Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
10 beautiful venues across the globe
WEDDING season is under way, so don’t miss out on these gorgeous venues. Whether you’re hoping to say your “I dos” on a white sandy beach in Bali or in the African bush surrounded by wildlife, the wedding of your dreams could be on this list.
1. Lion Sands, South Africa With the backdrop of game-filled plains and star-studded skies, weddings are enhanced by the natural beauty of the African bush.
From an elegant wedding venue set-up to a dedicated on-site co-ordinator who ensures the experience runs smoothly, wedding packages are tailored to the couple’s every need.
Just an hour-long flight from Johannesburg and two hours from Cape Town, the lodges are in Mpumalanga in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve and Kruger National Park.
2. Lake Como, Italy Between the villages of Cernobbio and Moltrasio on the shores of Lake Como, Villa Pizzo is the perfect setting for an exclusive wedding.
Famous for its pastel pink and sun-bleached exterior, it’s one of the prettiest villas in the area with the longest lakeside garden, designed in an English style.
Ceremonies take place on the dock overlooking the lake.
3. Château de Tourreau, Provence, France Surrounded by vineyards, down an avenue of century-old trees, lies Château de Tourreau.
Set in 6ha of grounds is a 17th century chapel. The website notes: “With its elegant and flexible accommodation, contrasting gardens, and scope to provide any and every requirement, Chateau de Tourreau has also the rare combination of great formal beauty and a delightfully relaxing ambience.”
4. The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur, India Known as the “City of Lakes”, Udaipur, the former capital of the Kingdom of Mewar, has vast hilltop forts, palaces, temples and gardens as reminders of its majestic history.
The Oberoi Udaivilas resort overlooks Lake Pichola and stands in the 200-year-old hunting grounds of the Maharana of Mewar, spanning 20ha.
They offer personalised attention to detail, and services from catering and decoration to DJ.
5. The Greenhouse at Driftwood, Texas, USA The Greenhouse is made up of diverse outdoor spaces within 20ha of the Texas Hill Country. Their spaces cater to intimate dinner parties as well as larger receptions and seated dinners. They offer a natural feel for a casual evening as well as striking elegance for a black-tie affair.
The venue offers beautiful landscapes where wedding parties can use their creativity to bring visions to life.
Their aim is to provide fantastic customer service, flexibility, and ultimately, a relaxed experience.
6. The George Ballroom, Australia Prepare to fall in love all over again at this heritage listed ballroom.
Hosting up to 150 guests for a sitdown dinner (complete with dance floor), this is the perfect place to bring people together for your special day.
The experienced team understands that every wedding is unique, and have the skills and knowledge to ensure weddings go off without a hitch.
7. The Little Nell, Aspen, Colorado, USA Floating way above the town of Aspen but just steps from The Little Nell, the Wedding Deck is a venue unlike anything else in Colorado.
At an elevation of 3 417 metres, with views of the Elk Mountain Range, it doesn’t get much more romantic.
Add a little chilled champagne for up to 250 guests on the manicured terrace, and any union is truly blessed.
8. Domaine de Andéols, Saint-Saturnin-lès-Apt, France Described as a place where art and fashion meet to give a new definition to the “Art of Living”, this offers an exclusive environment, a tailor-made experience for an intimate wedding.
Sumptuous dinners are prepared delicately with products from the home garden by expert chefs, and their team work passionately to respond to all demands.
9. Heli-weddings in Queensland, New Zealand For adventurous brides and grooms, heli-weddings are the way to go. Fly to a picturesque mountain top for dramatic and romantic views and a truly different wedding ceremony.
Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters are operated by Helicopters Queenstown Ltd.
They have many options to make your day unforgettable. From Queenstown, they can whisk you and your wedding party away to a special alpine location.
While anything is possible, they have selected what they know to be the best locations accessible by helicopter, which are guaranteed to provide the most stunning backdrop for your wedding and pictures.
10. Shepstone Gardens, Johannesburg, South Africa The magnificent beauty of Shepstone Gardens, together with the talent of their wedding team, provides the basis for a perfect wedding.
Grand and elegant exemplify the striking look of their Glass Marquee.
The marbled floors, stone pillars and chandeliers add a sense of opulence and timelessness to wedding days, that come together to create the perfect backdrop to let imaginations run wild and dreams come alive.