The girls before the big walk

amidst a backdrop of lush sub-tropical plants, with the sound of birds in the background and views of a gently rippling river to be seen as you make your way towards your soon-to-be partner.

What exactly is a garden wedding however, and how do you choose the ideal garden wedding venue?

Choosing Your Garden Wedding Venue

As the name implies, garden weddings are set in a garden rather than a traditional church or building. The outdoor elements add a romantic feel to your special day, ensuring a magical setting that is sure to be remembered long after your thank you cards have been sent. Some tips for choosing the best garden wedding venue include the following:

1. What time of year will your wedding be held? In sub-tropical areas such as Durban, the weather is mild all-year round. Summer can bring rain showers however, which may result in changed plans. Winter is mild and dry, while spring provides a floral spectacular with many flowers beginning to bloom.
2. Does the venue provide wedding planning services? These will make the planning process much simpler and is well worth the cost, with services such as catering, staff, décor, photographers, florists and all those other details arranged by the experts. Getting professional help also cuts down on the stress, leaving you free to focus on the important things such as your dress and wedding theme.
3. What options are offered for wedding vows? Typically, a good garden wedding venue should offer a choice of options for your vows. This could include a sheltered gazebo or even a chapel on the venue premises. Backup plans to make allowances for un-foreseen weather problems should also be available just to be safe.
4. What time of day will your wedding be held? Daytime weddings were meant for a garden setting, to create a fairy tale atmosphere that is both unique and romantic. Evening or late afternoon weddings can also benefit from a garden setting however, especially with subtle lighting to add some ambiance to the occasion.
5. Will you and the primary wedding party stay overnight? Venues that provide accommodation on the premises offer a great way to make the big day last longer, and are also convenient. Selected guests and the bride and groom can spend the night, enjoying the very first breakfast as newlyweds with their close family and friends the next morning.

Whether you are daydreaming about a themed wedding such as an Enchanted Garden, or you simply want a classic wedding with a fresh twist, finding the perfect garden wedding venue will allow you to plan the most spectacular wedding event you could imagine.

The boys monkeying about

Date – 8th February 2012 (every 2nd Wednesday thereafter)
Cost – R17.00 per person (includes snacks & a chance to partake in our drinks raffle)
For more info contact Kim – 031 763 4149

Sunday Carvery
Come and join us every Sunday for a traditional Sunday Carvery.
Live entertainment outside on the deck from 12:00 – 16:00pm.
Booking is essential. A la carte menu still available.

Date – Every Sunday
Cost – R75.00 per person
For bookings contact Kim / Hayley – (031) 763 4149

Valentines dinner & dance
Nkuthu Gardens will be hosting a Valentine’s dinner & dance on behalf of Kloof Junior Primary. This is a fundraising raising event and all monies raised will go towards the up keep of the School. Why not bring your loved one along for a romantic evening out…… Prizes up for grabs include a Samsung notebook, a romantic weekend getaway, a blue ray player, Hirsch gift vouchers, a coke cooler and various hampers. Please retain your ticket as this automatically enters you into our spot prize draw.

Date – 11 February 2012
Cost – R150.00 per person (2 course meal provided – cash bar available)
Dress – Smart
Time – 18:30 for 19:00

Quiz Night
Would you be interested in joining us for
R10.00

Finding the Perfect Hillcrest Accommodation

Laid-back charm versus luxury accommodation: these are just some of the things you may be considering when choosing a B&B Hillcrest accommodation. These are just some of the things to consider however. A good B&B is not just about the decor and design, but also about the service, convenience and even location.
Here are a few vital things to consider when choosing your bed and breakfast establishment.

• Location. As the old adage goes, location is everything. This is especially true when it comes to accommodation. Ideally, you want a central location that is close to shops, supermarkets, restaurants and other facilities, so that you don’t have to venture too far to go out for a meal or take in the sights. Having to drive a good distance to get from your accommodation to the nearest restaurant puts a damper on any holiday, so a conveniently situated B&B is always important.
• Setting. Another important factor when choosing Hillcrest accommodation is the setting. A garden environment is always welcoming, with the chance to enjoy beautiful views when you wake up in the morning. Private patios in a pretty garden setting offer the perfect place to enjoy tea or coffee before starting the day’s adventures, and go a long way in creating a good holiday mood.
• Service. While B&B establishments are not like hotels, a high service level is still essential. Housekeeping should be done on a regular basis, and you should also be able to feel welcomed on your arrival. A good breakfast is an essential aspect of any B&B, so be sure to find out what you can expect before making your booking.
• Rooms. One of the biggest advantages to choosing a B&B over a larger hotel is the element of privacy. These establishments offer a “home from home” type of accommodation, and as such, comfort should be provided to the highest degree. En-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds, separate entrances and other small touches ensure a pleasant stay at any B&B Hillcrest accommodation venue.

The good news is that once you have found the B&B that suits your specific tastes and requirements, you can enjoy all the comfort and convenience that is offered by this form of accommodation. Combining all of the crucial elements that you need in a B&B, Nkuthu Gardens offers the finest Hillcrest accommodation to ensure a memorable holiday.

