Category Archives: Weddings

Angel and Neels’ Wedding at Helderfontein Estate

“You work, you play, and then, one day…  Love…  Just happens!”

That little quote was on the wedding invitations sent out by Angel and Neels for their wedding.  The South African blogging scene’s wedding of the year happened yesterday at Helderfontein Estate in Johannesburg, and I was very privileged to get asked by Angel and Neels to be the photographer for their special day.

Sheena wrote a blog post the other day about how Angel and Neels’ met, and in fact, there have been quite a few blog posts across the blogosphere recently about this amazing couple and the way they have touched people’s lives via the net over the last few years.  The blog post written by Cath and read out on the day, actually made me cry. As a result, the hall was filled by local bloggers and tweeters, and in fact a few even travelled from Cape Town and Durban to share this special day with the couple.  In fact, Don Packett (who was the MC for the reception) relayed a conversation he’d had with Paul Jacobson where they were discussing that should the event implode for some reason, that Twitter would be a very very quiet place  in South Africa:)

The rest of the webosphere and family and friends from across the world that couldn’t attend watched the event live via a Ustream channel (the first wedding to live stream in South Africa) and by following the conversations on Twitter with the hashtag #AnGlugWedding.  Cool hey?!

Angel looked like a dream… and Neels’ face when he saw her for the first time was just incredible (they’d decided to have a First Look, and met up before the wedding and we did most of their couple photos then which was a good idea considering the light was gone by the time the family photos were finished)

The dress was designed by Christa B, it was just so very Angel.

The wedding was superb and every detail was so well thought out and everything went like clockwork on the day:)  Angel organised the whole occasion herself, and outsourced everything apart from making her own cupcakes… which were absolutely divine!

It was just an amazing day and evening… filled with love and laughter.

I was seconded by Kat Forsyth for the day… it was the first time I’d worked with another photographer at a wedding, and I did enjoy it… apart from me forgetting a few times that she’d already taken certain photos and then trying to do them again.  All the photos in this blog post are my own (I know… too many but anyhoo)… and she’ll post a few in the next few days.


I just loved Neels’ face when he saw her for the first time before the ceremony (called the “first look”). It’s awesome doing it that way, because by the time the ceremony started everyone was a lot more relaxed.

We then did the couple shoot…

There were a few minutes to spare before the ceremony, so Angel relaxed in the bridal suite and following the #AnGlugWedding hashtag on twitter for a bit

Isn’t her dress just gorgeous?

Angel and Neels’ shared some cupcakes after the ceremony before we went to do the family photos, and the guests started having fun in the photobooth

The MC for the evening was Don Packett

… and he played the funniest game with them… they know each other quite well…

… awww and the first dance was beautiful… all their hard work paid off

The guys doing the live streaming…

And there are a few more photos in an album on my Facebook page too…

Venue: Helderfontein Estate
Wedding Coordinator: Angel Conradie at Angels Weddings and supported by Angela Blythe
Dress:  Christa B
Hair: Natasha
Makeup:  Felicity
MC:  Don Packett
Saxophonist: Rike Coetzer
Live streaming videographer: David de Caires
DJ:  Shattered Glass
Photo Booth:  The Photo Corner

Liz - August 10, 2010 - 9:06 pm

Such a nice review of the event. Well done you two. Love Liz L

Liz - August 10, 2010 - 9:05 pm

Such a nice review of the event. What a lovely idea to have it all available on line for us to see. Well done you two! Love Liz L

Allen, Linda & Joshua - August 10, 2010 - 8:49 pm

Awesome pictures!!! What a fabulous day. Loved the dress and shoes and Neels matching tie!! Sorry we missed it, but it sure looks as though it was wonderful! Cupcakes look tasty, so when can we taste them???…. Al, Lin and Josh

Secret Agent Mama - Mishelle Lane (86 comments.) - August 1, 2010 - 3:16 pm

SUPERB!!!!

Corey~ living and loving (210 comments.) - July 30, 2010 - 12:01 am

you blow my mind! I love you and hate you a little more each day. ♥ You know I mean that in the BESTEST way possible right?

Fairy Girl (31 comments.) - July 28, 2010 - 9:15 pm

Beautiful photo’s.

Rachel (19 comments.) - July 27, 2010 - 4:58 pm

Beautiful, beautiful photos, Jeanette. Well done!

