How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Accommodation: 8 Essential Tips for a Relaxed and Memorable Wedding Weekend
When planning your dream wedding, it’s easy to focus on the dress, the décor, and the venue — but don’t underestimate the power of great wedding accommodation. The right place to stay can turn your celebration into a full wedding weekend experience — one that’s relaxed, joyful, and full of the kinds of moments you’ll remember forever.
Whether you’re hosting your wedding on a farm, at a wine estate, or in the countryside, here are the most important things to consider when booking your wedding accommodation — especially if you want to make space for connection, celebration, and calm before the big moment.
1. Look for Space to Host a Pre-Wedding Gathering
The wedding day itself often goes by in a flash, but a relaxed pre-wedding evening gives you space to breathe, laugh, and connect with your guests before the formalities begin.
Look for accommodation with communal spaces — like lawns, courtyards, wine cellars, or cozy lounges — where you can host a pizza night, welcome drinks, or a casual braai. These events bring everyone together in an informal way, and they help set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Tip: Ask if glassware, crockery, and lawn games are included — it makes planning a breeze!
2. Choose Accommodation That Can Host Close Family and Friends
One of the best things you can do is book accommodation that sleeps your immediate family, wedding party, or a few of your closest friends. Waking up surrounded by your people creates an atmosphere of calm and intimacy.
From spontaneous breakfasts to shared excitement over coffee, these small in-between moments can be just as meaningful as the big ones. It also helps simplify logistics, especially if you’re getting married nearby or on the same property.
3. Stay for Three Nights — Not Just Two
If you can, book a three-night stay instead of the standard two nights. This is one of the most underrated ways to reduce stress and make space for real connection.
Here’s why three nights matter:
• You have time to settle in — no need to rush from travel into setup mode.
• You can host a pre-wedding gathering the night before the wedding, and still have time to rest.
• You won’t be checking out the morning after your wedding, exhausted and rushed. Instead, you can enjoy breakfast, say proper goodbyes, and leave on your own terms.
• You actually get to relax. And that’s a rare gift in the middle of wedding planning.
Many venues that cater to weddings now encourage three-night bookings for this exact reason: it turns your wedding into a full experience, not just an event.
4. Ensure Beautiful Spaces for Getting Ready
Your “getting ready” photos are often some of the most intimate and emotional of the day — so make sure the space you’re staying in is as lovely as the rest of your venue.
Look for rooms with natural light, mirrors, beautiful details, and enough space for you and your bridal party to get ready comfortably. A scenic backdrop — whether it’s a garden, vineyard, or vintage interior — adds to the joy of the morning and makes your photos all the more memorable.
5. Confirm Load Shedding Solutions
Let’s be real — in South Africa, load shedding is a fact of life. But it shouldn’t interrupt your wedding weekend.
Before booking, ask if your accommodation has backup power in the form of solar, inverters, or generators. Reliable electricity means no stress over curling irons not working, guests sitting in the dark, or losing the vibe at your pre-wedding gathering.
6. Understand the House Rules
Weddings often come with moving parts: extra guests, outside service providers, music, and informal gatherings. So it’s important to be clear about the house rules of the property you’re booking.
Ask about:
• Guest limits
• Noise restrictions
• Furniture rearrangement
• Use of shared spaces
• Any event-related fees for small pre-wedding celebrations
The right property will feel collaborative and accommodating, as long as expectations are clear on both sides.
7. Look for On-Site Extras and Thoughtful Touches
Some accommodations go beyond just providing a place to sleep — they offer a full experience. Keep an eye out for extras like:
• Breakfast
• Wine tasting or a stocked honesty bar
• Lawn games like croquet and boules
• Spa treatments or in-house massages
These thoughtful touches create a sense of hospitality that your guests will remember — and they make your job as the bride a whole lot easier.
8. Prioritise Location and Accessibility
It’s ideal if your accommodation is either on your wedding property or very close by. This limits travel stress and makes life easier for your family, your photographer, and your planner.
If the property is set in nature or on a farm, make sure the road access is clear and easy for all vehicles. Also ask about signage for guests, secure parking, and whether early deliveries (flowers, dresses, hair stylists) can be accommodated without a fuss.
Final Thoughts: Your Wedding Accommodation Is More Than Just a Place to Sleep
At its best, your wedding accommodation becomes a home base for joy, connection, and celebration. It’s where you’ll have your first coffee as a married couple, where your mom might help you into your dress, and where you’ll sneak away to breathe during all the wedding-day buzz.
By choosing a space that offers a three-night stay, room for your closest people, areas to gather, and little comforts that make you feel at ease, you’re giving yourself the gift of a wedding weekend that actually feels like yours — calm, warm, and full of meaning.
So if you’re currently looking for the perfect wedding accommodation in South Africa or beyond, keep these essentials in mind. A beautiful space and a few extra nights can make all the difference.
