Allée Bleue Weddings

Allée Bleue as a Franschhoek Destination Wedding

2013-02-21T23:44:00.002-08:00

So, the love of your life has popped you the big question with that dreamy Harry Winston engagement ring. And then, you gave your biggest Yes! with all the love and excitement in your heart; in a few words, youre getting married. And surely, your next step is to plan your dream wedding your very own Franschhoek destination wedding.

So what then is a Franschhoek destination wedding? This revolutionary pair of words from the wedding industry means combining the wedding reception, honeymoon, wedding ceremony itself, and every wedding activity designed to bring the revelers, together in one perfect location that the wedding couple have always wanted. Simply put, Franschhoek destination wedding means taking your wedding outdoors and embracing the serene ambiance that nature has to offer. A destination wedding in Franschhoek is usually held in an extremely vacation-worthy location like Allée Bleue, where guests can spend a really great time with the wedding couple and the rest of the guests.

The Allée Bleue Franschhoek destination wedding is designed to keep the number of guests on track, which means getting the real headcount of whos going to attend your wedding and not having to deal with unwanted guests that might crash into your reception on your big day if your wedding was in your area. Furthermore, since most guests often travel miles in order to get into the wedding reception, wedding organisers innovated destination weddings to give your guests a worthy and lavishing vacation from their busy lives. It gives you and your relatives and in-laws a couple of days to reconnect and build good relationships that will last a lifetime, rather than just spending five to seven hours with them in the banquet room thats hitting several birds in one stone. Plus, the pristine atmosphere of nature will give you and your guests an unforgettable wedding experience.

If you are asking for the benefits of having a Franschhoek destination wedding, here they are. For practicality reasons, its cheaper. The etiquette of the destination wedding says that your guests are the ones who should pay for their own airfares. If youre living in New York, a days wedding for a 100-150 guests would cost you bucks thats really gonna hurt your pocket, whereas a four-day wedding in Franschhoek with your closest friends and relatives is way much cheaper. Practicality doesnt always translate to sacrificing the quality of experience that you deserve to have on your big day, destination weddings have a wide range of choices of destinations that suit your budget and your classy taste. Moreover, a destination wedding allows you to focus on relaxing instead of cramming. With it, you have every second of the clock to taste the sweetness of your wedding weekend because youve got no flights to catch up on the following day and no reasons to rush things up since your honeymoon is also on the same location.

Destination weddings are perfect for families that are scattered across the globe. Since majority of your guests have to travel to your hometown to witness your wedding day, you might as well put their traveling into use, make your wedding day a vacation getaway for you and your family. Who knows, they might consider your wedding the most romantic among their experiences just because you opted for a Franschhoek destination wedding.

Cape Town, Franschhoek Weddings at Allée Bleue with Celebrity Chef Reuben Riffle

2013-01-10T03:12:00.001-08:00

If lush landscapes, timeless elegance and plenty of good food and wine are top of your list for your perfect Cape wedding venue, then consider the historic Allée Bleue wine estate in Franschhoek of the Western Cape, South Africa. Close to Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Simondium, Allée Bleue producing world-renowned wines, a stunning backdrop for your big day and Allée Bleue is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with celebrity chef, Reuben Riffel – Franschhoek’s most famous export.

Whether you're a local Capetonian looking for the perfect venue within easy reach of your home, or are coming from afar and choosing Cape Town for your destination wedding, a wine estate wedding venue could be the answer. Here are some of the major advantages that come with choosing Allée Bleue:

Beautiful setting

The Allée Bleue Wine Estate in the Cape Winelands are blessed with stunning scenery. Vineyards stretch over undulating hills with a backdrop of dramatic mountains. Nestled against Groot Drakenstein Mountain, with majestic trees shading the buildings, historic Cape Dutch architecture, lush greens of trees and vines topped by blue skies and creating a wonderful backdrop for your wedding photos as well as creating a wonderful atmosphere for the whole wedding.

