s also an on-site event coordinator to assist with your menu, lighting, decor, music, wine list and to make sure your wedding runs smoothly from start to finish. 

Rental is based on an 8 hour exclusive hire of Welgemeend, and the price starts at R16 500, but can increase based on the number of guests you plan to host as well as the scope of your requests to make the venue your own and your wedding day truly special.

Zevenwacht Wine Estate

Zevenwacht is situated 25km outside of central Cape Town, in Kuilsriver. As a wedding venue, you have access to a few packages hosted at either the Alfresco or The Lapa venue on-site.

You can build your own wedding from their site. You can start off with either a forest ceremony, with benches placed amongst the oak trees or a lakeside ceremony, set in the garden with a backdrop of the lake for your wedding photos. 

Next you can choose the venue for the wedding reception, either the Alfresco or The Lapa.  

The Zevenwacht Alfresco features a thatched roof and is positioned next to a tranquil lake.  

This venue has maximum capacity of 190 – 220 guests, the difference coming from including or excluding a dance floor, with a minimum requirement of at least 100 guests needed to book the venue. 

The Lapa is slightly more informal venue situated in a wooded glade. It’s a perfect fit for a slightly smaller guest list, and can accommodate up to 80 wedding guests with a minimum requirement of 30 wedding guests to book the venue. 

Lastly, you’re able to add whether or not you require a packaged or standard option. The packaged option includes the venue with rectangular tables, tiffany chairs, cutlery crockery and glassware. In addition, linen and lights are included, along with pre drinks for your guests, a 3 course menu, professional DJ, bar set up fee and a 10% service fee on the included menu. Whilst the standard option includes the basics. Rectangular white wooden tables, tiffany chairs, napkins, cutlery, crockery, glasses and the bar set up fee is also included.

Clouds Estate

The Clouds Estate is based on a stunning mountain pass, and features a boutique hotel and a working wine farm. 

A plus with booking your wedding at this venue is the availability of accommodation for your wedding guests, and the packages the estate offers. Namely, they offer 3 options for more intimate style weddings with a smaller scale guest list. 

Option one includes a 2 day celebration, with a wedding guest list of up to 60 people. This package includes a special breakfast on the day of the wedding for you and your guests, a ceremony on the well-kept lawns, and your wedding reception would take place in the restaurant. However, accommodation is limited to 38 guests, so finding extra accommodation nearby may be necessary.

The second option includes a longer celebration, lasting a total of three days, with included tours available to you and the wedding party. You can send your wedding party for a day out organised by Clouds Estate with options like a hike up Table Mountain, a shopping spree, a wine tour, quad biking, or even a meal at the end of the day at a fine dining restaurant in Stellenbosch. Like the first option, 38 guests can be provided with villas and rooms for accommodation whilst the rest of your guests, should you invite more, will need additional accommodation. 

The third option has a more intimate focus, and allows you to have your wedding ceremony on a grass rooftop whilst your reception will take place in the restaurant. You will be offered a relaxed dinner the night before your wedding and your wedding party will have exclusive use of the property for 48 hours.

Waterkloof Wine Estate

Waterkloof Wine Estate is situated between the Hottentots Holland and Helderberg mountains near the False Bay coast. 

It features breathtaking views, a large wedding venue, great service and lovely cuisine for your wedding menu. 

The wedding venue is set to cost R60 000 from January 2020, and is able to accommodate up to 120 seated wedding guests. There’s plenty included in the venue rental, from glassware, crockery, cutlery, tables, chairs and linen to waiters, a mobile bar, staff and plenty more. You’ll still need to set aside time to hire decor, flowers, a DJ, photographer, accommodation , transport, food, drinks and the wedding cake. A 12% service charge is included on menu items and drinks and the available on-site wedding planner is not included in the cost.

You are able to ask the venue to cater your food and drinks, and provide fine wines to pair with 2 or 3 course wedding menu options. 

Nantes Wine Estate

The Nantes Wine Estate provides options for hosting either a large traditional wedding or an intimate wedding. The former, allows for up to 200 wedding guests to join you and your partner to celebrate your nuptials, whilst the intimate package is suitable for up to 60 guests. 

They also provide a list of preferred suppliers to help you hire items like flowers decor and even wedding cakes for the special day. 

Their rates for intimate weddings, for last year, were really competitive and ranged in price from R12 500 to R15 000 for the wedding venue rental. Whilst the classic package is priced from R25 000 to R34 000 for the rental of the wedding venue. 

For both options, the rental fee includes a lot of the basics from an in house coordinator to tables, glasses, crockery, cutlery and plenty more – whilst wedding menu and catering options are also available for an added fee. 

There’s also on-site accommodation for your wedding party, should you require it, with bridal suites available from R3 100 and guest rooms available from R1 900 each. Both include continental breakfasts, with a check in from 14:00 and check out at 09:00 the following morning.

Mount Nelson

The Mount Nelson is a world-class hotel based in Gardens in central Cape Town. Its high-end appeal features luscious gardens, stunning decor, and a variety of venues for hosting your wedding ceremony and reception. 

The hotel offers to main packages, the “Just the Two of Us” package and the “Grand Package”. The former will set you back almost R30 000, as of 2019 and is subject to a 15-20% rise in 2020, but includes accommodation in a suite for the couple, an hour’s luxury massage, hair & makeup, bridal bouquet, ceremony petals, wedding decor, red carpet and ceremony chairs, lunch in the Oasis Bistro for two and extensive use of the stunning gardens for those precious wedding photos. 

The Grand Package also includes wedding night accommodation, elegant decor, a full english breakfast, with Methode Cap Classique sparkling wine, a bouquet, use of the gardens for your wedding photos and name cards for your wedding guests. In addition, you’ll have your choice of venues such as the Planet Room, Ballroom, Grill Room, or a Garden Ceremony. The prices vary, with the different set up times in the morning or afternoon depending on the time of your ceremony.

