As creatives, we often find that we are so consumed by our work, that we seldom make time to have fun and experiment with couples. That's why it's great when friends get engaged. They know you and trust you enough to stand around while you do little dances of excitement over the latest image that you created.
One evening we received an email from Jeannie, she went ton to explain how she wanted to strip away the cliches, cut off the frills and instead have a raw, intimate wedding on a rooftop with a just few friends and family. The part of her message that stuck with us most was her desire to be a trendsetter, to break the norm and steer away from the stereotypical images of a bride getting ready and long receptions, and instead have a simple wedding that focused on what is important to them; their commitment.
We have said it a few times, and we’ll say it again; there is something incredibly special about documenting the wedding of a couple you are close to. You get to experience each moment with such intimacy, and relive it over again as you edit the photos.
About a year ago we spent an afternoon alongside a little lake with these two lovely souls, where they filled us in on their plans for a fairytale wedding the coming April.
“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams.” - Dr Seuss
We’ve had the pleasure of being part of a few weddings at The Rose Barn before, and hands down it’s one of our favourite venues in the Eastern Cape. The rustic barn is full of character, yet the space is still so versatile that it allows each couple to easily make it their own - plus it doesn’t hurt that the owner Sandra is always such a pleasure to work with! This time was no different and Erin (Tarryn’s close friend, and conveniently, talented wedding planner) transformed the down to earth barn with a mixture of unique flowers, copper ascents and some of the boldest colours we’ve seen.
However, our favourite highlight from the day was being able to sneak Tarryn and Bruce away from the excitement for a while, to explore some new corners of Sandra’s farm, where we captured some of our favourite photographs with this stunning couple. From start to finish, their day was filled with adorable Dr Seuss and Winnie-the-Pooh quotes, uncontrollable laughter, a lesson on where best to buy the correct hour glass, and a whole lot of love. Thank you to Tarryn and Bruce for inviting us to be part of your special day :) Here is a little blog post of some of our favourite moments for your day.
Their beautiful day was filled with an endless supply of bubbly, laughs, classy gentleman and some of the happiest bridesmaids we have ever encountered. Nothing was going to stand in the way of these two having the time of their lives.
Forest Hall Estate in Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape was the perfect location and backdrop for their celebrations! It only felt fitting that part of their ceremony was conducted in Italian, as many of Claudio’s family travelled half way across the globe to witness their vows. But above all the excitement and this spectacular setting, the real hero of the day was the love between these two!
When we started our day with Gregory and his best friends, we were taken aback by the fact that he had just over 24 hours before he would have to board a flight back to Hong Kong for work. We cannot describe how sad we felt for them, that just a day after becoming husband and wife he would have to take the long flight home alone. Being inseparable ourselves, this was so hard for us to imagine!
Documenting real and genuine celebrations like this always has us feeling grateful and excited to share the story afterwards. But enough about our little ramble, here are some more pictures from Karlien and Daneel’s awesome celebration :)
We could waste words describing the details of this amazing couple’s day, but what remained with us afterwards was the memory of two incredible young people, deeply in love, and the friends and family that couldn’t be happier to join them in celebrating their union.
There was a palpable magic in the air as the Karoo sun rose in Nieu Bethesda that morning, and it left us in total awe of this beautiful couple and their amazing wedding day.
Standing in the centre of a ring of their closest friends and family, surrounded by the beautiful trees that fill the Nieu Bethesda forest, Megan and Riaan couldn’t have chosen a more perfect place to make their promises to one another. Their day was a reflection of everything they hold dear; Mother Nature, love and the feminine divine.
We truly love our job! We get to see people at their best; crying tears of happiness, laughing uncontrollably, and making life-changing promises to one another. It was almost two years ago when we were asked to document Travis and Tamlyn’s wedding and the day finally arrived.
There is something special about getting married in a place that is close to your heart. A place you have spent holidays with friends and family, a place filled with countless happy memories. And choosing a building that isn’t just a venue, but part of the community that you call yourself and your family part of.
Spending a weekend away in Nieu Bethesda on the outskirts of the Graaff-Reinet is always an absolute treat, and being able to capture Sarah and Wynand's intimate celebration, only added to our joy.
Choosing a quaint village in the middle of the Karoo might have seemed like a curious decision for a couple who fell in love sailing exotic coastlines, but under the beautiful forest canopy, you’d swear there could no place more perfect for these two!
Smiles and love streamed around the them as their closest friends and family showered them with confetti, and a local jazz trio kicked off the celebrations as everyone enjoyed the cool that a Karoo evening brings. Any chills were quickly forgotten as Sarah’s two MCs (and an endless supply of good wine!) had everyone roaring. Laugher and music echoed through the town as old friends celebrated this amazing couple’s love. We are so honoured to have been a part of this special day – and so excited to be sharing some of our favourite moments with you. We hope you enjoy :)
"And beauty is a form of genius - is higher, indeed, than genius, as it needs no explanation. it is of the great facts of the world, like sunlight, or spring-time, or the reflection in dark waters of that silver shell we call the moon. It cannot be questioned. it has its divine right of sovereignty. It makes princes of those who have it."
Just a few hills into the Karoo lies the little town of Kirkwood. We seldom head this way, but as we entered the valley filled with citrus farms, we wondered why we hadn’t came sooner! September had blessed us with a sunny afternoon as we got to explore the Meiring family’s orange orchards with Daneel and Karlien. Their shyness quickly disappeared as we wandered through their extended backyard chatting about how they first met.
"Home is home", this is something we always say to one another after a long trip, as we take our first step into our little flat- there is no place like it.
This sentiment was a big part of Robyn and JM's special day. After looking at many many many..... venues they both came to the decision that home is where their hearts belong, and for that reason it would be the best place to have all their friends and family celebrate their incredible wedding. Needless to say, their day was saturated in joy from beginning to end.
This afternoon is one of those days when we are so grateful to be able to share a taste of what we experienced, through these photographs.
Kara and Pietman’s day personified everything that a wedding needs to be; a gathering of all your favourite friends and family who want nothing more than to celebrate your love for each other. We could describe the rustic beauty of the barn, or the elegant, organic decor, but when you watched as they read their vows to each other, you would understand that for these two nothing else mattered except that very moment.
We have recently changed our suppliers as we want you to have a premium album, Because let’s be honest you want something that will last a lifetime!
Each album is printed on a high quality matt stock (Fedrigoni Splendorgel 160 gsm) which is acid-free, archival art paper, then hand-stitched and bound by one of the most experienced hand binders in the country.
...It reminded us of a little girl swirling around with her mothers dress dreaming of her one day... and now, as Warrick so brilliantly worded during his speech:
