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Rudolph & Angelique | Wedding | Makiti Wedding Venue

Rudolph and Angelique had a very special wedding at Makiti Wedding Venue with family and friends! Magical day with lots of fun and laughter!

Rudolph & Angelique | Wedding | Makiti Wedding Venue

Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination. Voltaire

I always say with client referrals I always get my best clients, and with Rudolph and Angelique it was no exception! Rudolph works with a dear friend of mine and he mentioned at his office that he knows a wedding photographer and he referred me to them, and how blessed I am to have had them as clients! They are such down-to-earth and easy-going people, who loves simple things in life like outdoors, camping, fishing, sharing a meal with friends and family. They also have a huge love for dogs. I remember well, the first we met we immediately connected, and I always tell people I meet with, it is so important to connect with your photographer.

Rudolph and Angelique had a very special wedding at Makiti Wedding Venue with family and friends! And as much as people want to believe their Big-Day will be perfect and without any hick-ups, it almost always never is. The day is ultimately about the people and how they celebrate how two families become one, how two people become one. That is what is so special to me about weddings! Why do I mention this? Well Angelique (or someone...I am not going to point fingers ;-)) forgot her shoes...so she got married in...well old shoes...but hey...luckily they didn't forget her dress...once again nothing really stopped them from having the day of their lives...a day they will cherish forever! 

Here is a list of the suppliers who made this day possible!

Venue: Makiti Wedding Venue Wedding Dress: Yourday bridal

DJ: DJ Luke

Make-up: Lillian van Aswegen  Hair: Hair at Dorette (Website: Dorette Hair Salon, Dorette Oosthuizen)

Jewellery, a pear set: Avon

Rudolph's shoes: Woolworths

Video: Brightmoon Video & Photography & Second shooter: Chane Basson

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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Jan-Peet & Nadine | Wedding | Bell Amour | Pretoria

This is one of my favourites for the year! JP and Nadine looked absolutely smashing on their wedding day. Wow, what a cool bunch of family and friends! I must also give a shout out to Bell Amour Wedding Venue...what a beauty!

Jan-Peet & Nadine | Wedding | Bell Amour | Pretoria

We love because it's the only true adventure. Nikki Giovanni

What an adventure this day has been!

Jan-Peet (JP) & Nadine's wedding at Bell Amour Wedding Venue was one for the books! And they both looked smashing...just look at Nadine's dress. I could not believe when Nadine told me her dress made by one of the bridesmaid's moms...I thought it was a super duper designer dress! 

JP works in the Film Industry and I remember him saying to me that he has a special look in mind with regards to his photos...so I knew the game was on. I had to step up my game...thats how it goes in this industry. You feel the pressure on your skin because you know we look at images differently than the non-photographers...

Jan-Peet is a super clever creative soul...I mean his wife describes him as a mix between a hippy and an auditor...quite funny, but true. He had this crazy huge beard when we met last year and Nadine has the following to say about her husband: "He relishes adventure, mystery and passion filled lifestyle. He gives without expecting back and cares intensely for the people he loves". Nadine on the other hand is: "a soft and a gentle soul who loves animals, friends and family" as she would put it. She has this grace about her, and absolutely gorgeous...just a joy to photograph her. Together they are such a cool and confident couple, and the love just oozes out of them. I enjoyed them greatly! And oh my word they make great photos. I didn't know how they would be and react in front of my camera as Nadine's best friend did their engagement photos, but they were such naturals...I am sure they have this before. :)

The decor was super simplistic and elegant, with magenta as the main color with a lot of greens. The Love Knot did the amazing flowers on the tables and in the chapel, and beautiful signs in the chapel and above the main table were made by the venue! The centre pieces, with the white "trees" was done by JP and Nadine, and Nadine made the origami herself. They spent roughly 18 months planning this amazing wedding! 

Much can be said about the day, how much love and laughter happened, but I think the pictures will do it more justice!

