The Experience

what to expect

We want your wedding experience to be as unique as your love story, but we also know how helpful expectations are to the wedding-planning process. Here is a general timeline of most of our Ankawini weddings.

FRIDAY
day 1

Arrival of first guests

Generally, the wedding couple arrives at the venue on Friday, along with some of their closest friends and family members. Sometimes, wedding service providers also prefer to arrive on Friday. Check-in is at the Ankawini Pool Bar.

Friday night kuier

The venue is yours for the weekend, so make the most of it! Couples often kuier with their closest friends and family on the night before the wedding. It's usually a bring-and-braai, and the Ankawini Pool Bar will be open to serve you.

SATURDAY
day 2

Breakfast

For guests who booked Friday night accommodation, buffet breakfast is served from 8-10am below the ballroom.

Guest arrival

The rest of your wedding guests arrive throughout the day. Check-in is at the Ankawini Pool Bar.

Clay pigeon shooting

This is a popular pre-wedding morning activity for grooms & groomsmen, friends & family, and even brides & bridesmaids. It must be arranged ahead of time. We usually schedule for 10-11:30am, but these times can be adjusted.

Bridal Suite
Garden Tower

Garden Tower Room 1 is our designated bridal suite, complete with its own private terrace with plenty of natural light. However, our brides can get ready in any room they choose. Most of our brides choose Garden Tower Room 1 or Garden Tower Room 5. Whichever room you choose, you can also order drinks from the bar to be delivered throughout your preparations.

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Groom's Suite
Kudu Bar

Complete with leather couches, leopards, and its own balcony overlooking the venue, the Kudu Bar is the perfect place for boys to be boys. It's great for photo ops, too. And to top it off, you can have drinks from the bar delivered throughout the morning.

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Ceremony
Barn or Riverside

Our most popular ceremony locations are the Barn and the Riverside, but we've had ceremonies in the riverbed and even on the lawn by the pool. The choice is yours.

Stefi + Christiaan | Elizabeth & Wilde Photography

Adriene + Johan | Elizabeth & Wilde Photography

Kristien + Adriaan | Ida Irvine Photography

Nathalie + Manuel | Ida Irvine Photography

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Photo sessions

Use this time to take family and wedding party photos before heading off to your newlywed session. We can pack you a cooler full of drinks and champagne, and we'll even drive for you if you'd like.