Victoria Falls: The Perfect Wedding Destination

VICTORIA FALLS:

The Perfect Wedding Destination [ WRITER / PHOTOS: Sarah Kerr ]

Victoria Falls provides an incredibly beautiful and romantic setting in which to celebrate a wedding. The aptly named city on the Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi River offers almost guaranteed sunshine, incredible venues and a wonderful destination for guests to holiday in. Aside from the waterfall, the area is known for its abundant natural beauty. Victoria Falls is surrounded by national parks and wildlife such as elephants and warthog frequent the quaint streets of the small city. As it is a tourist centre it is structured to support groups from two people to over a thousand with a diverse range of accommodation and venues at varying price points.

The Zambezi provides a natural structure to life in Victoria Falls with the river functioning as the beating heart of the city. Nature’s centrepiece, the magnificent Victoria Falls, is near the city centre. Its great presence is always felt, with the gentle roar of tumbling water audible throughout the suburbs on a quiet night.

In this article I follow the Zambezi Rivers path from upstream to downstream, exploring some of the standout venues in which to celebrate your union as we travel.

We begin upstream, in the beautiful wilderness of Zambezi National Park, where the peaceful and wide waters of the Zambezi River flow slowly but steadily toward Victoria Falls as if drawn by a magnet. Within the Park, you can have the quintessential African bush experience and begin your new life together surrounded by baobabs, bush and passing elephants.

Rustic venue sites within the Park offer a wealth of untainted bushland and riverside venues. You can pick your backdrop and have a professional events company create the venue of your dreams. Professional organisers can bring in anything you desire to create your signature style. From Bedouin tents, white linen tablecloths to crystal chandeliers, you can be assured of perfect ambience within the pristine bush.

Accommodation options here offer an all-inclusive safari experience. Victoria Falls River Lodge is a wonderful choice and offers wildlife viewing opportunities and easy access to the city. Luxurious suites showcase a successful ‘marriage’ of materials. Canvas, glass, timber and thatch come together in open and airy rooms that are replete with private plunge pools and uninterrupted views of the River and bushland. Or you can choose to stay in city and have your ceremony and reception in Zambezi National Park. It’s an easy drive away from Victoria Falls City.

As it leaves the National Park the Zambezi’s waters flow past boats and tranquil riverside venues as they gather speed. The river’s edge venue options become more manicured.

For an elegant and luxurious experience, the Queenslander inspired architecture of the new Palm River Hotel just four kilometres from Victoria Falls is ideal. Here you can have the bride arrive by boat and marry in beautiful gardens in dappled sunlight while the sounds and sights of the river enhance the ambience. There is a beautiful and grand on-site dining space and two stylish bar options that both take advantage of the dreamy setting. A private villa is a perfect option in which to host the bridal party or the newlyweds. Just downstream from the Palm River Hotel, three kilometres from the Falls, you can wed on the scenic, palm-lined lawns of the Pure Africa waterfront. The company’s luxury cruise boats depart from the waterfront and post-ceremony you can depart on a two-hour sunset cruise before returning to a fully set reception tent sparkling with fairy lights. With a wedding planner on the staff, you can be sure each detail will be taken care of.

For the ultimate Robinson Crusoe experience, choose from one of the beautiful wooded islands amid the Zambezi River. These offer a truly unique and wild

experience. As they are undeveloped you will require the help of an event planner to create a ceremony and reception venue on-site, similar to within Zambezi National Park.

Finally, the waters reach the precipice; the magnificent world wonder of Victoria Falls. This is surely the ultimate backdrop to your special day. A small area of The Victoria Falls Rainforest National Park can be booked and cordoned off for the ceremony only, or you can take photographs here after a ceremony elsewhere. The mystical atmosphere within the rainforest and standing next to the kilometrelong waterfall is indescribable. The Falls are both spectacular and transformative. The Zambezi’s waters go from calm and wide above the Falls into a violent force that rushes through the wild beauty of the rocky and rugged canyon below. Along the edge of the gorge below the Falls, a few lovely venues take advantage of the vista it offers. Closest to the Falls downstream lies The Lookout Café. The Lookout is a modern structure that confidently cantilevers above the 100-metre high gorge. The Zambezi rushes dizzyingly below and the views of the historic Victoria Falls Bridge and the spray from the Falls are simply spectacular. There are plenty of Instagrammable décor moments and the space is a fantastic reception venue while the on-site kitchen and bar areas make it an easy choice. Around the next bend of the gorge, lies the unique heritage of the oldest venue in town. The grand colonial spaces of the 103-yearold Victoria Falls Hotel cannot be beaten for grandeur and class. The hotel has a unique chapel, beautiful lush gardens and a special old-world atmosphere. The architecture of the hotel was carefully planned to overlook the magnificent Victoria Falls Bridge and the magnificent spaces make for incredible photographic opportunities. With three dining venues, an on-site spa and hairdresser, and multiple outdoor spaces they can confidently cater for large and glamorous events. A bonus is that your guests can stay at the hotel. Ten kilometres downstream from the Falls lies the Elephant Camp and the Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary, set on a private concession within the Victoria Falls National Park,. The camp has breathtaking views of the spray from the Victoria Falls and the gorge. You can have an open-air ceremony at the top of the magnificent and steep canyon and the bride, groom and guests can ethically interact with the elephants in the sanctuary during the photo session of the day. The 12 luxurious and romantic tented suites each have a private plunge pool and offer the perfect space for a small group. From here the Zambezi flows ever onward, passing over the rocky bed of the gorge before widening and slowing, an everchanging but constant and sustaining force. The perfect metaphor for a marriage. There are many other places in which to celebrate your union but few as fitting and romantic as along Africa’s great river near the Victoria Falls.

Sarah is available for weddings, family and other portrait photography. sarahkerr.sk@gmail.com

Venues Mentioned • Victoria Falls River Lodge. www.victoriafallsriverlodge.com • The Palm River Hotel. www.palmriverhotel.com • Pure Africa Waterfront. https://pure.africa • The Lookout Café. www.thelookoutcafe.com • Victoria Falls Hotel. www.victoriafallshotel.com • The Elephant Camp. www.theelephantcamp.com • Victoria Falls Event Planners • Louise Nielsen at Victoria Falls Occasions. http://vicfallsoccasions.com