Here is a list of other suppliers who were involved: 

Makeup: Morné Marx & Hair & Makeup: Nanna Castmar-Jensen (one of the bridesmaids)

Cake, Cupcakes and Cake Pops: L's Creations

DJ and sound: Dj Kings

Nadine's shoes: Aldo & JP's shoes: Markhams

JP's and the groomsmen's suits: Civic Tailors and Outfitters, Bloemfontein

Nadine's ring: Von Wielligh and JP wooden inlay ring: VA Tungsten  

Gowns:    Thashreya's clothing & Groomsmen boutonnieres: Iniek

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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Teaser! Rudolph & Angelique | Wedding | Makiti Wedding Venue

Rudolph and Angelique had a very special wedding this past weekend at Makiti - Venue's/lodge! Here are a few from the wedding, they had such a special day with family and friends! 

Teaser! Rudolph & Angelique | Wedding | Makiti Wedding Venue

A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. Mignon McLaughlin

Rudolph and Angelique had a very special wedding this past weekend at Makiti - Venue's/lodge! Here are a few from the wedding, they had such a special day with family and friends! 

Video: Brightmoon Video & Photography
Second shooter: Chane Basson

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Brand & Vanessa | Wedding | The Bridge, Muldersdrift

Wow, I am in love with Brand & Vanessa's photos! They got married on probably the coldest day of the year, with rain, but they took the day on with both hands and what a day it was! Special! 

You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known—and even that is an understatement. F Scott Fitzgerald

Wow, what a day. It was probably the coldest day of the year thus far, and it rained quite a lot. I had a tough start to the day. I woke up that morning with a cold, and my voice was gone. I luckily didn't have a fever, but I knew I would not be my 100% during the day, but amazingly I made it! I take my hat off for Vanessa and Brand. They did not expect the Winter to start on their wedding day, but they took the day in its stride and their wedding was one of my highlights for this year! 

Its actually amazing how things worked out. It poured during the time Brand and Vanessa were preparing, which meant we couldn't go outside at all for a few photos. I actually love it (well not so much in the moment, but its good for me) when I am pushed into a creative corner and I need to think outside the box. What happened was, Vanessa got dressed in a small room, and when three bridesmaids, Vanessa, her mom, the makeup artist and hairstylist, and myself the photographer, and the video production people are squished into the same room, one needs to be super creative to create awesome shots...that is what I love. I didn't do what I normally do in that moment, which means I get super cool shots...and I did! It also rained when the ceremony started, but it stopped just after the ceremony, with 20 minutes of the most amazing sunshine! Memorable! 

Vanessa said she wanted to do a "reveal-the-dress" for her bridesmaids, so you can imagine how difficult it was to do the dress shot, because the bridesmaids were in the room while Vanessa did her hair and makeup. So when we did the dress shot, I asked the bridesmaids to hide in the bathroom (they couldn't wait outside due to the rain), and we also did fun photos of the them closing their eyes and standing right in front of the dress...almost like teasing them that they are not allowed to look! And when Vanessa got dressed, they hid in the bathroom again!

One of the most memorable moments for me was the reaction of her bridesmaids when she revealed her dress! Priceless moment!

BrandVanessaWedding.gif

Wow!

Such special memories!

Another memorable moment for me was when the bridesmaids were walking towards the church in the rain with umbrellas. When they were about 3 meters away from entering the church, they stopped quickly and threw their umbrellas (or tried throwing it) over some rose bushes...lets just say the umbrellas didnt make it to the other side of the rose bushes and got stuck in the roses. 

I am super excited. This wedding is going to be shown on TV! Brand and Vanessa's wedding coming to  MySakpas-trou Channel 147 on ViaTV on KykNET. I enjoyed working with the guys from the Media Club Productions. It was my first experience having a film crew at a wedding, and I must say its different than having a wedding videographer at a wedding, but I had fun! 

Brand and Vanessa, it was a joy capturing your wedding, and I pray God's richest blessings over your marriage!

Here is a list of the wedding suppliers who made this amazing day possible:

Venue, Flowers and Catering: The Bridge, Muldersdrift | Wedding and Function venue

Make up and hair: Jonice from Jdv Styling

Rings: Pedro Da Silva - Fine Jewellery

Wedding Dress: Eurobride

Brands's suit: Greys

Cake & Cupcakes: Vanessa's aunt Marietjie

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!

