Want the best destination for same-sex marriages in South Africa? Check out this list of LGBTQI+-friendly wedding venues near you.
In 2017, the wedding between a South African couple, Alexandra Thorne and her partner Alex Lu, was brought to a halt after authorities at a wedding venue learned they were members of the LGBTQI community.
The destination for this nuptial was the Coia de Villiers (the Beloftebos farm, which Coia and Andreis de Villiers own), and per Washintonblade, the management told the couple the venue does not host same-sex marriages.
There were mixed reactions from South Africa’s LGBTQ community following the incident, and shortly after, the wedding venue east of Cape Town announced it would no longer host weddings.
The publication also mentions that another same-sex couple, Megan Watling and Sasha-Lee Heekes, in January 2020 had a similar experience and approached the South Africa Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), which brought de Villiers before the Equality Court for discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
South Africa, as you know, is one of the most forward-thinking countries when it comes to same-sex relationships and weddings. But you wouldn’t want to experience such nightmares on your big day. This calls for the search for LGBTQI-friendly venues in the Rainbow Nation.
When looking for an LGBTQI venue, expect to face some hardships, with some venues refusing to hold such events. However, in this article, JanaTribe will share with you a list of LGBTQI-friendly outdoor wedding venues in South Africa.
A brief overview of same-sex marriage in South Africa
On November 30, 2006, South Africa became the first African country to legalize same-sex marriage, with a constitution that also protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
In fact, gay and lesbian marriage (best known as a civil union or civil partnership) is recognised in the Rainbow Nations’ constitution as one of the three types of marriage. The remaining two are civil and customary marriages.
A bill was also introduced in 2018 to criminalize hate crimes and hate speech. The law stipulates that marriage can only be considered legal if it is conducted in legalized places.
In 2020, South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa passed into law the Civil Union Amendment Act, which prohibits marriage officers from refusing to conduct same-sex marriages.
While civil unions are commonly associated with same-sex couples, they can also be formed by opposite-sex couples. Civil union marriages have the same rights, responsibilities, and legal consequences as civil marriages.
The best LGBTQI-friendly wedding venues in South Africa
Although LGBTQI members in South Africa enjoy the same rights and protection as couples of opposite sexes, there are limited options for them when it comes to venues and destinations for their weddings.
This is because this is a new regulation that was not part of them until its legalisation in 2016, and still many people and places do not have their doors wide open to accommodate them.
Below, JanaTribe has gathered a few destinations that members of the LGBTQI community can consider for their marital bliss.
These wedding venues South Africa has for LGBTQI will guarantee you the privacy, security, and comfort you need as you get to enjoy the day.
1. Babylonstoren
Babylonstoren is a working farm with a magnificent garden, farm-to-table restaurants, a hotel, a spa, and a winery.
Babylonstoren is one of the oldest Cape Dutch farms. It has a fruit and vegetable garden of beauty and diversity, unique accommodations, fine food and wine, and a sense of well-being.
With the Simonsberg, Du Toitskloof, and Franschhoek mountains as a backdrop, Babylonstoren’s garden is majestic.
Dating back to 1692, the fortunes of this historic fruit and wine farm took a turn ten years ago when it fell under the gaze of former magazine editor Karen Roos. Her passion for historic Cape Dutch style led to an authentic yet contemporary restoration that projects the farm into the future.
This location is one of the LGBTQI-friendly wedding venues in South Africa.
Almost 300 fruit and vegetable plants spread across eight acres of the vast farm hotel are typically harvested and given to visitors as they enjoy their stay.
Along with harvesting berries, the couple can enjoy walks on the expansive farm and the company of magnificent birds, bees, and gravity-fed streams.
2. Cape Heritage Hotel
Situated in Heritage Square in the heart of Cape Town, the Cape Heritage is a boutique four-star hotel that is historic and contemporary; intimate and lively; and stylish and cozy.
Originally built in 1771, the hotel has 17 individually decorated bedrooms, which not only retain the charm of the past but are also equipped with an array of modern comforts.
The hotel opens out onto a courtyard that houses the oldest living grapevine in South Africa, thus giving you a chance to sample the best wine as you enjoy your occasion.
This hotel is in town, giving you free access to street life, fine dining, shopping, and business precincts.
Per Ellgeebe, they offer the best site for a gay or lesbian wedding.
3. Mount Nelson, A Belmond Hotel | Luxury Resorts in Cape Town
Image Source: Instagram.com belmondmountnelsonhotel
Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel is a luxury hotel situated in the Gardens neighborhood of inner-city Cape Town in a garden estate overlooked by Table Mountain.
The iconic ‘pink lady’, which has been captivating visitors since 1899, is the beating heart of Cape Town.
It is one of the LGBTQI member-friendly wedding venues in South Africa. This hotel has held an LGBTQI+ tourism convention in the past and has a long history of membership in the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association, per Briefly.
This location is celebrated for its prime location and sumptuous amenities. Guests are enveloped in a sophisticated atmosphere, complete with elegant decor and live music, highlighting the hotel’s historic charm.
