Brad and Angelina set for fairytale Christmas wedding in South Africa

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are planning a fairytale Christmas wedding in South Africa.

The Hollywood couple will tie the knot in a small village outside Johannesburg, according to reports in the US.

Sources claim they were persuaded to pick the venue after talking to chat show queen Oprah Winfrey.

An insider said: "They are treating their marriage like a spiritual affirmation and don't need big Hollywood glitz like Tom Cruise had in Italy."

The ceremony will include traditional African music and will be "simple and elegant", a friend of the couple told US magazine OK!

The pal adds: "They are so much in love.

"Brad and Angelina have waited a long time for this chapter in their lives to unfold."

It comes after Jolie and Winfrey have grown close after the TV host was impressed by Jolie's humanitarian efforts.

She is said to have told her: "When you have the chance to capture lightning in a bottle you need to go for it."

The pal said: "Ange is grateful to have a big sister in Oprah, a person who understands her fears of commitment but is also a kindred spirit."

Winfrey, 52, is expected to be among several stars attending the low-key event, shortly before Christmas.

She founded the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in a village south of Johannesburg.

Madonna, her husband Guy Ritchie, actor George Clooney and Jolie's co-star Daniel Craig are also said to be going.

However, Brad Pitt's publicist Cindy Guagenti denies the couple have picked South Africa as their wedding venue and insists that specific plans for the ceremony have yet to be made.

Jolie was previously married to actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton.