It’s not a huge secret that I absolutely love the West Coast. It’s a harsh, unforgiving, beautiful part of our country. And in many ways it’s probably still South Africa’s best kept secret in many ways. Now, that said, if you want a taste of West Coast luxury, you don’t need to look further than The Farmhouse. Situated on the slopes of Myburgh Park in Langebaan it has awesome views of the Lagoon and an ambiance which never fails to intrigue me. The walss are adorned with artworks and the most amazing photography of Langebaan from yesteryear. Where they found these photographs goodness only knows because they’re seriously rare indeed. Pop into the loo and you can catch up on the history of Langebaan thanks to some old newspaper clippings. As I said, intriguing stuff and all very elegantly done. Shafieka is your go-to-girl here and she’s pretty awesome. The first time I popped into The Farmhouse I told her I was a wedding photographer and she took me on a whirlwind tour of the place. Nothing is too much effort. It’s got to rank at one of those quite special places to get married at. The garden with slave bell, or the enclosed balcony (if the weather goes belly-up) are really, really nice. In their own words The Farmhouse serves traditional Cape cuisine with a variety of seafood complemented by an award winning wine list. Food is robust and hearty, filled with the spirit of the West Coast. But more than that, The Farmhouse is a stone’s throw from the National Park, the beach for the formals. Is it worth giving Shafieka a call or going through to see for yourself. Absolutely and utterly yes. You heard it here first.

Call Shafieka on +27 (22) 772 2062 or mail her at: info@thefarmhousehotel.com

There are a lot of things that strike you when you first get out of your car at The Strandloper. Sea, sand, seagulls, rocks, fishing nets, the smell of wood burning. Then there are all those old fishing boats that have seriously seen some better days. But if they truth be told, they’re probably a lot happier in their current resting place, surrounded by the sound of a guitar being strummed in the background as fish and seafood braai’s slowly on the coals.  Okay, so you walk into The Strandloper (best you go barefoot, it’s a better experience) and you’re met by Karon, Johan and the rest of the mob who introduce you to the whole shebang. And what a shebang it is. Mussels in wine and onions, mussels with garlic butter, Weskus Haarders, braaied Snoek with potatoes and patats, Waterbloemmetjie Bredie, Smoked Angelfish, Stompneus, Crayfish, freshly baked bread (cooked in fire ovens before your eyes), jams – you get the idea – casual, informal, relaxed stuff. High heels is not a good idea. I think there are about 10 courses, so pace yourself because by the end of the day, you’re going to have eaten enough to last a year. My downfall always comes right upfront because I’m quite partial to a relatively healthy portion of mussels – and their mussels are the bomb! Then of course, it would be extremely rude not to wash it all down with a beer or two (or a glass of wine, or whatever your thing is). You can take your own alcohol or make use of their beach bar. So if you’re looking for an unconventional choice of venue – something that’s really laid back and very West Coast, then this my friends, is it. Bottom line? The Strandloper is leeeeekkkerrrrrr.  Call Karon on +27 0227 22490 or 083 227 7195. Or mail her at info@strandloper.com And if you don’t use me to shoot your wedding here, it’s the end of our relationship. Forever. Which is a long time. Think about it.

Blown away. Not by the wind, but by the passion that Lida and Elsabe who will host you and your guests at Leipzig Country House have for their venue. They are hospitable, warm, friendly and full of stories about the estate. Legendary stuff. (You get the feeling that Lida has many, many tales to tell of Leipzig, it’s history and the cargo it holds within its boundaries.) The rooms are spacious, elegantly decorated and very comfortable (good beds, crisp linen, desk, couch – well thought through, very nice indeed).