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David & Irene | Wedding | Kuthaba Bush Lodge

Wow, I am in love with David & Irene's safari style wedding at Kuthaba Bush Lodge! Irene's Bride & Co dress was out of this world! 

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage. — LAO TZU

I always say that a client that is referred to me is the best client. Irene is one of those clients. She got my details from Cheryl and I had so much fun during their wedding! David and Irene are such great people, and I fell in love with who they are as a person since we first met last year for the engagement shoot. I can still remember how we had this super duper planned day and it all went pear shaped because we couldn’t enter the property we wanted to go to. So we ended shooting in a barren field, and we used whatever we had and made the best of it! That is such a testimony of who they are…they are focused people but also easy-going and content with the world.

It was my first time to capture a wedding at Kuthaba Bush Lodge and I loved it. Some of the most memorable moments for me was when I found out that Irene did not have bridesmaids but "groomsmaids". I kinda expected to see David in a kilt, because he is half Scottish but he did not wear one. All the groomsmen had a handkerchief in their suit pockets made from kilt material. And the one thing that completely blew me away was Irene's dress. Wow, I loved her dress which she bought on Still White. Its a Bride and Co dress and she definitely made a statement! 

I try to end every wedding with a sparkler photo. How this photo works is I run around them with a sparkler in the dark, and then the sparkler leaves a trial wherever I ran. The problem is I need to do this in complete darkness, otherwise I show up on the photo, so there is always a risk of me falling over a rock or something because I do not know where I am going. Well...this was the first time I fell down during on of the attempts, and I didn't get hurt...too much... I just picked up a few scratches...Funny enough on the night we made these jokes that I couldn't go and phone Discovery to claim for my health insurance because an employee of Discovery (Irene works for Discovery) has seen what happened...hehehe...we had a giggle...Those photos are always worth it, doesn't matter the risk I have to take!

Here is a list of the suppliers who made the day possible:

Venue, Styling & Catering: Kuthaba Bush Lodge

Flowers: De Villiers Blomme, Modimole

Make up and hair: Andelien Steyn Professional MakeUp Artistry

Wedding Dress: Still White & Bride & Co

Irene shoes & David Suit and Shoes: Woolworths SA

Irene's hair piece and earrings: Accessorize SA

DJ: Jannie Kruger

Video: Byron & Amy Wolff

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!

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Duane & Tanya | Wedding | The Moon and Sixpense

Wow, finally it is here! Duane and Tanya's beautiful wedding at the Moon & Sixpense is on my blog!

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

My wife and I got married in Bredasdorp 8 years ago, but always tell that if we tied the knot in Gauteng, we would have done it at The Moon & Sixpense! This is such an amazing venue...the tuscan vibe and the fact that it feels like you wander in a little forest is mesmerizing! 

Duane and Tanya had a super amazing wedding, with friends and family, and one of the most memorable moments for me was when Tanya's dad saw for the first time in her beautiful wedding dress. It's a moment I am looking for when me little girl is grown up and ready to marry the man of her dreams. I mean this is the day all girls dream about since they were small...a princess leaving the house of her king, going on a journey to marry her prince! Magical stuff! 

Tanya looked absolutely gorgeous in her wedding dress, and Duane....you looked dapper, especially with your red bow tie!

Duane inspires me as a man. The way he looks at Tanya, with so much love and admiration...and the way he handles her...its so special! May your love for each other grow and grow each year, and may your love inspire others like you have inspired me to love! 

Here is the list of the other suppliers who made this amazing day possible!

Venue: The Moon & Sixpense

Make up and hair: Made Up by Kylie 

Tanya's dress: Silk Stitches (such a pretty dress)

Duane's suit: Eurosuit

DJ and MC: Michael Catterson from Mix 93.8 FM (wow, he is entertaining)

Flowers and decor: Exquisite Flowers & Decor Hire

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

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Teaser! Brand & Vanessa | Wedding | The Bridge, Muldersdrift

Wow, this was probably the coldest day this year...and the wettest...but Brand & Vanessa took the day in it's stride and had the most amazing wedding day ever! Such a memorable day...and we had 20min of the most incredible sun! 

