Introduction
So you're thinking of getting married in Prince Albert? We're here to tell you that's a stellar idea!
Nestled at the foot of the famed and formidable Swartberg Mountains, on the cusp of the Great and Little Karoo, Prince Albert is a charming little town in South Africa known for its serene landscapes, historic charm, and warm hospitality. Recently highlighted in the Wall Street Journal and generally regarded as one of South Africa's coolest destinations, Prince Albert is gaining recognition for its unique appeal and captivating beauty, making it an ideal destination for your dream wedding. Whether you dream of a rustic farm wedding, an elegant celebration in a historic building, or an intimate gathering in a garden, Prince Albert offers a picturesque and memorable setting for your special day.
Did you know that we lived in Prince Albert for a while? We know the community intimately, so we'd be glad to offer any assistance in this exciting journey! To help you make the most of your big day in Prince Albert, we've decided to put together a resource of everything you need to help you plan the perfect wedding. If there is anything not included in this guide, do pop us an email to ask, or even make suggestions. We'd love to hear from you!
WHY CHOOSE PRINCE ALBERT FOR YOUR WEDDING?
Prince Albert possesses unique charm. It is known for its quaint residents, historic buildings and beautiful landscapes, making it a perfect backdrop for wedding photos. With its semi-arid climate, the town enjoys clear skies and plenty of sunshine, ideal for outdoor weddings. It is also rich in history and culture, so Prince Albert offers a unique experience with its local cuisine, arts, and crafts. The peaceful environment provides a serene atmosphere, perfect for an intimate and relaxed wedding celebration.
BEST TIME TO GET MARRIED IN PRINCE ALBERT
Prince Albert is a popular place for people to visit and to settle down in because the climate, combined with its position at the port of a valley, provides the ideal conditions for abundance. It is largely pleasant and agreeable year-round, and you'll be able to enjoy clear skies and sunshine throughout most of the year. The summers are hot, winters are cold, but with some luck autumns bring plenty of rain, and winter an abundance of snow, feeding the underwater aquifers and creating the ideal conditions Prince Albert enjoys. While the Swartberg Mountain wouldn't stay under its white blanket all year round, it does crawl under there a few times in the good years.
In Spring, from September to November, flowers and mild temperatures make for a lovely backdrop for a wedding. Note that unexpected cold fronts can ruin your plans for an outdoor event during this time, so always have an indoor backup, and make sure to plan for cooler evenings.
The weather is cooler and the autumnal light is stunning from March to May. Generally, the weather is nicest this time of year, although days can still get very hot and the wind can ruin your plans in March, so plan accordingly. This is also typically rainy season, so thunderstorms can provide some dramatic backdrops, but, again, have a backup incase nature decides to play rough.
While summer (December to February) is generally sunny, it can get quite hot, up to 50 degrees Celsius during the day, so plan for an indoor/shaded or late afternoon (after 4PM) ceremony if choosing this season. Also note that a very strong south wind blows virtually every afternoon from November to March and can get surprisingly fresh after the sweltering days, so make sure to plan for this.
Winters in the Karoo are really cold at night, with chilly mornings and evenings, but tend to be lovely during the day. The exception would be cold fronts that blow in either from the west or the south, bringing with it even icier temperatures, unpleasant wind, and sometimes even a drizzle. As always, be prepared, check the weather, have a backup, and don't let the weather thwart your plans.
(Top tip: the camera LOVES "bad" weather.)
TOP WEDDING VENUES IN PRINCE ALBERT
Nestled in the wide open plains of the Karoo, Abrahamskraal Guest Farm offers a rustic and charming setting for your wedding just 30km out of town. With its open spaces and serene environment, it’s perfect for both intimate and larger celebrations.
This culinary school and venue provides a unique and intimate setting for weddings. African Relish combines beautiful surroundings with a gourmet experience, making it ideal for food lovers who want a memorable and delicious wedding.
A historic hotel located in the heart of Prince Albert, the Swartberg Hotel provides a classic and elegant setting for your wedding. With its beautiful architecture and charming gardens, it offers both indoor and outdoor spaces for ceremonies and receptions.
A new kid on the wedding venue block, under new ownership of a couple of world travellers who bring a fresh and contemporary perspective to hospitality and events, this guesthouse provides an elegant boutique backdrop for your destination wedding in Prince Albert.
RECOMMENDED VENDORS
WEDDING PLANNERS
It is with great joy that we can now share a fantastic wedding planner who resides in Prince Albert and knows the community inside and out.
Madri Luttig is a life-long resident of this fantastic community, and has planned and arranged many an event and gorgeous wedding. We can definitely highly recommend her as a Prince Albert Wedding Planner for your big day. She can be reached at +27 (0) 83 383 2591 or email by clicking on her name above.
Photo & Video
Why, us, of course! We used to live in Prince Albert, and in fact, Gita basically grew up there, so we know the area and the community well, and we are always keen to travel because it also gives us a chance to visit our friends in town. Seriously, pick us!
FLORISTS
A local farmer named Marie April grows flowers in tunnels at the Treintjiesrivier Communal Farm Project just outside Prince Albert.