Take a walk outside and you’re not exactly limited as far as your wedding photography goes either. There’s an old slave bell, horse wagons from the turn of last century, vineyards, gravel roads, old buildings, Cape Dutch architecture, oh, and a couple of mountains that rise up rather steeply pretty much everywhere. Inside, the venue itself is no less intriguing. I’m not too sure how to actually explain it, but let’s just say that the new building seems to have been built around the old walls. So you see the new and the old together. Then there are the beautiful paintings that adorn the various walls. I can’t explain this – you actually have to go and see for yourself. But I’m warning you – visit Leipzig and be prepared to book because you probably will. Here are their contact details for you:

Tel: +27 (0)23 347 8422 | Fax: +27 (0)86 295 5116
Email info@leipzigcountryhouse.co.za

Vineyards, a long gravel driveway, old wagons, wide-open paddocks, a bridge, a huge fallen down oak tree, an old African-styled rondavel and we haven’t even arrived at the main venue yet. Welcome to Nelson’s Creek where the hosts are warm (as is the weather), the food is good and the general ambience is pretty darned good. I really enjoy shooting at Nelson’s Creek not only due to all of the above, but also because every time I go there I feel very welcome and I see bride, groom and guests always having a good time. There are a few options to choose from here. The Mountain View Room seats about 400 people, so if you’re looking at a (very) large wedding, there you go. Ditto if you’re looking for a dance-floor where you can really spread your ‘Saturday Night Fever’ wings. Then there’s the Lapa Hall which seats some 130 people, or the Old Cellar for the more intimate 60-guest version. Now… if you want to get married at the venue itself, for goodness sake, do it outside. The lawn is huge, mountains surround you and it just all feels so very right. Is it good for photographic opportunities? Sure is. No major obstacles on that side. In fact, it’s great for photos because there always seems to be something else to discover as you wander around. Oh, one last thing – there’s accommodation too which is rather handy. If you’d like to see a few photos of a wedding I’ve shot at Nelson’s Creek, then click here. I’m not going to ramble on, why not give Olivia a call on 021 – 869 8453, or e-mail her on olivia@nelsonscreek.co.za Tell her I sent you their way so that I at least look marginally good!

Franschhoek isn’t simply world renowned for the 1820 Settlers that trudged on in back in the day. It just has to be one of the finest towns in the world. Arty, coffee shops, mountains, awesome views, vineyards, seriously palatable wines, blah, blah, flippin’ blah (how jealous must some overseas towns be when it comes to good old Franschhoek?). Lucky for us that Val d’ Or is situated here then. Every time I shoot a wedding in Franschhoek I leave early just to take a walk through the town and soak up a bit of inspiration. No seriously, I do. Then I eat a pizza and drink a beer. And then I’m ready for anything. Well almost. Because those in the know will tell you that on a hot day, Franschhoek literally cooks. I shot a wedding there in 48 degree heat. Ja, 48 degrees. But let’s talk about Val d’ Or shall we? I love the grounds, I love the sound of the frogs giving it horns after dark, I love the homestead. And I really like the nice, big, spacious and cool room that the bride gets so she can prepare in peace. Yup, it’s generally a good place. I can’t comment on the food unfortunately because I haven’t eaten there (too busy shooting the homestead after dark), so you’re on your own as far as that goes. Do I think it’s worth a look? Yes, I do. Give them a shout on 021 – 876 3902, or go the e-mail route: info@valdor.co.za

I know this guy on the West Coast who braai’s the meanest steaks in the world. The steaks at Kanu challenge him big time. Not that Kanu simply braai steaks – they prepare them in the kitchen with proper love and it shows. They also prepare the rest of their buffet with proper love. They also happen to look like they’re enjoying the festivities which is rather nice. The service is slick, the ambiance is up where it should be and the grounds pass my acid test as far as photographs go. Kanu doesn’t have old wagons, old barns and the like, but it doesn’t fall short either. Big rolling lawns, two small dams, plenty of shrubs and trees, a lovely wine cellar with plenty of vats – ja, it’s not too shabby. And if you like to ‘get on down and do the boogie,’ I can assure you, I’ve seen both the younger and older generation give it a full go there. They’re nicely positioned on the outskirts outskirts of Stellenbosch too, so if you want to drive into town for some photos it’s not the biggest mission in the world. Right… get hold of Nerine (who has a good, homespun hospitality about here) on 021 – 881 3225, or mail her at: nerine@mulderbosch.co.za

