These restaurants offer the perfect romantic mood with the added bonus of exceptional food for your big day. Here’s where to host your wedding in Pretoria.

Kuugana Bush Lodge (Donkerhoek)

The basic venue hire fee includes standard décor, and couples may enquire about making their own arrangements for flowers, a DJ and other aspects, or ask the venue to be involved. They do craft beer and gin on tap, and there are many food offerings to choose from, but their gourmet canapés are a must have. They offer boutique weddings on Sundays with a minimum of 30 guests, while Fridays and Saturdays have guest limitations of between 60 and 80. There is some accommodation available and even though the venue is just 15 minutes’ drive from Pretoria, it has a wonderful “bush” feel.

 

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De La Mas (Graham Road)

Since they have numerous venues available, including some really intimate small venues, there is no prescribed minimum number of guests at De La Mas. Those having previously married here claim that they were treated like family and that the homely food made the whole experience intimate and special. The rustic chic ambiance of wood, concrete and iron provides a basic backdrop for many themes. Catering can be done by the venue or could be outsourced. 

Rosemary Hill (Donkerhoek)

Another of the many venues in the Donkerhoek area, this is one for the books. Their price includes catering and the quality of their food is often praised, particularly the organic menu that boasts many seasonal vegetables, fruits, herbs and nuts that are grown on the farm. During the week, they have a minimum 50 guest policy, which increases to 80 on Fridays and 100 on Saturdays. There is some accommodation available on-site, but the area immediately surrounding the venue has loads of private accommodation.

Bell & Blossom (Montana)

Bell & Blossom do not provide music or flowers (these should be arranged privately) but décor is included in the price. The flat rate per person includes a buffet-style dinner, and a cash bar may be arranged additionally. Fairy lights and fireplaces create a warm and welcoming atmosphere indoors, even though their expansive gardens and fountains outside allow for many outdoor possibilities.

 

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Oxbow Country Estate (Bronkhorstspruit)

Even though their phone number might create the impression that they resort under Mpumalanga, Oxbow is just beyond the furthest eastern suburbs of Pretoria. This is a stately venue that offers luxury accommodation and their sit-down dinners are recommended. The price per person includes food, but flowers, décor, music and other needs must be arranged privately. One can book a wedding for a minimum of 50 guests during the week and over weekends the minimum is 80 guests. 

Blos Café (Faerie Glen)

Long ago the house of one of Pretoria’s most prominent architects, the space has had many incarnations. Blos Café has been there for a while now and they are doing excellent work. They can accommodate both small, intimate weddings (a recent wedding had only eight guests), as well as large groups that could spill over into the beautiful gardens. All the catering is done in-house (that could range from platters to burgers to à la carte), but décor, flowers and music should preferably be arranged with outside providers.

Chez Charlene (Lynnwood)

One can host an intimate wedding here, as their maximum allowance is for 20 guests. The food is always cooked in-house, and they offer flowers, décor and music, but these could also be arranged privately. The price includes the use of a room for the bridal couple as well as two additional rooms. Although the venue can provide various local and international cuisine styles, the crème brulée is legendary.

 

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The Blue Crane (New Muckleneuk)

Surrounded by the Austin Roberts Bird Park, this venue has many possibilities. Run as a full-time restaurant, and these days with an additional side venue outside, there is a beautiful boma as well as a large, enclosed thatched roofed area overlooking a substantial body of water, surrounded by papyrus and teeming with all sorts of water birds. The various venues can each accommodate anything from 30 to 40 people, and the bonus is that no one has to travel far since many churches and other ceremonial facilities are close by.

Casablanca Manor (Donkerhoek)

Another small venue in the Roodeplaat Dam area, Casablanca Manor is authentically quirky and different. With beautiful gardens and a small chapel, this is the perfect venue for a classic but comfortable vibe. They can accommodate both small or large parties and allow catering and other services by outside providers, although management is very hands-on and could assist with arrangements if you should wish to leave everything in their hands.

Simbali Lodge (Tierpoort)

They employ a chef on-site who is willing to work with brides (and mothers) to create the perfect wedding meal. They are willing to explore the cuisines of the world, including our own African cuisines. They prefer around 30 to 50 guests, but one can negotiate the minimum or maximum number of guests. They prefer that someone from outside does the music, flowers and décor, while their well-trained staff will set the stage for a memorable event. There is a quintessential bushveld feel.

 

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Kievits Kroon (Kameeldrift East)

This remains one of Pretoria’s premier conference and wedding venues and, as such, are geared for anything from 50 people to very large parties. One can choose between indoor or outdoor venues and there is even a chapel on the property. There are also numerous on-site accommodation options and, should they be unable to accommodate everyone, there are many other places offering accommodation close by. Meals may be anything from plated fine-dining dinners to large buffets. Although they specialise in African and other regional cuisines, they can do any other type of food as well.

Lavandou Wedding Venue (Tierpoort)

With a quaint forest chapel under pine trees and a French Provençal feel, this is the ultimate dream of many brides and allows for exquisite on-site photos. The venue provides catering and décor, and a DJ is included in the price. They believe in using fresh, locally sourced, high-quality ingredients and the food is one of their selling points. During the week they impose a minimum of 60 guests, which increases to 80 over weekends. 

Kwalata Game Lodge (Hammanskraal)

There are numerous places within the Dinokeng Game Reserve all vying for wedding business. Make an effort to explore some of the other places and compare offerings. Kwalata is just a stone’s throw away from Pretoria and quite easy for people from Johannesburg to reach. Although they can cater for large weddings, they prefer intimate events. Their spitbraai buffet is legendary, and if one were to combine a game drive and a wedding photoshoot, one would have the perfect African backdrop for your most treasured wedding photos.  

 

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Monte de Dios (Faerie Glen)

They have indoor and outdoor facilities, a chapel, and spa facilities for before and after wedding enjoyment. They offer numerous food options, such as buffets, set-menu sit-down dinners, cocktails and snacks, braais, and tapas-style menus. Aspects such as décor and music can be arranged by the venue or may be done privately. They can arrange small- to medium-sized weddings. 

Hello Timber (Rayton)

This venue is situated just a short hop out of Pretoria on the N4 and then no more than 5 minutes’ drive from the highway. Accommodation is offered in five luxury villas and eight rooms, meaning that they can cater for weddings ranging from 20 to 60 guests. (They have an adjacent venue that can host larger events.) They are able to cover all essential wedding requirements in-house, including flowers, décor, bar and food service. The whole roast leg of lamb with roast potatoes, oven-roasted vegetables and an incredibly delicious Caesar salad (served family-style on platters at the table) is one of the best meal options around. There are numerous spaces inside and out to accommodate the wedding ceremony, but nothing can beat the romance of getting married outside under the trees under a bright blue South African sky.