Colleen Sevitz (23 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 11:15 pm

as usual you captured the moment to perfection. Angel’s dress was divine and the wedding looked like a lot of fun ♥

Sharon (60 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 11:40 am

Well done Jeanette, I think you did an amazing job of capturing the love and detailed planning that went into this special day. :)

JessicaGiggles (13 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 11:18 am

Gorgeous pics! Well done hunny!

Stella (25 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 10:49 am

Well done Jenty!!! They are wonderful :)

Edwin - July 26, 2010 - 10:35 am

Lovely pics – beautifully captured

Gilz (177 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 10:15 am

ABSA lootly gorgeous!!!

Jientje (21 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 9:37 am

I so admire your work, this is – again – a great series!

Marcelle (8 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 9:05 am

what stunning photo’s…..I felt I was there, you captured it so well.
Beautiful…congratulations!!

Alet (37 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 8:46 am

These are absolutely amazing, Jeanette!!
Angel you looked beautiful xx

blackhuff (1 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 8:37 am

Beautiful photos of Angel and Neels wedding.

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 8:33 am

Oh Jeanette, your photos are just beautiful and they really looked awesome. A great wedding!

Brigitte (3 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 8:26 am

Oh Jenty what gawjis photos!!! I cannot wait to see the rest of them, you are so talented and you have a very good eye. You have captured the love and happiness between Angel and Neels beautifully – especially Neels face when he saw her for the fist time – it made me cry all over again…”sniff”
Thanks for doing such a sterling job and for making everyone feel so relaxed and comfortable too.

ExMi (12 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 8:24 am

such awesome pictures and what a fun wedding it was. angel looked like a big delicious cupcake!

desi (85 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 8:14 am

great job jeanette!
you got some really awesome shots.

Julia - July 26, 2010 - 7:31 am

100& pure gorgeousness. These photos are fabulous. What a spectacular wedding!

Alida (2 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 7:22 am

Stunning photos. I love the pic taken across the pond. Lovely to see a couple so in love :-)

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 7:15 am

WOW !!! What stunning photos !!!! Well done my girl !
.. and what an absolutely gorgeous dress !! The detail is amazing .. so very pretty and perfect!! The photos ooze happiness and oodles of love!

Veronica (1 comments.) - July 26, 2010 - 2:57 am

The wedding looks like amazing fun, I always love wedding photos when everyone looks happy, not nervous! Plus, the purple and red themes tables are gorgeous. Best colours out.

INGRID ESSELEN - July 26, 2010 - 1:50 am

Such awesome pics!!! Congrats to both of you!!!

Tara R. (58 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 10:35 pm

What a fun wedding. The couple looks absolutely amazing! I love the bride’s dress, it is so pretty and unique. Your photos are stunning.

JaneF (1 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 10:19 pm

Brilliant photos of a spectacular wedding. Looks amazing!

Henti (16 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 10:19 pm

Awesome shots !! Makes me realise just how much responsibility and planning has to go into shooting weddings. You only get one shot. I think I need more practise before I try this :P

Gina (30 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:34 pm

Magnifient!!!!!

Rubyletters (9 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:28 pm

wow! wow! wow! wow a million times over…so incredibly beautiful…stunning job lady!

Angel (192 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:26 pm

Phenomenal! These are magical! I can’t wait to see them all- how will I ever choose the ones to put into the album!!

Wenchy (49 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:24 pm

Very%20very%20well%20done.%20Is%20beautiful.%20%3A)

SwissTwist (2 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:24 pm

Jenty, the photos are amazing as always!

Wenchy (49 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:24 pm

Very very well done. Is beautiful. :)

Paul Jacobson (2 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:24 pm

Terrific photos as usual!

SheBee (13 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 9:18 pm

Jenty you really did such a wonderful job of covering this beautiful wedding. You capture every moment so spectacularly. Angel made an absolutely breath-taking bride and Neels was a dashing groom who had a grin on his face every time I looked at him.

What a special occasion, I’m so glad we could be a part of their happy day.

Nicci (1 comments.) - July 25, 2010 - 12:14 pm

Nooooo where are the photos!! Sounds like an idyllic day

[...] photographs were taken by many different people- myself, our official wedding photographer Jeanette Verster, my sister Candy, my daddy darling and my friend Wenchy! They’re in no particular order, but [...]