If food is important to you, I can absolutely guarantee you that you won’t need to look too much further than Buitenverwachting. Look, I’m by no means a food critic, but man, they can put a plate of food together. And the portions are more than adequate. Their steak is just outstanding (and yes, when it comes to a good steak I know my oats). Did I mention that I’m not big on dessert either. I could eat their desserts all day long I tell you. Magnifique! Nope, I don’t get paid for writing them up like this and no, I don’t get any special treatment for it either. But when you experience good food and exceptional service like Buitenverwachting offer, it deserves every accolade it can get. The grounds are also really nice for photographic opportunities – lots of space, lots of green lawn, lots of Cape Dutch architecture, the odd horse here and there, plenty of oak trees, a long driveway, vineyards, the Constantiaberg range in the background – not too shabby I tell you. Give them a call, you won’t be sorry. Speak to Yolande on 021 – 794 3522, or you can e-mail her at: events@buitenverwachting.com

]]> http://www.warrenwilliams.co.za/2010/04/buitenverwachting/feed/ 0 http://www.warrenwilliams.co.za/2010/02/val-de-vie/ http://www.warrenwilliams.co.za/2010/02/val-de-vie/#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 17:17:38 +0000 Warren http://www.warrenwilliams.co.za/?p=1694 Val de Vie

It’s very easy to describe Val de Vie Wine & Polo Estate. And it only takes one word: Phenomenal. I shouldn’t say another word about this utterly awesome venue, because ‘phenomenal’ really does sum it up. But hey, let’s live on the edge. From the moment I arrived there to shoot the SA Weddings Bride of the Year 2009 I was blown away. It just has this special aura about it. It’s palatial, it’s spotless, it’s beautifully designed, it’s very tastefully decorated. Ja, it’s phenomenal. I always say that as a photographer it’s very difficult to just pitch up and shoot. I need to be inspired. And this place is inspiring in every sense of the word. You can literally stop anywhere and there’s something begging you to put a bride and groom in the scene and take the shot. That’s a supremely nice position to be in. I could run through the list of offerings, but I’d rather you visit the Val de Vie website and take a look for yourself. Do so, because you won’t be disappointed at all. The verandah that overlooks the polo field is outstanding. Yes, the polo field. Do you have any idea how big a polo field is? It’s enormous! And this one looks more like a lawn bowling green than a polo field. Manicured to perfection. The view of the mountains surrounding Franschhoek also get 5 stars – unbelievable stuff. I really can’t heap enough praise of Val de Vie. The function venue is fantastic, the staff are amazing, the floors sparkle and on and on and on. Is it really that good? Yes, absolutely – go and see. Take a drive through, my bet is that you’ll end up booking your wedding there. This is Franschhoek at its very, very best. Oh, one last thing, Simone de Wet and Petra Spies are your ‘go-to-girls’ at Val de Vie. Give them a shout, you’ll find them as phenomenal as the venue itself. Val de Vie’s contact details are:

