Why Elope in Cape Town? | The Magic of a Cape Town Elopement

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A Cape Town elopement can mean exchanging vows on a mountain, on a beach, overlooking the ocean or somewhere entirely unexpected. But for me, the real magic of eloping in Cape Town isn’t simply the scenery. It’s the feeling of being completely inside the experience.

Words can sometimes flatten the deepest emotions or pin them down like wild butterflies stunned out of magnificent flight, flimsy souvenirs of what moved and coloured air like silk.

I’ve been thinking about how to capture the magic of elopements, and this line about what moved and coloured air like silk conveys how difficult that is.

Let me have a go at it, though…

Many foreign couples have their hearts set on eloping in Cape Town but they’re not sure where to start because they don’t have local knowledge nor insight into service providers (other than on social media). 

There's nothing better than being barefoot on the beach... Or wait, being bare foot on a beach in Cape Town after just marrying the love of your life

Some of my favourite places for couples to exchange vows are situated along Clarence Drive and Chapmans Peak Drive. 

Why do elopements feel different?

Many wedding venues offer incredible views. What sets an elopement apart is that you’re in the view. You’re not looking at it from a distance; you’re standing in it.

I think that’s true of many aspects of elopements. There is very little distance between you and the experience.

Elopements allow for presence. They slow things down enough for spontaneity, fun and magic to find their way in.

Let me tell you a little story…

In November 2020, I was walking on top of one of the seven wonders of the world, Table Mountain (subtle boast), alongside a really close friend and photographer. We were both feeling rather giddy about the fact that we get paid to do what we would happily do for free.

A couple of hours before we left for the cable car, one of the brides messaged me to ask if I could possibly bring some capers and anchovies with me.

You see, their families were already at the mountain cottage. We would be the last to arrive and, therefore, the last hope of rescuing dinner that evening: lamb chops on the braai. The ingredients were crucial to the couple’s signature marinade.

So up the mountain we went, capers and anchovies in tow.

After the ceremony, the champagne sabrage, the dried heather confetti, and staying out a little later than we had anticipated for photographs because it was just that good, I found myself sitting in a stone cottage among the brides’ family, enjoying a home-cooked meal and knowing that I had just made lifelong friends.

(For the record, you don’t have to be lifelong friends with us at the end of your elopement. Friends though — yes. Contractually, clause 12.4.5 insists upon it.)

But the point of the story is that I, rather selfishly, love elopements because I get to be in the celebration rather than on the periphery of it.

And I think this is true for couples too.

How’s this for an exquisite spot to exchange your vows?

Please note that the confetti used in this image is dried fynbos.

In the golden light after eloping at the top of Table Mountain

Eloping as two foreigners in Cape Town

Eloping: being part of it all

Big weddings are wonderful when your friends throw them. You’re surrounded by good people and good food and good music… What’s not to love?! But when you’re at the centre of those big, expensive parties, it too often comes with stress. A lot of it.

Elopements don’t come with strict schedules (other than the golden setting sun, which we insist you bathe in!). You don’t have to worry about five hundred different family-photo combinations or making sure you’ve said hello to every guest.

(For the record, there are no guests at an elopement. Those who are there, if you choose to have them, are part of it all. That distinction matters.)

Okay, so I think I’ve managed to convince you to elope — something you were already sold on before you started reading this — so we can move on now…

You may be wondering: why not simply put together your own tailored elopement with the photographer you love, the make-up artist you adore, and the florist who made that exquisite bouquet you saw in June 2023?

Because an elopement is more personal than it is tailored.

We want to protect you from doom scrolling. From getting lost in the details. From decision fatigue. From anything that takes you away from the beautiful, personal and very simple truth that you want to spend the rest of your lives together — and you want to celebrate that fact.

And the other reason we put elopement teams together is because we like working together. That may sound like a small thing, but it isn’t. Elopements rely on the energy of the individuals involved. That’s principally the couple, sure, but it includes everyone gathered. That’s a long way of saying: we’re fun and we’ve done this many times and, sjoe, but do we know some hidden Cape Town gems.

