Simons Restaurant, Groot Constantia

This elegant  Groot Constantia wedding was an absolute joy to photograph.

Groot Constantia is one of the oldest wine farms in South Africa.  It was granted to Simon Van Der Stel in 1685.  The architecture has a definite Dutch influence and later this style became more famously known as the Cape Dutch style.

This stunning wine estate is popular with locals and tourists alike.  Its also a wonderful and scenic wedding venue and has two restaurants on the estate.

Kirsten and her family grew up in the area and were schooled locally at Westerford and she studied further at UCT!  But like many youngsters, moved to London to further her career.

Their love story!

Kirsten and Greg met on a blind date.  I remember Greg telling me about it.  His version is that he saw this beautiful girl walk through the doors of the restaurant and started to pray “Please let it be her, please let it be her!” Imagine his delight when she was his blind date!

Greg

Kirsten wasn’t interested in a relationship at first but they did become friends.  Needless, to say, it wasn’t long before Kirsten found herself falling under Gregs spell.  This strong, rugged man from Botswana, is in fact, the most gentle soul who loves his family and friends fiercely.  She fell in love with his strength, his integrity, his loyalty and the way he made her laugh without even trying.

Long distance relationship

Their relationship had to endure a long distance relationship for a year when Kirsten went over to London to work for a year.  After the year, they decided that Greg should join Kirsten in London.

Needless to say, he didn’t need much persuasion to follow her over to London!  Greg doesn’t strike me as a fool …and he would have been a fool to have not followed her.

Kirsten

Kirsten is not only beautiful on the outside but she is beautiful on the inside too!  She has a warmth and calmness about her and embraces her friends and family into her circle with such ease.  Gregs family seem to be as besotted as he is with her and they aren’t the only ones either, I must admit I too, am completely smitten.  She is just lovely to be around but so is Greg!  As a couple they seem perfect for one another.  Greg is strong, protective and a complete gentleman.  They seem to be perfectly suited for one another.

Kirsten looked chic and elegant in her gorgeous wedding gown.  She later changed into an elegant one shoulder mini dress for the dancing and became the “Dancing Queen” of note!  This elegant Groot Constantia wedding was definitely one for the books!

Kirsten and Greg would like to thank the following people:

A big thank you to Mary-Ann and Mike Lumb for their friendship and hospitality!

The bridesmaids, Philippa, Claire, Yvette, Megan and Mary-Ann!

Their parents, Alistair & Julie and Dougal & Gail!

Francesca for all her help on the day!

My green love affair for all the flowers and table decor

The DJ Company for keeping the dance floor going all night!

The fantastic staff and managers from Simons Restaurant for making sure everything was perfect!

A big thank you to our make-up artist, Sarah Hoberman

and our hairdresser, Marite Crous!

we are forever grateful!

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Belair Wedding – Paarl

Megan and Evan – a joyous Belair wedding reunion!

This Belair wedding was joyous.  I have never, ever seen a bride who glowed with happiness as much as Megan did on her wedding day.

Evan was definitely the biggest reason that she glowed but he wasn’t the only reason. Although without a doubt, he was the main reason!

The other reasons!

Two months before their wedding, Megan and Evan emigrated to Australia as she had successfully applied for a position in Melbourne  but had to start immediately.  They decided to go but fly back to Cape Town for their wedding.  Needless to say, coming home after two months and having all your family and friends at your wedding was another reason to glow!

The final reason, I am sure, is that jet lag definitely was catching up with her, so the best way to handle it , is to pour the bubbly and be jolly!

Friends and family came from across the globe to celebrate this stunning wedding.  Her best friend travelled from Sydney, her uncle and his family travelled from the USA and her sister and her family flew down from Johannesburg.  Not only was this a wedding but it was a glorious reunion too.

Suppliers

Belair was the most magical, pretty venue in Paarl.  A perfect backdrop to a beautiful wedding.

Tracy from Trunk Events was the cool, calm & collected wedding planner.  It is always a pleasure to work alongside this talented lady.

My Pretty Vintage were the talent behind the floral creations. The venue looked amazing.

Shake ‘n Bake created the beautiful cake!

The awesome, Minki Du Plessis was the Make-up and Hairstylist.

Her perfect wedding dress was from Tying the Knot!

DJ Joe kept the party going until way after my bedtime!  He had everyone on the dance floor all night long.

DJ Dean was in charge of all the sound and lighting.

Chef Daddy were the caterers and  also treated the guests to midnight snacks.

A big thank you to my second shooter, Just Judy!

View previous wedding here!

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Cecile and Willem

On the Rocks wedding

Cecile and Willem chose a rainy, Autumn day to get married.    On the morning of their wedding, Cape Town showed off her best storm!  Now most of us, Capetonians know that we cannot wish for anything other than rain at the moment as we are in the predicament of a dire drought currently.  We have prayed for rain for a long time.  How could we now ask for it to stop.  So we didn’t.  Never once did I hear Cecile, wish for the rain to stop.  She was getting married and the heavens could open and celebrate with her.