Great food and wine

As one of South Africa’s best-loved chefs, Riffel oversees three successful restaurants, has written a clutch of award-winning cookbooks and is a well-known face in the media. The Franschhoek valley is where Riffel grew up and started his career as a chef, so it comes as no surprise that he is looking forward to putting an authentic local stamp on the collection of menus created exclusively for Allée Bleue and paired to the estate’s respected wines.

The menus for all weddings and functions hosted by Allée Bleue will be conceptualised and produced by Reuben’s Franschhoek under the direction of Riffel and his head chef Maritz Jacobs. This highly experienced and creative duo places great emphasis on using fresh, seasonal, locally sourced ingredients in dishes that are often given an authentic Cape twist. Says Riffel: ‘Allée Bleue is not only a perfect function venue but also a working farm with amazing fresh produce, like herbs, olives and fruit, all of which can be woven into our menus. I like the idea of offering personalised menus with a strong local provenance and integrity, using ingredients sourced from the estate or from surrounding farms. Menu options will celebrate the abundance and beauty of South Africa, particularly the Franschhoek valley which is obviously close to my heart’. Read further here

Easy access
Allée Bleue estate is within very easy reach of Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington area, only 30-40 minutes drive from the city, making for easy logistics when you are catering for a number of guests. Allée Bleue offer boutique accommodation on the estate itself, ideal for the bridal party and special guests from further afield.

Ideal all year round

While beach weddings are very seasonal and vulnerable to weather changes, wine estates work whatever the weather. Winter Cape Town, Franschhoek weddings can be comfortably accommodated in spacious rooms, historic dining rooms and halls with roaring log fires, while in summer the ceremony and reception can be held outside on shady verandahs or on wide expanses of lawn shaded by mature trees. Most venues are very adaptable with both inside and outside catering arrangements possible and there is always a back-up plan for bad weather.

All in all if you want a beautiful location for your wedding, to wow your guests and create beautiful lifelong memories of you day, Allée Bleue wine estate in Cape Town, Franschhoek could be your ideal wedding venue.

Weddings at Allée Bleue in Franschhoek

2012-08-19T11:46:00.001-07:00

Choosing Allée Bleue as your Franschhoek Wedding Location

When it comes to an elite selection of service, cuisine and picturesque location Allée Bleue Wine Estate in Franschhoek can offer all this to brides looking for their ultimate wedding destination. From luxurious over night stays to getting ready in the utmost beautiful surroundings Allée Bleue has top of the range Franschhoek accommodation to offer the newlyweds.

We also offer outstanding onsite locations for jaw dropping Franschhoek wedding photographs, to last a life time. We offer both indoor and outdoor facilities for the most memorable photos of you special day. Photos that will be unique and breathtaking are almost definite.

We offer silver service as our waiters are highly trained in providing 5 star services with a smile. We make sure that service will be quick and easy going for everyone’s personal satisfaction and enjoyment.

Allée Bleue Wine Estate also offers a Set menu as well as a Buffet option for your special day. We also have a selection of exquisite canapés for your guests to indulge in while you are taking pictures and building memories. We offer a customized service when it comes to your
Franschhoek Wedding menu for each couple, meaning that you personal touch will be on your entire cuisine experience.

Our highly trained coordinators and managers are also there to ensure that your perfect day stays the way that you have imagined it for many years and how you will remember this day for many years to come.

For an elite experience not to be forgotten come and make your dreams a reality at Allée Bleue, where we believe in creating unforgettable memories.

