This coronavirus free wedding happened just before the whole world went crazy.  When guests were still travelling from all over the globe to watch their special friends tie the knot on their home soil!

How things have changed in just under a month.  All my weddings have been postponed until later in the year.  All gatherings over 100 people were banned and then further stringent rules were put in place.  Venues had to close at 18hoo and no alcohol was allowed to be sold.

Consequently many weddings were postponed and  I totally understand the reason for postponing.  Weddings are definitely meant to be a celebration surrounded by all your loved ones far and near.

Carl and Kelly

Carl and Kelly are both South African and both left our shores to work on the Super Yachts .  Both jokingly said that they were keen to meet someone with a great passport but they met and fell hook, line and sinker for each other and decided that both were worth sticking to the “Green Mamba” (South African) passport for!

All their “yachtie” friends  and Durbanite family flocked to Cape Town to watch these two lovebirds tie the knot in front of friends and family at the picturesque Suikerbossie in Hout Bay.  Carl is originally from Cape Town hence the reason that they chose to get married in the Mother City!

The Wedding Day

They had thought of everything for their wedding.  Kelly and her aunt baked the wedding cake.  Kelly and her bridesmaids decorated the reception area.

Games were arranged on the Suikerbossie lawns to keep guests entertained during the bridal party photoshoot as well as a Photo Booth.

Suikerbossie laid out a delicious Harvest Table for all the guests to enjoy while they waited for the wedding party.  And if that wasn’t enough, the G&T’s were flowing all afternoon.

Carl and Kelly are super cute together and are totally comfortable with one another and were one of the fortunate couples to have had a Coronavirus free wedding!   Another couple of weeks and this wedding might not have happened.

To all my couples who have had to postpone because of the Coronavirus, your day will come.  It might have been delayed but when we do get to celebrate, we will celebrate in full force.  I am still excited to see all of you as beautiful brides just like Kelly!

Suppliers:

Venue:-  Suikerbossie Hout Bay

Dress:   Enzoani by The Wedding Boutique

Make-up artist:  Black Rabbit Make-up

Bridal lingerie:-  Free People

Photo Booth:  Bambooth

Videographer:  Gustav Films

See Kylie and Nick at Camps Bay

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Nina & Alex

This intimate Yzerfontein beach wedding took place in the middle of January in the middle of the week!

Most of the guests were from Johannesburg and flew down to Cape Town to celebrate with the happy couple and joined them in the beautiful west coast.

The minute I met Nina and Alex, they felt familiar to me.  I had just finished watching Younger on Netflix and Nina is the spitting image of Hilary Duff except Nina is a darker version.  It was surreal.

Alex on the other hand, reminded me of my sons best friend.  It wasn’t the looks but the mannerisms.  They were so familiar to me that I felt as if I had known them a long time.

Nina was a wedding event planner in Johannesburg and her attention to detail was phenomenal.  Even though her wedding was intimate, everything had been thought of and the decor was next level beautiful.

In fact, that is how Nina and Alex met.  She was the event planner at his brothers wedding.  Now doesn’t that remind you of Jennifer Lopez in the Wedding Planner!  How utterly romantic!

This intimate wedding took place on the beach in front of the beautiful Thyme & Tide Guesthouse in Yzerfontein.  Nina and Alex booked out the whole house for their wedding day and their guests were able to enjoy a beachfront property at its best.  Sitting on the decks and watching the sun set over the ocean while Nina and Alex had their photoshoot was an absolute treat.

While the guests enjoyed the sunset and the children swam in the pool, a small army of chefs were busy in the kitchen preparing a sumptuous gourmet meal for everyone to enjoy.

After the sun set, the happy couple returned to be surrounded by their loved ones and enjoy their wedding day with those who were really close to their hearts.

Their special  day was total perfection!

Suppliers:-

Make-up & Hairstylist – Makeup by Lauren

Florist – yes exclusive flowers

Dahlia’s – Adene’s flowers

Minister – Stephen Van Basten

Stationary – Oh Yay

Wedding cake and cupcakes – Florentines

Jewellery – GC Manufacturing

Planning & Designing- the beautiful bride, Nina!

Previous wedding can be viewed here!

