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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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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Same-sex marriage in Cape Town – what you need to know

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Finding LGBTQIA+ friendly officiants and celebrants

What are some of the challenges couples face when looking to celebrate their same sex marriage in Cape Town? Unfortunately, most worry about finding an inclusive, LGBTQIA+ friendly officiant or celebrant. Even in South Africa – a country that legalised same-sex marriage way back in 2006 – this is still a realistic concern.

Am I comfortable officiating same-sex marriage in Cape Town? I still receive enquiries asking this and it my heart ache that anyone has jump this hurdle.

I’m writing this blog to try “get it out there” that as a marriage officer, I welcome LGBTQIA+ couples. More than that, I celebrate them! (Also, I’m probably not supposed to say this, but queer couples are my favourite. Actually, you know what, I can say that because I’m part of the community. I understand some of the sensitivities and warranted anxieties that come with looking for celebrants, photographers, florists, make-up artists…  I hate that many couples experience rejection and prejudice at a time that should be nothing but exciting.

Celebrate the beginning of your same-sex marriage in Cape Town

Foreign couples often travel great distances to celebrate the start of their same-sex marriage in Cape Town

How South Africa came to recognise same-sex marriage

In South Africa, we have two pieces of legislation under which couples can marry: The Marriage Act and The Civil Union Act. The Marriage Act preceded The Civil Union Act. The Civil Union Act came into being because of a Constitutional Court ruling declaring the fact that same-sex couples could not enjoy the privileges of marriage discriminatory. The Court gave the Legislature two options. First, the Legislature could change the Marriage Act to include same-sex marriage. This would have been as simple as amending words like wife/husband to spouse. The second option: the Legislature could introduce a new piece of law governing same sex marriage. The Legislature went for the second option (wrongly in my opinion).

Welcoming the Civil Union Act

In 2006, South Africa ushered in the The Civil Union Act catering for both heterosexual couples and same-sex couples. The Civil Union Act is thus more inclusive . That is, all couples can get married under this piece of legislation while The Marriage Act is reserved for heterosexual couples. Marriages under the different pieces of legislation have the same rights and are thus equal. They do go by slightly different names. Under the Marriage Act you have a civil marriage whereas the Civil Union Act equivalent is a civil union marriage. Importantly, both are marriages.

(The Civil Union Act also has the option of a Civil Partnership but this is not commonly requested. Home Affairs has instructed me not to perform such unions. If you really want to enter a Civil Partnership, you’ll need to liaise directly with Home Affairs.)

Celebrating same-sex marriage in Cape Town

The true joy of celebrating the start of your same-sex marriage in Cape Town? The unbelievable mountain views.

Can all marriage officers in South Africa perform civil union marriages?

No. Some marriage officers are only registered under the Marriage Act. Such officiants can only perform civil marriages which means they only ever marry heterosexual couples. When these marriage officers get requests from same-sex couples, they have to direct them elsewhere. Now, some of these marriage officers probably wish they were registered under the Civil Union Act as well as the Marriage Act. Although, if they really wanted to be, then they could simply take a test and VIOLA so you have to ask…. how much do they really want it?

There are quite a lot of marriage officers that ‘hide’ their prejudice under the excuse that they’re only registered under the earlier act – The Marriage Act. And then there are of course marriage officers that are outright with their discrimination and do not believe in same-sex marriage. So, if you’re looking for a safe harbour to determine if the marriage officer is the “one” for you – ask if they’re registered under The Civil Union Act?

Heterosexual couples can show solidarity with the LGBTQIA+ community by specifically requesting to be married under The Civil Union Act. Every time I get an enquiry from a heterosexual couple asking for a civil union marriage, it warms my heart.

Celebrating same-sex marriage in Cape Town

Another couple celebrates the beginning of their same-sex marriage in Cape Town, frolicking on Langebaan beach

Foreigners getting married in Cape Town looking to register their civil union marriages elsewhere in the world

So many LGBTQIA+ couples come to South Africa to get married and there a so many reasons they do so. Firstly, our beaches. Secondly, our mountains. Thirdly, our wildlife. And, of course, because of our progressive laws. Sadly, many couples have to travel outside of their home country to get married because such unions are not recognised (in some countries, atrociously, same-sex marriage is still criminalised).

For such couples and other foreign couples simply wanting to elope, one of their major concerns is having their marriage recognised in their home country or perhaps a country that they intend moving to once they’re married. Where a couple consists of two foreigners, the only option for a formal marriage certificate is the unabridged marriage certificate.

Acquiring an unabridged marriage certificate

I’m not going to lie, it can be an administrative headache but it doesn’t need to be. It’s best to use a service to get your unabridged marriage certificate. You do not need to be in the country when the certificate is applied for nor do you need to collect it yourself. The certificate will be couriered to you.

Feel free to do some research and find a company that you feel comfortable with handling this admin. I do offer such a service myself. I charge R4000 for the unabridged marriage certificate and the international courier fee is R950. In addition to the unabridged marriage certificate, some countries require an additional authentication before they will accept a certificate as valid. This usually comes in the form of an apostille stamp. I will be able to tell you if you do need such an apostille when we discuss what country you will be living in once married.

Celebrating same-sex marriage in Cape Town

Don’t let the start of your forever be tainted by any worries about being accepted or safe or seen

A final note for those that have read this far

You and your love deserve to be celebrated. Cape Town is the most wonderful city and I’m so excited for you that you’ve chosen to start your marriage with an epic adventure. I’d love to be a part of that celebration, be it in a simple ceremony/signing at my home or at a lavish venue with 100 of your closest people. Apparently I need to write same-sex marriage in Cape Town one more time in this blog in order to better the chances of you finding me and I really want you to find me, so let me add one for luck: Same-sex marriage in Cape Town.

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