They have a friendly staff that will assist you with anything from gifting you flowers to capturing moments with photos.
A review on TripAdvisor gives a shortcoming of using this place. For some visitors, the dining can occasionally lag.
However, the rooms are described as spacious and well-maintained, complementing the high level of service. The meticulous cleanliness and personalized attention often leave travelers feeling indulged.
Their locations can accommodate up to 400 people. This is the ideal location to search for lesbian wedding inspiration.
4. Valverde Eco Hotel Wedding Venue
Valverde Eco Hotel is a wedding venue in the Cradle. You are promised a memorable nuptial, green conferencing, and great dishes.
If you are searching for an outdoor wedding venue of your dreams that is LGBTIQ-friendly, look no further than the Eco Hotel near Lanseria or Muldersdrift.
Staff at this facility, which is close to Lanseria, talk and understand their clients fluently. They have a reputation for regularly providing same-sex ceremonies, and once upon a time, some couples requested a naked ceremony, which they conducted.
Also, they know how to tolerate discrimination while allowing couples to express who they are.
In addition to hosting, they provide gay wedding planning ideas, so you can add color and flair to your celebration without sacrificing anything.
5. Shepstone Gardens
According to their website, Shepstone Gardens proudly welcomes lesbian couples with open arms and a warm heart. They go on to say that it is a great honor for them to support the gay, lesbian, and LGBTQIA+ community, and we love that! Shepstone Gardens is located at 12 Hope Rd., Johannesburg, Gauteng.
6. De Uijlenes
De Uijllenes is a rustic farm and forest wedding venue that is lesbian-friendly, according to its website. They are located in Gansbaai, 7220, on Grootbos Road in the Western Cape.
7. Hogsback Country Weddings
According to their website, the warm & embracing local culture of Hogsback, together with its enchanting natural beauty, makes it a very popular wedding destination for LGBTQ weddings. They are located at 42 Main Road, Hogsback, Eastern Cape.
8. The Nut Farm
The Nut Farm is an exquisite LGBTQ+-friendly wedding venue, set in the heart of a pecan nut orchard in Hartebeespoort. They are located in Plot R33a, Remhoogte, Skeerpoort, Hartebeespoort, 0232
9. Leopard Lodge
Featuring stunning views of the Magaliesberg Mountain Range and Hartbeespoort Dam, Leopard Lodge is a proudly gay-friendly venue.
10. Mount Amanzi
Mount Amanzi is the perfect place to have your happily ever after, whether it is an indoor wedding where the venue becomes your canvas or a picnic in the stunning natural surroundings of the mountain, the river, or the majestic Magaliesberg Mountain in the distance, with your guests enjoying bubbly and craft beer on picnic blankets in the sun or under the stars.
FAQs
What is an SIS person?
SIS is also abbreviated as CIS or a cisgender person. This is a term for people whose gender identity matches the sex that they were assigned at birth. For example, someone who identifies as a woman and was assigned female at birth is a cisgender woman.
What is the full meaning of LGBTQI?
The LGBTQI meaning of each letter is: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex.
What does the P in LGBT stand for?
It simply stands for pansexual. To be pansexual or omnisexual is to have an emotional and sensual attraction towards others, regardless of their gender. Do intersex males have periods? This happens only when they have a fully functional menstrual womb.
What does LGBTQI+ mean?
This stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and intersex. Plus (+) stands for any other sexual identities that may include asexual, omnisexual, and pansexual.
What does the i stand for in LGBTQIA+?
The I stands for Intersex. Refers to people born with several variations in sex characteristics, including chromosomes, gonads, sex hormones, etc.
Do same-sex couples make fit parents?
The vast majority of scientific studies that have directly compared lesbian and gay parents with heterosexual parents have consistently shown that same-sex couples are as fit and capable parents as heterosexual couples and that their children are just as psychologically healthy and adjusted. For instance, one recent study found that children of same-sex couples do just as well in school as children of heterosexual couples, and these children are equally popular among their peers.
Why is marriage so important?
Marriage bestows economic and social support on couples in committed relationships, which can result in substantial health benefits. Researchers have found that married men and women generally experience better physical and mental health than comparable cohabiting couples. Additionally, same-sex couples in legal unions are more likely to remain in a committed relationship than those denied marriage rights.
Which countries still don’t allow same-sex marriage?
Same-sex marriage remains illegal throughout much of Eastern Europe, Africa (except for South Africa), and Asia (except for Taiwan).
What percentage of marriages in the UK are same-sex?
Same-sex marriage was legalised in England and Wales in March 2014, Scotland in December 2014, and Northern Ireland in 2020.
According to Pew Research Center, in 2020, same-sex marriages accounted for 3.3 per cent of marriages in England and Wales, 3.5 per cent in Scotland, and 4.2 per cent in Northern Ireland.
In 2021, 0.2 per cent of people in the UK were in a same-sex marriage and 0.1 per cent were in a same-sex civil partnership, according to ONS figures reported by the Guardian.
