The Laughing Forest

Tucked between coastal dune forests and untouched beaches, just 45 minutes south of Amanzimtoti, lies a place where time slows and nature speaks.  Whether you’re celebrating love, gathering family, or seeking soulful rest, The Laughing Forest Wedding Venue in Elysium offers you serenity, beauty, and genuine connection—both to the land and to the people who call it home. Our venue sits where forest and ocean meet — a secluded stretch of Elysium’s pristine coastline framed by ancient trees, rich birdlife, and sweeping views of the Indian Ocean.

Imagine saying your vows beneath a canopy of trees with the sound of the ocean in the background. Our gardens, natural altar spaces and intimate accommodation create the perfect setting for a magical, memory-filled day. We offer personalised planning and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere to make your celebration truly yours.

All catering requirements are done in-house and we have various menus that you can choose from.  The menu can also be tailor-made to your specific requirements.

The ceremony & reception hall seats a maximum of 150 pax and the venue also has a fully licensed bar facility, which is fully stocked and can also be personalised to suit your individual needs. Barman and waitresses are included in the wedding package.

Accommodation is available on-site and consists of 4 family cabins and 7 double/twin rooms. There is also more accommodation in the area if required.  Included in the package is complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom, for the night of the wedding in our sea view cabin.  This also includes breakfast the next morning.

More than a venue—it’s a soul sanctuary.

Imagine saying “I do” with the waves as your witness and ancient trees as your chapel. Our unique coastal forest wedding venue offers:

💍 Intimate beach + bush ceremonies

🛖 On-site accommodation in cozy cabins

🔥 Bonfire gatherings under the stars

🕊 Quiet space for reconnection—spiritually and romantically

Our name, The Laughing Forest, is more than poetic—it’s a reflection of what this place inspires: joy, peace, and a deep sense of belonging. Come stand still long enough, and you’ll hear it too.

Come and explore the hidden gem on the KZN South Coast. Contact us and enquire about our inclusive packages, which have been priced and designed to suit your pocket.

What an amazing place run by passionate people. We booked the date night special and boy did we feel special. The room we stayed in was beautifully decorated inside and out and oozed of romance. A stunning dinner table setup on our deck with a bottle of red and rose petals scattered everywhere. Dinner was magnificent, the steak was the best we’ve ever had so our compliments to the Chef. Brekkie in the morning and delicious and the beach was breathtakingly beautiful and accessible from the property. The special care and tremendous effort that Debbie, Phil and their staff put into The Laughing Forest is seen a round every corner of the property. Thank you for making our date night so special. P.S. If you feel the need to reconnect with nature make sure you go for a walk in the Laughing Forest. – Adri 

Having just returned home to the UK from my daughter’s wedding at this spectacular venue, it would be remiss of me not to write a positive review about The Laughing Forest. From Debbie and her husband, the owner/managers, to her amazing staff, to the venue, accommodation and lovely grounds, everything smacks perfection. Like myself, the wedding guests were blown away by the entire day. Thank you so much for making Jade and Jarrod’s day so memorable. – WayneCB

Debbie and Phil run a lovely, personalised wedding venue, with the finest attention to detail. Debbie has an instinctive way of dealing with brides, ensuring they get the wedding they want, within their planned budget. Their hands on approach and the way thins “just get done” is to be applauded. We spent the weekend at the venue, with my son’s wedding on Sunday at midday. Everything ran like clockwork with the hosts ensuring that all Covid curfews and protocols were observed at all times and we still enjoyed every minute. Phil’s bar service, variety and prices could teach quite a few operators how it should be done. Phil has developed a single green golf experience and with the beach and some fine snorkelling off the rocks, it kept the energetic occupied throughout the weekend.  A fun place to be at. – Iamanafrican