When I think of a winter wedding in South Africa there are quite a few different themes that come to mind:

• Going for a white wonderland with abundant fairy lights, candles and crystals hanging everywhere.

• or you could go for more earthy SA colours, with coppers, dusty oranges, rich reds, gold and chocolate brown. Maybe with an attached African theme.

A good idea is to keep the ceremony indoors, as the Kalahari's winter weather can be quite unpredictable. Follow the service up with an late afternoon or early evening reception at a fire place or mushroom-stand heated venue. Have throws neatly arranged for guests that are still a little cold or whom forgot their coats.

Another bonus to having a winter wedding is the great menu options. You can indulge in traditional comfort food of roasts with traditional vegetable dishes, hot soups and baked desserts. For example: light curried sweet potato soup or Thai chicken and coconut soup as starters. For mains you could go for roasted beef fillet with rosemary, sun-dried tomato and mushroom stuffing or slow roasted Lamb shanks with creamy parmesan polenta or wild mushroom risotto and rich wine reduction or brandy cream sauce. Decadent desserts are a must with choices of chocolate fondant pudding with a hazelnut anglaise or vanilla pod malva pudding with a twist of amarula ice cream and cinnamon tuile, the options are endless. Wedding cakes could be a beautfiul traditional fruit cake or a white chocolate mousse extravaganz.

For a special touch, why not serve your guests with a warm welcome drink such as spiced wine or sherry. And after dinner why not do 'cigars and cognac' at the bar for the gents and 'port and biscotti' for the ladies by the fireplace.

Play with fun and original ideas for your party favours. Why not give guests a tin filled with spiced hot chocolate mix and mini marshmellows or for the ladies a mini (50ml) bottle of our Heavenly Chocolate Liqeuer and for the gents a small bottle of Bezalel 5 year Potstilled brandy, tagged with a personalized 'thank you' note.

Bezalel Estate will be offering a winter special, on our Formal Hall, during the months of July to September.

Call us for further information @ +27 (0)54 - 491 1325 or via the Contact Page.