Crab Apple is the passion of Helen and Barend Booysen from the Dargle Valley. Set in this idyllic area, up a dusty and steep country road, deep in the Dargle Valley in the midlands, is the large Crab Apple Chapel. Covered in ivy, it is a picture perfect country chapel. An icon in the area, it was originally a community chapel, it has now grown into a popular wedding chapel. The Crab Apple Chapel was built in 1992 with windows and doors from a demolished Dutch Reformed Church in Pietermaritzburg and the apps has large feature windows allowing in the warm glowing sun and letting the natural surrounds of forests and farmlands form a glorious backdrop. The chapel seats up to 170 on church pews. Your own pastor will be welcomed as Crab Apple Chapel is multi-denominational.

Romantic, exhilarating, novel and exciting are just some of the words used to describe the ride on the Crab Apple Carriage. Helen and Barend's passion for horses lead them to take up carriage driving. Shortly after they were requested to drive their marathon carriage at weddings and Crab Apple Carriage has grown from there. A horse and carriage adds to a wedding or special occasion a sense of fantasy. For many a bride it is a dream come true. Currently Helen drives the carriage she uses to compete, The Phaeton Carriage, with Molly, her golden pony to pull it. It is a four wheeler carriage in green and cream and as this is a competitive carriage, the bride and groom drive standing up or seated behind Helen and holding onto the back of the carriage. When driving carriages for wedding Helen wears the traditional driving habit which creates a feeling of nostalgia.

Features and Attractions
Crab Apple Carriage is hired as a complete unit including the Whip, Groom, Backstepper, Horse and Carriage. The chosen florist for the occasion is welcome to decorate the carriage with appropriate flowers and ribbons. The Crab Apple Carriage is R2500.00 VAT incl to hire plus R3.72 per km for travelling outside of the 20km radius of Howick.
Crab Apple Chapel which is hired as a complete unit including the pews and a red carpet. The chosen florist for the occasion is welcome to decorate the chapel with appropriate flowers and ribbons. The Crab Apple Chapel is R1000.00 VAT incl.

Languages Spoken

• English
• Zulu

GPS Co-ordinates:

S29 28' 35.2” E30 03' 58.3”

Directions from the N3 or other major routes
Take the N3
Take the Howick/Tweedie turnoff.
If traveling from Joburg, go right over freeway towards Tweedie
If traveling from Durban, go left towards Tweedie (1km)

At T junction go right towards Lions River/Balgowan
Go approx 5kms, past Thokans cash store on left, go another 2kms til another T junction to the left called -“Dargle/Impendle”

Take Dargle turnoff to the left and go 6kms, past Dargle store, down steep hill and up the next hill.

At the top you will see the Crab Apple sign and the D17 sign. Turn right into D17. Dirt road.

Follow the signs and you will see the chapel on your right and if you keep to your right you will come to the main house.