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Black and white photo and video image of bride and groom kissing in the back of a vintage car.
Photo & Film

Lights, Camera, I Do! Your no-fuss guide to hiring photo & video pros

August 4, 2025
Photo & Film

The Ultimate Guide to Wedding Photo Poses: 27 Ideas for Your Dream Album

April 8, 2022
Photo & Film, Planning, Finance & Legal

Choosing a Location for your Engagement Photo Shoot

April 9, 2021
Photo & Film

The 8 photos that every wedding album should include

April 1, 2021
Photo & Film

Choosing a great photographer and videographer

October 13, 2020
About to walk down the aisle on father's arm
Photo & Film

Do we need a Wedding Video?

October 16, 2019
Wedding Day photography session
Photo & Film

Choosing the right Photographer

October 16, 2019
Choosing the right Wedding Photographers in KZN and Gauteng
Photo & Film

Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer

October 3, 2018
Photo & Film

45 Questions to Ask your Photographer

April 12, 2017
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Wedding Photo Tips

February 22, 2017
Photo & Film

The Person behind the Camera

December 18, 2016
Photo & Film

It’s that time of year for Family portraits

November 10, 2016
Photo & Film

Pictures Worth a Thousand Words

November 20, 2015
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We know that wedding planning can be stressful! Why not let Marriage Meander lift some of the stress by providing you with the contacts, advice and tools you need to make your wedding planning a smooth and fun journey. Our annual publication is full of inspiring and useful info, and our website directory boasts some of the top wedding venues and suppliers in your area. Settle in right here to start your planning… We’ve got your back, beautiful bride-to-be! xxx

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GOLDEN HOUR AT GLEN EDEN | A Marriage Meander styl GOLDEN HOUR AT GLEN EDEN | A Marriage Meander styled shoot

I’ve driven through the Caversham Valley countless times on my Midlands meanderings, but working on this shoot gave me a reason to stop and properly explore 𝑮𝒍𝒆𝒏 𝑬𝒅𝒆𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒅𝒈𝒆 for the first time. And what a delight it was.

The new owners have poured so much thought, care and effort into restoring this beautiful historic space, while preserving the character and history that make it so special. There’s something rather lovely about seeing an old place given a new chapter without losing what made it wonderful in the first place.

𝑺𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒆: Mark and the Glen Eden team fed us during our shoot and the food was glorious! So, even if you aren’t planning a wedding and you’re simply looking for a Midlands getaway where the meals are part of the highlight, be sure to put this spot on your bucket list.

For the shoot, we wanted to show that a country wedding can be both refined and relaxed. Under the styling direction of the talented and experienced planner and florist, Gabs from Labola, we leaned into warm golden tones, soft neutrals and earthy shades, with flowering wattle bringing a beautiful sense of abundance and connection to the surrounding landscape.

And then there was the team. They felt like a summer day. 💛 An absolute joy to work with, each bringing their own creativity and expertise to the table. Everyone just seemed to know what they were doing and got on with it with such a quiet confidence. You know when something just flows effortlessly? It was one of those shoots.

Scroll through to see how it all came together, and enjoy a little glimpse of the work of some of KZN’s finest wedding folk. 

Venue: @glenedenlodgeza
Flowers & décor: @labolasa
Photos: @vixphotographyweddings
HAMU: @diosgracia_mua_aesthetics and @bloom_bridal_hair_artistry
Stationery: @aurora.designs01
Dress: @che.couture
Suit: @suitupsuithire
Models: @irenesmodels @cherilisa_22 @lusanda_mbuyisa
Coordination: @marriagemeander

#marriagemeander #goldenhouratgleneden #glenedenlodge #kznweddings #weddingstyledshoot
VENUE SPOTLIGHT | In Hilton, where the KwaZulu-Nat VENUE SPOTLIGHT | In Hilton, where the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands begins to soften into rolling hills and older farm country, @knollguestfarm offers a wedding setting with real history behind it. This is not a venue built to imitate heritage. The history is already there. The Knoll has welcomed people for generations, and that sense of age and hospitality still comes through in the way the property feels today.