Contact Lazy Lizard to get in touch with her and to find out how you
CATERERS
African Relish/ONS
Offers gourmet catering with a focus on local ingredients and traditional Karoo cuisine.
The Yellow House
Provides a variety of catering options from canapés to full-course meals, all crafted with local flavors.
Local Roots
Run and operated by the Luttig family, superb quality food your guests will remember.
HAIR & MAKE-UP
Hair Stylist: Johanli at She Shed Hair Salon
Make-up: Rachelle at Salon de Belleza
Bridal make-up and beautician: Anel
Alternatively, for hair and make-up artists who will travel from George, we can highly recommend Wilna Allpass, and Donna Taylor.
OFFICIANTS, CELEBRANTS & MC’S
Celebrant: Prince Albert’s owns Story Weaver, Ailsa Tudhope, is also the local celebrant.
Officiant & MC: Baptist Pastor Johannes Masoes +27 (0) 60 343 9212
Officiant: Ds Philip Scholtz +27 (0) 83 665 9973 (Also available to officiate LGBTQ+ unions)
TRANSPORT, SHUTTLE SERVICES & TAXIS
Wedding Car
Cream 1966 Ford: Martin +27 (0) 78 570 9113
Old Land Rovers and possibly a horse-drawn carriage: Pat Hyland +27 (0) 83 654 4184
Black Rolls-Royce available from Bushman Valley
Guest Transport
Billie Taxi +27 (0) 72 337 3149
Van Rooyen Transport +27 (0) 72 337 3149
DJS, SOUND & LIGHTING
Lapklank at PACT (Prince Albert Community Trust)
Arnold McKay +27 (0) 73 111 7355
Our friend, Tony van Wyngaard, also offers sound and DJ. Contact him at 27 (
LOCAL FLAIR
If you want to incorporate some local culture and quirks into your wedding celebration, look no further! Here are some suggestions:
Prince Albert Riel Dancers: get in touch with PACT (Prince Albert Community Trust) to find out how to book them for your wedding entertainment.
Guest Favours: If you want to give your guests something unique as a way of saying thank you, consider supporting the local businesses for your wedding favours.
CHURCHES
NG Kerk (Nederduitsch Gereformeerde Kerk): Steeped in history, this big church in neo-gothic style in the centre of town was built from 1860-65, and makes a beautiful backdrop for a formal, classic ceremony. Contact +27 (0) 23 541 1510.
St John the Baptist Anglican Church: Built from 1895-1896, a charming building in late Victorian Gothic style, lacking a spire. Contact +27 (0) 64 956 6208.
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Prince Albert is a traveller’s delight, with many accommodation options to choose from. You can take your pick on the Prince Albert Tourism website, but here are some truly spectacular establishments we know well. You can find a full inventory of superb guest accommodations here.
FUN ACTIVITIES FOR GUESTS
Swartberg Pass: A scenic drive offering breathtaking views and great photo opportunities.
Historical Walks: Explore the town’s rich history with a guided walking tour.
Star Gazing: The clear night skies of the Karoo are perfect for star gazing.
Sample Local Cheese: Gay van Hasselt started what is now known as Gay’s Guernsey Dairy in 1990 when she started milking three cows in a stone kraal. Sample award-winning cheeses and enjoy local farm-fresh produce.
Visit the Fig Farm: Weltevrede Fig Farm is an icon in the community, and the drive out to the farm follows a scenic route which make their delectable fig tarts under a fig tree well worth it.
Indulge in Art: Prince Albert Gallery is a respected gallery, specialising in artists from the Karoo but at the same time incorporating art in its various forms from all corners of South Africa, sensitively curated by Brent Phillips-White and Mary Anne Botha. Housed in a light, double volume space, the art shines at its fullest potential.
Learn about Ancient Skills: Karoo Souk is a hub of creativity where you’ll find practiced the ancient arts of weaving and metal forgery.
Join a Yoga Class: Both Simply Saffron and Karoo Yoga are excellent options if you want to get your zen on.
Join the Gym: Feel like pumping it up to make up for all the indulgence? Tony runs a small gym from his home. Make sure to contact him to make sure of time slots and space, as this is a popular local pass time.
Visit the Market: The Saturday Market next to the Museum is a community highlight, and locals and visitors alike enjoy coffee, pancakes and all sorts of goodies here every Saturday morning. Well worth the visit to experience the gees of this small town.
Make a Difference: Prince Albert thrives in the cooperation of its community, including several organisations that help make the town a better place.
Visit the Museum: The Fransie Pienaar Museum portrays the cultural and natural history of Prince Albert and the district.
Treat your Tastebuds: Prince Albert has a variety of top-notch restaurants to sample, all using great quality local ingredients.
Catch a Show: The Showroom Theatre is a beacon in Prince Albert, boasting world-class facilities for theatre, cinema, and the arts.
What are you waiting for?
Prince Albert offers a unique and beautiful setting for your wedding, with its charming venues, excellent vendors, and stunning landscapes. By planning ahead and embracing the local culture, you can create a memorable and stress-free wedding experience.
We'd love to hear from you!
Share your wedding planning experiences or ask any questions by contacting us via email. For more tips and resources on planning your wedding, check out our related posts.
