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Cape Town, situated in the Western Cape, South Africa is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world. With it's combination of pristine beaches, stunning scenery, wonderful vineyards, fabulous food and sophisticated city shopping, it's easy to understand why it attracts visitors such as Elton John, Bono and even British royalty. (It's also the home of Chelsy Davy, Prince Harry's gorgeous girlfriend).

For couples in search of an unbeatable destination wedding experience it's hard to ignore the almost irresistible allure of the Western Cape. It's also fairly easy to get married there as there are no residency requirements and a South African marriage is recognised world-wide, including in the UK and the USA. Another huge advantage is that the local currency, the Rand, is very weak against the US dollar, the Euro and the Pound, which makes it that much more affordable. At the time of writing, one Dollar will buy you almost eight Rands.

By far the best time of year to visit this region is during the spring and summer months, from November to February, when average temperatures are around 26 degrees Celsius. Keep in mind though, that this is also the tourist high season and venues, beaches and other attractions will be crowded and more expensive. The Cape autumn (March to May) can also be very pleasant and mild, with an average temperature of about 22 degrees Celsius but be aware of the famous Cape wind, known locally as the Cape Doctor.

It's quite easy to get to Cape Town. There are daily flights from major international airports (USA, UK and Europe) but do shop around for the best fare as they vary a lot. After arrival you will need to hire a car as the region is quite large and public transport is poor.

If you're hosting a number of guests for your destination wedding, over a period of a few days, then you'll need to have a few activities lined up to keep them busy in the run up to your wedding day. This is where the Western Cape really shines as there is a plethora of wonderful things to do:

• For wine lovers, there are many wine estates and vineyards to visit, such as Groot Constantia, the oldest wine farm in South Africa or try out one of the fabulous wine tours to vineyards in Stellenbosch and Franschhoek.
  
• Take a cable car ride up the slopes of the famous Table Mountain and enjoy spectacular views over Table Bay
• Take a boat ride out to Robben Island, the famous penal colony where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned and visit the former prison and museum.
• Enjoy shopping in the heart of Cape Town at the well-known flea market at Greenmarket Square.
• Visit the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront for a day of shopping, entertainment and delicious dining.
• You may have trouble choosing which restaurants to eat in as there are so many good eateries, but do try out Manolo In Kloof Street, Cape Town. It's fantastic!

There are many other activities available, for more information visit this website.

Probably one of the best ways to have your cake and eat it in the Western Cape is to have your wedding at one of the nearby wine estates. Many of these venues have excellent wedding packages and will help you plan every detail of your big day.

• Vrede en Lust is ideal for an intimate wedding. Luxurious accommodation, delicious cuisine and a warm and friendly environment make this a wonderful wedding venue.
  
• Webersburg is another marvellous wine estate with superb accommodation in a stunning setting.The rooms are elegant yet cosy and you cannot help but feel deliciously pampered.

If staying on a wine estate isn't quite what you're looking for, there are loads of other hotels and guesthouses to choose from.

• Four Rosmead in Cape Town is a luxurious, 8-bedroomed guest house on the slopes of Table Mountain. It's perfect for laid-back couples who love a bit of pampering.
• The Cape Cadogan is a four-star, boutique hotel well-known for it's sophisticated, bohemian luxury. Situated in a beautifully restored 19th century building, the decor is themed around the writer Oscar Wilde.

For the ultimate one-stop option there's the Mount Nelson hotel. Set at the foot of Table Mountain tit's a fabulous choice as a wedding venue. They offer a wonderful wedding package, priced at about $1700 which includes:

• Preparation of the wedding documents and legal documents
• One night 's accommodation in a suite, plus dinner and breakfast
• Aromatouch massage for him & her in a double treatment room at the Librisa spa
• A wedding ceremony in the gardens
• A professional harpist or string duo to play during the ceremony
• A bridal bouquet, grooms buttonhole and ceremony petals
• Red carpet and white ceremony chairs
• A bottle of sparkling wine to enjoy after the ceremony
• Hair stylist and make-up artist for the bride on the day of the wedding

Of course, your easiest option is to hire a wedding planner. One of the best in the Western Cape is The Aleit Group. Every one of the weddings they arrange is choreographed to perfection, with fabulous attention to detail. Or, have a look at these planners.

South Africa is a stunning country and would make a fantastic wedding destination, especially if you're looking for something different and are prepared to travel a way to get there.