The joy of an elopement in Cape Town is that you get to sit in spots like this one, while still feeling the pulse of the city and the people that call it home

The wonderful thing about an elopement in Cape Town is you get to do things on your own terms – no rushing, no obligations, no fanfare or fuss, no agendas, no tight schedule.

The magic of an elopement

And, as a last nod to elopements, there’s that giddy feeling I described en route to that cottage in 2020. I find that couples feel it too, only a thousandfold.

Because when you pick a mountain or a beach or a viewpoint to elope on, and you finally arrive at this long-anticipated moment and you’re awed by everything around you, inside you and, most importantly, by the human beside you, you will feel giddy too. A little dose of disbelief.

How is it that we get to do this, here?

Therein lies some magic.

Eloping in Cape Town means you can soak up the golden sunset light and be seated at an exquisite restaurant an hour later

If you look at this image you’ll see the “bokeh” on the left of the bride – those are houses in Camps Bay. One of the wonderful things about eloping in Cape Town is that there is breathtaking scenery very close to the city which means you can be in the golden light for photographs and still make it to one of Cape Town’s incredible restaurants to celebrate

Start planning your Cape Town elopement

Now that you’re sold on eloping in Cape Town, you’re probably wondering about the requirements to get your legally married in South Africa. You can find a detailed breakdown of the paperwork needed here. To get you a little excited about Cape Town and all that it has to offer, follow Secret Cape Town here.

As mentioned a little earlier, an elopement should be personal rather than tailored. Focus on your vows instead of puzzling over whether you have the right documentation. Make the big decisions quickly so that you don’t have to trawl through the feeds of Cape Town’s 266 wedding photographers to find the “one”.

You chose to elope in Cape Town because you want to start your marriage with an epic adventure. Don’t let that adventure become another to-do list.

Elope on one of Cape Town's incredible secluded beaches

I’m not trying to boast but I’m rather lucky… Now I can’t promise you’ll have good weather on the day of your Cape Town elopement but what I can say is that every time I’ve done an elopement at this secret location, I have been blessed with phenomenal sunsets.

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Personal wedding ceremony in Cape Town

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What kind of ceremony are you looking for?

I’ve lead hundreds of personal wedding ceremonies in Cape Town. It follows that I’ve spoken to hundreds of couples about what kind of wedding ceremony they want. Most couples, in my experience, know what they don’t want rather than what they want. They don’t want a traditional ceremony. They don’t want it to be religious or stiff. They want it to reflect the two of them and their love. How exactly will it represent them as a couple? On that, they’re unsure. That’s where I come in. I present couples with ideas for their ceremony to see what resonates most with them.

Although we will take care to create a personal and meaningful ceremony ‘script’, some of the most beautiful moments of your ceremony will come as a surprise: the way your laugh as your love struggles to get the ring on your finger; the seagull crying out just as your exchange your vows; the gust of wind as you remember and honour a late loved one

How to create a personal wedding ceremony in Cape Town?

I strive to create ceremonies that reflect the essence of a couple and their love. I collect personal snippets from in-person or online meet-ups. I also gather beautiful details by sending questions to each partner. In this way I get a sense of the routines and traditions and interactions that make up their everyday. I also get a feel for their adventures – small ones like mountain walks on Saturday mornings and big bold ones like trips to far-flung corners of the world. I weave these details into the ceremony.

The result is a personal wedding ceremony in Cape Town or wherever you chose to exchange your vows.

With that said, as unique as we want the ceremony to be, we don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There are certain touchstones that are beautiful and, frankly, expected in a ceremony. The classic “I do”s and the pronouncement are examples of these key ceremony markers.

The ancient tradition of getting married

Although I place importance on learning about each couple and the comings and goings of their lives together, I have come to understand that a ceremony is different from a speech. Yes, a ceremony must reflect each couple, but it also serves a more important purpose: It must deliver a message. Wedding ceremonies should, in my opinion, connect the couple to the ancient tradition that they have chosen to partake in. It must acknowledge that they are entering into a union which so many others have chosen to enter into before them. For this reason, my “services” emphasize the power of ceremonies and why we pause on a wedding day to create ceremony.  My ceremonies also lean on rituals and “ceremonies with the greater ceremony” to give the moment the gravitas it deserves.