Some notable comments about Allée Bleue;

To summarise: If you are looking for an all-in-one venue in the most picturesque valley in South Africa, with plenty of ceremony and reception options, then look no further than Allee Bleue!
[Zara Zoo @ http://www.zara-zoo.com/blog/allee-bleue-franschhoek-venue/]

What a fun wedding Sarah & Jon had at Allée Bleue in Franschhoek! Ceramic bunnies, a photo booth, an old Volkwagen bus,heart shaped glasses, a pair of Vivienne Westwood shoes and dancing late into the night …
[Annemarie Ruthven @ http://www.annemariruthven.com/franschhoek-wedding-allee-bleue/]

A perfect day sums it up best, Tracey and Mike were fortunate to have friends and family from around the world come together to share in their commitment and love for one another.
It was a dream wedding in Cape Town. The decor was elegant, the mood one of warmth, the food simply delicious, the speeches were heartfelt and funny and the bridal couple set the room alight with their tangible bond.
Wishing you a life filled with adventure and abundance. Mark & Donné
[ MLG Photography @ http://www.mlgphotography.co.za/wedding-allee-bleue-franschhoek-cape-town]

Their wedding was held at Allee Bleue Estate in Franschhoek, organised by the wonderful Marius from Weddings by Marius. The tent was a white, elegant affair with touches of green and candles. And they were surrounded with friends and family from all over the world. People might think fairy tales do not exist, but I believe it truly does. I see them all the time. And Katie and Steven is living theirs.

[Christine Meintjies @ http://www.christinemeintjes.co.za/?s=allee+bleue]

They had a lovely picnic style wedding at the beautiful Allee Bleue. I absolutely love that venue and I was so happy when my clients wanted to do their couple shoot later when the sun was starting to set and the light was a little softer.
[Leani Holmes @ http://leaniholmes.co.za/2012/03/naomi-edward-allee-bleue-wedding/]

Joan & Pieter got married at Allee Bleue in Franschhoek. This couple had a very exciting honeymoon idea: exploring the Cape on their Harley Davidson bikes! We had a problem with the Harley starting just when we wanted to do some really awesome motion shots I has in mind! The photo of the bride pushing the bike is for real! The 100 handmade hearts, made by the groom, added a very special touch to the ceremony.
[Jean Pierre @ http://jeanpierrephotoblog.com/joan-pieter-allee-bleue-franschhoek/]

Tips on planning your own wedding

2012-07-19T04:27:00.002-07:00

When planning a Franschhoek Wedding a coordinator is not always within your budget. We at Allée Bleue are going to breakdown the most important tips to plan your special day. Although after reading this you might decide on an Allée Bleue in-house coordinator.

Original text by Catherine Westraadt (Allée Bleue Wedding Coordinator)

Save the date

This is usually step 1 in the planning dairy. To choose a date is not always easy because the venue of your dreams may not be available, so our tip to you is to always have an open mind when deciding on your wedding date. If you are flexible the chances are must higher for booking that dream wedding venue. At Allée Bleue our team of professional coordinators will ensure that you receive the best available date of the day. But remember the sooner you book the better the look.

Location, Location, Location

This is one of the most challenging decisions to make as there is quite a selection to choose from. The most important is to decide on the area first, we suggest a Franschhoek wedding/Cape Town wedding. When picking out that perfect venue we offer the best selection for all brides. Allée Bleue has a wide selection of venues, for intimate to excessive, enclosed to open-air, conventional to contemporary or just different we can offer the most suitable venue for your dream wedding day.

Tickle your taste buds

When it comes to your menu selection you need to be 100% sure of what you want. All the various tastes must complement each other to the fullest extent. At Allée Bleue we believe in exquisite cuisine from delectable canapés to mouth watering desserts we can bring the various cultures together as one. With top qualified chefs and extremely proficient staff your menu will be one to remember for years to come.

A drink a day, keeps the doctor away

Most brides usually tend to let the groom handle this part of the wedding. Always remember to provide your guests with quality beverages, cheaper are almost never better. It is also important to keep the quantity in mind, as you do not want your guests to run out of wine even before the evening really starts. Allée Bleue has its very own wines and sparkling wine which is sure to but a smile on every guest’s face. We offer a wide selection of wine for each individual’s preferences. If your guests are having a good time so will you.

