Gay weddings in CapeTown
Why is CapeTown so special for gay and lesbian weddings ?
Same sex weddings are legal here in South Africa since 2006. That makes this city an ideal place to be and to get married. Officially, legally, with official marriage officers and all legal necessary documents.
CapeTown has a huge LGBT-community, so seeing 2 men kissing each other or 2 ladies in an intimate embrace is very normal to observe in the city. Nobody looks down, nobody closes his eyes, nobody does revert back. On the contrary everybody is happy to see other people being in love. No care of colour, sex, clothes or whatever.
CapeTown is extremely open to same sex partnerships and absolute tolerant. Have a look on the CapeTown Pride each year. What a wonderful expression of self-confidence and happiness.
Where can you get married ?
Almost everywhere. In South Africa almost all places are okay for a wedding. Beaches, Ocean, Mountains, Nature-Parks, Winefarms, Hotels, Rooftops, Public Gardens. You have the choice. The only detail that needs to be respected is the signing of the documents has to be done under a fixed roof. But that just means organisation: so if you say yes on a beach, sunshine on your faces, wind in your hair, enjoying free spirits, I make a plan to have a table ready in a nearby café or restaurant for the final signature under the official wedding protocol.
When is the best time to get wed ?
Especially for CapeTown I would say all year round. Depending on what temperatures and what weather you are expecting. Nice summer temperatures you can expect between November and April. And if you want to avoid high season, so do not come between 20th of December and 10th of January as this is high season for South Africans to be on holidays. Note that we are not allowed to get beach licences between the 15th of december and the 15th of January.
Why is it so special to get married in CapeTown ?
The atmosphere is fantastic. A very open and welcoming city. Do not expect too much African lifestyle here, much more European oriented and quite organized. But at the same time you see so many people smiling, laughing and just enjoying their lifes.
Combine your wedding with a honeymoon. Either stay in the Cape Region and exploit so many facettes of this wonderful city. Or get married and then set off to the north of South Africa for some Safari Travelling and The Big Five to watch. Or plan a trip from CapeTown to the north by car and enjoy all the different regions, natures, lifestyles that this whole country has to offer.
Is the preparation of wedding documents easy ?
I would say yes, not too complicated. You just need a proof of being eligible to get married, prepared on an international version and being apostilled by your home magistrates. And of course a valid passport with empty pages as you are getting a visa stamp into it once you arrive in South Africa.
Legal Marriage Officers will conduct the legal wedding. Important that they are officially registered. All of them are very open persons, have religious or civil backgrounds. All of them do enjoy their job and elaborate the wedding speeches very individually and with lots of passion. I am proud to have quite a few most requested marriage officers in my portfolio.
So now you just have to think of when you want to get married in CapeTown. Let me know all your questions and I am happy to help you in all aspects of planning your wedding.
Sunny greetings from CapeTown, your Britta, Creative Wedding South Africa
No Comments