The warming of the rings ritual is one of the ‘ceremonies within the greater ceremony’ you can incorporate into your ceremony to bring meaning and gravitas to the moment

Other elements that bring a personal element to ceremonies

Let’s talk about vows. There is nothing more personal in a wedding ceremony than a couple exchanging personal vows. I encourage couples to write and say their own vows.

Of course, some couples are not comfortable with speaking in public or they believe that vows are, by nature, personal and should only be exchanged between the two of them. I completely understand and respect this decision. There are lots of different ways to exchange vows – you can exchange letters in the ceremony or take a moment before or after the ceremony to read your vows in private.

Since I’m legally obligated to, I always ask vows in the form of questions so that each partner has to answer with “I do” or “I will”. When a couple opts to do personal vows then I tend to keep my formal as simple as is required. However, where a couple chooses not to do personal vows, I lean on the vows in the form of questions (asked by me to each couple) to add depth and beauty to the promises that they are making to each other. A couple can also choose to personalise these questions thereby making the vows particular to them and their relationship.

A handfasting ceremony – one of the oldest werdding traditions in the world – is a way to honour the role your community plays in your relationship and in your lives

Incorporating meaningful readings

Choosing readings that speak to you as a couple is another way to make the ceremony unique to the two of you. I usually send couples a document with poems and pieces of writing that I have collected and that I love. I often say that I’m not precious about these readings – you don’t have to choose one of mine. In fact, I encourage you to go looking for other poems (and perhaps even song lyrics) that reflect your love and will add meaning to your ceremony.

I’ve been part of ceremonies where friends of the couple come up and sing (I just love this!) and the songs replace traditional readings. I’ve had loved ones do a “flashmob” reading where the piece of writing is divided into eight parts and they stand up (one after the other) to read their section of the poem (much to the delight of the others gathered).

Here two loved ones shared a reading that the couple specifically chose for their ceremony

Ready to start planning a personal wedding ceremony in Cape Town?

I hope I’ve given you a sense of some of the ways you can make your ceremony your own. I haven’t even spoken up the song you chose to walk down the aisle to or the celebratory song you choose to usher in the end of the ceremony and the beginning of the party.

Whether you’re planning a big wedding or an intimate elopement, I’d love to talk to you about your ceremony and your love and how to best honour it in front of your loved ones. Reach out to me: marriageofficerlara@gmail.com

Incorporating heirlooms or objects that have special meaning to you and your loved ones is yet another way to make your ceremony meaningful

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Eloping in Cape Town: What you need to know

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A Case for Eloping in Cape Town

In the midst of my work, I sometimes wonder, how on earth am I being paid to do this? This “work” is that good – that spectacular. I get to stand barefoot on far-flung beaches as the sun dips below the Atlantic listening to couples exchange vows! I get to traipse around the side of a mountain among proteas looking for the perfect ceremony spot. It still astonishes me. I feel a deep sense of grateful whenever I marry couples – be it a small no frills legal signing or at a lavish wedding. But I feel that gratitude most when I’m part of elopements.

Elopements allow couples to focus on what really matters: The two of them. Without all the fanfare, it’s easier for couples to be present. It has the same effect on me as the celebrant. I’m less rushed; less distracted – fully there with you in the moment.

Tip for eloping in Cape Town: Time your ceremony and photography so that you and your person soak in golden hour in one of the most beautiful places in the world

Wild or gorilla elopements take place in the great outdoors – just you, your person and the wilderness (and, if you’ll have us, a celebrant and photographer)

What kind of ceremony would we have if it’s just the two of us?

One of the great joys of eloping? You get to decide how to celebrate and how to mark the occasion. This is true of the ceremony, too. Should you say personal vows? That’s entirely up to you (although my personal opinion is that it is so exquisitely beautiful when you do).

