These two lovebirds met each other just as they hit their teen years, Danielle was 12 and JJ was 13 and they became good friends. It wasn’t until she was 15 that they began dating. JJ was Nella’s first kiss and she says she always had the biggest crush on him. A true love story!

Nella has an aunt who is a very talented photographer, Desi McCarthy whom I have known for years but this was her first wedding and she asked me to take their engagement photos as she is located in Bloemfontein and then to work alongside her at the wedding. I actually enjoyed covering the boys for a change and taking time with them. These boys had all been at school together and they wanted some photographs of them proudly wearing their St Andrews school blazer.

Both the groomsmen and bridesmaids had been there from the start. They had seen a young JJ and Nella meet and fall in love and be “the golden couple” all through high school.

Nella says that through the years they grew as a couple but also allowed each other the space to grow as individuals and to pursue their own dreams.

My talented friend, San-Marie from CreativeNook created the amazing eco-sustainable bouquets and table foliage. She always amazes me that she can create amazing bouquets and table foliage without harming our environment. She is a true creative!

Nella is a crazy talented graphic designer/artist and I just loved that she took the engagement photos that I took and created a stunning table placement with them! She did all the stationery, canvas bags, the seating charts, menu’s etc!

Check out their engagement photos here

Thanks to the talented suppliers:-

Make-up and Hair – Minke Du Plessis

Venue – Die Woud

Bouquets, corsages and decor – San-Marie from CreativeNook

Videography – Mikayla and Ebert from ES Films

Cake – Tessa’s Bakery

The post Wedding excitement bubbles over at Die Woud appeared first on Jo Ann Stokes.

Gansbaai wedding | De Uijlenes

Julian & Roxanne

Part 2

Gansbaai wedding with a big time party vibe as it was a double whammy of a celebration as her Mom turned 50 a few days before this Gansbaai wedding and she and Cape Dj’s definitely got everyone on that dance floor.  The wedding went on until the very small hours of the morning.  The beauty of the De Uijlenes wedding venue is that there really wasnt any close neighbours to complain about the loud music so the party could continue past pumpkin hour!  De Uijlenes is a truly rustic beauty of a venue and gives you the essence of a laid back affair. You will exchange vows in a forest glade with birdsong in the air and butterflies on the breeze and maybe a caterpillar or two climping up the ministers shoulder. It is truly a whimisical setting for a Gansbaai wedding. The owners live on the farm and are very accommodating and extremely helpful and full of helpful tips and advice. There is also an exquisite cottage for brides to get ready in.  There is nothing more that you could ask for.  There are also plenty of local suppliers to be found in the Hermanus area.  There are plenty of guesthouses within the Gansbaai, Stanford area that guests can book …or the youngsters can bunk down in the hostel on the farm and wake up to a good old country farmhouse breakfast for a minimal cost.  If you are looking for a weekend wedding …this is definitely one location to consider.  Not too far from Cape Town ..but far enough that you feel you have had a weekend away.

Part 1 of Roxanne & Julian’s gorgeous De Uijlenes wedding can be viewed here!

Part 1 can be viewed here!

All suppliers to be viewed in Part 1!

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All weddings are special to me …I love every single one of my couples …and I cherish their wedding day memories always!  But this one is slightly more special …as this family is like family to me!  I have known this young bride, Roxanne, since she was about 10!  Her mother became one of my very best friends while sitting next to a swimming pool at Kenridge Primary School waiting for our children to finish with their swimming practice!  Over the years we have realised how often our lives almost crossed until that one fateful day when her mom told me that Roxy had a crush on my son!  Ruth and I had been to the same high school but she finished as I started (yes, she is older but she was more popular!!!)…and even stranger, we were in the maternity hospital delivering Kyle and Roxanne at the same time …and yet we never met …until they were both 10!  And because of Roxanne, I realised that her mother and myself have the same type of humour and we get each other!  And the funny thing is …..we both get each others children but not necessarily our own!  Roxanne, is a beautiful, compassionate, strong-willed, loving girl ..who was brought up as the only girl surrounded by her three brothers!  And when Julian came on the scene, it was obvious that he was the man for her …this was no silly schoolgirl crush …he was and is ..the love of her life!  And no one can ever doubt how much Roxanne means to Julian ….his speech said it all ….he never told her how beautiful she looked, which she did …he told her something so much more special than that ….he told her …the she was “home” ….where he belonged and only wanted to be!  These two fit together like two garden gloves ….they nurture each other, encourage each other, defend each other and love each other!  Julian truly loves Roxanne …a man who isnt scared of three tough brothers never mind a very loving, protective dad …..and has already skipped through hoola-hoops to ensure that they were together is definitely there for all the right reasons ….and the only reason is ….love!