You are the finest, loveliest, tenderest, and most beautiful person I have ever known—and even that is an understatement. F Scott Fitzgerald
Wedding photography

Wow, what a day! Rain, cold front, and more rain...and a little bit of super duper sun...Brand & Vanessa, you were brave and you took this day in your stride and had the coolest wedding ever! They are such cool clients and I had a ball capturing their story....and WOW! they looked amazing! 

Another amazing thing is this wedding is going to be shown on Via TV on the My Sakpas Troue Show on Channel 147. I just loved working with the Media Club Productions team...can't wait to see the episode!

Venue: The Bridge, Muldersdrift

Enjoy the sneak peak....I cant wait to share some more! Please leave a comment at the end!

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Jorge & Kerry-Ann | Royal Johannesburg & Kensington | Wedding

Oh wow, what a wedding! I have not enjoyed a reception as much I did with Jorge & Kerry-Ann's wedding! They are such cool people and their wedding were super special!

“The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” —Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook

I am sometimes speechless when I comes to writing something about my clients and their gorgeous wedding. The whole day was so relaxed and full of laughter. They are fun loving, great friends and family is very important factor in their lives. As a photographer you want to really connect with your clients and from the first time I met Jorge and Kerry-Ann I fell in love with who they are and how much they love each other! Priceless.

I must say that I have not enjoyed a reception at a wedding as much as with their wedding. Instead of throwing the garter and flower bouquet, they handed the flowers over to the eldest married couple in honor of marriage and they played a game to "win" privilege to spend time with Jorge & Kerry-Ann in the following year. Wow, I had a laugh. There were 10 entrants, and with each round an entrant falls out if he can't return to a seat, while the seats become less as with musical chairs, after he or she attempts to bring an item at the wedding back to a chair, such as a shoe, or business card, or a bra....yes...you read correctly...the last item was a bra. The guy who won got his wife to take off her bra in just a few seconds to be crowned the winner...so much fun!

I felt truly blessed to a part of their Big Day...I felt like I was family. And one of the most special moments for me during the day was seeing Kerry-Ann's Dad's expression when he saw her at the church. Thank you for choosing me to capture your Big Day. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment.  

Corinna, who were second shooting with me, says the following about Jorge & Kerry-Ann: "They are a beautiful couple who clearly enjoy spending time together creating awesome memories." Here most memorable moment was the game they played during reception. She says it is the perfect event to capture, and it was amazing to see how people enjoyed it! Corinna captured Jorge and the guys and I captured Kerry-Ann and the girls as they got dressed. 

Here are the other suppliers who made this amazing day possible!

Make-up: Courtney Chadwick Make-Up Artist {Courtney is incredible!}

Church: Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Malvern {Such a beautiful church and I just loved how Father Tony handled the wedding, so special}

Reception venue and catering: Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club

Wedding planner: Jenene Bernhardt at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club

Wedding dress: Bride & Co

Jorge's Suit: Euro Suit

Flowers: Kerry-Ann did her own flowers at the venue, and House Of Flowers did they bouquet and flowers at the Church

DJ: DJ Kings Mobile Discos

2nd shoot: Corinna Tannian

 

Sit back and enjoy the beautiful wedding photos! Please leave a comment at the end!

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*Teaser! Duane & Tanya | Wedding | The Moon and Sixpense

Here is a sneak peak of the beautiful wedding at The Moon and Sixpense yesterday! Tanya and Duane looked amazing! 

"Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same." Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights

Here is a sneak peak of yesterday's exquisite wedding at the Moon and Sixpense! Duane and Tanya's looked amazing and what a beautiful day...especially after having two days of serious rain in Johannesburg! 

Make-up: Made up by Kylie

Flowers and Decor: Exquisite Flowers & Decor Hire

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Duane & Tanya e-session {Bryanston Pine Forest}

Duane and Tanya's beautiful engagement photos are on the blog! They look so much in love and I can't wait for their wedding this Saturday!

“True love stories never have endings.” —Richard Bach, American writer 

Wow, I just love it when my clients love it to be in front of the camera! Duane and Tanya are no exception. I took them to the Bryanston Pine Forest, and they just loved it! I must say every time I do a shoot there I am amazed at the results! This place is magical, and paired with an amazing couple, just makes for magical pictures! 