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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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Bryce and Angelique

This perfect Cape Town proposal has been in the planning for a good few months. Bryce had bought the engagement ring while Angelique was on an overseas hockey tour in Holland. He knew exactly what he wanted to do to make his proposal special for his ladylove. He wanted to take her away for a weekend and it had to be rustic and where nature was the main drawcard.

The downside was that they both had very busy schedules and trying to organise a surprise proposal with so many elements became difficult. Firstly all the cabins were fully booked, secondly Angelique was writing exams and finishing her university course and thirdly Bryce was fully booked with hockey coaching and tournaments and lastly, my availability dates also had to be consulted.

But life has a way of working out and these two were meant to be together and so the stars aligned and the universe made a plan. Copia Eco Cabins phoned Bryce and said they had had a cancellation and would he be interested in the first weekend of 2019! Bryce knew that he and Angelique had their first free weekend before heading off to a hockey tournament up country. All he had to do was double check if I was available and luckily I was. The stars had aligned, we could go ahead a plan this surprise engagement.

Bryce and I came up with the plan that I would contact Angelique and ask her if they could help me out as a couple had just dropped me for a photoshoot that I was doing at the Cabins in order to give them some content for their instagram page. If she had really done her homework, she would have realised that Copia Eco Cabins have plenty of content for their instagram page but hey it worked and she fell for it hook, line and sinker!

The cutest moments was when she got to the cabin and was so excited about the shoot and said the container cabins were awesome and she thought that this would be a perfect proposal spot. I was slightly worried that she had cottoned on but luckily she hadn’t.

Bryce definitely scored brownie points for his choice of the location. It was romantic, peaceful with no internet connection! Bryce had also got his mom to purchase all the supplies for the weekend! And when Angelique realised that this was the spot for her surprise proposal she was beyond elated.

Like most ladies, she couldn’t wait to tell the world that Bryce had put a ring on “it”. The most important people knew and were able to be phoned but social media had to wait! We all promised that we wouldn’t post until she was back in the land of the “internet” and could make the big announcement herself!

We all had a celebratory glass of champagne with the happy couple and then we all left them to enjoy this special time.

Congratulations Bryce and Angelique! You are absolutely perfect for one another!

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Fleeting moments

Great pictures are timeless – a fleeting moment that draws your attention. It wasn’t a moment before. Neither was it a moment after. It was at that exact moment time was captured.

This is why I love wedding photography. It’s a sea of emotion, from the nurturing of anticipation to the infectious glee that lingers throughout. It is a place where moments present themselves more often than not. Nevertheless, a wedding can be an intimidating experience.

The intimidation, however, can be overcome with just that extra preparation and confidence with each passing time. My preparation typically begins well before the actual wedding – with the couple.

I use this time to get to know the couple as much as I can. They will have requests, and certain nuances to certain scenes and characters. You may not agree with them, but it’s good to let them be as comfortable as possible – especially during the big day. It is after all their portrayal of love. And each couple is as different as the next. And it will show.

For the ladies

Yes, of course. The bride in all her charm, and a room swaying from excitement to anxiousness, it’s hard not to enjoy the pre-wedding bubbly and toasts of romantic fortune. It’s very easy to get caught up in all the action. Any woman would, but it’s important to get the unique connection between the bride, her mother and her easing bridesmaids. Being a fly on the wall is most effective. It is important – and will be important throughout – to let as much of it happen as authentic as possible. It’s these moments that will help build their story leading up to the last clinking of glasses.

The First Look

No – not the first look between the bride and groom, but rather that of bride and father. I feel this is one of the most beautiful moments of a wedding. The father will be wrought with emotion – who wouldn’t? His daughter’s beauty could well easily prompt a memory of her mother in a similar setting not so long ago. It’s his pride and final acceptance of sharing his baby with another man. One that you hope he has become very fond of. It is also that brief moment of the unfamiliar, as the bride leaves all that grew up knowing, to one that she’ll have to start learning.

And the Moms!

Time to Go!

WALKING DOWN THE AISLE

Be prepared for this as this is a big part of the story of the day.