As with all ceremonies, I provide a lot of guidance when it comes to creating your elopement ceremony. Most couples have a clear idea of what they don’t want rather than what they do. That’s okay – that’s why you’re talking to me. My take: The ceremony is as special (if not more so) when it is just the two of you. The advantage of not having an audience is that there’s way less pressure to perform. You get to look inward and decide what you want as a couple.

There are beautiful elements of ‘traditional’ ceremonies that lend structure to more unconventional ceremonies. That said, I’m also very comfortable breaking out of the mould incorporating other rituals into the ceremony. The best ceremonies strike a balance between the gravitas that such a momentous day calls for, and leaving room for lightness and fun.

Your ceremony should reflect your love story and the two of you as individuals and how your unique qualities match one another

The most important part of eloping: Breathe. Be present with your love. Soak in the moment so that you can return to it in the years to come.

Don’t forget to have FUN! Yes, this is a huge moment in your lives. Yes that significance should be honoured. But there should always be room for spontaneity and connection

Choosing a location when Eloping in Cape Town

Cape Town spoils couples, offering plenty of incredible locations for elopement ceremonies. A lot of couples really want to start their marriage off with an adventure in the great outdoors. I call these “wild elopements” or a “gorilla elopements”. They are not interested in a lot of bells and whistles. They want an extraordinary backdrop and an personal and intimate ceremony – that’s about it. Spots like Signal Hill (not the viewpoint but a location a bit before it); Clifton 4th; Scarborough; Chapmans Peak; Clarence Drive are ideal for this kind of celebration. Dress up, bring a bottle of champagne and follow the Google Maps pin to our chosen viewpoint. Cue the magic!

Accommodation doubling up as a ceremony spot

Other couples want the security of a venue (especially if the weather turns and they need a plan B). Because elopements are, by definition, small celebrations, airbnbs work really well for elopements. This way couples secure accommodation and a location that could serve as aceremony spot too. If you’d like some inspiration – have a look here and here .I must warn you though, after looking through some of the options available, your hearts will be set and there will be no turning back.

Find exquisite and little-known spots in and around Cape Town to celebrate the beginning of your marriage in style

What about a photographer, florist and make-up artist?

You opted for an elopement to dodge decision fatigue and focus on what the day is truly about: each other. But you still have to make some key decisions for your elopement like who’s going to capture the moment. If you’re not from Cape Town (and even if you are) choosing out of the plethora of service providers on offer can be daunting. Worry not. Since I’ve been a marriage officer for a number of years now and my favourite kind of weddings are elopements, I can recommend a photographer, florist and make-up artist to you that I trust. I even have a travel company that I can recommend if you’re looking to extend your stay in Cape Town and South Africa by going on a honeymoon straight after your nuptials. I mean why the hell not?!

Let me know what you’re looking for and we can go from there.

What legal requirements do we have to fulfill to make our dream of Eloping in Cape Town a reality?

If you’re both South African, everything is very straightforward and I’ll run through the requirements in a minute when I chat to you. If one of you is a South African citizen and the other a foreign citizen without permanent residence (and an SA ID as a result of your PR status), read this blog. If you’re both foreign nationals and neither of you have permanent residency in South Africa, you’ll find the requirements here.

I will handle all the legal sides of your marriage so that you can simple sign, place your left thumbs on the paper and go revel in the fact that you JUST GOT MARRIED

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Destination wedding: Foreigners getting married in Cape Town

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What you need to know as two foreigners getting married in Cape Town

If you’re reading this blog, you’re likely planning on getting married in Cape Town – yes please! I probably don’t need to convince you about the city’s beauty — you’ve already chosen it as the place for your elopement or wedding …

But it’s fun (as a Capetonian) to revel in just how incredible this city and country truly are. So, here goes. Did I mention our exquisite beaches? What about our extraordinary Cape Floral Kingdom? Or the Big Five just a short drive away. And then there’s the warmth of the people you’ll meet here. Add to that the fine dining scene, award-winning wine estates, whale watching, surfing in Muizenberg, hiking up Lion’s Head, and the breathtaking views from every corner of the city — and it’s no wonder couples from all over the world choose to get married in Cape Town.

