Beach Weddings in South Africa

Article Author:Lulie Swanepoel

You and the love of your life are starting to plan your wedding, the one day that both of you will cherish for the rest of your life. Some of you might want something exotic; others dream of their wedding to embody sophisticated elegance. Whatever you desire, a beach wedding in Cape Town will be everything you've always dreamt of.

The Cape Town Coastline

White sandy beaches, perfect weather conditions and a sunset that fills the skies with the most beautiful colours ever imagined, best describes the picture perfect beaches of the Cape. The Cape Town coastline could act as the perfect location to set up the event of the year, with endless options for that ideal romantic wedding.

A number of the prime locations are able to host both the ceremony and reception, treating your loved ones to a romantic day on the beach, for all to enjoy and remember forever. Fear not, however, as most of the beaches where weddings are allowed are in close proximity to exceptional venues, and a drive to the reception is not far off.

The West Coast, with its almost desert like landscape, peace and quiet and magnificent sunsets boasts a fantastic venue like Die Strandkombuis ("The beach kitchen") where you can lay into seafood platters prepared on the open fire. Boulders Beach close to Camps Bay offers a secluded hide away between enormous granite rocks and Cape Town's city centre a short drive away, whilst Kommetjie and St. James caters for those with a penchant towards small fisherman's villages with boutique guesthouses. For something a little further away consider Hermanus and Vermont for stretches of rugged coastline and mountain slopes covered with indigenous fynbos.

Things to Take into Consideration

Before you start making any arrangements, you will first need to take a few things into consideration:

• Permit

You will require a permit from the Cape Town City Council in order to marry on a public beach. It takes about one week for a permit to be issued. If you have chosen to use the professional services of a wedding co-ordinator, they should be obliged to arrange the permit on your behalf. Depending on the beach, group size and the complexity of the function, the costs involved for the permit can range from R 300.00 up to R 6,000.00. The permit however does not guarantee exclusive use of the public beach, which means that your wedding service is open to any passers-by.For intimate ceremonies which would only include the couple and two witnesses, without extensive décor and infrastructure, it would be able to conduct a ceremony without the requirement of a permit.

• Legalities

With regards to the legalities of marrying outdoors, the register will have to be signed indoors in order to legalize your union. The marriage officer usually requests that the register be signed in a separate venue, therefore it would be advisable to have the ceremony on the beach and to move your reception to a venue nearby.Also have to bear in mind that the drinking of alcohol is strictly prohibited on public beaches. This new legislation is being re-enforced by conservationists patrolling the beaches to ensure compliance with the "no alcohol" regulation. Some beaches even forbid the use of glass on the beach. Your coordinator will be able to guide you through your options in this regard.

• Timing

The best months for a beach wedding is during the summer months, ranging from October to May. It is advised though to have a Plan B in place, just in case the weather decides to bless your ceremony with some rain or strong winds.The tides will also play a role in the timing of your wedding day. Ensure that you are aware of the high tide on the day!

• Budget

Logistically a beach ceremony and reception tends to demand a bigger budget. This would include things such as chairs; a gazebo; a marquee set-up for shade; the need for running water; and obtaining power for the music and your PA system in the form of a generator; lighting; and possible catering, etc.

• Alternative options

If you would like to get married with the same beach feeling without actually being on the beach, you might consider a sea-view restaurant, a private beach house or an ocean front hotel to play host to your wedding.

With all of this in mind, a beach wedding enables you to have a wedding like no other. As you and your loved one begin your new life together, you and all your guests can celebrate this festive occasion to the rhythm of the ocean with the African sunset as your background.

With the assistance of a Cape Town wedding co-ordinator to manage all the planning for you, you are at an advantage of being assured of selecting the best beach location and reception venue for your day.