De Uijlenes: A Gansbaai Wedding Venue
Hi, I'm Chané Greyling from 25 Weddings. We’re a wedding videography and photography team, and we've had the opportunity to film at De Uijlenes in Gansbaai. It's a venue that offers a relaxed, farm-style wedding experience.
What Makes De Uijlenes Stand Out for Weddings
De Uijlenes is a working farm in the Western Cape, and it offers couples a chance to have a wedding celebration that stretches over a weekend. This is something we've seen couples appreciate, as it allows more time to spend with family and friends without feeling rushed. The venue focuses on providing a natural setting, and they offer two distinct venue options: the Old Barn and Nightjar. This flexibility means they can cater to different wedding sizes and styles.
The entire experience at De Uijlenes feels genuine. They talk about offering warmth and authenticity, and that comes through in the atmosphere. For us as a wedding videographer and wedding photographer team, having that extended time on the property allows us to capture more candid moments and the overall story of the wedding weekend.
Best Spots for Photography and Videography
De Uijlenes has several really good spots for us to work with. The forest ceremony area, with its large oak trees, creates a natural canopy that provides beautiful light. This is ideal for both photography and videography as it gives a consistent, soft light for capturing the ceremony itself, as well as those initial portraits right after. The natural textures and greenery here make for a lovely backdrop.
Around the farm itself, there are open fields and rustic buildings. These offer great opportunities for couple shoots. We’ve found that the light around sunset across the farm can be quite beautiful, providing a warm glow that works well for both photos and video. The various farm buildings also offer interesting architectural elements and textures that can be incorporated into the visual narrative of the day. Having the accommodation on-site means we can capture more of the pre-ceremony preparations and the general atmosphere of everyone being together, which adds to the storytelling aspect of our work.
Ceremony and Reception Spaces
The Old Barn
The Old Barn venue is an option for larger weddings, accommodating up to 180 guests. It combines a rustic feel with modern touches. The large arched windows allow for natural light, which is always a plus for us when filming inside. We appreciate good natural light as it helps us capture the true colours and mood of the space without needing to rely too heavily on artificial lighting. The brick fireplace and wooden finishes contribute to a warm and inviting atmosphere for the reception.
The Nightjar
For more intimate weddings, the Nightjar venue is available, suited for up to 90 guests. This space has a reed-thatched farmhouse and an outdoor fire pit. The smaller, more secluded feel of Nightjar means that the atmosphere is usually very close-knit and personal. The outdoor elements, like the fire pit, provide unique photo and video opportunities, especially as the evening progresses. We like venues that offer different areas for guests to relax and interact, and the Nightjar does this well.
Both venues are set in natural surroundings, which means that regardless of your choice, you'll have farm scenes, open spaces, and greenery for your photos and videos. This is something we actively look for, as it provides a varied visual landscape for documenting the day.
Our Experience Filming at De Uijlenes
We've filmed at De Uijlenes a few times now, and each time has been a positive experience. The team at the venue is well-organised, which makes our job easier. When a venue runs smoothly, it means we can focus on capturing the wedding without distractions. We’ve always found that the natural light, especially in the forest ceremony area and around the farm in the late afternoon, is very good for both photography and videography. The spaces are quite versatile, allowing for different angles and creative shots.
What we particularly enjoy when we work at De Uijlenes is the relaxed pacing. Because many weddings here are weekend affairs, there's less of a rush on the wedding day itself. This gives us more time to capture candid moments, get detailed shots of the décor, and interact with the couple and their guests. It also allows the couple to actually enjoy their day more, which makes for better, more authentic footage and photographs. The overall ambiance is usually calm and joyful, which translates well into our wedding films and photographs. The fact that guests can stay on-site means there’s a sense of community throughout the celebration, and we find that this often shows in the interactions we capture.
We’ve also found that communication with the venue staff is straightforward. They are accommodating and have a good understanding of what wedding suppliers need to do their job effectively. This professionalism helps ensure everything runs according to schedule, which is important when you're managing multiple elements for a wedding shoot.
Considering De Uijlenes for Your Wedding?
If you're thinking about having your wedding in Gansbaai at De Uijlenes, we do recommend it. It's a solid venue choice for couples looking for a farm wedding with a relaxed atmosphere and the option for a multi-day celebration. The natural settings provide a great canvas for wedding photography and videography, and the venue offers well-maintained spaces for both ceremonies and receptions.
If you're planning your wedding there and are looking for a wedding photographer or wedding videographer, take a look at our packages and our wedding films. We'd be happy to chat more about how we can capture your special day at this venue. Feel free to contact us to discuss your plans.