I am involved with the youth at my church, and and I got to know Tanya's sister while she was attending youth at the church. But that is not how Tanya found me. She had seen some of my work on Instagram and contacted me, and only after we had our first meeting that I realized that I know her sister...a small world! Wow, what a privilege to capture their engagement shoot, as well as their wedding. Their wedding is this Saturday and I can't wait! 

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!

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Justin & Gen - God's perfect painting {Wedding, Highway Church}

Justin and Genevieve's beautiful wedding is on my blog! I am a personal friend and I just loved every moment of capturing their special wedding!

“Love must be as much a light as it is a flame.” —Henry David Thoreau, author and poet

Justin and I travelled the world together in 2012 for a whole year as part of Global Challenge Expeditions, which is where our story started. It is such an honour and adventure to have served and worshipped the Lord Jesus in 10 different countries....Amazing memories! We have stayed friends since then and it was a few years later that I met Genevieve. And last year I had the privilege of capturing their actual engagement....priceless!

Since the sneak peak, I have been wanting to post Justin & Genevieve's wedding photos so badly! As a wedding photographer you get faced with incredible challenges and one of the biggest challenges is when the wedding doesn't look like the ones you are used to. BUT this allows for some serious out-of-the-box-thinking!

The place, at which we planned to do the couple shoot, didn't allow us to go in late in the afternoon. The wedding ceremony happened at the Church where the ceremony was being held. Most of the decor was done by the couple and their friends, which meant it wasn't completed when I needed to shoot the decor, and it was done outdoors (the light isn't favourable at 12am)...so huge challenges might be un understatement. The amazing thing about all of this is, if the results look this good, either I am super amazing as a photographer or God had intervened. I am good, not wait...I am great at what I do....but I also believe that God intervened.

I prepared myself for a smallish wedding, but in fact it was huge! Genevieve is definitely one of the most beautiful brides I have ever captured. The location I found for the couple shoot, was IMPECCABLE! The decor was great, and the venue was amazing...just loved the outdoor reception area under cool lights and those doors! The car they organised was out-of-this-world...I can go on and on...but all I want to say is..."I am lucky to have such beautiful and cool clients...and they made me look good!"

So, yes, God had intervened...God's perfect painting is and was about two amazing individuals becoming ONE! Their painting is surely not done, and I was privileged to have seen a glimpse of it! 

One of the most adorable moments during the wedding was how the flower girls wanted to be in EVERY picture, and how they couldn't understand that the days was not about them...they wanted to dress Genevieve, they tried putting on her shoes, they wanted to do her hair and make-up...I am glad they didn't do Gen's make-up and hair...but they were super cute. 

Other suppliers who made this day possible!

Venue & Church: Highway Church, Centurion

Make-up: Make up & Microblading by Miriska (this lady is amazing!)

Wedding Gown: Genevieve's mom

Bridesmaid's dresses: Glitter and Glamour Creations

Hair: Genevieve did her own hair

Justin's suit: Oriental Plaza

Flowers: The Flower Market

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!

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Magical wedding at Glenburn Lodge and Spa {Stefan & Ele}

The first wedding for 2017 is a stunner! Stefan and Elé's wedding at Glenburn Lodge and Spa was elegant, beautiful and so special! 

“I would find you in any lifetime.” —Kanye West, musician 

The first wedding for 2017 is a stunner! Stefan and Elé's wedding at Glenburn Lodge and Spa was elegant, beautiful and so special! 

From the first moment I met with Stefan and Elé we had a special connection. They are such down-to-earth and easy-going people, yet sophisticated when you look at the exquisite wedding they pulled off! Wow, I had so much to work with and capture, so much beauty everywhere! 

Their love story started at Oppi-Koppi in 2013, and funny enough Elé needed a lift home. Elé were acquainted to Stefan's brother at the time so he arranged for Stefan to take Elé home, and due to a 7 hour trip they got acquainted. Yeah...traffic works in your favor sometimes...so the rest was history! It was 3 years later that Stefan did the honor of asking Elé as his bride on Mount Ricky in Switzerland. This man has style!  

Late last year we had a crazy beautiful e-session at Toadbury Hall, and I knew I was in for a treat at their wedding, and they did not disappoint! Their photos are beautiful, and I always say that it is easy to photograph beautiful people...you guys make me look good!