Roxanne decided she didnt want bridesmaids ….she didnt have any sisters ….and to her the most special people in her life were her brothers …so she decided that she would rather have them as her “bridesmen”  She totally loved being surrounded by her brothers …each played a very special part in her magical day at De Uiljenes wedding venue!  Roxanne’s stunning make-up was done by none other …than the super talented, super nice, Sanmarie Botha!

Part 2 can be viewed here!

Part 2 can be viewed here!

SUPPLIERS:

Venue : De Uiljenes, Gansbaai

Guesthouse :  Doolittle Farm

Photobooth :  Bambooth

Videographer : Lemon Square

Wedding Planners :  Lynne Swart & Ruth Crump

DJ :  Cape DJ

Flowers :  Veldflora & Dinique

Cake :  Leigh’s cakes

Stationery :  Ryan Crump

Hiring Company :  Function Hire Hermanus

Bridal Make-up & Hair :  Sanmarie Botha

Dress:  Anje Couture

The post Wedding | De Uijlenes, Gansbaai | Part 1 appeared first on Jo Ann Stokes.

 PART TWO CAN BE VIEWED HERE!

Suppliers :

Venue :  Kliplapa, Robertson

Wedding and bridesmaid dresses :  Maralize Craill from MC Design & Couture

Hair :  The grooms cousin – Nicole Craill

Make-up :  Esmarie from Skin & Nail Excellence

Tuxedos :  Mr Suit Hire

Groom & Groomsmen waistcoats :  Maralize Craill from MC Design & Couture

Wedding cake :  Ashleigh Freeman

Flower arrangements :  Maralize Craill (Shauns’ mom)

Love bird decor – Chantalle & Maralize Craill

Second shooter :  Kath Chen

The post Wedding | Kliplapa-Robertson | Shaun & Chantalle – Part 1 appeared first on Jo Ann Stokes.

Part 1 can be viewed here!

Service Providers:

Venue : Kleinplasie, Bredasdorp

Wedding Dress:  Janita Toerien

Hair Accessories:  Kathleen Barry – Bespoke Occassion Accessories

Bridal Shoes:  Nine West

Vidoegrapher:  Shoot & Create

Caterer:  Di from Plum’s Kitchen

Dcor, Flowers & co-ordinator:  Lucia Streicher from The Ivy League

Sound:  Duane Williams

Make-up and Hair :  Clarita Smit

Wedding Cake:  Lauren Schoeman

Icecream machine:  Coleen Hugo

Photobooth:  Jarred Stokes from Bambooth

The post Cape Town Wedding | Kleinplasie appeared first on Jo Ann Stokes.

The other thing that was so special for me …was their wedding ceremony …I have to be honest …I dont know how I controlled the camera because I was so close to chunking …everytime I looked at the Addie, the one videographer …I think we both realised that we were both choking up!  It was the most beautiful ceremony you could ever imagine ….this young couple were joyous in giving their lives to God and they sang with all their hearts in utter rejoicement.  It was so emotional …I still have goosebumps now when I think about it!  I have no doubt that with God in their marriage, this young couple will stay strong and united!  God Bless, Iwan & Leandri …it was an honour to capture your very special day!  This is definitely one Cape Town wedding I will never forget!  Part 2 is here!

Service Providers:

Venue : Kleinplasie, Bredasdorp

Wedding Dress: Janita Toerien

Hair Accessories: Kathleen Barry – Bespoke Occassion Accessories

Bridal Shoes: Nine West

Vidoegrapher: Shoot & Create

Caterer: Di from Plum’s Kitchen

Dcor, Flowers & co-ordinator: Lucia Streicher from The Ivy League

Sound:  Duane Williams

Make-up and Hair : Clarita Smit

Wedding Cake: Lauren Schoeman

Icecream machine: Coleen Hugo

Photobooth: Jarred Stokes from Bambooth

The post Cape Town wedding | Iwan & Leandri | Kleinplasie – Part 1 appeared first on Jo Ann Stokes.