Because of how much the tip of Africa has to offer, many foreigners getting married in Cape Town double-up – planning a wedding or elopement here and chasing it up with a honeymoon. And why the hell not?! If this is something you’re considering, you may want to have a look at a few tours on offer. Secret Cape Town also provides a wealth of information on what to do when in the city.

Whether you’re planning something grand or simple, the process is surprisingly simple for two foreigners getting married in Cape Town. You do, however, need an experienced marriage officer guiding you through the steps.

Elopements allow you to focus on what’s really important – your love; your intention to do life together.

How to Get Married in Cape Town as Two Foreigners

Fortunately, it’s actually quite easy to marry two foreigners in South Africa. I mention Cape Town specifically because that’s where I’m based, but the legal requirements are the same across the country. Note: If one of you is a foreigner and the other a South African citizen, you need to fulfill different requirements. Read through this blog for more information.

Let me start with a question I get asked by foreigners fairly frequently. How long do we need to be in the country in order to get married? My answer: An afternoon. Although I wouldn’t recommend that because as we already discussed (in some length), Cape Town has SO many sights and experiences to delve into – coming in and out of the city would be a pity. I think I get asked this question frequently because there’s a lot of misinformation online about the duration you have to be in the country for and also having to notify certain parties of your intention to get married. Neither is true.

There are so many little-known spots in Cape Town that serve as perfect locations for wild elopements

Let’s start with the Letter of Non-Impediment

When a foreigner gets married in South Africa, they need a Letter of Non-Impediment. This is a document from your government confirming that you are legally free to marry. It might be issued by your embassy, consulate, or your country’s equivalent of Home Affairs.

The details vary from country to country:

Germany: Issues a classic Letter of Non-Impediment. If you’re both German citizens, you’ll receive just one letter, which lists both partners. The document is in German, but contains an English translation within it.

United Kingdom: Does not issue a Letter of Non-Impediment. Instead, UK citizens can sign an affidavit confirming there’s no legal barrier to their marriage. In South Africa, affidavits can be done for free at a police station — simply bring a pen, fill in the form, and write a short declaration.

United States: Also uses an affidavit, which can be done at the US Consulate in Cape Town.

Because I’ve married couples from many countries, I can often tell you exactly what your country issues and provide you with some guidance in this regard. Importantly, your letter of non-impediment is only valid for 6 months from the date of issue so you don’t want to apply for it too early (I know, I know you’re excited!). You also don’t want to leave it too late as some countries have quite a rigmarole that you have to go through in order to obtain it. No one wants that stress in the lead up to their destination wedding!

The wonderful thing about an elopement is you get to do things on your own terms – no rushing, no obligations – just the two of you; being the two of you

Document Checklist Foreigners Get Married in Cape Town

Once the Letter of Non-Impediment (or affidavit) is sorted, everything else is straightforward:

Passports: Copies of each, linked to the issuing country of your non-impediment letter or affidavit.

Entry Stamps: Sent to me via WhatsApp after arrival.

Divorce Decrees: If either of you has been married before.

Translations: Any non-English documents must be translated by a certified translator (unless the translation is already included, as with the German example).

A letter from your notary confirming you have signed an ante-nuptial contract (if you have opted to do so – some info below).

There are secret gems scattered along the coast that make for breathtaking backdrops for your elopement

Ante-nuptial Contract (Prenup)

In South Africa, couples can sign an ante-nuptial contract (often called a “pre-nup”), which decides how assets and liabilities are handled in the marriage. The default here is “in community of property” — meaning all assets and debts are shared. This can be risky, especially if one of you owns a business.

Many South Africans choose to sign an ante-nuptial contract to set their own rules. It must be done before the marriage, through a notary. If you decide to do this, your notary will give me a letter confirming the contract is signed — I don’t need to see the contract itself. Post-nuptial contracts are possible but costly and complicated, so I strongly recommend doing it beforehand if you want one.