For a ballroom venue you can expect to pay between R44 000 and R70 000, whilst the Planet Room will set you back between R25 000 and R38 000. The Grill Room is available for a fee of R13 800 or R20 700, depending on the set up time and finally, a garden ceremony is priced at R9 800.

The Vineyard Hotel

The Vineyard Hotel is a premium hotel featuring stunning indoor dining spaces and lush rolling lawns, a river and forest-like gardens that create a natural, fairytale feel for your wedding day.

The hotel offers luscious, manicured gardens for wedding photos in a natural setting paired with complimentary canapes, and a venue that can seat up to 160 guests. Hiring the venue can cost anywhere between R7 000 for just the ceremony, to R38 000 if you plan on having less than 59 guests. The more wedding guests you have, the cheaper the rate is for your hiring the wedding venue. 

The Vineyard Hotel also offers a set wedding menu, including canapes, starters, main course and desserts, with a large variety of options to suit a multitude of palates. 

Strandkombuis, Yzerfontein.

Strandkombuis provides one of the best locations for beach weddings, based in Yzerfontein. Couples are able to have their wedding ceremony on the beach, with the ocean and horizon as a backdrop in your wedding photos.

The indoor venue can host up to 200 wedding guests, with a minimum of 80 guests required to book the venue. The venue hire fee is around R53 000, but including meals like breakfast the morning after your wedding and a dinner during the course of your evening’s wedding celebration. Accommodation is also available for your guest list.

It’s one of the slightly more unique locations for you to celebrate your nuptials with your partner, and provides a rustic beach style wedding that meshes simplicity with elegant style. 

Grand Africa Beach & Cafe

The Grand Africa Beach & Cafe is based in the Waterfront, and can accommodation wedding parties from 12 guests up to 1050 invitees. 

Seated, you could invite up to 850 guests, whilst standing you could invite 1050 guests – but the venue does require a minimum of 120 guests to rent the Grand Africa Beach & Cafe for your wedding. 

There’s plenty of outdoor space for setting up parasols, tables and chairs for an outdoor wedding ceremony or reception, and ample space inside for you to use for the same purposes. Organising your wedding will look stunning with the backdrop of the ocean in your wedding photos as you tie the knot. The venue also offers a chef who can create either bespoke or set menus for you and your wedding guests, and you’ll also have access to a projector and PA system for the seamless running of your wedding ceremony and reception. You could share photos of you and your partner, family and friends, and create a showcase for your wedding guests to enjoy with a glass of wine.

Twelve Apostles

The Twelve Apostles is one of the finest restaurant, spa and hotel locations and is based in Camps Bay. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding protected coastline and the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range. 

The venue offers plenty of wedding specialists to handle organising various aspects of your wedding day, from catering and menus to wedding photographers for capturing your most memorable wedding day moments. 

The Twelve Apostles offers a variety of venues for your wedding reception and ceremonies, including the Fynbos Garden, the Atlantic terrace Marquee and the Lions Head Room for an after party, should you choose to have one to celebrate tying the knot with your partner. 

You’ll have access to a lot of the basics with these venues, including tables & chairs, linen, cutlery, crockery and bar staff.

Hudson’s Wedding Venue & Restaurant

Hudson’s is based in the Stellenbosch Wine District, and offers a few onsite venues for hosting your wedding ceremony and reception.

Indoor venues include the Hall and Loft which have ample space to seat your wedding guests and create a dance floor to celebrate at the wedding reception. Outside features rolling lawns, a small dam and stunning views of the mountain to make your wedding photos really stand-out.

Hudson’s provides a versatile space for hosting indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies and receptions, and sought after spots for taking stunning wedding photos. They have a cost calculator to personalise your wedding and you can pick from their variety of venues to create the ideal plan for the course of your wedding day. 

Bushman’s Kloof

Bushmans Kloof provides a unique wedding venue and experience, Based in the wilderness, you can tie the knot with your partner while you’re surrounded by complete serenity and natural beauty. 

To have a wedding at Bushman’s Kloof, you’ll need to hire the full lodge and additional levies will be attached for renting venues like The Homestead, Embers, Makana, and Kadoro for your ceremony or reception. Hiring the lodge means you have exclusive use of 16 rooms that can be occupied by your wedding guests. In total you can accommodate up to 40 guests, if you rent the Main and Koro Lodge.

Hiring the venue excludes music and sound equipment, printed programmes, floral arrangements, and items like unity candles, but if you decide on staying at the lodge with your wedding guests, you’ll have access to included nature/game drives, guided rock art tours, canoeing, archery, fishing, hiking and botanical walks.

These included experiences could create a memorable wedding weekend that you, your partner and your guests will never forget!

Your wedding day, above all, is about you and your partner so make sure to pick somewhere that you both feel is truly special and a venue you can connect with. Whether it’s a large wedding or intimate gathering with your closest friends and family, choose a venue that represents you as a couple and says something about the vision for your wedding and future together.

Once you’ve decided on a vision, and picked an indoor venue or a rustic themed outdoor ceremony, it’s time to organise the tons of other elements that go into making your wedding feel truly unique, engaging and one of the happiest moments in your life.

Alleviate some of your stress and lets us help you plan your wedding with our Ultimate Wedding Checklist which has ideas for every aspect of your wedding day – from the theme that will greet your wedding guests on the day, to the kind of glassware you’ll need to serve drinks at your wedding reception. 

If you can afford a wedding planner, this will greatly reduce the stress behind planning your special day. Read our articles, “What’s the Cost of a Wedding Planner in South Africa“, and “What Does a Wedding Planner Do?” to find out how a wedding planner can help you plan the perfect wedding!