Part 4 of 4 in our guide for visitors. New here? Start with the overview.
In short: The Far Away Surprise is Alora Events' package for people overseas who want to celebrate someone in Cape Town: a birthday, a graduation, a new baby, an anniversary or a just-because. A helium balloon bouquet with a message, fresh flowers and your handwritten note, delivered and set up anywhere in greater Cape Town, with photos sent to you and a video call at the reveal if they're happy to be filmed. Starting price R2,400 (about $145, €130, £110), paid by bank transfer from anywhere, delivered in five days or less.
It's their birthday in Cape Town and you're six thousand miles away. By the time you've had your morning coffee, there's a photo on your phone: balloons at the door, flowers in their hands, your note being read out loud. You were there after all.
Who books this
- South Africans in the UK, Europe, the US and Australia celebrating a parent's birthday, a sibling's graduation or a new niece at home
- Parents of students at UCT, Stellenbosch and on semester abroad programmes
- Long-distance partners marking an anniversary from the other side of the world
- Companies sending a thank-you to a Cape Town colleague or client
What we take care of
- A helium balloon bouquet with a personalised message balloon
- Fresh seasonal flowers
- Your note, handwritten by us in your words
- Delivery and set-up in the room, at the door or at reception, as you choose
- Photos of the setup sent to you on WhatsApp
- A live video call at the reveal, if they're happy to be filmed
Upgrade the surprise
- A cake from a Cape Town baker, from R850
- Room or lounge styling with petals, candles and a garland, from R2,100 on top of the package
- A graduation or birthday backdrop with their name, from R3,900 on top of the package
- An edited 60-second video of the reveal, from R600
How it works
- Build the surprise online and pay by bank transfer: pick a delivery day, give us their address and your note.
- We reply within four hours to confirm the delivery window and ask anything we need, like a gate code or a friend who can let us in.
- We deliver and set up, then send you the photos straight away.
- You see their face on a WhatsApp video call at the reveal, if they're happy to be filmed.
Parents of students: residences often only take deliveries at reception. Tell us the res and we'll check, or deliver to a friend's flat.
Ready? Build your Far Away Surprise or ask on WhatsApp.
