As we venture into the season of engagements, date setting and venue selection, one important factor to keep top of mind is preparing well for your big day.
With South Africa offering an array of gorgeous settings – from the mountainous Drakensberg, to the unspoilt natural bushveld to the charming country, sandy beaches and even the colonial feel of the City, it is little wonder why one may become overwhelmed with the numerous venues on offer.
With certain settings being perfect for certain seasons, the country is known to be beautiful all year round. Veronica Sookdin, the Banqueting Co-ordinator at Granny Mouse Country House & Spa provides 7 reasons why a bridal couple should consider saying “I do” in the KZN Midlands.
- Beautiful setting year round for photographs
The Midlands provides a picture perfect country landscape to capture the beautiful memories of your wedding day. In a country setting there are also numerous creative photography shoot options from using boots, to cowboy hats, to bales of hay, horses, photos in long country grass or between tall trees or next to a river, like that of the Lions River that flows next to Granny Mouse Country House & Spa, a favourite photo option for many photographers.
- The grass is greener in the Midlands
One will find that compared to other places in South Africa, the Midlands overflows with luscious green grass and hills, despite there being a drought. The KZN Midlands is at a higher altitude than Durban for example and receive a lot of mist and dew, moistening the ground which allows the plants to thrive and making for better photography. The air is also fresher as there is minimal amount of traffic, compared to the City.
- Accommodation options are vast
For those selecting their wedding venue based on accommodation options for those travelling far from home, the Midlands is the perfect option as there is a multitude of establishments that provide accommodation a few kilometres from one another. However, if one if hosting an intimate wedding of around 80 persons, Granny Mouse is able to host your entire wedding party. They boast 31 rooms sleeping 2 persons including a family room that sleeps 4 persons (totaling 32 rooms). However if an extra bed is needed within the room, this is possible at a small fee. They also offer a fully furnished, self-catering Farmhouse situated on Oakleigh Farm, 900m away from the Hotel that is able to sleep 12 persons. If the wedding is larger, Granny Mouse have relationships with the surrounding establishments, providing accommodation for the remainder of one’s guests.
- Most venues are all-in-one
The best part about hosting a Midlands wedding is the fact that most of the establishments that welcome weddings, come complete with a chapel and reception venue all in one place. Granny Mouse also goes beyond this with the offering of an onsite spa with specific bridal and honeymoon treatments.
- Food is locally sourced and fresh
The Midlands is home to many local farmers – such as Dargle Ducks, Wayfarer Trout Farm to mention a few, and many of the Hotels in the area make use of the supplies by local farmers – ensuring their produce is fresh.
Many destinations would also have an in house pastry chef, therefore one’s wedding cake can be freshly prepared on site so that it is one more item to tick off the checklist.
- It feels like a destination holiday, yet closer to home – less cost for travel
Many bridal couples long to celebrate their special day at a special location or destination, however an overseas trip is always so costly, and your guests are usually limited to immediate family. If you are wanting a large wedding with a destination feel, then the Midlands is the perfect spot. It is only a 1 hour 30 minute drive from Durban and 4 hours from Johannesburg (depending on where your location is situated) and because there are numerous activities in the area, guests also feel as though they are on holiday as well.
- Most Hotels have a wedding co-ordinator that can assist with the A-Z’s of the wedding
For first time bride’s, help is always needed – especially form the experts. Many establishments have an in house wedding co-ordinator or banqueting manager that is well seasoned in dealing with special events. At Granny Mouse, for example, brides have the option of doing their own planning, or requesting the help of the banqueting manager who is able to direct the bride to the previously used suppliers with a good track record as well as be there to ensure all goes well, when the bride cannot.
To view the wedding packages on offer at Granny Mouse, visit http://grannymouse.co.za/weddings/ or call Veronica on (033) 234 4071.