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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Hermanus, Overberg

Carl & Alex

This luxury, bespoke wedding took place at the upmarket Marine Hotel in Hermanus.  A perfect backdrop to a romantic wedding.

Alex was one of the most demure, shy brides that I have photographed and the camera loved her and so did I!Unfortunately due to strong winds, the planned outside ceremony had to be  indoors.

Luckily the team in charge of the decor (aka the brides mother) quickly changed their plans and created a beautiful set-up in one of the hotel reception rooms.

A Princess Grace lookalike!

The bride of this luxury, bespoke wedding, Alex, was absolutely regal and reminded me of the late Princess Grace of Monaco.  She exuded a serene elegance that was breathtaking.

Love finds a way!

Alex left Cape Town to go study at the prestigious Cambridge University in the UK.  She is currently doing a PHD in Film and Screen studies!  While studying her Masters, she met this cute Australian boy, Carl, and to begin with, they were just friends.

“It was pretty inevitable, we love so many of the same books, films, art… he was my favorite person to talk to and it was extremely hard to resist him. Altogether in our MPhil we were a class of 24 and somehow it always felt like the he was the only person in the room. I guess the rest is pretty much history!”

It was only just before Carl had to return home to Sydney that they admitted their feelings to each other.

But love always finds a way and here we are, in Cape Town, amongst a few loved ones celebrating the marriage of Alex and Carl!

It was beautiful, intimate and special.

But the celebrations won’t stop here!  There will be celebrations held in Sydney and Cambridge for all their friends and family who weren’t able to attend.

Wedding suppliers:-

Wedding Dress – Ghost

Make-up Artist:-  Make-up by Ruth

Hair Stylist:-  The Salon, Hermanus

Wedding Rings:-  Aurate, New York

Grooms suit:- Dries Van Noten

Cake:-  Whisk and Bake

Wedding Shoes:-  Raid

Wedding decor:- Brides mom, Amelda

See previous wedding 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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Intimate Constantia Wedding

Keith & Rose

This intimate, Constantia wedding took place at the charming venue,  The Cellars Hohenort amidst close family and friends.

Rose was a graceful and beautiful bride.  She was happy to be marrying Keith and  consequently gaining an instant family.

The grooms grandson was delighted to walk his new grandmother down the aisle, although I did believe the fact that the rugby was on in her room had much to do with his  delight!

Rose looked elegant and sophisticated in her stunning wedding outfit and Keith also looked very dapper in his wedding outfit.

Furthermore, it was special to see Keith’s grandchildren excited to welcome Rose into their family.

This beautiful and elegant lady had been an only child and had never had her own children and hence had no family of her own.  She was thrilled to be gaining an instant family on her marriage to Keith.

How delighted was this groom?

It was very special when the groom grabbed two glasses of champagne and toasted his new bride just after the ceremony.

Granddad giving his granddaughter his opinion regarding her outfit!

Not only did Rose remind me of Princess Grace but she definitely also had the Princess touch with her charm and kindness.

The happy couple surrounded by all their dear and loved ones.

This groom was very comfortable and apparently had a lot of experience with public speaking, so no one was surprised that he had his entire audience enthralled.  He had everyone in stitches especially his lovely bride.

This wedding was beautiful, it emphasised that love knows no boundaries and equally important is that age is just a number.  We should never give up on love!   Sometimes it knocks on your door twice and gives you another lease on life!

Table Mountain proposal can be viewed here!

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Carla & Hendrik

Part 2

This D&A model, Carla married her prince at the beginning of March in front of their huge group of family and friends in her backyard, Swellendam. Carla actually grew up in Riviersonderend so this is actually her happy place.

The next thing I knew this beautiful model had ridden off into the sunset with her gorgeous prince! Ok, this is sheer fantasy because anyone that knows Carla and Hendrik, also knows that they came back to the Reception and partied up a storm and never got to bed until 4am the following morning!

I am just a girl standing in front of a boy asking him to love her!

Notting Hill

Would you believe that I have been fortunate enough to have had this gorgeous model couple in front of my lens once before. As a result, I knew that I was going to have loads of fun with them. I wasn’t wrong!!

Run to you,

cos when the feeling is right, I’m gonna run all night!

Bryan Adams

Picture Perfect

Omg, did we have fun! Carla and Hendrik are pretty natural together and it was awesome to see their interactions with one another. They are also the sweetest of people and you can understand why they are so loved by their army of friends! Thank you Hendrik, for delaying that beer and allowing me to get my “fluffies” photo and how lucky were we that at that exact moment after a rather grey overcast day, an African sunset erupted on the horizon! Needless to say, I was beyond excited and they couldn’t help but laugh at my screeches of delight!

“I wanna be your end game. I wanna be your first string. I wanna be your A-Team.”

Time to party!

Then it was time to go back and party with all their nearest and dearest!

How lucky were this young couple, that Hendrik’s uncle is none other, than the famous wedding cake maker, Wade’s Cakes! It was lovely to finally meet him as I have for years enjoyed his masterpieces!

So they didn’t head off into the sunset but they definitely did head off into the sunrise!! Not sure if they surfaced for breakfast with the family but I am happy to see they made their flight for their Bali Honeymoon! Congrats Carla & Hendrik, I loved photographing your special day!