I have known Cecile for a number of years!  She first approached me to do a different type of celebration shoot.  It was a shoot where we celebrated Cecile after a difficult period in her life.  That day, I met a beautiful, gentle, warm woman.  I think she touched something in me  that day.  I walked away that day, rooting for this very special lady.

A few years later, she asked me to capture her family.  Her mom, dad, sister, brother and their families.  Once again, I saw that beautiful, gentle soul.  I remember her telling me that she had met a lovely man.  I saw the sparkle in her eyes and knew this man was good for her but she had a few hurdles to jump first before she could shout to the world that this man was her soulmate.

Then one morning while I was still in Dubai, I received an email, asking if I was back in Cape Town yet.  Cecile was getting married!  I was so excited and happy for her!  But I was also excited because I would be back in Cape Town for her wedding!  This was definitely one wedding that I did not want to miss.

In lots of ways this was a fairly understated wedding.  Both Willem and Cecile have been married before.  They both knew that they wanted to profess their love to one another in front of God, family and friends.  They wanted a fairly relaxed atmosphere.  It was exactly that.  Relaxed and yet very special.  Willems children and grandchildren were ecstatic to welcome Cecile into their family.  It was very obvious to me that Willem cherishes Cecile.  It was also very special to me to see how Cecile has flourished in the warmth of this mans love.

Cecile looked absolutely sensational in a very different Cindy Bam wedding outfit.  I thought I had died and gone to heaven when I saw her and of course, we had to play with that gorgeous skirt.

Cecilia Fourie was the talented make-up and hairstylist and its always great to catch up with this friendly girl.  Needless to say, when it came time to play, the rain miraculously disappeared.

Yes, Cecile must now be the youngest granny out there …ok, step-granny, even though she adores her new grandchildren.  One thing became very obvious to me that day.  Age is just a number, when you are perfect for another, it no longer matters!  Cecile has gained an instant family who love her by marrying Willem but they have gained a wonderful lady who will cherish them all the days of her life!

Suppliers:-

Custom Design Wedding Dress – Cindy Bam Couture

Make-up & Hairstylist – Cecilia Fourie

Getting ready venue – Lagoon Beach Hotel

Reception – On the Rocks Restaurant

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I first met Tas, Dylan and Jack when I did Jack’s Newborn photography three months ago.  Tas asked me if I would be available when her sister, Yasmin and her little boy , Zane, came to visit from Hong Kong as she thought it would be really cute to take photos of the cousins who were born exactly a year apart.  Jack was a month early and by being a month early ..he arrived on Zanes’ first birthday …how special was that!  I have to say this is one gorgeous family!  The little boys are just so cute …as cute as little buttons.  Zane is the cutest 15month old and Jack is really so precious ….I love the photograph where it looked like he was giving me such a charming smile.  Zane is a normal active toddler and hardly ever sat still …but he gave us lots of laughs and giggles ….I especially laughed when i saw him do the laundry …apparently thats his favourite pastime …he loves loading the washing machine with all the dirty clothes and then taking them out and giving the clothes a good shake ….no lie …go look …I have captured it!  These family moments were really precious as they dont get to see each other too often ….oceans and continents separate but thank goodness for technology …as Skype makes it so much easier these days!  It has definitely made the world a smaller place!  Tas reckons i am now their family photographer …..I really hope so …cos i would love to see Jack become a gorgeous toddler like his cousin …these two boys are going to be heartbreakers!

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I have to be honest, I  loved these family portraits….but for so many reasons!  Chris, their son, is actually my go to “computer expert” …he is amazing …whenever I have a problem ….I shout for him and because he too has a love for photography, he actually understands exactly where I am coming from!  So when his mom, Louise contacted me and asked me to take photos of the family as a special gift for her husband for his 60th birthday, I thought it was such a beautiful present and it was also lovely to meet Chris’s family as he talks about them often with such affection.  As a mother of grown up children, I know how difficult it can be to get the family together to get family photographs.  And Louise was in the same predicament as myself as  Julia, their arty, creative daugher,  was heading back to France very shortly!  Their youngest daughter, Hanja is just sucha joy ….the madhatter of the family and a bundle of fun ….she had everyone laughing …a gorgeous little character!!  The other thing that i loved about doing the Fourie family shoot was that they brought their furry family members too.  Their dogs are beautiful …and it was fun to watch them having an awesome time running around the forest as if it was Christmas but luckily Louise was able to control them quickly for the photoshoot!  I must also admit that doing a family shoot in winter when the light is softer and sets quicker is also gorgeous …and being surrounded by beautiful farms …especially Altydgedacht farm which is famous for its divine wines and which is run by the most amazing Parker family.  I really would suggest that if you havent done so before …take a ride out to the farm and go buy some of their gorgeous wines and sit under the trees and have some wholesome, hearty food at eat@altydgedacht ….your taste buds will be totally tantalised!  They also do weddings and functions at Pampoenkraal and if you are a local resident of Durbanville then we really should support our local farmers!  And if you are a local Durbanville resident ….then you might recognise or have heard of Dr Fourie, he is a well known pediatrician in our area ….and I could imagine that children will always feel loved and cherished in his hands as he is such a soft, gentle soul …and you feel as if you have been in the presence of an angel!

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