What a wonderful way to kick off our Garden Route Weddings networking meetup — surrounded by good people, laughter, and the beautiful scenery at Portland Manor in Rheenendal, just outside Knysna. This historical gem has been lovingly restored, and it honestly couldn’t have been a more perfect spot for our first meetup of the year.

Life happens, and there were a lot of last-minute cancellations (and even several no-shows!), but the smaller group turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It gave everyone the chance to really connect, share stories, and get to know one another beyond the business cards. There’s something special about being in a room full of people who truly care about this wedding community — people who show up, support each other, and bring that old-school sense of integrity and loyalty that you just don’t find everywhere anymore.

The team from Portland Manor went above and beyond to make the day special. From the warm welcome to the heavenly canapés and drinks, everything was just perfect. The highlight for everyone was the private tour of the newly renovated Manor House and estate. Built back in the 1800s, the Manor is absolutely stunning — full of charm and history, now shining brighter than ever. We even got to see the forest ceremony area under those magnificent old trees (dreamy for summer weddings!), and the dock on the dam where couples can say “I do” as the sun sets — pure magic.

All in all, it was such a lovely day with an amazing group of vendors. These are the people who truly show up — not just for events, but for the community. Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Portland Manor for being the perfect hosts.

If you haven’t visited yet, do yourself a favour — pop over to the Portland Manor listing on our website and plan a visit. You’ll fall in love with the place, just like we did.