• Part 1 can be viewed here!
• Venue: Chris-Elle Wedding Venue
• Getting ready venue: Rotterdam Boutique Guesthouse
• Wedding dress: Robyn Roberts Bridalwear
• Cake: Wade’s Cakes
• Make-up artist: Evelyn Francis
• Caterers: Krummelkoljander
• Wines: Nieuwedrift Wine Estate
• Videographers: Bravo & Thatcher
• Bridesmaids dresses: Tiara on Kloof
• Wedding decor: Allthingswedding
• Wedding planner: Zahn Kuyler

The post Model marries her prince appeared first on Jo Ann Stokes.

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

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Jean and Helene

Bakenhof Winelands Estate wedding

This was probably the most “out of the ordinary” weddings I have ever done! The title of this wedding …well lets put it this way, only one element was missing and I am not too sure about that either as I went home at 10pm and the party was only starting to heat up then!

But the whose who of Afrikaans Alternative Rock Music were almost all there as guests and entertainment! I am sure you will recognise lots of faces. I had the benefit of listening to a free concert and walked away being a fan.

Jean and Helene wanted a celebration of their nuptials with all their friends from the music industry as well as a few others. They weren’t too interested in traditional, they weren’t to bothered about decor and details. They didn’t want ‘posed” or for that matter unposed couple photos. They just wanted a party of note! They wanted the music to take control!

The boys from Fokofpolisiekar got up and gave a performance. This English “soutie” probably wouldn’t have known any better if it hadn’t been that I have recently watched Francois Van Coke on The Voice South Africa.

Heuwels Fantasties were also guests and got up and entertained their fellow guests for awhile. I also recognised Jack Parow! I believe my groom was the drummer from the band Dead Lucky. The main entertainment for the evening were the talented Black Cat Bones!

And then my lovely my bride, Helene was completely from the opposite side of the mix …she was a scientist! They say opposites attract and that was definitely the case with Jean and Helene!

Venue : Bakenhof Wedding Venue, Wellington

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Estie & Johan

This was definitely a Family Affair Wedding! Firstly, it happened on Christmas Day when its the most celebrated day for families to come together and to celebrate the birth of the baby, Jesus! Secondly, everyone had a part to play in organising this special day. The children helped with the flowers and decorating. Brothers and sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents all had a part in helping to make this wedding very special. I think the only people who weren’t somehow related to this bride and groom was the make-up artist, Mathilde and myself!

The beautiful flowers were supplied by Adene’s Farm Flowers!

As the family gathered to celebrate this beautiful wedding between two very special people, it had a slight bittersweet air to it for a couple of reasons. It was also the day that the family were saying their sad farewells to sisters, brother-in-laws and cousins. Both Johan and Estie’s sisters were emigrating within the week. Johans sister was leaving the following day with her family for Canada and Estie’s sister and family were leaving in a few days to settle in Mauritius!

Many South African families are split all over the world but no matter the opportunities around the world, it will always be heartbreaking for those left behind!

On the other hand, now there is a definite reason to travel!

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Alisha and Emmanuel

The Cellars-Hohenort, Constantia, Cape Town

The Cellars-Hohenort was once again the beautiful backdrop to another gorgeous wedding!  Alisha and Emmanuel chose to have a destination wedding and to fly 30 of their closest friends and family from the USA to enjoy a festive celebration in the scenic Cape Town.

They were all from the USA.  Alishas’ family are from Tennessee.  Emmanuels’  family are from Kansas but this gorgeous couple met in Houston after they had moved there for work purposes.  It was definitely written in the stars!

This gorgeous bride has to be one of the easiest brides I have ever encountered.   Emails were pretty minimal.  All she asked was for a meeting when she arrived in Cape Town on the Tuesday.  Wedding was on a Friday at one of my favourite hotels, the Cellars-Hohenort.  Decor was tasteful but minimal.  Colour palette was white and green. Their delicious wedding cake and the vanilla and red velvet cupcakes were  made by  Wades’ Cakes!

Anneqah Martin was the make-up artist who added some polish to this gorgeous beauty.  Alisha is genuinely a natural beauty, with the most gorgeous dimples.  When she laughs, she lights up the whole room!

Emmanuel is quieter and a little more serious.  Alisha is a perfect catalyst for Emmanuel!  She definitely creates a chemical reaction for him!  He shows his softer and fun side in her presence.  They are without a doubt a perfect combination.  

Emmanuels’ dad married them in the gardens of The Cellars-Hohenort in Constantia.  What an absolute blessing to be able to marry your son to his soulmate.

Ryan from Cape Dj’s got the guests onto the dancefloor and kept them there for the whole evening.  He read his crowd well and we had a sure winner for the title of the “Dancing Queen.”

And then just like that, this perfect day had to come to an end!  It was time for their guests to catch their shuttles back to their hotels and it was time for this newly married couple to enjoy their first night as Mr & Mrs in the honeymoon suite at The Cellars-Hohenort.  A big thank you to the wonderful staff at the venue, who always deliver superior service with such beautiful smiles on their faces.  Once again, it was a delight to capture another wedding at your venue.

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