Dancing queen

If you are having an afternoon/evening wedding a dance floor is an absolute must. When there is good food and wine and music to move to your guests will think it is the best wedding they have ever attended.
Allée Bleue can also offer our brides a dance floor area which can be hired in at an additional cost to make the evening a groovy one. Also make sure to choose the right DJ and ensure that the music is of a wide variety as you do not want you guests to listen to music you absolutely adore but it’s a bore.

A picture is worth a thousand words

When getting married al you really have left of the most spectacular day of your life is the memories and photos. Photos are extremely important as it can be kept for years to come. Make sure to check the photographers’ blog to make sure the style suits what you have in mind. At Allée Bleue the entire estate offers locations that are simply breath taking for wedding photos. We offer a wide range of locations formal and informal, risky and tranquil, elegant and rough and many more. What is more exciting that the perfect stolen moments on a beautiful Franschhoek backdrop.

Suppliers galore

When deciding on your various suppliers you must be fully informed of what they have to offer. At Allée Bleue we also have our preferred suppliers as they know our venue and are in an elite range. If you are struggling to find the perfect supplier here are some helpful hints:

· Photographer: Zara Zoo - http://www.zara-zoo.com

· DJ: Dream Wedding DJ’s - www.dreamweddingdjs.co.za

· Flowers: Leipzig Floral Design - http://www.leipzigfloraldesign.co.za/

· Stationery: Elsje Designs- http://www.elsje.co.za/

· Wedding Cake: Cakes by Wade - http://www.wadescakes.co.za/

· Videographer: FJS Productions - http://www.fjs.co.za/

For more information & Availability

If you would like to enquire about our wedding packages or dates available please contact us on

Tel: 021 874 1021 or info@alleebleue.com

Allee Bleue Weddings Franschhoek

2012-05-25T01:21:00.001-07:00

If lush landscapes, timeless elegance and plenty of good food and wine are top of your list for your perfect Franschhoek wedding venue, then consider ALLEE BLEUE, one of the historic wine estates in the Western Cape, South Africa.

Whether you're a local Capetonian looking for the perfect venue within easy reach of your home, or are coming from afar and choosing Cape Town for your destination, a wine estate wedding venue could be the answer. Here are some of the major advantages that come with that choice:

Beautiful setting
The Cape Winelands is blessed with stunning scenery. Vineyards stretch over undulating hills with a backdrop of dramatic mountains. Some of the oldest wine estates nestle against Table Mountain itself, with majestic trees shading the buildings, historic Cape Dutch architecture, lush greens and vines topped by blue skies and creating a wonderful backdrop for your wedding photos as well as creating a wonderful atmosphere for the whole wedding.

Great food and wine
Many of the wine estates have made a name for themselves with their restaurants, offering excellent food as well as the choicest wines from their vineyards. All this makes catering for your wedding a pleasure and very easy to co-ordinate. If you are local to the area, it makes sense to visit each estate that catches your eye, to check out the restaurants and sample the wines before settling on your final choice, especially if the food is a top priority.

Easy access
Most of the Cape Winelands estates are within easy reach of Cape Town itself. Allee Bleue wine estate in the Franschhoek area is only 30-40 minutes drive from the city, making for easy logistics when you are catering for a number of guests. Allee Bleue offer boutique accommodation on the estate itself, ideal for the bridal party and guests from further afield.

Ideal all year round
While beach weddings are very seasonal and vulnerable to weather changes, wine estates work whatever the weather. Winter weddings can be comfortably accommodated in spacious rooms, often historic dining rooms and halls with roaring log fires, while in summer the ceremony and reception can be held outside on shady verandahs or wide expanses of lawn shaded by mature trees. Most venues are very adaptable with both inside and outside catering arrangements possible and there is always a back-up plan for bad weather.
All in all if you want a beautiful location for your wedding, to wow your guests and create beautiful lifelong memories of your day, a Allee Bleue wine estate in South Africa could be your ideal wedding venue.