Ceremonies can take place in the gardens with ancient oaks and towering azaleas, beneath the trees in the forest, and on the hilltop where the views open out across the countryside. The newly-built Forest Chapel is a lovely choice for a sheltered space. Each option gives the wedding a different starting point, whether you want something softer and green, more atmospheric beneath the canopy, or open to the wider landscape.

For the reception, couples can choose between two distinct options. The Knoll Shed accommodates up to 120 guests and brings a more rustic, character-filled atmosphere, with exposed rafters, flexible sides for summer or winter, and a lawn out front that works beautifully for canapés, lawn games, and photographs. The Garden Marquee option can host up to 150 guests and offers a larger-scale celebration.

The Knoll sleeps up to 32 guests across nine self-catering units, with an additional 20 bunk beds available, making it easier to keep close family and friends on site for the weekend. The mix of cottages, terraced rooms, and quieter tucked-away spaces gives the stay a relaxed, farm-style feel.

Couples speak warmly about the setting, the views, and a team willing to go the extra mile. The Knoll is well worth considering.

CREDITS
Venue @knollguestfarm
Photos @lucaphotography_co_za
Video @stephenmichael.za
Draping, flowers & décor @muirheadshiring
HAMU @promakeupdbn
Dress & veil: @bellabridesa 
Tux @suit_yourselfsa
Headband @ndlunkuluthequeen_bridal
Jewellery @davidbatchelordesigns
Stationery @_lifestyle_print
Catering @hamblinscatering
Cake @marylou7627
Sparkling wine @robertsonwinery
DJ @pressplay_djrish
Models @irenesmodels

#MarriageMeander #TheKnollHistoricGuestFarm #MidlandsWeddingVenue
VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Tucked below the village of Hilt VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Tucked below the village of Hilton, where bushveld opens out towards the confluence of the uMngeni and Rietspruit rivers, @thehiltonbushlodge offers a wedding setting that feels unexpectedly wild, private, and beautifully removed from the everyday, while still being within easy reach of Pietermaritzburg, Durban, and the N3.
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That contrast is a big part of its appeal. You are close enough for guests to get there easily, yet once you arrive, the view, the birdlife, the long grasses, and the neighbouring uMngeni Valley Nature Reserve make the venue feel far quieter and more secluded than most.
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The Hilton Bush Lodge is best suited to weddings of 50 to 140 guests. Ceremonies take place in the chapel, while the intimate boma adds another memorable gathering space for guests to mingle, pause, and enjoy the bush setting between the formal moments of the day and the reception in their elegant reception venue.
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Accommodation adds real value to the experience too. The lodge sleeps up to 32 guests across private suites, each with its own African-inspired character, and features such as fireplaces and verandas that open onto the landscape. It means close family and friends can stay on site and settle into the celebration rather than simply arriving for a few hours and leaving again.
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What stands out in the guest feedback is how warmly the venue is experienced in real life. Couples speak about staff who are friendly and helpful, well cared for and comfortable rooms, and a wedding day that came together beautifully from start to finish. One bride called it a hidden gem of Hilton!
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For couples wanting a wedding venue that brings together bushveld beauty, boutique accommodation, and a feeling of privacy without logistical difficulty, The Hilton Bush Lodge is well worth having on your shortlist.
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CREDITS
Venue @thehiltonbushlodge
Photos @baileeguyweddings
2nd shooter @pose_a_rosey_photography
Florals & Décor @muirheadshiring
Dress @amourbridalboutique
HAMU @kymhairmakeup
Catering @chc_catering
Cake @smithsbakeshop
Stationary @tropicaldesignsco
DJ @zentertainer1970
Bride: @kirst_roodt
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#MarriageMeander #TheHiltonBushLodge #KZNWeddingVenue #BushWedding
VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set in the Caversham Valley, @th VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set in the Caversham Valley, @thegrovesvenue offers couples a wedding day that moves beautifully from one setting to the next. You can exchange vows in a stone-and-wood chapel looking out across the farmlands, or on the Orchard River Deck beside the Mpofana River, then wander through the orchard to The Stables for canapés before the celebration continues in the main reception venue. It gives the day a natural rhythm, with each space bringing something different without ever feeling disconnected.
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The chapel seats 140 guests on pews, with extra seating taking it up to 200, while the Orchard River Deck offers a more intimate outdoor option with chandeliers suspended above the water. The Stables brings a touch of old-world character before guests move into a contemporary reception space with screed floors, a statement chandelier, fireplace, terrace, and fire pit.
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The grounds bring their own softness, with roses, lavender, citrus trees, rolling lawns, and the river tracing the edge of the property.
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And then there is the hospitality, which leaves just as strong an impression as the setting itself. The venue is run by Kate Bain, with her husband Scott as chef. People speak warmly about excellent food, calm coordination, thoughtful support, and a team that makes the day feel cared for from beginning to end.
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The Manor House, the Cottage, and The Barn House accommodates up to 28 guests, which makes it easier to keep close family and friends nearby across the weekend. For couples drawn to a Midlands wedding venue, The Groves is a lovely one to have on your list.
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CREDITS
Venue @thegrovesvenue
Photos @jadesheltonphotography
Florals & Décor @weddingcosa
Dress @amourbridalboutique
Hair & Makeup @accentuatehairandmakeup
Cake @decadence_by_sumi
Groom @barrett_pardey
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#MarriageMeander #TheGrovesVenue #MidlandsWeddingVenue #KZNWeddingVenue #CavershamValleyWedding
VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set high above the Umkomaas Vall VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set high above the Umkomaas Valley, @theglassbarn_venue at @dumamanzi gives couples a wedding setting where the view is not a backdrop added to the day, but part of the experience from the moment guests arrive. Floor-to-ceiling glass keeps the valley constantly in sight, so the setting carries right through the celebration.

