I spent a few hours at Nishila and Jonathan’s home in Northcliff yesterday, taking photos at Kieran’s first birthday party.  I was meant to do a portrait shoot of the family last weekend, but Kieran was fast asleep… so I did this shoot for them instead

The theme was jungle animals, and 2 of their guests even dressed up as an elephant and zebra for the party! I was surprised that none of the little kids were scared of them actually (must remember for future parties). I’m glad I arrived early to take his portrait photos too, because as 1 year old’s do… he had a nap half way through the excitement

This cat did not come down from the tree… but how beautiful?!

Happy birthday Kieran!

Rhea’s 2nd birthday party took place this morning at The Oak Leaf Country Restaurant in Sandton.  The theme… Little Red Riding Hood.  Rhea’s mom, Elle, was the event stylist and decor genius behind this amazing birthday party that took place under the enormous oak tree in the garden.

Elle not only did the decor… she actually made the strawberry jam with Rhea (the take-home gift on the tables).  This is one very clever mom!

The Red Riding Hood Cake was just genius, and that’s not icing around it either, that’s chocolate!

How cool are the kids gifts?  Each child took home a little basket filled with Red Riding Hood finger puppets…

And look who came to join the party… Red Riding Hood herself! And she stayed to help the kids with the cupcake decorating.

Venue:  The Oak Leaf Country Restaurant

Event styling and decor: Louloudee Event Design

Cupcake decorating and Red Riding Hood entertainer: Whimsical Parties

When Celeste, Juan’s mom, contacted me a few months ago to book his birthday, I knew it was going to be a goodie.  Juan’s last birthday party was that gorgeous construction themed party on my blog.

This year, Juan’s party was all about trains.  They hired out the Rand Steam Model Engineers steam engine museum in Florida for the party, and the kids (and parents) had an absolute ball riding the model steam train around the 850m long track.  Thankfully, the party table was set up in the train station… because there was a huge rain storm towards the end of the party!

Anyhoo, by then the kids had all had umpteen turns on the train anyway.

How stunning is the cake?! She designed it and asked her cake baker to make it to her specs.  This is one clever mom! She also made the little bags that housed the kids take-home gifts which included a little train toy, a hat and a few other goodies.

Cheryl and Evan got married yesterday and had a lunch with close family and friends to celebrate the occasion.  The lunch was held at the restaurant at Thaba ya Batswana and I joined them for some photos just before their lunch started.

There’s something special about having small wedding celebrations like this.  It’s all about the love and the commitment to each other… and surrounding yourself with a few people that mean the world to you.

It was Talia and Mark’s engagement party on Sunday evening.  It was a cocktail evening held at Katy’s Palace Bar in Kramerville Sandton.  OMW what a magnificent venue!!  I reckon it must have the best view of the Sandton skyline.  It’s such a pity the clouds didn’t play along with my ideas of taking photos of the sunset.

I absolutely loved the way that Otto de Jager and his team did the decor… it was spot on for an event held in a space that’s above an antique shop.  From the metal bunnies to the blue and white vases to the simple green flowers and the distressed furniture… it was just magnificent!

OK I’ve gone a little overboard with decor photos today… but it’s worth it

I reckon that view would have been more spectacular later on…

Venue:  Katy’s Palace Bar
Decor and Flowers:  ODJ Events
Catering: Fresh Catering