The terrace of Giraffe Lodge in the evening with fairy lights
wedding venue in South Limburg

Wedding venue in South Limburg with a view over three countries

Ceremony, dinner and party in one place at Giraffe Lodge in Vaals, 10 kilometres from Aachen and 30 kilometres from Maastricht. Michelle and Mandy of FBLS Weddings take care of everything around it.

Giraffe Lodge is a wedding venue in South Limburg, on the hilltop between Vijlen and Epen in Vaals. Ceremony, dinner and party all take place in one location: on the terrace, in the restaurant with its round panoramic windows or in the event hall, all with a view over the hills of the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The lodge is 10 kilometres from Aachen, 5 kilometres from the three-country point and 30 kilometres from Maastricht.

The organisation is in the hands of FBLS Weddings & Events, wedding planners Michelle and Mandy from Limburg. Since 2009 they have guided weddings in the hills and far beyond, more than 200 by now, and they take the planning, the suppliers and the day itself off your hands. Anything is possible, and everything is taken care of for you.

Venue
Epenerbaan 1 in Vaals, on the hilltop between Vijlen and Epen
Distance
Aachen 10 km, three-country point 5 km, Maastricht 30 km
Spaces
Terrace, restaurant and event room, all three with a view
Kitchen
To your wishes, ideally with regional produce
Planning
FBLS Weddings & Events, wedding planners since 2009
Introduction
Free and without obligation
the venue

A wedding venue overlooking three countries

Giraffe Lodge stands on a hilltop at the edge of the Vijlenerbos forest, a few minutes' drive from the Three-Country Point and Aachen. From the outdoor terrace and through the large round windows of the restaurant, your guests look out over the hills of South Limburg, far into Belgium and Germany.

There are three spaces for the wedding: the terrace with its stretch tent and wooden deck, the restaurant and the event room. The sun sets behind the hills and once it gets dark the lights along the deck come on. Whether you want the room, the restaurant or the whole terrace is something we settle during the introduction.

In the kitchen we like to work with produce from the region: trout from the river Geul, local cheeses, vlaai pie from Fransen bakery and meat from Kusters butchers. The wedding menu is yours to decide, together with the kitchen: a seated dinner or a buffet, with Limburg regional dishes or exactly what suits you, drinks included.

The event room at Giraffe Lodge with a long laid table and a view over the hills
Guests under the stretch tent on the terrace at Giraffe Lodge
The terrace, partly covered by the stretch tent.
Laid table on the terrace of Giraffe Lodge with views over the hills
A table on the terrace, with the hills in front of you.
The restaurant at Giraffe Lodge with its round panoramic windows
Inside: the restaurant with the round windows.
why here

Why get married in South Limburg at Giraffe Lodge?

Giraffe Lodge stands on a hilltop in South Limburg, on the edge of the Vijlenerbos, the longest forest in the Netherlands. During the ceremony, dinner and party your guests look out over the landscape of three countries: the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

At Giraffe Lodge your guests do not need to move between venues: the vows can take place on the terrace or in the event hall, dinner in the hall or the restaurant, and the party continues in the same place. That keeps the day relaxed, for you and for your guests.

Giraffe Lodge is easy to reach for couples from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany: Vaals lies right on the border and FBLS also works across the border. The terrace is partly covered by the stretch tent, and inside the event hall and restaurant have the same view through the large windows.

How far is Giraffe Lodge from Aachen, Heerlen and Maastricht?

FromDistanceBy car
Aachen (centre)10 kmabout 20 minutes
Three-country point5 kmabout 10 minutes
Heerlen21 kmabout 25 minutes
Maastricht30 kmabout 40 minutes
from 'I do' to the last dance

What your wedding day at Giraffe Lodge could look like

Every wedding is different; this is an example of a day on the hill. Together with you, Michelle and Mandy draw up the schedule that suits you.

  1. Welcome on the terrace

    Your guests arrive on the hilltop and are welcomed with coffee and Limburg vlaai pie or a glass of bubbles, with the view as the first surprise.

  2. Ceremony with a view

    Saying 'I do' on the terrace or in the room, with the hills of South Limburg as the backdrop. FBLS is there as venue manager and keeps an eye on the schedule, so all you have to do is enjoy.

  3. Dinner your way

    At a long table in the event room or in the restaurant: a dinner or buffet you put together with the kitchen, from Limburg regional dishes to your own favourites, with the view as your dinner companion.