All the best and lots of blessings for your lives going forward! 

Other suppliers involved who made this day possible:

Wedding Gown: Provonias     Music and DJ: PartyMix     Flowers: Rustic and Roses ZA

Make up: Tish Jooste     Wedding Suit: TailorMe     Wedding shoes: Olivelli

Bridesmaids dresses: YDE     Elé Ring: Custom made, Liz Laubscher    

Stefan ring: American Swiss     Tiffany chairs: Affinity Events      Video: White Motion Films

Decor: Eclectic Swazi     Draping and Fairy Lights: FF Decor

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!

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*Teaser. Justin & Gen - God's perfect painting {Wedding, Highway Church}

Here's a sneak peak of Justin & Gen's beautiful wedding from Saturday!

“Love must be as much a light as it is a flame.” —Henry David Thoreau, author and poet

Here's a sneak peak of Justin & Genevieve's wedding from Saturday!

They had a simple yet stylish wedding with friends and family at their Church.

Wow, what a day to remember!  

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A burgundy country wedding | Renanda Trout Farm Dullstroom

Desmond and Madelize's tearful wedding in Dullstroom was one of the highlights of my 2016!

When love is not madness, it is not love.  ~Pedro Calderon de la Barca

What a year 2016 has been, and what a wedding to end 2016 with! This one is going to be remembered for years to come.

The day was filled with excitement, tears and a lot of beauty. Desmond and Madelize got married on the wedding venue Madelize's parents had built on their trout family farm, Renanda Trout and Leisure Farm, and what a beauty! They chose to have the ceremony at the foot of the trout dam, and the reception was held in the shed or barn they had built for functions and weddings. There is also a little barn next to the watch tower which they used to serve the champagne and sushi, and the views over the countryside from there is impeccable! The wedding was full of DIY elements, and the whole family helped out where they could. Madelize did most of the planning with some help from Desmond. I must say it didn't look like a DIY wedding.

Madelize had the most amazing wedding dress from Lady Marmalade. The dress was off-white with long sleeves and the touch of lace and toile finished the design off with elegance and style! She looked incredible, no wonder Desmond teared up when he saw her walking down the grass aisle!

I immediately fell in love with who Desmond and Madelize are as a couple when we first met. They are detailed, personal (and this was evident at this tearful wedding) and elegant. I just loved the engagement shoot we did for the guest book I prepared. We went to Gold Reef City Theme Park (Click here) and their elegance and style can also be seen in the way they dressed in 50s theme...they went all out. I just loved it! 

Their love story started as a blind date (yeah right, no one ever believes or expect that a blind date can turn into true love) and they dated for 3 years before Desmond popped the question in the French Alps (wow, this man has got style)!  

They had the most amazing chemistry in front of the camera and this paired with the most incredible golden hour sunlight created some magic, which they will savour for the rest of their lives! Dullstroom has late sunsets, which made them very late for the reception, but it meant the golden hour sunlight also lasted longer than expected!

We had crazy cool night shots because of the mist we had at night, but there was a brief moment where the mist disappeared and we could do a sparkler fun shot with the stars! Amazing!

Other suppliers:

The flowers they got from Ludwigs Roses, the menu design was done by Madelize on Illustrator, their make-up and hair was done by Trevor Conn (Dullstroom, - Tete a Tete), a friend did the catering and the groom's suits were from Markhams.

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a message at the end!

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Andre & Lizbe's blissful wedding {Idlewild Country Estate}

Andre & Lizbe's beautiful and blissful wedding is on the blog! I just loved all the DIY elements!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 1 Cor 13:4

This was the most tearful and memorable wedding, and also a very pretty one! Andre & Lizbe looked amazing and they are such cool cats when it comes to pictures...which made her somewhat late...which is not much of a problem because most brides are late for the ceremony. The problem was we were scared of a massive thunderstorm which was predicted and happened...but luckily on the farm next door. I could literally see the huge clouds emptying itself behind the ceremony. The ceremony was held under a tent on the lawn in front of the venue, Idlewild Country Estate. It was my first time at this venue, and I am absolutely in LOVE! What a beautiful and stylish venue!