What makes The Glass Barn especially striking is the contrast it holds so well. The venue feels clean and contemporary, yet deeply connected to the wildness around it. Weddings here can host up to 100 guests, with outdoor ceremony options on the property allowing couples to begin in the open air before moving into the glass-walled reception space on the hilltop.

There is also a strong sense that this is a wedding meant to be stayed in, not rushed through. Guests arrive in safari-style transport, and accommodation across the wider Duma Manzi property sleeps up to 60 guests in a mix of historic farmhouses, glamping villages, eco-pods, and luxury lodges.

That changes the feel of the celebration in all the right ways. It creates room for game drives, riverside breakfasts, spa time, and evenings around the fire, rather than everyone arriving for a few hours and leaving again. Guest feedback speaks warmly about the scenery, wildlife, food, staff, and the feeling of being properly away from everyday life.

For couples drawn to a wedding where the setting stays with you from first arrival to final morning, The Glass Barn at Duma Manzi offers something striking and transportive. That’s hard to forget.

CREDITS: 
Venue @theglassbarn_venue at @dumamanzi
Photo & Film @conwayphotoandfilmsa
Flowers & Décor @muirheadshiring
Draping @hamblinscatering
Dress @amourbridalboutique
Bridesmaid Dresses @caritaadams.za available from @amourspecialoccasionwear
Earrings @hellohaai.sa
HAMU @blushmakeup_candice
Tux @suitupsuithire
Stationery @willowandmistdesign
Cake @occasional_cakeskzn
Models @cyraswift_ @roydon.swift @amelia_dk123 @roo_meyer_ from @irenesmodels
Concept & Coordination @marriagemeander

