We’re back in the swing of things post-pandemic, and few have been as excited as brides and grooms to be.
Following the revival of the wedding industry, New research has revealed the most popular wedding venues around the globe according to TripAdvisor and Instagram data.
The study, conducted by the wedding financial experts at money.co.uk, analysed TripAdvisor to reveal the venues with the most mentions of ‘weddings’ in their reviews and then used Instagram data to discover which ones have been shared the most on the platform.
Here in South Africa, the data serves to reason that we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding venues. However, while many might think that the most popular wedding destination in our country would be near the rolling hills of the Winelands, a not-so-little oyster has claimed the throne.
The Oyster Box in Durban has claimed the top spot for the most popular wedding venue in SA! Here are the other crowned choices:
1.The Oyster Box, Durban with 101 TripAdvisor mentions and 7 797 Instagram hashtags
@creatifeco/Instagram
@theoysterbox/Instagram
2.Avianto, Johannesburg with 226 TripAdvisor mentions and 6053 Instagram hashtags
@aviantovenue/Instagram
@aviantovenue/Instagram
3.Cavalli Estate, Cape Town, with 87 TripAdvisor mentions and 6053 Instagram hashtags
@WarrenstoneWeddings/Instagram
@CrazyLittleThing_Photography/Instagram
4.Highfield House, Durban, with 108 TripAdvisor mentions and 1825 Instagram hashtags
@highfield_house_weddings/Instagram
5.Thaba Eco Hotel, Johannesburg with 113 TripAdvisor mentions and 1699 Instagram hashtags
@thabahotel/Instagram
@luketannous/Instagram
6.Glenburn Lodge & Spa, Johannesburg, with 176 TripAdvisor mentions and 1337 Instagram hashtags
@saltnpepperweddings/Instagram
7.Kloof Country Club, Durban, with 89 TripAdvisor mentions and 1307 Instagram hashtags
@kcconvictory/Instagram
@sfisokuhlezondo/Instagram
8.Gourikwa Nature Reserve, Cape Town, with 109 TripAdvisor mentions and 170 Instagram hashtags
@arline_photo_video/Instagram
@hessequa_tourism/Instagram
The world’s most popular wedding venues
The global study revealed Casa Loma in Toronto, Canada to be the most popular wedding venue in the world with nearly 360 TripAdvisor mentions and roughly 200,000 Instagram hashtags. This historical landmark is one of North America’s only castles surrounded by five acres of lush gardens in midtown Toronto making it a truly unique venue to tie the knot.
Moana Surfrider in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu is the second-most popular wedding venue in the world, with 504 mentions of a wedding on TripAdvisor and nearly 79,500 Instagram hashtags. The luxe resort offers couples the chance to get wed on their private beach for those who want a truly Hawaiian feel to their day or couples can opt for the ballroom for a more traditional wedding. According to their website, the luxurious resort has six packages with prices starting from $3,500 up to $9,500.
London’s iconic hotel, Claridges, is third on the list of the most popular wedding venues in the world, with 262 mentions of weddings on TripAdvisor and over 78,000 Instagram hashtags. Considered to be one of the most luxurious hotels in England’s capital, you can spend your special day in the ballroom, which is adorned with art deco features that will make you feel like the host of a Great Gatsby party.
W Hotel Barcelona is fourth on the list with nearly 71,500 Instagram hashtags, followed by The Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales which has been the wedding venue of choice for many of the Welsh national rugby team.
Half of the top 20 list is made up of venues in the USA and Canada; Casa Lomo in Toronto takes the top spot, Moana Surfrider in Honolulu is second, and San Francisco City Hall is sixth on the list with 48,413 hashtags on Instagram. Hotel Emma at Pearl in San Antonia is eighth, Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans is 10th, and the 12th and 13th positions go to Mandarin Oriental Miami and Vancouver’s Fairmont Pacific Rim, respectively. Another Toronto venue also features on the top 20, as Edwards Gardens is 15th on the list, in 17th place is La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, followed by Vibiana in LA.
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