Many foreign couples do not consider it necessary to sign an ante-nuptial as the laws in their countries govern how assets/liabilities will be divided in the event of separation and so there are safeguards built in – in other words, the default positions in other countries are often protective and fair, rather than old-fashioned and limiting (as is the case in South Africa). Still, if you’re unsure whether you need such a contract or not, I advise consulting with an expert so that you make an informed decision.

If you do decide to sign such a contract – I don’t need to see the actual contract but, rather, confirmation (in the form of a letter from your notary) that such a contract was entered into.

You should feel like your most authentic self on the day you get married

Registering Your Marriage in Your Home Country

If you live outside South Africa, you’ll probably want to register your marriage at home. Most countries require an unabridged marriage certificate, and many (especially in Europe) also require an apostille stamp for extra authentication.

UK & USA: Usually only need the unabridged certificate.

Most European countries: Require both the unabridged certificate and an apostille.

The apostille stamp is valid for six months, so plan your registration accordingly.

I offer a service of applying, collecting and couriering your unabridged marriage certificates to you. Another question I get asked often: Do we need to be in the country to apply for or collect our certificates? No. You can get married and hop straight onto the next flight out. (Don’t – go see the Garden Route; take a cobra on a drive along one of the most spectacular roads in the world; explore the Cape Winelands.)

Elopements allow you to focus on what’s really important – your love; your intention to do life together.

Types of Weddings in Cape Town for Foreign Couples

Foreign couples come with all kinds of visions for their day. Here are the three most common:

1. The Classic Wedding

Big celebrations at wine estates, boutique hotels, or luxury venues with your nearest and dearest flying in. Here’s a look at some well-known Cape Town venues. Whatever venue you decide on, I will be there to handle the ceremony and legalities while your wedding planner coordinates the rest.

2. The Elopement

Just the two of you, or a few close friends and family, in a stunning outdoor location — beach, mountain, or nature reserve. We create a ceremony that’s personal to you and your story. The magic of an elopement is that you get to focus on each other and the commitment you’re making. And you get to have fun! Pop a bottle of bubbly, drink straight from the bottle. Don’t rush – there’s plenty of time without any of the obligation to say hi to Aunt Jude who you haven’t seen since you were 7. Exchange personal vows (or don’t).

Remember that it’s your day and your elopement and you get to decide how it unfolds (and also where it unfolds).

How’s this for a magic spot to exchange vows with the love of your life?

3. The Legal Signing with a Special Touch

For couples focused mainly on the paperwork but wanting a beautiful setting, I offer simple ceremonies at my home (close to the CBD) in Vredehoek. It’s intimate and efficient but still feels special.

Since South Africa legalised same-sex marriage in 2006 (one of the first countries in the world to do so), Cape Town has become a natural choice for LGBTQIA+ couples wanted to celebrate the beginning of their marriage

Deciding Where to Get Married

Cape Town offers an endless choice of locations for your wedding day:

By the sea: Quiet beaches at sunset for barefoot vows.

In the mountains: Sweeping views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the 12 Apostles.

In nature: Botanical gardens or wild reserves.

Some couples double up their accommodation and ceremony venue, booking an Airbnb or guesthouse with beautiful views with the aim of holding the ceremony there. This not only gives you a stunning backdrop but also a built-in backup in case of bad weather.

Fancy having the 12 Apostles in the background as you say your “I do”s? Wonderful – let’s make it happen.

Final Thoughts on Getting Married in Cape Town

Whether you’re planning a big do at an exquisite venue, an adventurous mountain elopement, or a simple signing with ocean views, getting married in Cape Town can be as straightforward or as lavish as you want it to be.

With the right preparation — and someone to guide you through the process — you can focus on what matters most: celebrating your love in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

On a personal note, I believe that a ceremony sets the tone of the whole wedding celebration. It’s important to connect with your celebrant as they usher you into one of the most meaningful decisions of your life. The right fit is important, even if you plan only to do paperwork. To get a sense of who I am and what I value, you can find out a little here. And then if you do think I’m the right person, contact me on marriageofficerlara@gmail.com

Scarborough, near Cape Point, has become an increasingly popular spot for couples to elope

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