BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal will be hosting the 4th annual Vaal Whiskey Festival, but this year with a twist, adding Gin to the mix. 

The event will take place on Saturday, 28 October, and will see connoisseurs and the curious pouring in to enjoy a variety of premium whiskey brands and a selection of superb Gin varietals being showcased at the hotel.                        

What: VAAL WHISKY FESTIVAL & VAAL GIN FESTIVAL

When: Saturday, 28 October from 17H30 – 21H30
Where: BON HOTEL RIVIERA ON VAAL, Mario Milani Road, Vereeniging

Local events organiser, Melody Barber has partnered with Mercedes Benz and Model Bottle Store to bring you the finest quality whiskey brands and gin varietals offering something for everyone.

SHOW TICKETS: R250 person (includes presentation, 20 whiskey or gin tasting tickets and glass, snacks and entertainment)
VIP TICKETS: R500 per person (boat cruise**, presentation, 20 whisky or gin tasting tickets and glass, snacks, entertainment and buffet dinner).


If you are driving from afar, or don’t feel up to the drive home, then why not take advantage of the overnight specials at BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal - book before 31 August and get R100 off your accommodation. 


SHOW & STAY

R1 050 per room, single and R1 250 per room, sharing (including breakfast) Accommodation for two plus tickets = R1 750 
Accommodation for two plus 2 VIP tickets = R2 250 A limited number of tickets are available – so book NOW! 
 

BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 016 420 1300
ModelBottle Store: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 016 363 1128
Quicket: www.quicket.co.za  

** Boat cruises for VIP guests will take place from 15h00 – 16h00 and 16h00 – 17h00 Visit www.vaalwhiskyfestival.co.za or www.vaalginfestival.co.za for more information.

So many ways to say ‘I do” 

Weddings are one of the most universal traditions on the planet yet they are celebrated differently by everyone. Tying the knot in any culture comes with a list of different rituals and traditions and, family dynamics aside, there are many more things to consider and prepare for, especially here in South Africa - with our eleven official languages, chiefs, dominees and gogos to consider, it can be tough task marrying two cultures without offending Aunty Mabel. 

Despite the umpteen different cultures or religions you may have to incorporate into your ceremony, it is important not to forget to showcase your own personalities - after all, it is ‘your’ day and it is exactly your differences, and similarities, that brought you together that should now be celebrated - for instance, playing your favourite song and teaching Chief Nkomu how to do the shuffle, or giving personalized chocolates as wedding favours instead of the traditional bag of sugar-coated almonds.  

And you don’t have to do it all at the ceremony and reception – after an open, honest chat with the family, consider spreading the different traditions. You could plan the ceremony around the bride's heritage and turn the reception into a celebration of the groom's.   Or, host the bachelor or bachelorette party incorporating an element from each other’s customs.  It’s the perfect occasion to try umqombothi (beer), used to celebrate the home-coming of young men in Xhosa culture, or the Lebanese tradition of zaffe, a rowdy escort of music, dancing and shouting by the groom’s friends and family.  For the bride there is the Japanese ritual of pouring saki to reaffirm friendships or the time-honoured tradition of giving “something borrowed, something blue”. 

Catering: A little more challenging is serving a traditional meal, because in many cases the menu is limited by the venue, so if a customized menu is not possible try incorporating signature drinks like saki for a Japanese reception or chai instead of coffee for an Indian wedding.    

The cake: Traditional Norwegian wedding cakes are made with bread and cheese, and Russian couples share a wedding sweetbread called karavaya which is decorated with wheat for prosperity and interlocking rings for faithfulness, or you could just go with what’s currently on trend. 

Wedding invitations: Another way to respect a different culture - for example, the Jewish tradition - is to send a two-sided invitation, with one side written in Hebrew and the other in English.  Couples are favoring digital invites these days where guests can rsvp on line. 

Banqueting manager at BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal, Dumisane Zondo, says they have hosted several multi-cultural weddings specifically between Christian and Zulu faiths and culture, and the dynamic has resulted in some of the most creative and special occasions.  A lovely add-on in the Zulu tradition is when the bride gives out blankets to her new family after the wedding, in a ceremony that is known as ukwaba.  Zondo adds, “My favourite part is the dance-off between the families of the bride and groom.” 

Some interesting wedding traditions -

As well as exchanging rings, African tradition sees the couple have their wrists tied together by grass or material.

In China, brides pick not one wedding dress, but three!      

Before an Indian bride gets married, her family and friends decorate her hands with elaborate designs called menhdi.      

Bridesmaids were originally used as decoy brides – through having their dresses similar and standing next to the bride, the spirits who they believed would sabotage the newly-weds’ happiness would be confused.

During the entire wedding day, Congolese brides and grooms are not allowed to smile.      

In the Phillipines, the bride and groom release a pair of white doves.      

Some sort of leap over a broom is also popular in a number of cultures. 

But, when it comes to love and weddings, there are no borders, so enjoy the preparation leading up to your ‘I do’, ‘Ngiyavuma’, ‘Je fais’ or ‘Main karata hoon’ and remember to have fun! 

Mazel tov!

Vaal River Meander Wine Route24 June – 30 July 2017 

The Vaal River Meander is celebrating its 14th year and visitors to the area can indulge in SIX weeks of weekend wine tasting!    

A unique winter experience exclusive to Gautengers and visitors from the surrounds, the event will showcase over 40 wines from some of South Africa’s premier estates.  With 17 different venues to choose from, you are guaranteed a different experience at each and every stop, from sipping a beautiful Bordeaux on the river banks or a plummy Pinotage in the pub, to a scintillating Syrah by the fireside. 

BON Hotel Riviera on Vaal are offering their guests the opportunity to get involved – book between 25 June and 30 July, and enjoy some fabulous special offers: 

Stay over for R 850.00 p/room, with a complimentary wine tasting for two, and 50% off breakfast the following morning

Tuck into a platter for two for R120 which includes a variety of flatbreads infused with local herbs and seeds, accompanied by a selection of homemade patés and spreads

Enjoy a 25% discount on Sunday lunch

Warm up with our hotpot meal-of-the-day at R 75.00 p/p 

There will be a Wine Tasting Fee payable at each venue you visit, with a selection of different wine farms at each stop – 

• R20 for 8 wines
• R30 for 12 wines
• R40 for 16 wines 

So, grab your free Vaal River Meander Wine Route passport which has a map of the route, all the specials available at each venue and the wines that can be tasted, choose your mode of transport – a river cruise, limousine, water taxi, vintage car, motorbike or your own wheels, and begin your magical meander! 

For more information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.