There’s something magical about Drakensberg micro-weddings… the quiet calm before the ceremony, breathing in crisp mountain air, and the feeling that the whole world pauses for just a moment. Danel and Stephan’s micro-wedding at Champagne Castle Hotel was exactly that: peaceful, authentic, and full of love.
They found me through Google, and from our very first video call I knew this would be a special day. Both are softly spoken and kind-hearted, and they wanted their wedding to reflect that. They wanted it to be filled with ease and deeply personal… a genuine celebration surrounded by only their family and closest friends.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Hi, I’m Niki M – a wedding and portrait photographer based in Hillcrest, KZN. My work is filled with emotion, unposed moments and real-to-life colour. Photoshoots out in nature and unique outdoor weddings/elopements are my jam. The Drakensberg is truly one of my favourite places to capture them!
Looking for an amazing wedding and portrait photographer in the Drakensberg? Check out my work and reach out to learn more.
A Morning of Calm & Connection in the Drakensberg
When I arrived at Champagne Castle, the mountains were so clear in the morning light that I had to stop for a moment and take it all in. This Drakensberg micro-wedding day was pure autumn perfection: deep blue skies, a light breeze and gentle warmth.
Inside the bridal suite, laughter floated down the hallways as Danel got ready surrounded by all the ladies. There was a quiet joy in the air; everyone moved slowly, taking it in, savouring the moment. Her dress hung by the window.. a tulle gown embroidered with delicate wildflowers, which perfectly suited Danel’s romantic, whimsical style.
It’s mornings like this that remind me why I love photographing small weddings in the Drakensberg. There is so much space for every emotion to unfold naturally, and nothing is rushed.
The Ceremony: Saying “I Do” with Mountain Views
Champagne Castle Hotel has one of the most gorgeous chapels in the Drakensberg, perfect for small weddings and elopements! It is a quaint, glass-fronted A-frame building looking directly onto the peaks. If you are looking for a unique South African wedding ceremony space then this chapel should definitely be on your list!
As Danel’s dad walked her down towards the chapel, golden leaves drifted gently down from the trees outside and the hotel’s horses were let out to wander in the paddock to the side of the chapel. The horses made their way around the chapel and the entire scene looked like it had popped right out of a fairytale.
Stephan later told me that the most beautiful moment from their wedding was watching Danel walk into the chapel. He didn’t elaborate… he didn’t need to.
The True Reason for a Drakensberg Micro-Wedding
In Danel’s words “The love and the joy was the best part! It was such a stress-free love-filled day and we will remember that feeling forever. With it being such a small wedding we were also able to spend so much quality time with each other and with our family before and after the ceremony.”
Family, laughter, and beauty. These are all the things that smaller weddings focus in on. Danel and Stephan wanted as many photos with their family as possible, and I allocated enough time to make sure that happened for them. These are just a few of my favourites!
Couple Photos at Champagne Castle Hotel
Can you just imagine having your wedding portraits with this gorgeous backdrop! Wowwwww! I made sure to schedule a whole lotta time for Danel and Stephan’s portraits, which they were so happy about! There was no rush to be anywhere, after all, the couple had consciously turned their wedding into a “boujee weekend getaway” for their family (in Danel’s words hahaha)! As such, everyone was free to come and go as they pleased.
Photos started when it was still quite bright, so we headed to the shade of the gardens for softer light. Then it was time for a short drinks break and time-out before we headed down to the dam as the sun sank lower. Golden-hour was INCREDIBLE and the autumn light was just perfect.
That’s what I adore about being a Drakensberg photographer — the light here feels alive. If you give it time and patience, it rewards you with something magical.
Danel and Stephan left me the most beatiful review too: “Niki you are such an amazing person to work with. You made us, a VERY photo shy couple, feel relaxed and comfortable and our photos turned out amazing!!! You were also able to capture small moments throughout the day that none of us even noticed. Thank you!”
A Drakensberg Micro-Wedding Celebration Focused on Joy and Family
Inside the dining room, vases filled with local roadside cosmos hand collected by banqueting manager Mohammed (what an incredible human!) filled the table. The cake, painted with tiny floral details, echoed the embroidery on Danel’s dress. Their intimate dinner setup was a perfect reflection of the day’s tone: relaxed, elegant, and full of joy.
Danel and Stephan focused on what matters most to them: each other and their family. There was no big production, just connection. That’s what makes weddings in the Drakensberg so special: it gives people space to breathe and to be present… to simply be.
FAQ’s About Drakensberg Micro-Weddings
Because its glass-fronted chapel, dramatic views, and peaceful atmosphere make it one of the most scenic Drakensberg wedding venues. It’s perfect for intimate, heartfelt celebrations.
Like its name suggests, a micro-wedding is a smaller version of a ‘regular’ wedding. Micro-weddings typically have a guest list of no more than 50 people… usually immediate family and super-close friends only. Micro-weddings are for couples who don’t necessarily want a big event with hundreds of guests, but they don’t want to compromise on experience or smaller details, either. And while a micro-wedding can help you save money in some ways, it’s not about cutting corners. Instead, many couples use the lower guest count to maximise their budget, allocating a large portion to accommodation costs for their nearest and dearest when creating wedding getaway weekends.
Autumn is my favourite season but the Drakensberg is spectacular year-round! I put together a guide called The Best Time for Drakensberg Photography, which you can read here. This will help you choose the season that will match the look of your dream wedding.
The variety! Dramatic peaks, quiet meadows, and incredible light. Whether misty or sun-drenched, the landscape is always an incredible backdrop.
Yes! I regularly photograph weddings, elopements, vow renewals, and family celebrations throughout the Northern, Central, and Southern Drakensberg. You can view more of my photography and get more information here.
Supplier List for Danel and Stephan’s Drakensberg Micro-Wedding
| Venue and Decor | Champagne Castle Hotel | info@champagnecastle.co.za | 036 468 1063 |
| Wedding Dress | Mariska Pfahl Couture | mariska@mpcouture.co.za | 067 688 0736 |
| Cake | Valley Bakery | 036 468 1257 |
| Make-Up and Hair | Sioux Salon | 072 568 4202 |
| Drakensberg Photographer | Niki M Photography | hello@nikim.co.za |
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