Very imortant! What follows is the personal impression, opinion and experiance of a probably over developed right brained photographer after lugging around 500 pounds (not really) of camera gear all day. And after jumping in rivers, crawling between spider invested bushes and shooting on demand hundreds of creative, eye catching, unposed, natural looking, master compositions of the very much in love newly weds (all in less than 1 hour) WITHOUT getting the brides dress dirty or the groom pissed off.
Name: Allée Bleue
Town/Area: Franschoek/Paarl
Type: Wine Farm
Website: www.alleebleue.com
Weddings attended: 20/5/2006; 20/01/2007
Ceremony:
Where/what: They have several areas where you can set up for the ceremony. There’s a big lawn surrounded by some old farm buildings and enough beautiful trees providing ample protection against the very potent Boland sun.
You also have the option to tie the knot right in the middle of a lavender/rosemary field. They have set up a nice little patio with a gazebo and couple of big umbrellas with 360-degree views of the amazing mountains. Just beware of the South Easter (wind) especially in the summer months.
As a backup there is a choice of 2/3 (I think) conference rooms. There is also a couple of stunning churches in Paarl and Franschoek.
Reception area:
Both weddings I covered were outside under the freeform tent, which joins up nicely with the dance floor and the rest of the building.
Ratings out of 7
Service: 5
Photo opportunity: 7
Hospitality: 5.5
Food: 5
Overall impression: 6
I like: You have several ceremony/reception combinations to choose from and plenty of great spots that will guarantee stunning wedding photos.
I don’t like: The fact that I don't get to shoot more weddings at this stunning venue.
Will I recommend this venue to my sister who’s getting married later this year?
Yes! But my dad could probably not afford it. Joke
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