Doing the wedding photography for a friend’s wedding is not easy.  For some reason, it’s much more nervy doing a friend’s wedding, than doing the wedding of someone who you’ve only met once. You know their story.  You know a lot of people at the wedding… and the pressure is on.  In fact, I was even dreaming about the wedding!

Anyway, David and Laura’s dream wedding took place yesterday at Imperfect Perfection, east of Pretoria.  It was the first time I’d been to the venue, and LOVED all the photo opportunities it presented!  And then to top that, Laura’s detail and decor that was so painstakingly planned (and a lot was handmade) was absolutely amazing.  I had a ball!

Laura has already blogged about her wedding, and she tells the story so much better than I could so read about it there too.

Beware… there are a LOT of photos in this post I could not stop choosing!

It was Bhavesh and Preeti’s wedding today, and I met them in the middle of Jozi city for their couple shoot.  What fun!  I love the colours in Indian wedding outfits, and against the backdrop of the city buildings, the couple looked spectacular today!

We started out at 11 Diagonal Street… and it’s a huge pity the security guard stopped us, because it would have been a magnificent backdrop!! Then Preeti mentioned that she loved the pink building opposite, so we got some awesome urban photos there….

Then we drove to Wits.  Bhavesh and Preeti met at the university, so this was a perfect spot for their shoot… and the light was amazing!!

I hope they enjoyed the rest of their reception… and they have an amazing secret honeymoon

” Marriage is the golden ring in a chain whose beginning is a glance and whose ending is eternity” - Kahlil Gibran

It was Kevin and Donna’s amazing wedding on Saturday.  You may remember their urban engagement shoot a few months ago which was so very worth while because they both commented about how relaxed they were with the photography on the day.

Anyway, I enjoyed every bit of their gorgeous wedding… from Donna and Kevin getting ready at their parents’ homes… to the really special and personal full Catholic wedding ceremony at Our Lady of Cedars Catholic Church in Woodmead… and then the couple shoot in a forest… and the beautiful reception held at Wanderers Club!

There were so many things that stood out for me, and made such a beautiful story that I feel so completely privileged that I was asked to do their photos. The 10 gorgeous bridesmaids and little flowergirl.  The 4 groomsmen who were their brothers (and one being Donna’s twin).  The Lebanese tradition where the mother of the groom puts the bride’s veil on.  The Catholic ceremony presided over by Bishop Graham Rose (who married Donna’s parent’s 30 years ago).  The full mass with communion for the whole congregation. The way everyone schlepped to the forest 10km away for their photos! And then Wanderers, where Donna’s parents had their reception (in the very same room) 30 years ago.  And finally… the amazing individual letters on every single person’s place setting.  It took Donna a year to write and compile each letter, and I can tell you, after reading mine, they must all be very special.   The quote above, was at the bottom of my letter that was at my place setting!

Anyway, onto the photos…

How gorgeous are the purple shades in the bridesmaid dresses against the forest?!! LOVED how it worked out

Kevin is so very clever… he made the table setting cutouts, as well as all the table numbers and menu settings too!

Second Shooter: Juanette van Schalkwyk
Make-up: Pearce
Videographer:
Wedding: Our Lady of Cedars Catholic Church in Woodmead
Reception: Wanderers Club
 

Lyndon and Ayesha’s wedding reception was held on Saturday night at the Killarney Country Club in Johannesburg. I’ve known Lyndon for quite a few years, so I was thrilled when he and Ayesha asked me to take the photos at their wedding.  Their religious ceremony was held on Friday night… this was the fun part

Ayesha got ready at The Residence in Houghton. What a beautiful boutique hotel! She got ready in the most gorgeous suite filled with beautiful light… perfect for photos.

Lyndon came up to the suite to see his bride. We then had a quick 30 minute photoshoot on the grounds of the hotel before we headed off for the reception at the Country Club.  And OMW I had a ball… tennis courts, beautiful wooden backgrounds, a wall of boats, and a piano… I could not have asked for more

Suppliers:
Getting ready venue: The Residence Boutique Hotel
Reception: Killarney Country Club
Dress: Pronovias
Make-up: Debi Tollman
Decor, flowers, catering: Unusual Functions
Videographer: Studio Memoire

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.