Not many people would choose to get married at work. But when your office is Ant’s Hill, it’s a different story.
Ants employees (and happy lovebirds) Lara and Adam, as well as Rosie and Nick, recently experienced the romance of Ants first-hand when they opted to have their weddings at the lodge!
We chatted with the two separate blushing brides to find out a little more about what it took to plan their two weddings in the bush and why it is all completely worth it…
What is your position at Ants?
Lara: Adam works as head of guides and assistant to Fred, the general manager. He is also taking care of the sable breeding project. I work as relief lodge manageress and assist the stable manager, as well as a horseback guide and trainer.
Rosie: I started as a volunteer and was a guide. Nick started as a guide and worked his way up to head guide and stable manager.
Why did you decide to get married at Ants?
Lara: When Adam and I were looking for a venue, we simply realized that nowhere else is as beautiful as Ants!
Rosie: Both Nick and I had always wanted to get married on horseback. After our time as lodge managers in Malawi, Nick asked me to marry him and we thought where better than the place we fell in love – Ants!
How much planning and prep did the big day take?
Lara: It was not stressful to plan the wedding. The Worldsview sundowner spot at Ant’s Hill is so breath-takingly beautiful, we didn’t even need to worry about décor!
Rosie: It took about 3 months of planning as prepping as getting food and tables out to the bush for 60 people can be quite a challenge! But, thanks to a very helpful team of family and friends, we only took 2 days to set up the wedding and reception venues.
Did you encounter any problems?
Lara: Just before the ceremony, there was dark clouds and a thunderstorm brewing in the distance and I was freaked out by the thought of a rainy wedding! But luckily the clouds stayed away and we had the most amazing sunset.
Rosie: Up until 2 weeks before the wedding we still hadn’t organised the tables and chairs and for a while we thought we might have to get everyone to bring their own chair!
What was your favourite part about your special day?
Lara: Nikki, the lodge manageress of Ants Hill, planned an amazing dinner with delicious game meat! Wiehan and Leann, staff from Ants Hill, got our horses shining and everything worked out so well.
Rosie: For me, it has to be arriving at the wedding spot and seeing everyone going ‘wow!’. Nick and I both arrived at the wedding on horseback. Nick’s favourite moment was seeing me arrive.
There is something wildly magical about being serenaded down the aisle by the sounds of the bushveld and saying your vows under the wide open African sky. With its unspoilt wilderness, spectaculars views and sunsets, and abundance of wildlife, a wedding in the Waterberg is the stuff of safari dreams!
Click here to find out more about the romance of Ant’s Hill.
