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Wedding season fast approaches and the time to start planning your destination wedding and honeymoon is now. We have a whole world of choices for you to choose from, but here are a few for you to get started.

Chic Safari Style

An authentic safari wedding is anything but ordinary. Miles away from city traffic, stuffy churches, and cliché hotel ballrooms, a safari wedding and honeymoon can be just the cure to the common wedding cold. Just imagine the scene: the expanse of the African sky, a warm and comfortable sun, and the call of the wild your witness to a blessed ceremony. While safari weddings and honeymoons may not be as familiar as other destination ceremonies, their popularity, even among celeb circles, has certainly been increasing. Royal family’s Peter Phillips, eldest grandchild of Queen Elizabeth, recently exchanged Great Britain for the wide open plains of South Africa as he and his new bride, Autumn Kelly, enjoyed a honeymoon hideaway at Madikwe. Peter and Autumn came face to face with the king of the jungle as they snapped pictures while on safari. If it’s extraordinary you’re looking for, try a Ker & Downey safari.

Londolozi

Full wedding planning is available at Londolozi, including catering, cake, spa and beauty, champagne, flowers, photography, and a minister as well as exclusive luxury lodge accommodations for your entire wedding party. This elegant bushveld getaway is the ultimate in romantic indulgences.

Samara

Surrounded by mountains in the heart of the Eastern Cape, Samara ceremonies can be held in the beautiful outdoors overlooking the Camdeboo Plains or indoors at the luxurious Manor. Local florists, dress shops, and tuxes are nearby, and Samara offers full catering, cake, and beverages.

Royal Malewane

Book the lodge exclusively for your wedding party or indulge in your romantic fantasies in the exclusive honeymoon suite. This unique venue is a favorite of celebrities and specializes in exclusive luxury, providing full service for everything you need on your special day.

To Do’s: Daily game drives, cheetah tracking experiences, bush walks, star gazing, couples massages, Shangaan cultural experience, Karoo cooking classes, sunrise and sunset yoga classes

Related Journeys: Splendors of the Cape | Gourmet South Africa

Breezy Cape Coast

The Coastal Cape area, a cool, peaceful abundance of endless beach, crashing waves, and Indian Ocean breeze, makes for a beautiful backdrop for a summer wedding. Do the words “barefoot luxury” come to mind? Take your shoes off, have your ceremony in the sand, or say your “I do’s” under the African sunset from the cliffs of Hermanus. But don’t worry. Staying at the beach isn’t your only option. Newlyweds can also take in the excitement of local Cape Town. There’s the V&A Waterfont, world shopping, exquisite fine dining, South African wine, and even adventurous Cape Peninsula tours and authentic game drive safaris.

Pezula Castle

An extraordinary luxury venue, Pezula is large enough to accommodate your guests while you can enjoy exclusive solitude at the “Castle” that is nestled along a breathtaking beach. Your ceremony is held along a private beach – a breathtaking backdrop of crashing waves and golden sand- and the exclusive luxury of your own private castle. Your own fairy-tale dreams come true.

Birkenhead House

Perched high on the cliffs of Hermanus, overlooking Walker Bay, Birkenhead House and the adjacent villa accommodate guests in the utmost luxury. A breathtaking view of the Indian Ocean is your backdrop and high-styled wedding planners are at your service. Ker & Downey guests will be able to book the entire hotel for the exclusive use of their wedding party.

To Do’s: Beach walking, trekking tours, whale watching in season, shopping, museums, art galleries, nearby beach activities, golf, tennis, canoeing, excursions to Cape Town, horseback riding

Related Journeys: Cape to Cairo

Wineland Elegance

Akin to little Tuscany, the winelands region of South Africa, particularly Franschhoek, provides the beauty and elegance of an Italian villa in the Western Cape of South Africa. Renown for its sweeping valleys and dramatic mountain tops, the winelands are a pleasant and romantic host for couples and newlyweds. There is a jovial, lighthearted sense in the valley as good food, fine wine, and shared laughter are always promised for great rehearsal get-togethers and celebration day dinners. Couples will have plenty of opportunity for post-nuptial fun at the local wine and cheese farms, chocolatiers, and at the dining hotspots around the valley.

La Residence

La Residence is an elegant French country chateau situated in South Africa’s Cape Winelands. This small, exclusive venue can be booked by your party and the services of your private butler and chef will create a fantasy wedding, the likes of which you will never forget. This award-winning property is the exclusive favorite of celebrities and discerning travelers alike.

Le Quartier Francais

This exclusive boutique hotel is situated in the heart of the Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. Tucked away in secluded gardens, it offers a delightful haven of peace and tranquility. Couples can enjoy the “Honey and Soul” package, inclusive of full breakfasts, massages, romantic turndowns with Môreson wines, and large, exclusive accommodations.

To Do’s: Tours of the winelands, gourmet cheese and wine tastings and pairings, tours of the local olive oil farms, African chocolate tastings. 5 and 8 course fine dining

Related Journeys: Gourmet South Africa

Island Romance

While beaches like those in Mexico are always drawing large quantities of newlyweds every year for day-of ceremonies and discounted week-long honeymoon stays, isn’t it defeating the purpose to plan a romantic getaway for you and your spouse around other people? If it’s warm beaches and hot fun in the sun you’re looking for, try some place with a little more privacy like Mozambique or the dishy island of Mauritius. With Ker & Downey’s options in these sun-splashed destinations, you’ll have plenty of privacy and impeccable five-star service, just when you need it and not a moment sooner.

Azura

Imagine a deserted beach with only you and your wedding party in the middle of a tropical paradise…this is Azura. Here, fifteen luxury chalets are large enough to accommodate your wedding party, guests and relatives, yet small enough to provide exclusive privacy. The staff will cater your wedding dinner with candlelit tables in your secluded beachside hideaway.

Four Seasons Mauritius

Celebrate your new life as a couple on the island inspired by heaven. Cocooned by a private sanctuary on the beaches of a vast and serene lagoon, this secluded hideaway embraces blue-water and green-mountain views that stretch to the horizon. Discover side-by-side bliss in the over-water holistic spa or simply soak in the sun on the white sandy beaches.

To Do’s: Diving, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, sun-bathing, water skiing, windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking, private cove visits, journey to historic Ibo Island

Related Journey’s: Southern African Romance

For more information about planning your wedding or honeymoon, please contact your Travel Specialist.

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