Lizbe is my wife's cousin, which makes them all kinda family and though we are not very close, we are quite close to Lizbe's mom, Lizma. Hence me being the wedding photographer...I also know Andre from a while back when we attended the same church, and I have also met Lizbe's dad, Ben, at my a mining indaba which my father-in-law hosts in Johannesburg. Ben has been a speaker at the indaba for the past 2 years and I have been the event photographer for every event. Only recently did my wife tell me that I have been photographing Lizbe's dad during his talks...it's a small world!

My hat goes of to Lizma and my mother-in-law.  They bought the flowers at the Mall @ Reds flower shop and also some from the garden, and prepped all the flower arrangements in Andre's mom's garage. They did the styling of the venue just spectacularly! Lizma even arranged to bake the cake at Vingerlek Tuisnywerheid in Doringkloof and decorated the cake herself! Amazing!

Other suppliers:

Andre's ring: Unbreakable Man

Lizbe's wedding dress and make-up and hair: Jomari and her team from Mimie

DJ and sound: Up a Tone Events

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!

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Desmond & Madelize | Dullstroom | Wedding Celebration

*Teaser! Desmond & Madelize's epic Dullstroom wedding celebration is on my blog!

What a weekend and wedding! I knew since Rentia, Madelize's mom, phoned me the first time, to my first meet-up with Desmond and Madelize, to our incredible engagement shoot at Gold Reef City's Theme Park that the wedding was going to be epic! The past weekend was full of tears and absolute splendor!

Madelize's parents built a wedding venue on their farm just outside of Dullstroom and what a beauty! 

Venue: Renanda Trout and Leisure Farm

I cant wait to post the full blog post.  Please enjoy the sneak peak!  

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A beautiful safari celebration {Awe & Elandi's wedding}

Awe & Elandi's safari wedding at Zebra Country lodge is on my blog!

“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” Maya Angelou

Wow, what a wedding. I always say that the no matter what you do, it's always about the people, and people make and/or break your wedding day and your experience as a photographer. When we first met, I loved them from the first moment. I remember Awe was a bit reserved, but Elandi chatted like we were best buddies! Elandi got my details from her sister, Sunette, after the family shoot I did for Sunette and Stefan. We immediately clicked and I knew that the wedding was going to be special, and it truly was! Some say that "Laughter is the best medicine, and in almost every set of pictures I got to capture so many laughs, and funny moments. So much fun!

This wedding was full of so many emotions, and I just love the pictures of Elandi and her father. They are so special. I got to capture so many year's of love and this why I love what I do. Telling stories of love to be cherished forever!

I just love the venue, Zebra Country Lodge. They allowed us to the engagement shoot during winter earlier this year at the venue, and that made me very excited for the wedding. See the engagement shoot pictures here (click).

I just love engagement shoots. I got to know Awe and Elandi a little better, and I got to experience their amazing chemistry in front of the camera for the first time. They could also see the way I work, and get comfortable with me, because when they are more comfortable the better the pictures look at the end of the day. I always say that I can just imagine myself in their shoes when they arrive for a wedding and think "I hope the photographer will capture me in the best way" or "I wonder what I look like through his camera?". That is why I do engagement shoots, and almost always do engagement shoots with all my customers.

Something quite mysterious and funny, is that I found out at the wedding that we attend the same church. Elandi's dad, Arrie Genis, is the headmaster (he actually retired a day or 2 ago) for the Louw Geldenhuys Primary School, which is right across our church, and great deal of the kids in our church go to his school. The Genis family means a great deal to the Linden community, and they contribute in incredible ways. When we moved to Johannesburg, we moved to a flat (even before I got married) right across Linden church (our flat, Louw Geldenhuys and the church are on the 3 corners of 7th Street and 3rd Avenue in Linden). We then moved to Northcliff, and eventually to Fourways where stay at the moment, but we are still entwined in the Linden community. The mystery...how did we not cross paths before...? Don't know, but in any case...back to the wedding!

It was most probably the hottest day I experienced in a while, definitely the hottest wedding I shot at. I always feel sorry for the bride and groom when it's this hot...they probably wanted to wear shorts and a cocktail dress...I must say there were a pool not far from the reception hall, and the thought crossed my mind a few times..."I hope they jump in the pool with their wedding clothes...it will make for such a cool picture!" 