#MarriageMeander #TheGlassBarn #DumaManzi #KZNWeddingVenue #DestinationWeddingKZN
VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set on a working sugarcane farm VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set on a working sugarcane farm in the Eston farmlands, just 35 minutes from Pietermaritzburg and 45 minutes from Durban, @sweethomeweddings offers couples a wedding setting gathered around the dam, with landscaped gardens and rolling cane fields all around it. It feels open and generous, and is warmly run.
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One of Sweethome’s strengths is that it can host up to 200 guests without the day feeling scattered. The ceremony can take place in the open-sided chapel, where Oregon pine pews face out towards the dam, or outdoors on the lawn for couples who want to make more of the surrounding gardens and countryside. From there, the reception venue keeps everything close and connected, with space for up to 200 guests, natural wooden tables, a dedicated buffet area, and two bars — one in the foyer for pre-drinks and another in the main reception space.
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What gives Sweethome extra substance, though, is the way the practical side has been considered. There is a paved walkway linking the chapel and venue, a dedicated children’s room with its own facilities, and self-catering accommodation for up to 32 guests between The Shed and Coral Tree Cottage. Those details make the celebration easier for the couple and more comfortable for their guests.
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The client feedback points to something else that matters just as much: Derek, Carrie, and their team. Couples speak warmly about being supported by people who are calmly hands-on, and genuinely invested in helping the wedding day run well.
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For couples looking for a country wedding venue with a waterside setting, large guest capacity, and the kind of warmth that makes a wedding day feel well cared for, Sweethome is a venue worth considering.
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CREDITS
Venue @sweethomeweddings
Photos @blackstagcreative
Dress @amourbridalboutique
HAMU @simonebianca_artistry
DJ @kznweddingdj
Photobooth @photoboothlab
Couple @donna_fair13 + @jasonfair123
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#MarriageMeander #SweethomeWeddings #KZNWeddingVenue #EstonWeddingVenue #CountryWeddingVenueKZN
I have a theory... 👀 I think we're entering the e I have a theory... 👀

I think we're entering the era of the 80-person wedding. And I'm not convinced it's because couples necessarily have smaller budgets. I think we're seeing couples rethink where they want to put their money, choosing to spend more on the experience rather than simply adding more bums to seats.

This is just me thinking out loud, based on some recent conversations with other wedding vendors, so please feel free to tell me if you’re seeing something completely different! 😉

Couples, what are your thoughts on guest count? 

And vendors, what are you seeing on the ground? 

I'd genuinely love to hear your thoughts.

#marriagemeander #2027weddings #weddingwisdom #weddingguestlist
VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set on an elevated ridge in Curr VENUE SPOTLIGHT | Set on an elevated ridge in Curry’s Post, with long views across the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the Drakensberg beyond, @missionhouseweddings offers couples a modern, contemporary space and a wedding setting that feels spacious and striking.

What makes Mission House appealing is the amount of freedom it gives you without losing the sense of a well-considered place. It suits weddings of 20 to 80 guests particularly well, with outdoor ceremonies and receptions that make the most of the property’s open setting, while the wider farm also allows scope for larger celebrations of up to 200 guests.

The light-filled farmhouse and private studio sleep up to 17 guests, which means the wedding can begin to feel like time away with your closest people rather than a single day moving at speed. There is space to get ready, space to gather, and space to exhale a little in between.

The feedback around Mission House speaks to that too. Couples describe a venue that allowed them to make the day feel like their own, with support that was thoughtful and responsive behind the scenes. Even when plans had to change because of the weather, the experience still felt intimate and memorable.

CREDITS
Venue @missionhouseweddings + @missionhouseaccommodation
Photographer @burczakweddingphotography
Film @withinfluence_
Florals & Décor @labolasa
Furniture Hire @muirheadshiring
Dresses @che.couture
Suit @suitupsuithire
Hair @kait_hairstylist 
Makeup @promakeupdbn
Stationery @willowandmistdesign
Catering @hamblinscatering
Cake @whiskedcakeryza
Bar @sugarbaroncraftdistillery
Stretch Tent @midlandsstretchtents
Celebrant @jonathanpayne.weddings
Ring @penelopejardinejewellery
Models @irenesmodels
Concept & planning:@marriagemeander

#MarriageMeander #MissionHouse #MidlandsWeddingVenue #KZNWeddingVenue #CurrysPostWedding

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