All you Need to Know about a Destination Wedding in South Africa! - Cindy Buser, Weddings in Africa

by  Madiha Khan Weddings | September 28, 2018 | Feature

In conversation with Cindy Buser, Owner and Managing Director of Mirchee Destination Management and Weddings in Africa, we received insights on the scope of South Africa to serve as a destination for Indian weddings. Excerpts below -

1)      Why consider South Africa a destination for Indian weddings? 

South Africa’s biodiversity is absolutely breathtaking from safari weddings to beach and winelands weddings, from traditional African décor to scenic panoramic venues. No matter what you’ve dreamt, the ideal backdrop setting awaits you in South Africa!

The `Weddings in Africa team’ is passionate about South and Southern Africa as a destination! The team’s skill and expertise lie in offering you exactly the right destination, venue, décor, food and not to forgot the experience, of a lifetime!

Weddings can be simple and beautiful or elaborate and glitzy, based on each couple’s or family’s budget. The joy and enthusiasm that goes towards planning this ceremonious union between two individuals, who look forward to spending their lives together, must be celebrated in the Mother Continent-Africa!

Happily ever after begins here!

2)      What are the top venues in South Africa? 

South Africa has some of the most amazing venues to choose from, be it indoors or outdoors. The country boasts of winelands, safari destinations, beaches and traditional African venues and décor – the choice is unlimited!

A few top venues are The Spier Hotel, The Mount Nelson, The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa, Arabella Country Estate, Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, The Gondwana Private Reserve, Fancourt Hotel and Golf Estate, The Conrad Pezula Resort and Spa, and Sun City, to name a few.

3)      Please share details on Wedding Suppliers in South Africa? 

Wedding suppliers are specifically broken down into catering, décor and AV suppliers. Weddings in Africa has long standing relations with various suppliers from different regions in the country. We do not work with wedding planners as the Weddings in Africa team has the expertise and outsources some of its services to its long-standing suppliers.

4)      Does the Tourism Board Support Indian Weddings? 

The South African Tourism Board has realised there is a constant change in the trends and strategy within the influx of various category of travel groups into South Africa, weddings being one of them. Destination Weddings as a trend has been year-marked and been noticed. South African Tourism is now in the process of identifying how the destination can support weddings going forward to recognize weddings as a key interest.

South Africa is the ideal destination for weddings having natural and scenic beauty. In saying that, Weddings in Africa was the first event weddings company to recognize this trend and target that segment of the global wedding fraternity, making  South Africa a cornerstone for destination weddings.

5)      Case Study of an Indian Wedding in South Africa. 

A typical destination wedding in South Africa come with various budgets, themes, ideas and entourage, to make this auspicious occasion a momentous one! Being pioneers in this field and understanding the Indian wedding requirements, the founder and owner coming from Mumbai-India alongwith an Indian team, there has always been a smooth transition and feeling of comfort amongst all our Indian wedding planners/clients. To be able to understand their need of urgency, specific catering, top class entertainment and Bollywood enthralled events and décor, an Indian wedding is always different and unique from one client to another. Budget plays a huge factor in the offerings of a perfect destination wedding, nevertheless Weddings in Africa, makes it happen, be it a small or a big social, honeymoon, pre or post wedding photo- shoots, traditional ceremonies, wedding reception, pre and post tours for guests within South or Southern Africa, thanks to the support of its sister company, mirchee destination management.