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Island Weddings in Victoria Falls

Specialised wedding service for those wishing to be married on the beautiful banks of the Zambezi River, upstream from The Victoria Falls.

The stunning natural scenery offered by this World heritage site, the unmatched ambience provided by the sunset over the Zambezi, Shangaan tribal dancers, a marimba band, and the occasional unplanned appearance of herds of elephant make: this is what memories are made of.

Zambezi Riverside Weddings

Marriage ceremonies are performed either on:

Palm Island, in the middle of the Zambezi River, for small groups and at low water

A beautiful Riverside site,
on the Zambezi River, three kilometres above the Victoria Falls - for larger groups

All of the arrangements for the priest and the magistrate to be waiting on the island with the necessary paperwork, flowers, chairs for the congregation, etc, are done for you

boat

Wedding Receptions

For up to 300 people can be arranged at the riverside site, with seating, decor, food, drinks and even transport arrangements being taken care, allowing the couple and their family to relax and enjoy their special day surrounded by the spectacular beauty of one of Africa's largest and most scenic rivers.

At this site, with its green lawn running down to the water, and fringed by palm trees and towering ebonies, we offer a full wedding and reception service. The wedding ceremony itself is often held on an island on the Zambesi River, Palm Island, after which the couple and their guests return, by boat, to the riverside venue for the reception.

What is provided: - Almost everything!

We require at least one months' notice to organise: the priest, the magistrate, the flowers, the reception, the food, the bar, the waiters, the transport, the photographer, the band and the paperwork.

If required, we can organise the accommodation for guests, and the honeymoon arrangements for the bridal couple.

All you need to provide is the documentation necessary to fulfill the legal requirements under Zimbabwean Law as early as possible i.e.

· First name and surname
· Date of birth
· Town and country of birth
· Nationality
· Passport Number and date of expiry
· Status (single, divorced, widowed - if divorced a copy of the divorce certificate is needed, and if widowed a copy of the death certificate. If single a letter of consent from both parents agreeing to the marriage)
· Occupation
· Current address
· Father’s full names
· Father’s occupation (this is essential because it is needed for the marriage certificate. It must be indicated if the father is deceased)

Information Brief

Open air Dinners are offered throughout the year.

- a minimum of 20 guests, up to a maximum of 300 guests.

Marquees are available in the rainy season.

The Venue

The Jetty is lawned, and has discreet lighting, supplemented by burning ethnic flares.

A spotlight illuminates the Shangaan dancers when they perform.

The tables have candelabras and tilley lamps. All the tables are round, seating 8 or 10 guests, each with crisp white tablecloths and a variety of table overlays available.

One may have a choice of either White or Black chair covers we also have Zebra tie backs for the chairs as well as cream.

There is a large bonfire on the banks of the river, with director chairs around it.

Waiters are dressed in black trousers and white shirts, with black bow ties, and have white gloves for serving.

Program

Dinner times vary according to season

- winter months (May to September) at 7.00pm, and summer months at 7.30pm.

A sunset boat cruise is strongly recommended - the boat leaves from another jetty, so clients do not see the dinner set-up, and after a relaxing sunset cruise on the river, the boat pulls into the jetty to be greeted by a roaring log fire, and if requested a welcoming Marimba Band.

A suggested itinerary (*denotes optional):

Approx 4.30pm We collect the guests from different hotel sites and transfer to another jetty site to board the big Pontoon boats to go over to 'Palm Island'
( we do not leave from our jetty because we do not want the guests to see the 'Reception' set up till after the cruise & ceremony)

Guests arrive at Palm Island at approx 4.45/5.00pm walk across to take seats.

Bride then arrives on another boat 8 seater Pontoon boat with her father or bridesmaids.

The Shangaan choir who have been hiding in the bush then leap out and start singing and chanting the bride then gets off the boat and follows the Shangaan choir down the isle to the Altar..

Ceremony then begins at approx 5.30pm +- 25min. then have champagne and photo section on the island, then everyone boards the boat again and drifts off into the 'Sunset' arriving back at the jetty for the Riverside Reception this is a stunning venue 'Fire / Flares / candles all lit it's like a fairy tale..

the Reception will have to be done under a big white Marquee just in case of Rain
Dec is the beginning of our rainy season..Dinner can either be a buffet or served platted dinner either way it's 3 course..

Alternative

Depart Jetty - normally between 10pm and 11pm.We cater for the served main course, but do have a surcharge for this service)

* Sunset Champagne Cruise on the Zambezi River
* Marimba Band (Hourly on request)
* Shangaan Dancers - to perform during dinner (approx 15 min)
* Makishi Dancers
* Live Band - Especially nice for Wedding reception. (We do have a dance floor at the Jetty if requested)

Another option available is an Ethnic Village, which can be erected at the Jetty, complete with the African Spectacular Show.

Menus

Should you have special requirements, such as vegetarian menus, please contact us and we may be able to cater for such requests. Please note special requests e.g. pig, lamb or game meat on a spit, may be catered for, and will be quoted for separately. Menu changes or special requests must be confirmed when bookings are made.

Dinner

soup / starter served
main course - buffet style BBQ
desserts - served
cheese platter - served
tea / coffee
Adjourn to the fire after dinner for liqueurs

Sample Menu

Soups / Starters

Cream of Pumpkin or Butternut Soup
Cream of Chicken Soup
Vegetable Soup

Main

Glazed Minted Lamb Chops
Pork Cutlets
Roast Baron of Beef
Herbed Potatoes & Baby Onions
Potato & Cottage Cheese Bake
Potato & Cottage Cheese Bake
Stuffed Garlic & Mushroom Potatoes

Desserts

Stuffed Strawberry & Whipped Cream Meringues
Livingstone Milk Tarts
Lemon Meringue Pie
Summer Fruit Salad & Fresh Cream
Individual Trifles - Served with Custard or Fresh Cream

Salads Served

Zambezi Green Salad
Palm Island Three Bean Salad
Spicy Pineapple Slaw
Oriental Noodle, Ham & Onion Salad
Waldorf Salad
Carrot & Pecan Salad

Salad Options

Curried Whole Wheat Salad
Tuna and Pasta Salad
Spinach & Avocado with Mustard & Vinaigrette
Citrus Chicken Salad
Sliced Potatoes Vinaigrette & Dill Mustard Salad
Stir-Fry Spinach with Bacon, baby Tomotoes & Feta
Beetroot & Onion Salad
Please note a variety of 5 - 6 salads are served with our Buffet/BBQ dinners.
Plated service is available - menus on request.

Prices

Cost is approx US$100 per person for :-
Sunset cruise with full local bar & snacks, national parks fee's transfers to / from hotel and boat Island ceremony and set up Private Hire of the Riverside Venue
3 course Dinner full waiter service

Cash bar at dinner

Extras that can be arranged and charged for accordingly :
Wedding Cake
Professional Photographer
Videographer
Band
DJ
Beautician / Hair, nails etc..
Pastor / Priest /
Magistrate and all legal documentation
Flowers