Allee Bleue Weddings Franschhoek

2012-05-21T06:12:00.002-07:00

Planning your wedding day is the most exciting time of your life, but it can also be the most stressful time since there are just so many little things you need to take care of, like finding the perfect wedding gown, choosing the appropriate music, hiring a decent photographer and booking the perfect venue. And low and behold if one tiny little detail falls out of place, your fairy tale picture could all come tumbling down. So why don't you avoid the traditional headaches that come standard with planning your dream day and opt for something different...a wedding in Africa, South Africa, Franschhoek, Allée Bleue Wine Estate.

We make your
dream wedding a reality

A place which is as unique as your love for each other, as unforgettable as your first encounter, and as varied as your plans for your future together. In the unique surroundings of our wonderfully beautiful estate, we offer you warm hospitality and a comprehensive range of services for your dream Franschhoek wedding. You really can keep all your options open.

Our services:

A variety of setups for the ceremony - outside in the garden or indoors Cape style with panoramic views
a sit-down or cocktail function in the large courtyard of the estate's main historic building (complete with Bedouin Tent)
an alfresco luncheon or picnic under the trees at the newly opened picnic area
Personalized in-house wedding co-ordination to assist you along your way
Top notch in-house caterers
A high standard of service excellence
With no cut-off time or music regulations, your guests can dance the night away

Here are five reasons why you may want to consider South Africa for your honeymoon.

1. Amazing Wildlife - South Africa has absolutely amazing wildlife. You can see the big five - lions, elephants, buffalo, leopard and rhino, plus many other animals such as zebra, giraffe, impala, springbok and wildebeest, .You may have seen these animals in a zoo before, but this is nothing compared to seeing them in their own natural habitat. South Africa has a large choice of game reserves from the massive Kruger national park, to the smaller malaria free game reserves on the Eastern Cape. As well as seeing all these animals on dry land, South Africa is one of the best places for spotting whales, dolphins, sharks and even penguins. Hermanus, on the garden route, is one of the top land based whale spotting locations in the world.
2. First Class Accommodation- Ideal for wedding couples and business guests. The elegantly modernised Boutique Hotel combines the finest design with an understated touch of luxury. It offers a beautiful and tasteful mix of a historical building and contemporary interior right in the middle of the estate.
3. Excellent Food - Eating out in South Africa is an experience to remember. If you are a big meat eater you will be spoilt for choice with huge steaks or game meat such as kudo, springbok and ostrich. if you are a fish lover there is an abundance of fresh seafood to try and if you like dining in style then a visit to Franschhoek with its large share of the top ten restaurants in South Africa is a must.
4. Wine - If you'd like to try a Pinotage, a Chenin Blanc, or perhaps a Cap Classique style sparkling wine then be sure to pay a visit to one of South Africa's wine regions. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are both great places to spend some time wine tasting and you will find a great variety of vineyards with a large selection of wines to taste. The scenery in this area is also beautiful and surrounded by mountains, rolling hills, vineyards and flowers .
5. Culture - South Africa has a very interesting history and culture. There are a large number of museums to visit, including the infamous Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and Cape Town's District Six museum, documenting the memories of the former residents of district six. The people in South Africa are also extremely friendly and will make you feel very welcome.

Allée Bleue Weddings

Allée Bleue as a Franschhoek Destination Wedding

Cape Town, Franschhoek Weddings at Allée Bleue with Celebrity Chef Reuben Riffle

Weddings at Allée Bleue in Franschhoek

Choosing Allée Bleue as your Franschhoek Wedding Location

Tips on planning your own wedding

Save the date

Location, Location, Location

Tickle your taste buds

A drink a day, keeps the doctor away

Dancing queen

A picture is worth a thousand words

Suppliers galore

For more information & Availability

Allee Bleue Weddings Franschhoek

Allee Bleue Weddings Franschhoek

We make your dream wedding a reality

We make your
dream wedding a reality