Why Cathedral Peak Hotel is One of My Favourite Wedding Venues to Photograph

Driving into the Drakensberg is always an experience in itself the mountains rise dramatically, their peaks softened by mist, and there’s a sense of calm that seems to settle over everything. But nothing quite prepares you for the moment you arrive at Cathedral Peak Hotel. Tucked away in its own secluded valley, the wedding venue feels like a hidden gem, a place where time slows down and love stories take centre stage.

At the heart of the property is the most enchanting stone-and-thatch chapel I’ve ever photographed. It’s rustic yet refined, built from solid stone blocks with wooden pews crafted from railway sleepers, and a soaring window behind the pulpit that frames the mountains like a living painting. As a wedding photographer, I can tell you when a bride and groom stand before that window, with the Drakensberg stretching endlessly behind them, it’s the kind of scene that makes you forget you’re working and just soak in the beauty.

One of the things couples love about Cathedral Peak is that their wedding packages are built with flexibility in mind. Whether you’re planning a grand celebration with 200 guests or an intimate mountain gathering, the hotel adapts to your needs. Larger weddings often include a two-night stay, while smaller weddings can be hosted with just the wedding night required. Book enough rooms, and the chapel, reception hall, and even the honeymoon suite are included in the package a thoughtful touch that makes the planning smoother and more cost-effective. The hotel’s chefs provide delicious banquets, and if you really want to make a statement, you can even arrange a helicopter arrival or use it for spectacular mountain-top photos.

What makes Cathedral Peak unique, though, is that it’s not just a venue it’s a destination wedding experience. The hotel has been welcoming couples and families for over 85 years, and that legacy is felt in the warmth of the staff and the attention to detail. On top of that, there’s no shortage of things to do for your guests. While you’re off taking couple portraits, your family and friends can be hiking, playing golf, enjoying spa treatments, or simply soaking in the mountain views with a glass of wine.

And then, of course, there’s the accommodation. With over 100 rooms, the hotel can host up to 250 guests, meaning everyone you love can be right there with you. The honeymoon suites are pure romance private verandas, Victorian slipper baths, cozy fireplaces, and even underfloor heating for chilly mountain evenings. If you want to go all out, the Mponjwane Presidential Suite is next-level luxury, complete with its own jacuzzi, steam room, and private lounge. As a photographer, I adore having everyone on-site it makes the day flow so much more naturally, and it allows me to capture those candid in between moments: laughter over breakfast, little flower girls playing in the gardens, or quiet nerves in the bridal suite before the ceremony.

For me, photographing weddings at Cathedral Peak feels like stepping into a love story already half-written by the mountains themselves. The landscapes are dramatic, the architecture is rich with texture, and the light soft and golden as it falls across the valley makes every frame feel like art. From intimate chapel vows to joyous receptions under the soaring thatch of the hall, every corner of this venue has a story to tell.

Cathedral Peak isn’t just a venue; it’s a backdrop for memories, a place where love feels at home in the vastness of the mountains. For couples, it’s the chance to celebrate in one of South Africa’s most iconic landscapes. And for me, as a photographer, it’s an endless source of inspiration every wedding I shoot here feels fresh, unique, and unforgettable.