[...] and Neels have had a full run of photos for their wedding, from the engagement photos to their #Anglugs wedding which was a few weeks ago, and today it was their Trash the Dress [...]

So Much Of… — Angels Mind - August 5, 2010 - 10:31 pm

[...] Were her photos not phenomenal!? We were truly lucky to have two such incredible photographers in Jeanette and Kat to cover our wedding day. I simply can’t wait to see them all. We’re building [...]

acidicice » #AnGlugWedding - July 27, 2010 - 10:54 am

[...] briefly. Jenty – Amazing photographer and very sweet. Go and see her pictures of the wedding here. I also got to see cybersass again. I met her briefly in Cape Town last year…she is [...]

[...] emodiment of the quote on their wedding invite, that “love happens”. head over to jenty’s blog , (she was official photographer) for exquisite pictures of the [...]

Fairytales, Heels & Hungarians.. - July 26, 2010 - 6:38 pm

[...] (Image Source Jeanette Verster) [...]

[...] obviously so perfect for each other. Jenty was the photographer and you can see some of the photos here. Congrats again [...]

[...] the photos from the day, our photographer- the phenomenal  Jeanette Verster- has posted a “sneak peek“!! You may want to keep an eye on Kat Forsyth’s page too, she was second shooter for [...]

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeanette and Sheena Gates, ExMi. ExMi said: Stunning! RT @Jenty: The #AnGlugWedding photos are FINALLY up… http://ow.ly/2gilm [...]

A peek into Christa B’s studios

Angel, from Angel’s Weddings and Angel’s Mind and The Cupcake Lady fame, won a photoshoot with me a few months ago, and decided to use it for her last wedding dress fitting.  Angel and Neels are getting married on Saturday, and the wedding is going to be incredible based on what I know about it.

Her wedding dress was designed by Christa B, and I went to her studios in Waterkloof, Pretoria yesterday for Angel’s last fitting.  It was an awesome experience for me and I loved being there when her sisters and her son saw the dress for the first time, and the pride in Angel’s mom’s face and voice the whole time was just too beautiful to watch.

Angel looks like a dream in her dress… and that’s all I’m saying about that until my post wedding blog post;)

Hehe, sorry for all those bloggers who I know are here to see whether they can catch a glimpse of it before the date… it’s so not gonna happen;)

All I have for you today are some images of the amazingly beautiful studio…

The last photo needs some explanation… that christening dress was made by Christa… isn’t it incredible?!

Seriously though, if you’re planning a wedding, it’s worth getting a dress made for you by a designer… I cannot explain how impressed I was with Angel’s dress and the other dresses that were hanging in the studio… they were all MAGNIFICENT!

If you want to see more of her dresses, look at her website, and buy the Fair Lady Wedding/Bridal issue that’s coming out soon, because one of her dresses is apparently going to be in it.

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - July 22, 2010 - 7:54 am

Love the angels !!

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - July 21, 2010 - 9:08 pm

Beautiful pictures! I am sure Angel is going to look like an angel.

Angel (192 comments.) - July 21, 2010 - 2:33 pm

I am so glad you were there yesterday!

Alida (2 comments.) - July 21, 2010 - 1:03 pm

“Hehe, sorry for all those bloggers who I know are here to see whether they can catch a glimpse of it before the date… it’s so not gonna happen”

… that’s SO why I logged onto your site so quickly LOL!

ExMi (12 comments.) - July 21, 2010 - 12:59 pm

love that fountain pic!

cant wait to see angel’s dress….

Annamarie and Peter’s Wedding

Annamarie is an ex-colleague of mine, and I was thrilled when she asked me a few months ago to take her wedding photos.  She really didn’t have long to organise this special day, and in fact, after telling me repeatedly that is was going to be a very low-key affair and she didn’t even want a wedding dress for it… it ended up being an amazing day spent with close friends and family celebrating love.

Peter and Annamarie got married this morning in the church in Noordheuwel that they met in, and I must say, the sermon was just that much more special because the pastor knows them quite well.  It was such a happy day, and it was just so awesome to see them both so in love… Peter for example, had his arm around Annamarie the whole way through the service.