You can also download the Christmas Lunch Buffet

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To avoid wedding mistakes ruining all the magic and romance of your special day, keep the following tips in mind during the planning process:

• Book your venue well in advance – finding the perfect wedding venue can take time, and if it is a good venue, then it may not be available without advance booking. Taking too long to find and book your venue may result in you having to opt for your second, third or even fourth choice, something that could make all the difference to your big day.

• Choose your wedding date carefully – it is not uncommon for brides to plan their wedding dates around venue availability. In Durban, brides are lucky enough to have year-round good weather on their side, however summer months may not always be the best months in terms of humidity and heat (both of which can play havoc on hair, dress and make-up). Winter weddings in Durban are still warm, with not much chance of rain to put a damper on the proceedings.

• Always have a backup plan – a wedding venue that has options for outdoor and indoor weddings will go a long way in saving the day if the weather is bad. A backup plan is essential to avoid rain from ruining your lovely outdoor wedding. After all, there are few things more despondent than a drenched bridal gown and shivering guests being forced to sit outside during the ceremony!

• Regular dress fittings – many brides choose their dresses long before the wedding date, and while we may have every intention of sticking to that pre-wedding diet, sometimes it is impossible to avoid weight alternations. Finding out on the morning of your big day that your dress does not fit is one catastrophe that no bride wants – have regular fittings before-hand to ensure that everything fits perfectly. This applies to bridesmaids dresses too, as well as groom and groomsmen’s suits.

• Stick with an all-inclusive venue – hiring separate photographers, caterers, décor specialists and florists may seem like a good idea at the time, but it just takes on no-show or miscommunication for things to go wrong. An all-inclusive wedding venue covers all aspects of your wedding, which ensures that things run smoothly at all times, under the supervision of the venue wedding planner.

• Wedding rehearsals – this is something that no bride should forget. Rehearsals are often done the day before the wedding, and ensure that the bridal party knows exactly what they should do on the day. Even if you need to do a walk-through a few times over, it is essential to make sure that each person in the bridal procession knows where to stand, when to start walking down the aisle, and when to walk back up again once the ceremony is finished. Ideally, this should be done at the wedding venue so that everyone can see how the venue will be laid out on the big day, to ensure not even the smallest mistake can occur.

Some of the things to consider when choosing a function venue include the following:

• Location – venues for your function should be centrally located to ensure that guests can find it without any difficultly. Somewhere central is the best option, or somewhere that is close to major roads and highways. Clear directions to reach the location of the venue should be included in your invites to guests, along with a map that illustrates how to get there.

• Catering – any good function venue will include catering as part of the hire package. This means that you will not have to worry about finding snacks, drinks or meals for your guests as the venue will handle all aspects of catering – including waitron staff. Depending on the time of day your function will be held, this could include breakfasts, lunches, cocktail events or dinners, with appropriate meals and drinks served according to the type of function you have chosen.

• Venue Options – while some venues consist of only one venue room option, a good venue will include a number of options to suit the type of event you wish to host. This could include outdoor areas and indoor areas, with conference rooms for business events or gazebos for garden parties. This ensures plenty of variety, and also allows you to plan your event around weather changes that may occur.

• Facilities – another thing to consider when choosing the ideal function venue is the facilities that you will require. While some events such as 21^st birthdays, office parties or informal gatherings may not require as much technical equipment as a business conference would require, you may still want visuals and sound equipment for these events. Ideally, venues should be fully equipped with everything you may require, to ensure that your function goes off without a hitch.

• Accommodation – the final thing to keep in mind when sourcing the ideal venue for your function is accommodation. Some of the best venues offer a small yet excellent number of rooms situated on the premises, acting much like a guest house. This is ideal for evening events, or for guests who have travelled from afar to attend your function, making it possible for guests to not have to travel too far at all from the function venue once the event has wound down.

To help you find some inspiration for alternative wedding venue and reception ideas, we have come up with a list of great ideas that are far from traditional.

• Lunchtime Weddings – a lunch wedding and reception is ideal for those who are considering a daytime wedding, and can be as elaborate or simple as you choose. The ceremony should start at about noon, and should be finished by no later than 2pm in order to qualify for a lunch reception. Guests can be served from a a buffet to allow guests to serve themselves. Light drinks such as wine, bubbly and ciders or beers can be served at the bar along with iced teas, fruit juices and other non-alcoholic drinks. In Durban, lunchtime weddings are best during the cooler winters, as midday can be rather hot during the height of summer.

• Cocktail Weddings – for something glamorous and stylish, a cocktail wedding reception is ideal for evening weddings. These should begin no later than 5pm, with a shorter reception compared to dinner wedding receptions. Delicious cocktails, a jazz band or DJ playing relaxed lounge music, and a host of hors d’oeuvres ranging from phyllo pastries to mini quiches, kebabs and anything else that is both tasty and fairly filling. To add to this theme, brides could choose a dress code for the reception. All white, or a colour theme that could each be brought into the wedding venue décor and floral arrangements too.