Tel: +27 (0)21 863 6128

e-mail: events@valdevie.co.za

I’ve always been a really firm believer in the fact that you need to think very carefully about your setting because when you get your photographs back, the venue and setting are going to speak volumes! And if you’re going to have photographs of your guests eagerly tucking into sumptuous fare and sipping on chilled Chenin Blanc you may as well have them doing it in a spectacular setting. And believe me, the Strandkombuis in Yzerfontein is that setting. Well, I think so anyway (and if I get my way, both of my daughters and my son will get married there one day). I have never had a bad meal there. The food is very West Coast (as you’d expect) with plenty of home-made bread, jam, snoek soup, mussels, prawns, calamari, an abundance of salads, potato wedges, coffee, koeksusters… and on and on it goes. Look, I have to be honest here – the venue isn’t going to be for everyone. But if you’re looking for spectacular West Coast ambience, an astonishing sea view and sand dunes as a backdrop to the speeches, then you’ve come to the right place. No, it’s not 5-star luxury, but if you want a beach wedding that offers a really stunning sunset in the company of good family and friends, then I think you’ve just hit the jackpot. Talking about luxury and accommodation, the Strandkombuis can accommodate 90 people overnight. So your guests can go bananas, get lost on the beach, dance under the stars and then sleep it off in rooms that won’t disappoint. As far as photographs go – well, it’s a cracker. Not only because the venue is situated on 16-mile beach, but because almost anywhere you look there’s a photo opportunity – all within easy walking distance. I’ve also seen some couples put together some really awesome décor here. All it takes is a bit of imagination and flair and you’re away! Owners Nattie and Marie know how to really get on with the knitting and deliver the goods. And Bastiaan their son is an all-round good-guy who will make you feel very welcome. They’re heavily booked so if you want to get in, I suggest you get hold of Mardi quickly on e-mail: strandkombuis@mweb.co.za Or call her on 022 451 2360 And once you’ve booked, call me, or I’ll never forgive you! Over and out.

Sharon and Zaren run a pretty tight ship out at Mofam. They’re terrific people, full of infectious personality and when you meet them, you’ll feel as though they’ve been your mates forever. There’s no room for mediocrity here. The food is good, the setting beautiful and the accommodation is in the form of wooden chalets that overlook the water. ‘So where is Mofam?’ Mofam River Lodge in situated in the very beautiful Elgin Valley. For those of you flying in from outside of Southb Africa, it’s within easy striking distance of Cape Town (about an hours drive) as well as within a short drive of the ever-popular wine-route districts. It’s also pretty close to Hermanus. So it’s perfect really. Yup, you’re surrounded by peace, tranquility, mountains and a marvellous dam. It’s awesome. And before I forget – wedding aside – you can learn to ski and you can fish for bass as well. Nice stuff.

The venue itself is outdoors and can host up to 200 pax seated. Sharon and Zaren will normally put up a Bedouin tent or marquee tent on the lawn and have it decorated according to your theme. So you can have both the ceremony and the reception in one place. They have quite a few different ways of doing the ceremony. For example, you can come down the river on the barge (go and take a look at either Herman and Marilet’s wedding or Rob and Nadia’s wedding which I shot there). But they’re also more than just a venue because they’ll offer a wedding planning service should you choose Mofam as your ideal venue. They can arrange anything from your hair and make-up to your airport transfer for your honeymoon. Pretty darned convenient if you ask me.

They have 9 chalets sleeping 2 pax each, 1 family chalet sleeping 4 as well as a honey moon suite and a 4 sleeper self catering unit. In total they can accommodate 28 pax in chalets. They can also offer your guests tented accommodation with mattresses and bedding for extra, more affordable, accommodation. Now listen, the idea of tents might sound dodgy, but I can assure you, it’s not – your guests will be more than comfortable.

Now! As far as your photographs are concerned, I think Mofam offers stunning opportunities. You can have photographs taken on the barge, on the jetty, at the Labyrinth, or we can all jump into our cars and take a 3-minute drive up to the tractors and labourers cottages. You’ll certainly be the proud new owners of photographs that are pretty unique and different from the rest of your mates. Look, I could go on and on and on about Mofam. But I’m not very good at selling I’m afraid. So give Sharon or Zaren a call, or drop them an e-mail. You’ll love them a lot (and please tell them I say hi and can I pop in for some roast potato wedges!) Their contact details are:

e-mail: info@mofam.co.za

+27 21 846 8345 (you can Skype them on this number too. Gotta love Skype!)

And just in case you feel the urge to Skype me, look me up as warriew. We aim to please…

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