Real Weddings
Whole weddings, told in full
Whole days rather than highlights. Traditional ceremonies and white weddings at Thembela, from the quiet of the morning to the last dance, near Richards Bay and Empangeni.
A day at Thembela
What a wedding here actually looks like
01
The morning, on the property
Getting ready in the rooms rather than in a hotel across town, with the people who matter already in the building and nobody stuck in traffic on the way.
02
Vows in the Garden
Open air and planted, with the cane running to the horizon behind you. It holds 100 to 500, which on this coast is what a real guest list looks like.
03
Golden hour on the rooftop
Céleste is upstairs and separate. Half an hour up there with your closest people, while the rest of the celebration carries on below.
04
Dinner in the Hall
Glass down one side, so the light stays in the room until it goes. Up to 650 seated, and every plate cooked in our own kitchen rather than driven in.
05
And nobody drives home
Four executive villas on the property, for the family who travelled furthest and for the two of you.
06
Or all of it twice
Many families here hold a traditional ceremony and a white wedding, often across two days. We have hosted umembeso, umabo, umemulo and umkhehlo alongside white weddings. The same venue runs both and the same kitchen cooks for both. How that works.
From people who have been to a wedding here
“This place is breath taking! Talk about class, luxury! From the food to the quality of plates not to mention the venue itself, even the bathrooms!!! My goodness.. No matter where I am in SA, I am going to have my dream wedding here! So help me God.”
Dr M Ntoampe · Google review
“Experienced awesome ambience, stunning decor and superior service at this venue where we were invited for a wedding. VVIP treatment!”
Dennis J. Naicker · Google review
“its like a dream ... and Snothi i supper amazing like she is the best !!! she makes you see your vision and gives you all her time best human ever and the place is super amazing”
Nqobangothando Mshololo · Google review
Rated 4.8 from 87 Google reviews across weddings, celebrations and corporate functions. Read more of them.
The archive is growing
New weddings are added as couples are happy for us to share theirs. Yours could be next.
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