• After Dark Wedding – when planning a night time wedding, it is best to ensure that your wedding is held on a weekend night to ensure that guests will be able to enjoy the reception without worrying about work the next day. Ceremonies can begin around 6pm or even 7pm, with the reception starting at 8pm. One of the benefits of an evening wedding is that the décor, dress code and other elements can be bolder and more glamorous. Brides could consider a masked ball theme for their reception, or a classic Hollywood theme with starlets and dashing heroes. A circus theme could even be considered for a truly dramatic effect. With an opulent menu full of delicious morsels and live music as well as other entertainment such as sketch artists to capture guests in timeless art. This option will work with any wedding venue, with the option to have the reception indoors or outdoors.

Some of the things you need to consider when finding a wedding venue include the following:

1. Location – the location plays an important role in any wedding, from surrounding views to weather conditions, convenience of travel to and from the destination, and many other factors. Finding a location that is beautiful to look at, not far to drive to and offers excellent weather will ensure that everything else falls into place, with the most important basics covered.
2. All-Inclusive – venues that are able to host both ceremony and reception at one wedding venue offer a great deal of convenience. This way, once the ceremony is over, guests can mingle before the reception begins, with no need for anyone to drive to a difference reception venue. Many venues also include on-site catering and décor, which further adds to the convenience of the all-inclusive approach.
3. Catering and entertainment – venues that offer on-site catering offer a more cost and time effective solution, especially if you are able to choose your own menus. Services such as waitrons, chefs and entertainment staff are often included too, which allows you to focus on enjoying your special day without having to worry about staff getting to the venue on time. Many good venues include on-site DJs as well, who can play your choice of music or popular classics, depending on your preferences.
4. Price – depending on your budget, a wedding venue can be within the high price range or within a more cost-effective range. As anyone who has ever planned a wedding knows, the costs can reach epic proportions, but an all-inclusive wedding package offers a more affordable way to ensure that all aspects of the wedding are included within the cost. This means that you do not have to fork out extra to pay for individual services such as food, drinks and décor, but instead pay one flat rate for the entire event.
5. Customised décor and planning – the final thing to consider when scouting out a venue is to find a venue that allows you to customise your décor, reception hall layout, menu and other elements. This will ensure that you can choose your own colour scheme, which will be implemented across all details, from flower arrangements all the way through to table settings, linen and place cards for each guest. This ensures that your wedding venue is transformed into the romantic setting you have always dreamt of for your special day.

For brides who are looking for some tips on planning their dream wedding, here are a few things to keep in mind during the planning process:

1. Compiling a schedule and check list – before you do anything else, the first step is to compile a schedule and check list for your big day. This should include all factors from the wedding venue to wedding dress, cake, décor, bridesmaids, groomsmen and guest list. Each aspect should include a check box, so that you can cross each thing off as you have them organised. A time-line is also important to ensure that everything runs on schedule.
2. Wedding date – many couples set a wedding date as a rough estimate, to allow them to make changes as needed. In South Africa, the best time for a wedding is the warmer, drier months of summer or autumn. Cities such as Durban have mild weather all year round, however humidity can be a problem during the hot summer months. Once you have a general idea of the time of year for your wedding, you will be able to start planning around that date.
3. Choosing a wedding venue – the venue is by far one of the most important aspects in any wedding plans, and finding the right venue is essential. The best type of wedding venue is one that offers both ceremony and reception in one, with services such as catering and décor also included. Venues that offer accommodation too will also make life easier so that important guests and bridal accommodation is sorted. For daytime weddings, the wedding venue should offer an outdoor area, while indoor alternatives should also be on offer in case of rain on the day.
4. The perfect wedding dress – perhaps you know exactly what you plan to wear, or maybe you are still trying to choose. South Africa’s warm weather makes sleeveless dresses a good choice, with light fabrics being the best option for summer weddings. Remember to arrange for a final fitting closer to the big day if you have found your dress a few months before the wedding.
5. Guest lists and invites – sit down with your husband-to-be and decide how many people you can afford to invite, and whether you would like a large wedding with many friends and family, or something smaller with family and very close friends. From there, you can start compiling your guest list, deciding whether your guests can bring dates or come on their own. Invites can be sent off once your guest list has been finalised, to allow plenty of time for guests to RSVP.
6. Bridesmaids and groomsmen – you will probably know exactly who you would like to be part of the wedding party, long before you begin the planning process. Bridesmaid dresses should be considered, to decide whether they can wear their own dresses in a preferred colour scheme, or if you would like them to wear a specific style. Groomsmen should be fitted in suits as per the groom’s preferences.
7. Wedding cake and décor – cake tasting can begin at any point of the planning process, to choose whether you want traditional or modern flavours and styles. Décor themes can be chosen once you have booked your wedding venue, which may even include décor as part of the wedding package. The décor and colour scheme will be carried out throughout the bridesmaids’ dresses, flowers, cake and table settings, which allows you to let your imagination run wild as you work with your wedding venue to create a romantic, perfect setting for your big day.