After friends and family had tea and cake in the church hall, the close family went for lunch at The Boma in Muldersdrift… and then we did the photos in the veld.   It was quite a long day… especially for the kids.

Watching his dad before Annamarie walked in

Getting the rings from the 2 sons…

Annamarie’s youngest son Reuben, watching the birds with Ouma

Kids posing in the play area after lunch

And then we had some fun in the veld with some golden light:)

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - July 13, 2010 - 4:31 pm

What a special wedding to be part of.

Janet B (55 comments.) - July 13, 2010 - 8:33 am

Lovely!

Faye De Beer - July 12, 2010 - 9:55 am

These r the most beautiful pics!!!!!

Rachel ~ Southern Fairytale (5 comments.) - July 12, 2010 - 2:22 am

I can’t begin to pick a favorite.
I love the ones in the wheat… gorgeous. The gold tones, amazing.
What a gift to be there!

Denise (6 comments.) - July 11, 2010 - 11:08 pm

Wonderful images!! You really captured the day’s joy.

merrymishaps (30 comments.) - July 11, 2010 - 10:13 pm

So beautiful. You captured the moments perfectly. I don’t even know them, yet I’m so happy for them!

Annie - July 11, 2010 - 6:04 pm

Jeanette you are best! Our photos are incredible

Annie - July 11, 2010 - 6:03 pm

Jeanette you are a genius

Lotus - July 11, 2010 - 5:52 pm

Beautiful, Jeanette!

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - July 11, 2010 - 3:37 pm

I recognise that play area!
Lovely happy photos of a very special day !

Sharon (60 comments.) - July 11, 2010 - 11:48 am

I love the shots of the kids – so lovely :)

Stella (25 comments.) - July 11, 2010 - 8:17 am

Love the veld ones!!

[...] though I didn’t take this photo today (no time)… it’s one of my favourites from the wedding on Saturday.  I just thought that the title was apt for this [...]

A Thank You from Jacqui and Richard

Remember Jacqui and Richard’s wedding at Usambara in May?  Well, I got this email from Jacqui today…

Thank you, thank you, thank you, what an amazing day and what an amazing Photographer! Everyone always says that if you are going to spend any money on a wedding it’s got to be on your wedding photos, because after the party is over and everyone goes home that is all that is left, and thanks to you Jeanette our memories are so beautiful and we could not have asked for more! You took the most beautiful photos of even random moments when no one was looking. People have said to me that your photos make them feel like they were there as you captured such wonderful expressions and moments in time, and it is true, every time I look at them I am taken back to the happiest day of my life. You were so professional and wonderful to have around, you never made anyone feel uncomfortable and people enjoyed having you around, so much so that every time someone mentions the fact they need a photographer your name is fondly mentioned and only the highest compliments are made.

So once again, thank you for your beautiful photos, you have such a talent even when the odds are stacked against you i.e. miserable rainy weather you made it seem like it was a beautiful sunny day. Talent like that does not come around very often and I count myself very lucky that I had you there that day otherwise I have no idea how my photos might have come out! I wish you all the luck with your future clients and would love for you to use me as a reference.

Jacqui & Richard Swanepoel

Emails like this make me smile.  I LOVE that they LOVE their photos!! It was a very special moment in their lives, and I’m glad they like the memories that the photos evoke.

And of course, what’s a post on my blog without a photo… one of my favourites from their wedding…

Jennifer Botha - August 19, 2010 - 2:46 pm

Hi Jeanette – again as the mom of the groom – I cannot agree more… you give me moments forever & when I get that little sad sort of feeling I hook up to your site from my favourites & just glance away at your beautiful talent & feel better…
Thank God for your eye – a blessing indeed!!
Love & hygs

cat@juggling act (218 comments.) - June 30, 2010 - 3:54 pm

A well deserved great compliment.

Tanya (50 comments.) - June 30, 2010 - 11:41 am

awesome jeanette! congrats!!

just went back and had another look at the shoot – so beautiful!! i love your style of photography – i recently saw some photos of a friends wedding and i *hate* that editing that some photog do, there they put so much blur on the brides skin, to make it look all romantic or whatever… or worse yet – make the photo B&W but leave the flowers in color… arrrg! my personal little pet hate!

thats why i love your style – so natural, but still beautiful and romantic when it needs to be!

