Q&A: Planning a Vineyard Wedding from Abroad

Some couples dream of a tropical beach wedding. Others crave the vibrance of a city celebration. But for Priya and Jonathan, who both live in London, there was only one vision that felt like them: rolling vineyards, warm golden light, and a long-table dinner under the stars in the South African Winelands.

They chose the stunning Cavalli Estate in Stellenbosch as their wedding venue—a perfect fusion of modern architecture, sprawling vines, and understated elegance.

Planning a wedding from thousands of kilometres away came with its own set of challenges, but this couple handled it with grace (and spreadsheets!). We caught up with Priya for an honest chat about the journey—from Zoom meetings to magical sunsets.

hey chose the stunning Cavalli Estate in Stellenbosch as their wedding venue—a perfect fusion of modern architecture, sprawling vines, and understated elegance.

Planning a wedding from thousands of kilometres away came with its own set of challenges, but this couple handled it with grace (and spreadsheets!). We caught up with Priya for an honest chat about the journey—from Zoom meetings to magical sunsets.

💬 Q: Why the Winelands?

Priya:
“My family is originally from Durban, and Jonathan’s parents are based in Cape Town. We live in the UK now, but we wanted our wedding to feel like a true homecoming. Stellenbosch felt like the perfect middle ground—romantic, warm, and visually breathtaking. We fell in love with Cavalli because it felt modern, but still had that earthy, grounded beauty you only get in South Africa.”

🌍 Q: Was planning from overseas difficult?

Priya:
“It definitely had its moments! The time difference meant I’d often be on calls after work. But we hired a brilliant wedding planner based in Cape Town who handled all the on-site details. And honestly, the Plan My Wedding Africa App saved us. It helped us stay on track with deadlines, compare suppliers, and manage our guest list without any confusion.”

🍾 Q: What were the non-negotiables for your vineyard celebration?

Priya:

An outdoor ceremony with the mountains as our backdrop.

A fusion menu—we served a mix of Cape Malay flavours and modern European cuisine.

A personalised wine tasting table during cocktail hour with our favourite picks from local estates.

“We really wanted the wedding to feel like us—a blend of tradition and modern romance.”

✈️ Q: How did your guests cope with the travel?

Priya:
“We sent out save-the-dates 11 months in advance and created a digital welcome guide through our wedding website. We also used the Plan My Wedding app to share local accommodation tips and itinerary updates. Many guests turned it into a proper holiday—some even did a safari before heading to the coast!”

📝 Q: What’s your advice for other Indian or mixed couples planning a destination wedding?

Priya:

Don’t be afraid to mix cultural elements—our day included a traditional Indian welcome blessing before the Western ceremony.

Trust your vendors—they’re creative and used to working with couples abroad.

Give yourselves room to breathe. We included a welcome braai the night before so we could relax and connect with everyone before the big day.

Focus on experience—not excess. The beauty of the vineyards is already doing so much work for you.

🌄 The Moment That Made It All Worth It?

Priya:
“Walking down the aisle to Jonathan with Table Mountain in the distance and a soft breeze moving through the vines… I remember thinking: This is exactly how I always imagined it.”

Their first dance happened outside under fairy lights, barefoot on the lawn, surrounded by laughter and the scent of jasmine.

Final Thought: You Can Do This Too

Whether you're planning from Birmingham, Brisbane or Brampton—your dream Winelands wedding is absolutely within reach. With the right support, the right tools, and a vision that’s true to you, it’s all possible