There is so much to capture in this five minute moment.. The groom standing nervously with his groomsmen wondering when his bride will arrive. The moment when the music starts to play and the bride makes her entrance. The bride being walked down the aisle by her proud father, his chest puffed out like a proud peacock. The look on the Grooms face as he watches her slowly and gracefully glide towards him. The look in her eyes as she locks her eyes onto him and lets go of all her nerves. The guests admiration as they see the bride for the first time. The moment when dad lifts her veil, shakes the grooms hand and hands his daughter into the care of another man. The Moms faces, filled with emotion, happiness and a tinge of sadness as they realise that their lives are starting a new chapter. There is no better scrip, the emotions are all there and a good director knows when to let the story be unfold and let their main players run with it.

The Group Portraits

The bridal group and the family portraits definitely need some organisation, especially if they are big groups. Putting them into the right light and background is key. Getting their attention is paramount but also allowing them to mingle and laugh and be happy as the day is a celebration for all to enjoy. Be a clown if you have to because if you let go of your inhibitions, the group will do exactly the same!

Bride and Groom portraits

Its over  and they realise they have done the deed! Now its time to relax and enjoy being together for an hour or two before they join the party.  Its time to breathe and celebrate the start of their new life together.

Most couples need to be eased into this part of the shoot. You do not have to overdirect it but you do need give some prompts in the beginning. Very few couples are natural born models and therefore appreciate some direction at this stage.

Firstly, they need to forget about the camera and I do this by telling a few risqué jokes, asking questions, reminding them about something about the wedding ceremony. I find that while I am chatting and they are listening, they overlook the camera and I can lift the camera to my eye and start taking images and they hardly notice.  The Light Co L16  camera would be perfect for couples to overlook.

I will also pretend to be changing lenses or changing settings on my camera, as I find during this period, moments occur and they forget that I am even there. When I see that happen, I do not interrupt and I continue to get those intimate moments that they are unaware that I am photographing. I believe in giving couples those moments.

Walk away on the pretence of location scouting and giving them the distance to enjoy each other and once again I capture from afar. I will make sure that I have two camera bodies with me, one with a wide angle lens and another with a telephoto lens.

Speeches

The last bubbly’s poured and the bride’s father announces himself. It’s time for the speeches, and with it, raw emotion. From the best man’s cheek and the bridesmaid’s flirt, to the father’s stress and the mother’s pride. It’s a chance to catch everyone unaware, as they’re fixated on the tales of love before them.

One of the best things to do during the intimacy of the speeches is to “disappear” – no, not literally, but as much as that you aren’t interfering with the speaker, or guests. Now if the venue is a bit irregular this can cause a frustration. It shouldn’t. All that you need to consider is not to be in the immediate attention of your subjects. The right moment will present itself

Then before you know it, the cake has been cut, the garter and bouquet thrown and the first dance done and the party is about to get started. Spend some time capturing the crowd enjoying the evening but as soon as you feel you have everything captured, quietly go find your couple, say your goodbyes and sidle out of the venue and allow them to get back to their party and enjoy themselves.

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The first point in this article is to state that any service, product, or function, is likely to me more satisfying and successful with the use of a professional. When someone is trained and/or experienced, they have more to offer and are far more invested in the outcome of what they are doing. Whether it is a stylist, a chef, an attorney, an accountant, or a photographer – using a professional will make a difference.

Having a photographer for an event takes the pressure off of other people at the event so that they can enjoy the time there. Even for photo shoots where you are one on one with the photographer, they know how to use your surroundings, the composition of each shot, and how to make you look your best.

The use of equipment makes a very big difference to the outcome of a photograph. A photographer will be prepared for any kind of weather, and any kind of event. This can give you the ability to relax about the outcome of your pictures and leave the job to the photographer. Along with the actual camera equipment, photographers will go through each image with a fine tooth comb in order to ensure that they are amazing and edit them accordingly.

A professional photographer will have a portfolio available from previous work so that you can see their style and know whether or not you like their work. This should remind all photographers to run your business as a professional, always. For clients who look for a photographer, make sure that you view previous work and test the dynamics between yourself and the photographer.

Opinions will always differ, but the need for professional photographers is far from dead and this article could go on forever with reasons why. Having a professional gives you the best of both worlds with the personal photographs that are taken by friends and family, as well as the flawless images received from a good photographer. Think of a professional as insurance for capturing your most special memories!

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