Tanya (50 comments.) - June 30, 2010 - 11:40 am

awesome jeanette! congrats!!

just went back and had another look at the shoot – so beautiful!! i love your style of photography – i recently saw some photos of a friends wedding and i *hate* that editing that some photog do, there they put so much blur on the brides skin, to make it look all romantic or whatever… or worse yet – make the photo B&W but leave the flowers in color… arrrg! my personal little pet hate!

thats why i love your style – so natural, but still beautiful and romantic when it needs to be!

Stella (25 comments.) - June 30, 2010 - 8:46 am

That is such a wonderful reference…its great when bride’s take the time to say thank you! Well done, you deserve it!!

Girish (78 comments.) - June 30, 2010 - 7:14 am

Nice photograph. Waiting for the rest of the shoot post.

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - June 30, 2010 - 7:02 am

Fabulous!! Absolutely fabulous!! Well done my girl !

Corey~livingandloving (70 comments.) - June 30, 2010 - 7:01 am

Awesome! you deserve all the praise. YOu blow me away. I don’t have the confidence you do. sigh…. I’m so proud of you.

Colleen Sevitz (23 comments.) - June 29, 2010 - 10:27 pm

thats a lovely email, well done Jeanette!!

Fiona - June 29, 2010 - 10:13 pm

Oh wow ~ thats a shining reference!!!

Angel (192 comments.) - June 29, 2010 - 10:04 pm

A well earned and well deserved compliment!
Congratulations.

All about weddings at Olive Mystery

Yesterday, I spent the day at Olive Mystery with a group of photographers.  Olive Mystery is a wedding venue on the outskirts of  Johannesburg, and we were all there for a wedding workshop being run by Deon and Natasha du Preez.  And it was awesome!! We had the most awesome models and the most stunning dresses from  Papilio and Immagika and we spent the day shooting in full sun, and in dark chapels, and in the veld… it was so worth the day off work.  The best part was learning from the master of posing… Natasha!

These images are my favourites out of the hundreds that I took, but there are a few more on an album on my Facebook page too;)

Venue: Olive Mystery

Dresses:  Papilio and Immagika

Wenchy (49 comments.) - June 8, 2010 - 4:03 pm

Very gifted you are.

Fiona - June 8, 2010 - 12:38 pm

Don and I were looking at these on Sunday evening and we thought they were stunning!!!

cat @ juggling act (233 comments.) - June 7, 2010 - 11:19 am

Oh I wish I could get marreid again just to have pics by you. These are so stunning.

Tanya (50 comments.) - June 7, 2010 - 9:37 am

beautiful, as usual!!

LOVE the framed window!! and also the one of the “bride” lying in the grass on her tummy, smiling, with the big dress puffed out behind her!

Natasha du Preez (2 comments.) - June 7, 2010 - 8:49 am

Wow Jeanette, these are awesome! I am so glad you guys enjoyed it, and it was super meering you in person!
TAKE CARE
NATASHA & DEON

Gina (30 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 4:58 pm

I absolutely LOVE the almost silhouette in the window …
And again, I think Paul and I need to get married again so you can take our photos!

desi (85 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 4:43 pm

LOVE the 2nd one.
ADORE the love one.
and 2nd last is to die for.
some aren’t loading tho. but i’ll try again later.
i’d kill to come to a workshop like this

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 3:43 pm

Oh%20wow%20-%20awesome!!%20

Avril (Mom) (385 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 3:42 pm

Oh wow – awesome!!

Janet Bragg (55 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 10:33 am

Stunning! I love the bride in the garden with the green contrast!

Melanie janse (12 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 8:30 am

I LOVE THEM ALLL!!!

This is so so stunning, well done Jeanette, I so wish I could have been there :(

Stella (25 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 7:44 am

They are fabulous!!! can’t choose a favourite, but if I HAD to, the one framed in the window :)

Eileen (11 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 7:08 am

Wow! Now I wish I had had the time to fly up for the day!!! Really beautiful Jeanette! Awesome:)

Corey~livingandloving (70 comments.) - June 6, 2010 - 3:20 am

really Jeanette…there is NOTHING like this in my area. Nothing cool. not workshops…..no one to learn from….sigh….

Your images are awesome. the models amazing……so very happy for you.

T w i t t e r
F a c e b o o k
M o r e   i n f o