Karkloof Safari Spa was the perfect Karkloof wedding venue for Claudia and Paul, a couple whose love for nature and the outdoors shone through! This untouched part of the Midlands wedding region is truly breathtaking and is one of the most beautiful parts of KZN. Conveniently located between Johannesburg and Durban, the Karkloof area should definitely be a contender for couples looking for a Midlands wedding venue!

The Pre-Wedding Game Drive

The day gently unfolded for Claudia and Paul’s wedding guests as they explored the Karkloof Reserve. They spotted incredible wildlife like rhino, buffalo, giraffe, hippo, kudu, wildebeest, and warthogs. It was the perfect way to immerse everyone in the natural beauty of this Midlands wedding destination!

Spanning 2,800 hectares, the Karkloof Nature Reserve is a private conservation area that includes the breathtaking Karkloof Forest. Once heavily harvested for its hardwoods, it’s story took a new turn in 1983 when the owner leased it to wildlife authorities. Over time, additional farmland, grassland, and wetlands were incorporated, shaping the reserve into the thriving ecosystem it is today.

Now, Karkloof supports rare and fascinating species, including the elusive Karkloof blue butterfly, samango monkeys, bushbuck, crowned eagles, and dwarf chameleons.

Birding enthusiasts are especially in for a treat! The area is home to an incredible variety of birds, from the endangered Cape parrot to the orange ground thrush, red-necked spurfowl, lemon dove, crowned hornbill, and wattled crane. With so much wildlife to admire, this Karkloof wedding was as much an adventure as it was a celebration!

Bridal Prep at Karkloof Safari Wedding Venue

Claudia and her bridal party prepared for the day in one of the Karkloof Safari Spa villas, with wildlife quietly watching from the surrounding bush. Sitting on the deck of the chalet, it truly felt like we were in the heart of the African wilderness… one of the many reasons why this Karkloof wedding was so special. Nature has a way of calming nerves, but even so, a few butterflies fluttered as Claudia’s bridesmaid carefully sewed her into her bodysuit.

During a quick break from the impromptu seamstress duties, I captured one of my all-time favourite bridal silhouettes. In a raw and unfiltered moment, Claudia took a quick puff of someone’s cigarette, holding back her hair. It’s a stunning black-and-white shot that feels effortlessly cool. No posing, no pretence… just a beautiful bride, fully present and experiencing a rollercoaster of emotions on her wedding morning.

A Karkloof Wedding Ceremony at the Hippo Pools

As guests were shuttled down to the hippo pools for the wedding ceremony, we learned ALL about the heat of the KZN plains… and VERY quickly. The vehicle stopped and a curtain of sticky, hot air hit us. With the afternoon sun beating down on the grasslands, it was clear this Karkloof wedding would be as fiery as it was unforgettable.

Thankfully, Claudia and Paul had thought ahead! Refreshing drinks and paper umbrellas were ready for guests – true lifesavers in the sweltering heat.

The way that the game vehicles rolled in the with the bridal party felt like it was straight out of a movie. Framed by the incredible colours of the landscape, Claudia emerged with all of her beauty and nerves, which quickly disappeared as soon as she saw Paul.

After exchanging vows in this wild and beautiful setting, they celebrated in the most fitting way: cracking open beers and planting a tree. Under that relentless sun, even the watching wildlife must have sighed in relief thinking about the future shade. “We want to leave it better than we found it,” Claudia had written to me just a week before. And in that moment, they truly did.

Golden Hour in Karkloof

A thin veil of cloud rolled in at just the right moment – possibly the best gift from nature after the scorching afternoon heat!

As the sun dipped toward the horizon, we set off to explore Karkloof with the bridal party. Bathed in the golden glow of sunset, the landscape looked absolutely breathtaking. The light was pure magic!

And let’s take a second to appreciate the real heroes of the day… block heels! Brides-to-be, if you’re planning an outdoor wedding, take note: block heels are your best friends. Not only do they offer stability, but they’re also way more comfortable for walking through grasslands and uneven terrain.

Then, it was just the three of us, wandering through the wild beauty of Karkloof Reserve. The game vehicle meandered down acacia-lined dirt roads, and splashed through overflowing rivers, and we stopped at every possible spot to take the most beautiful couple photos! At every turn, we found another perfect backdrop!

A Karkloof Bush Lodge Wedding Reception

Claudia and Paul’s Karkloof wedding reception was held on the balcony of the main bush lodge under a canopy of stars. The warm night air carried the sounds of laughter, and the distant calls of the wild. A delicious South African potjie bubbled over the fire for dinner. Everything came together like clockwork to end off this intimate, nature-inspired celebration!

Then came the first dance. Just as guests thought it was over, Claudia suddenly took off running… straight toward Paul. In an epic twist, they PERFECTLY pulled off the famous Dirty Dancing lift to a roar of cheers from the guests. It was a brilliant end to a day filled with adventure and a touch of wild spontaneity!

The incredible people who created this gorgeous wedding:

• Venue: Karkloof Safari Spa
• Decor: Oak Celebrations
• Dress: Ramona Afonso
• Bridesmaids Dresses: Non-European
• Groom’s Suit: Euro Suit
• Stationery: The Exhibitionist

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