Choosing a wedding venue is a decision of considerable significance. Not only have Nico and I been faced with choosing a venue that “suits us”, we’re faced with an even bigger obstacle… wedding venue prices! Aaaaaaaaahhhh! It’s almost enough to make one run for the hills screaming. Almost.

Two weeks into “the engagement” Nico and I took our first official step towards wedding organising. We attended the Bridal Expo at Oakfield Farm. We were quite chuffed at how organised we had become, with our foresight and wedding mag tear-outs. We were prepared for this momentous occasion…My, what a bewildering and overwhelming experience. You just don’t have a clue what the wedding industry is like until you become entangled in the midst of it. Photos, venues, designers, invitations, table settings, wedding transportation mechanisms, dresses, dresses, dresses, makeup artists, lingerie, dresses… it’s said to be a multi-billion rand industry, and it’s not hard to believe!

We left with flyers, business cards, a bridal library magazine and DVD, and a brand new outlook on the oncoming months’ planning.

Whilst on the “Wedding Mile” we took the opportunity of looking at a few venues. Wow… there are some awesome places out in Muldersdrift, priced at varying degrees of expensive. Well ok, people don’t go into business for charity’s sake and there is money to be made in weddings… I just wish the money in my budget wouldn’t add up so fast!

As I mentioned previously, money is not the only hurdle. another, almost as daunting, is making that decision. Choosing THE VENUE. Somehow I didn’t think that we’d have to make that choice quite so soon, but having chosen a date in June (this year), we really don’t have much time! Will it be a friend or relative’s garden (should there be a kind soul willing to offer), Casalinga, Avianto, Toadbury Hall, The Westcliff, Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens, or some other place someone suggests?