BLOG

wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

Wow, this was the most emotional wedding I had the privilege to document to date. And Tertius and Monique looked absolutely gorgeous for their wedding celebration at Memoire Wedding Venue.

Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be. Frank A. Clark

Tertius & Monique's celebrated their wedding at the impressive MEMOIRE wedding and function venue, Muldersdrift. It was a super emotional day and I think its fitting and touching to have celebrated Father's Day a few days after their wedding. 

Tertius lost his dad recently and every time he remembered his dad during the day he would burst into tears. He had me in tears many times, and I couldn't have asked for a more special wedding to be a part of. Thank you for allowing me to capture memories for you and Monique, and wow....you looked absolutely smashing! 

Tertius may you truly be the man your dad meant to be! He will surely be missed. The painting in the groom portraits is a painting of Tertius and his dad. 

I must just add, I had so much fun photographing the partying at the end of the day! They went all out, especially the guys! 

Here's a list of the other suppliers who were involved making their day possible:

Flowers and decor: Bliss Floral Creations | Make-up: EA Academy MUD Westrand | Wedding Gown: Bridal Manor Pta | Wedding Designer: Pronovias (Pradera) | Monique's shoes: Charles & Keith, Menlyn | Tertius suit and shoes: Carducci | Painting of Tertius and his Dad: Friso van der Wal | Stationery: Vast Exposure | DJ: Starlightsounds | Live Music: CH2 | Photographer assistant: Carolyn J Gregorowski

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

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Teaser! Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

Wow, this was the most emotional wedding I had photographed to date. And Tertius and Monique looked absolutely gorgeous for their wedding celebration at Memoire Wedding Venue.

Teaser! Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be. Frank A. Clark

Tertius & Monique's celebrated their wedding yesterday at the impressive MEMOIRE wedding and function venue, Muldersdrift. It was a super emotional day and I think its fitting and touching to have celebrated Father's Day recently. 

Tertius lost his dad recently and every time he remembered his dad during the day he burst into tears. He had me in tears many times, and I couldn't have asked for a more special wedding to be a part of. Thank you for allowing me to capture memories for you and Monique, and wow....you looked absolutely smashing! 

Tertius may you truly be the man your dad meant to be! He will surely be missed. 

The painting in the groom portraits is a painting of Tertius and his dad. 

I must just add, I had so much fun photographing the partying at the end of the day! They went all out, especially the guys! 

Make-up: EA Academy MUD Westrand
Photographer assistant: Carolyn J Gregorowski
Live Music: CH2

Enjoy the sneak peak and I can't wait share the rest of this beautiful wedding!

Read More
wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

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!

Read More
wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

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!

Read More