The decor was out of this world, and full of personal touches. Elandi and Awe did the table flower arrangements themselves. They bought the proteas from Doornkraal Proteas and the roses from Malanshof Flora. 

Elandi's beautiful make-up was done by Elzette van der Schyff, and her exquisite hair by Rory Sandilands from Blo Hairdressing Salon

Elandi's exquisite wedding dress was made by Eurobride & her bridesmaids' dresses by Gelique. Awe rented his suit from Eurosuit and he just looked amazing with his waistcoat! The cupcakes and cake was made by Magnolia Bake and Cake

Congratulations again on your wedding day, and may the Lord's blessing rest on your marriage, and may your love for Him give you the strength to love each other!  

Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!

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David & Kate's South African Wedding {The Forum The Campus}

Kate & David's South African Wedding is on my blog!

“When there is love in a marriage, there is harmony in the home; when there is harmony in the home, there is contentment in the community; when there is contentment in the community, there is prosperity in the nation; when there is prosperity in the nation, there is peace in the world.” -Chinese Proverb

Jia Lu Wang and Kai-ting Yang (or David and Kate) have been staying in South Africa for a long time. David is from China, and Kate from Taiwan, and something that is custom in China is they do very stylish pre-wedding photos. But when David showed me the pictures from their 8-hour-6-wardrobe-change-photo-shoot I knew the game was on (and the heat was on). The photos, which was done in Shanghai by a Chinese well-known photographer, are exquisite. Head on over to The Wedding Event's Instagram feed...Simone posted a few of the pics there.

Wow, they were made to be in front of a camera. They are so beautiful, and Kate and her bridesmaids looked like supermodels from a magazine. They were also such a lovely bunch of people, always full of joy and laughter!

Kate's dress, which is an Ellie Saab design, were out of this world. The detail and the way it fitted was incredible. Her dress and the exquisite bridesmaids' dresses were bought outside of South Africa, and the same for Kate's beautiful Christian Louboutin shoes.

The wedding was held at The Forum | The Campus, and they delivered the most amazing décor with the most beautiful white orchids. What an amazing venue!

I know Simone from The Wedding Event for a little while now, but we have never worked together on a wedding before, and I really looked forward to this wedding. She is such an amazing wedding planner and everything at this wedding just went smooth (I am not so sure behind the curtains). She is incredible at her job, and if you want your dream wedding, or perhaps greater than your dream wedding, then you need to get in touch with her!

Kate's beautiful make-up and hair was done by Susan Kang Make Up and Hair.

Liam from Wedding DJs - Pulse DJs rocked the music once again! And the cake from Belle's Patisserie was out of this world!

David and Kate, please enjoy your love for each other, which was so event in the way you looked at each other. And the family you guys have are amazing, and I loved the laughing and cheering at your reception dinner at the Lotus Restaurant in Rosebank!

Please enjoy the pictures and do leave a comment at the end!

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Christo & Laraine's Wedding Celebration {Foxwood House}

Christo & Laraine's wedding celebration is on my blog!

“When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.” When Harry Met Sally

It has been a while since I have seen two people so much in love with each other! While editing I got emotional every time I saw how Christo looked at Laraine, and I couldn't help but think...that is how Christ looks at us! Amazing. 

Christo & Laraine wanted a small and intimate wedding, and that is exactly what they had. The decor was out of this world, and so was the venue...just stunning. I am truly privileged to have captured this special day for them, and I their love story inspired and still inspires me, and I believe that it flows over into their family!  

This wedding was also different than what I am used to. For instance they did their couple shoot before the ceremony, but this allowed me to capture the moment when Christo saw Laraine for the first time. What a privilege!

 
Christo & Laraine GIF
 

Thank you for being who you are Christo & Laraine, and may your love stay strong and rooted in our Lord Jesus Christ! 

Enjoy the pictures and do not hesitate to leave a comment at the end!

Venue: Foxwood House, Houghton

Make-up and hair: ComposureSA

Decor & Wedding Planning: Sonja Ward from Hot Chili Designs

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