  4. Party into the small hours

    After dinner the room opens up for the party, with a DJ or live music. For guests staying overnight there is a shuttle service to nearby hotels.

your wedding planners

Hi, we're Michelle and Mandy

We are Michelle and Mandy of FBLS Weddings & Events, wedding planners and professional masters of ceremonies from Limburg. Since 2009 we have organised weddings in the hills and far beyond, from intimate ceremonies to weekend weddings. More than 200 couples have gone before you.

At Giraffe Lodge we are your one point of contact. We help shape the concept, arrange catering, facilities and styling, advise you on the other suppliers and draw up the schedule. On the day itself we are there as venue managers, so that everything is taken care of from the first conversation to the last dance.

No off-the-shelf weddings: every story is unique, and it should show.

The FBLS Weddings & Events team
View over the South Limburg hills from the terrace of Giraffe Lodge
The view over the hills from the terrace of the lodge.
Couple among the vines, wedding organised by FBLS Weddings
Couple in the vineyard. Photo: FBLS Weddings
fully taken care of

Who takes care of what on your wedding day

Giraffe Lodge provides the venue, the kitchen and the service. FBLS Weddings & Events handles the organisation around it. That gives you one venue and one point of contact.

Giraffe Lodge provides

  • Terrace, restaurant and event room with a view
  • Dinner or buffet, put together to your wishes
  • Drinks during the reception, dinner and party
  • Service and Limburg hospitality on the day itself
  • Coffee and vlaai pie at the reception

Organised by FBLS Weddings

  • Two guidance meetings at the venue
  • Organising catering, facilities (package for 30 or 60 people) and styling
  • Advice on the other suppliers
  • Drawing up the schedule
  • Point of contact for your guests and suppliers
  • Present as venue manager at your wedding, up to 10 hours (times by arrangement)
  • Upgrade to wedding planning and/or master of ceremonies possible, subject to availability
Couple kissing among guests holding sparklers, wedding organised by FBLS Weddings

Anything is possible

From an intimate ceremony to an exuberant party under the stars: tell us what you have in mind.

Book a free introduction
good to know

Frequently asked questions about weddings at Giraffe Lodge

Can we also hold the ceremony at Giraffe Lodge?

Yes. You can say 'I do' on the terrace or in the event room, with the hills as your backdrop. Michelle and Mandy take care of the practical side, such as the arrangements with the municipality and the layout of the ceremony.

How much does a wedding at Giraffe Lodge cost?

That depends on the number of guests, the spaces and what you want: just the party, or ceremony, dinner and party. After the introduction you receive a tailor-made quote. The introduction itself is free and without obligation.

How many guests can Giraffe Lodge host?

From an intimate party at one long table to a big celebration spread across the terrace, restaurant and event room. Enter your estimated number of guests in the request and Michelle and Mandy will work out with you which layout fits.

Where can our guests stay overnight?

In the hotels and holiday homes around Vaals, Vijlen and Epen. For guests staying the night there is a shuttle service to nearby hotels, and Michelle and Mandy are happy to advise on the overnight stays.

How does the introduction work?

You fill in the form on this page. Michelle and Mandy get in touch for a free, no-obligation introductory conversation. If it clicks on both sides, a tailor-made quote and a first round on the schedule follow.

How far is Giraffe Lodge from Aachen and Maastricht?

Giraffe Lodge in Vaals is about 10 kilometres from the centre of Aachen (20 minutes by car) and 30 kilometres from Maastricht (40 minutes). The three-country point is 5 kilometres away. The lodge has its own car park.

Can the wedding go ahead in bad weather?

Yes. The terrace at Giraffe Lodge is partly covered by the stretch tent, and ceremony, dinner and party can also take place inside in the event hall and restaurant, with the same view through the large windows.

Can we get married here if we live in Germany or Belgium?

Yes. Vaals is right on the border, a few minutes from Aachen and the Three-Country Point, and FBLS also works across the border. This page and the form are also available in Dutch, German and French.

get in touch

Request an introduction

Tell us briefly who you are and what you have in mind. Michelle and Mandy will get in touch for a free, no-obligation conversation. In season their office days are Tuesday to Thursday, from 10:00 to 17:00. Fields marked * are required.

What do you have in mind?
How should we get in touch?

We only use your details to contact you about your wedding.