When fiancées Ané and Daniel set out to find a venue that would provide their loved ones with a destination wedding that was ‘truly worth the journey’, Kurland outdid herself
What you realize the minute you visit Kurland is that it’s so much more than just a ‘venue’. For starters, the estate is an authentic celebration of country living, with the Pavillion, the Homestead and the Villa offering uniquely different backdrops, all in their own naturally picturesque spaces.
There’s that, and the fact that it also brings with it a nostalgic sense of coming home, slowing down, rediscovering your senses, and letting the magic of the great outdoors sweep you away from reality for the duration of your stay.
Living ‘La Dolce Vita’ (The Sweet Life)
That’s certainly how Ané and Daniel’s guests felt when they arrived on Friday afternoon for a mediterranean La Dolce Vita-themed gathering, with candles flickering along the poolside, and long tables layered in crisp blue and white linen, scattered with bright yellow lemons and green foliage.
Add to that Aperol Spritzes and fizzy flutes of Champagne doing the rounds, accompanied by homemade Italian pizzas and zesty lemon sorbet desserts, against a bright orange sun, setting across the valley, and you could say that the scene was well set for a weekend to remember.
“I had always dreamed of an outdoor wedding with cocktails on the lawn and dinner under the sky – the kind of relaxed, romantic feeling you associate with a farm in Tuscany, rather than a formal venue.” – Ané (Bride)
Guests started the big day with a big, hearty home-cooked breakfast at the Homestead, and then used their leisure time to enjoy their accommodation and explore the estate.
The bride and groom got ready at the Villa and Homestead respectively. While the groom and groomsmen fuelled up on gourmet burgers with big bowls of chips and cold beers on the Homestead veranda, the bride and bridesmaids indulged in a light chicken salad and celebratory glasses of Champagne in the luxury setting of the Villa’s living room and outdoor patio.
In the background, tables for pre-ceremony drinks were being scattered, and chairs were lined up by the bell for the ceremony, surrounded by flowers (artfully arranged by DP Ferreira) overflowing on statuesque white plinths. The piece de resistance? Ané walking down the ‘isle’ created by Kurland’s renowned rose garden.
“The energy of the celebration surprised us in the best way. The live music played such a big role — the violin during the ceremony felt incredibly emotional, and the saxophone later on completely transformed the event.”
After a beautiful ceremony at the Homestead, shuttles collected everyone and took the guests up to the Villa, where the music set the tone for the evening ahead and the dancing began almost immediately.
‘His & Hers’ cocktails were served around the pool, along with trays of scrumptious canapés – feta cigars; blinis with caviar; baked potatoes with smoked salmon; sticky chicken yakitoris, set on leaves with spicy chilli sauce; arancini with Glenda’s special sauce; and pork belly croquettes, with a crispy apple dipping sauce.
The main course was fillet of beef, accompanied by baby potatoes with Boursin cheese, and a fresh goat’s cheese salad with pine nuts, green beans, and avocado, generously drizzled with lemon and olive oil.
And the sweet conclusion to a full day of delicious dining – a lavish coffee station, set up in the sitting room, served with a long tiramisu, and bordered with rich, dark brownie bites.
The catering by Glenda (owner of the esteemed Glenda’s in Hyde Park, Johannesburg) was a highlight of note, all seamlessly integrated into the day with panache and professionalism.
“More than anything, we wanted our wedding to feel like a weekend away with our closest friends and family; not just a single day, but real time spent together.”
The next morning, guests gathered in the Homestead dining room for a farewell breakfast, indulging in homemade brioche, bacon rolls, fresh bread, croissants and fruit tarts, all still warm from the oven and filling the air with a welcoming aroma.
It goes without saying that nobody was ready to end this 3-day celebration of special moments, magnificent surroundings, and memories made to last a lifetime.
“When we say it was the best weekend of our lives, we really mean it. We felt completely supported, and only afterwards did we realise how many little things were quietly taken care of without us ever noticing. Our trust was honoured in every detail, and that allowed us to fully let go and be present.” – Ané and Daniel
It’s wonderful when the bride and groom really use the whole farm for their various wedding weekend activities, as Ané and Daniel did. It has enough space to feel like a complete escape from the city, but also a cosy kind of charm that really encourages guests to settle in, indulge, and relax.
“When we saw Kurland, it completely blew every other venue option out of the water. The gardens were just beautiful, and we loved the romantic feel of the classic interiors. To top it off, Peter and Di’s warmth just sealed the deal.” – Ané
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