Rockhaven Wedding Venue Review

Elgin

Rockhaven Wedding Venue

Rockhaven Wedding Venue counts under our Top 10 Wedding Venues in the Western Cape. It is one of two venues in the Elgin Valley that made it onto our top 10 list, the other one being Old Mac Daddy. This part of the world is truly magical. The mountains, valleys, orchards and farm-style buildings give a tranquility and peace – a perfect setting for a romantic wedding! Rockhaven is only a 75 km drive from Cape Town, but once you go over the Hottentots Holland Mountains, you will feel like you are in a different world!

It will appeal to…

The Rockhaven Farm will appeal to those couples looking for a true earthy and rustic theme – ideal for creatives. Best time of the year to host your wedding at Rockhaven is Summer when the landscape is covered with lush green orchards and vineyards. A bit more risky in terms of rain, but the jackpot in terms of colour and warmth is Autumn with hues for brown, yellow and red – my favourite time of the year at this venue!

Ceremony and Reception

The Boathouse, set on the edge of a dam is a fantastic indoor ceremony venue. It can seat up to 150 guests and can also double up as a smaller reception venue. Characterised by its cement floor, rough brick walls, exposed roof trusses and candy stripe side sun shutters, this venue perfectly embodies the farm-wedding feel. Weather permitting (summer and autumn), outdoor ceremonies can be conducted on the lovely lawn that flows down from the main house and meets the edge of the dam that overlooks the estate. This space is big enough to also host pre-dinner drinks and lawn games while guests wait for the wedding photos to be taken.

Church or chapel alternatives:

Anglican – St Michael & All Angels – Old Cape Road, Grabouw
Catholic – Our Lady of Grabouw – 6 Caledon Street, Grabouw
Dutch Reformed – NGK Grabouw – Hofmeyer Street, Grabouw

The main venue, “The Barn”, an old converted apple shed, is the bigger reception venue of the two, seating up to 150 guests with a dance floor. This space, like the Boathouse, also has a rustic feel, with lots of wooden elements brought in. Even the bar area is made from recycled apple crates. When you combine this unrefined feel with sophisticated elements like crystal chandeliers and fairy lights, the venue is transformed into a fairytale setting. Some couples opt to have an outdoor dance floor – the courtyard, that can form part of the venue when the side doors are opened, is perfect for this! Nothing like partying the night away in the open air with a sky full of stars! An added bonus is that there are no real sound restrictions as the venue is set on a farm with neighbours far enough away to be bothered by your party.

Rockhaven’s venue package includes the barn, boathouse, tables, chairs, umbrellas, heaters, crockery and cutlery for up to 140 guests. The reception area is equipped with rectangular tables 1m by 2.4m.

Catering and Bar Services

Rockhaven is known for their exquisite cuisine and that is one of the reasons they prefer to make use of their in-house catering team. The menu usually consists of pre-drinks and canapes, a main course and then a dessert/cheese plate option.

Rockhaven’s chefs (also the owners) make use of only fresh, local produce, with most of the greenery and veggies cultivated in their organic vegetable garden less than 50m from the Barn.

Unfortunately Rockhaven doesn’t have a liquor licence, but a bar service can be organised upon request. For your wedding reception you also have the option to bring your own drinks without having to pay corkage. The venue hiring doesn’t include staff, so an additional 10% is added to the food bill which then covers the staff.

Photography

Rockhaven is a real playground for photographers. The Barn and Boathouse on the lake together with the vineyards, orchards and natural Fynbos landscape lends so many options and settings. Sunset on the estate gives a golden glow and magical feel.

Accommodation

The Farm House comprises of Rockhaven’s three luxury suites, sleeping 6. Add this to the the other cottages on the farm and you have a place to rest for 14 of your closest friends and family. There are plenty of neighbouring farmhouse accommodation and good quality guest houses in the area as well. Even though the stay is branded self-catering, the owners never stand back to dish up a sumptuous post-wedding day breakfast.