What dates do you recommend travelling to Cape Town for the wedding?

People can, of course, arrive and leave SA when they want, within reason, depending on your plans. However, for those who want to get involved in some of the planned activities on the days leading up to the the wedding, and maybe chill and recover for a couple of days following the wedding, I would recommend the following as a rough guide:

Arrive at Cape Town Airport: Anytime from Monday 16th Feb PM to Tuesday 17th Feb AM (e.g. 9am). This will allow people to join-in fully with the Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday activities before the focus becomes the wedding on Friday evening and Saturday.

Leave Cape Town: Monday 23rd Feb/Tues 24th Feb. This will allow enough time to recover from the wedding festivities, and maybe enjoy a beach day and a quick shopping trip before heading back to reality!

Can I bring my child/children to the wedding?

We have planned an adult-only wedding, based on our preferences, so please find other arrangements for your children on this day.

What and when will the planned activities be?

Although our guests are free to explore Cape Town as and when they wish, Varique and I are planning some different activities that you are more than welcome to join on the different days (refer to the 'Things to Do' section for further details of each activity):

Tuesday 17th Feb: We will head up to the popular Camps Bay, equipped with a beautiful beach and a number of trendy bars and restaurants to explore on the beach front.

Wednesday 18th Feb: We will be getting up early to jump on the famous Franschhoek Wine Tram at around 10am, where we will visit a number of vineyards along the line and taste more than our fair share of quality South African wines and local cheeses.

Thursday 19th Feb: The morning will see us head up to a local game reserve for a safari in the hopes of observing some of the 'Big 5' that SA is famed for in their natural environment.

In the evening, the males and females will part ways and head in opposite directions to their respective bachelor/bachelorette parties!

Friday 20th Feb: The pace of the trip will take a step back as the wedding guests will be left to their own devices to relax and recover from their previous evening's frivolities, as Ryan and Varique attend to some final wedding preparation.

Saturday 21st Feb: Wedding Day - obviously try to keep this one clear on your calendar from other activities!

Sunday 22nd Feb: Varique and I are hoping to organise a traditional South African braai, in which an array of open-flame cooked meats, 'braaibroodjies', salads, and side dishes will be enjoyed.

Monday 23rd Feb: Varique and I will likely leave SA on this day for a mini Honeymoon before heading back to Shanghai, so feel free to explore and enjoy all that Cape Town has to offer during the remainder of your stay!

What's the situation with alcohol at the wedding?

Ah, finally a real question! You will of course be provided with all the usual cocktails, wine, and toasting champagne at the key parts of the day! Once the evening party begins (after the Reception sit-down meal and speeches), there is a bar from which you can continue to purchase all manner of South African wines, beers and ciders (and possibly the odd tequila), which will operate until 1am.

PLEASE NOTE: the bar will only accept card payments (contactless/chip & pin) and WILL NOT be able to accept other forms of payment (e.g. cash, gold, goodwill, etc.)

I notice that there is no dessert option on the menu...what gives?!

A very legitimate concern. However, with Varique being such a big advocate for cake, we decided to literally kill two birds with one stone (wait, I mean figuratively), and serve the wedding cake as the dessert during the sit-down meal.