After meeting Chris at the shoot I did for Christine, I discovered that he is a genius with computers and so he became my very own “go-to-computer-guy” so when he asked if he could come and see me one day, I assumed that it was going to be a technical meeting regarding my computer!  But you could have knocked me over with a feather when they told me they were getting married in six weeks time and they wanted me to be their wedding photographer!   Luckily they decdided to get married on a weekday so even though the season was very busy I was able to say a resounding “Yes” !  And it meant that I would be back at the beautiful, rustic Beloftebos within three days!

There were so many reasons to celebrate that beautiful day!  Firstly, it was beautiful to see two lovely families work together on making this a very special wedding!  Secondly, it was also Christine’s 23rd birthday!  And thirdly, her new Sister-in-law ..although I think I really  should say her new sister , Julia, the most amazing creative girl, turned 21 as well!  Julia, did the brides hair and make-up, plus all the bridesmaids too ….she made the crown of flowers   …she did the artwork for the menu’s and chocolates  …she worked tirelessly and considering it was her very special birthday, not once did it become about her ….in fact I think it was the best birthday present for Julia to put her considerable talents to use with this beautiful wedding!    Chris’s, mom, Louise made Christines’ beautiful dress which I think suited her to perfection …it was utterly gorgeous!  Christine’s mom, Esther organised the whole wedding and pulled it all together in the time frame of six weeks ….just goes to show, that it can be done and still be absolutely beautiful!  This was truly a family affair ….every family member had a job to do …and it was absolutely special!  But I think most importantly ….this was truly a romantic wedding ….you could feel the love ….anyone that was at this wedding, left believing in fairytales …it was purely magical  I truly felt that I had read a gorgeous romance novel!

I would like to say a big thank you to both the Brand & Fourie Family for making Stella and myself feel so welcome!  Thank you for your wonderful hospitality!  And finally a big thank you to Stella Sassen for being my second shooter!

Part 2 is here!

My lovely couple, Chris & Christine would love to thank the following people!

Suppliers:
Our wedding was very family orientated and everyone was part of the planning. This made our wedding even more enjoyable!
Dress – Louise Fourie (Chris’s mom)
Hair, make-up, flower crown, stationery and basically everything – Julia Foruie (Chris’s sister)
Flowers – Bunches4Africa, Hannetjie Lammers and our whole family!
MC – Christi Thirion
Pastors – Chris-Johan Fourie and Tinus van Zyl
The big day – special thanks to our Brand parents for their support and making sure we had an unforgettable wedding!

 

The post Wedding – A romantic wedding to melt your heart @ Beloftebos – Part 1 appeared first on Jo Ann Stokes.

Graeme & Candice

Part 1

A perfect Greyton wedding!  Greyton is probably the most beautiful  village in the Overberg Area.  It is nestled in a hollow in the majestic Riviersonderend Mountain Range in the Overberg Area.  The village is quaint and natural with mostly dirt roads but hosts many outstanding guesthouses and lodges as well having some well renowned restaurants.  The village can house more than three hundred guests per night.  Definitely enough accommodation for all the wedding guests.

Imagine inviting all your friends amd family to meet you in a quaint town for the weekend to help celebrate your marriage!  This is exactly what this gorgeous young couple did!  Friends and family came from near and far to help celebrate …and it started on the Friday evening with a big get together with Uncle Gary providing everyone with his delicious potjie.  On Saturday morning, family leisurely strolled through the picturesque town of Greyton ..enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and sauntered through the local market while the Bride and her bridesmaids enjoyed a morning to themselves being pampered!  The reception was held at the quirky Searle’s Trading Post in Greyton and the decor style was eclectic with the only theme being “Green” …very different and interesting!  One of the best reasons to consider getting married in Greyton is the beautiful little church which is perched on the hill a few kilometres outside the town!  It has the most gorgeous backdrop you can imagine!  I was really spoilt at this wedding …not only are Cands & Graeme a gorgeous couple, with a warm and welcoming family …but the town was a magnificent backdrop to this beautiful wedding!  If you have never been to Greyton ..do yourselves a favour and go treat yourselves to a weekend there …you will be glad that you did!  Part Two can be viewed here!

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