Kate & Ryan’s Camps Bay villa wedding ~ 18.1.12

I’ve worked on numerous weddings over the years with fellow Brit, Kate Holt, so it was great when she asked us to film her wedding to Ryan in Camps Bay.  We arrived at Bond Villa around lunchtime on one of the hottest days this summer!  There was a flurry of activity as Kate’s own team of workers (Something Different Concepts & Shows) set about transforming the villa into a dream wedding venue.  Hayley from Just Jack was coordinating all the action ~ but it was a pleasure for all of us to be there for Kate on her special day.

Top photographers Jean-Pierre Uys and Joe Dreyer were there to capture it all on stills whilst myself and John busied ourselves with our new HD cameras filming decor, flowers, scenery and family & friends who were arriving for the ceremony.  Kate, always lovely whatever the occasion, looked just brilliant in her beautiful dress and soon it was time to walk upstairs and meet Ryan, who was waiting under the gazebo on the deck to greet her.  What a location!  Guests were seated facing the gazebo and the ocean beyond.  Not even a Hollywood movie set came close!!  Minister Peter Fox led Kate & Ryan in their vows, before guests moved back indoors (air con!!!) for a typical English afternoon tea-party!  With the couple settled snugly in the back of an old English taxi, the photographers and I drove off towards the city to the photo shoot location.   We had SO much fun!  I’ve got great shots!  You MUST watch this video when it goes live!  Oh, I musn’t forget the group shots that we took on the roof of the villa – literally ON the roof! 

Back at the villa, Hayley and her team had transformed the pool area into a fairytale reception area.  Once again, the backdrop was Camps Bay and the ocean……  Then, out came the food, the  food, the food, the food.  Tastes for every palette and presented so creatively!

We were told to “be ready for the first dance, you don’t want to miss it…..”  so we placed our cameras in position and waited….  What a dance – even including the “lift” from Dirty Dancing.  HOWEVER, this wasn’t done by Kate & Ryan, but by (well, you’ll have to watch the highlight clip to see it…….).  What a howl!   It really got the party started. 

Kate & Ryan, we just loved filming your wedding for you and send lots of hugs your way for a great life together! X

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Wilma & Jan’s Grand Dédale wedding ~ 29.12.11

Once again, the Cape surprised us with a great location that we had never worked at before!  Just outside Wellington, this fantastic location had been selected by Dutch couple Wilma and Jan for their celebration.  I had met Wilma and Jan at my studio a couple of times prior to the wedding day,  so was really looking forward to seeing them again and capturing their wedding on film.

Working with talented photographer Ig Nothnagel (who was assisted by his wife, Esther), we had no trouble in finding the right locations for our photo sessions!  The Manor House was magnificent and magestic – so indoor shots were definately on the programme too! 

This was definitely an intimate wedding, with their family and close friends in attendance.  Little granddaughter, Ruby, walked down the aisle leading Wilma and Jan towards waiting Minister, Leon Oosthuizen.    After the ceremony, guests gathered on the stoep of the Manor House, as the couple cut their wedding cake and handed it out to the guests.  Whilst a marimba band played in the background, guests settled themselves on loungers on the lawns whilst Ig and I took the couple away for their photo session.  Such a relaxed day with lots of good food, good wine and really nice people!

The long reception table and venue was beautifully dressed by Gerrit Snyman and, as night fell, fairy lights lit up the covered pool area and a magical wonderland was created!  Lots of fun speeches followed, with several special ‘items’ that had been planned by family & guests alike.  We’ve got so much footage to give this great couple!   X to Wilma and Jan and have a wonderful life together!

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Mia & Andy’s Tintswalo dream wedding ~ 17.12.11

Mia had phoned me earlier in the year and within about 30 seconds, had booked me to film her wedding.  My quickest booking ~ but I had already decided that this was a wedding that I would LOVE working on!  I was right.  We had never filmed at Tintswalo before, so it was with trepidation that we parked our car at the very top of the hill on Chapman’s Peak and awaited for the in-house transport to take us down to the venue at the water’s edge.  Oh my goodness – what a place!  STUNNING!!!

Most of Mia & Andy’s family & friend’s had travelled from locations all over the world (but mainly Gauteng…) to join this charismatic couple on their special day.  I hadn’t met Mia, so was delighted when I entered her room and saw this vision of lovliness sitting in her chair as the hairdresser put his final touches to her long, flowing hair.   The room was full of moms, bridesmaids, friends and lots of laughter and banter! 

Not wanting to keep their guests waiting whilst they disappeared off for a photo shoot after the ceremony, as is the norm, Mia & Andy had a ‘pre-wedding’ shoot instead!  Photographer Shanna Jones and I moved from the sea edge to the top of the hill to capture some great and unforgettable shots of this lovely couple.  Riding on one of his “Mr. Vespa” scooters, we really did have a unique photo session and I’d do it all again in a second!

Now, just close your eyes and imagine this setting…….  Elegant guests seated around a white gazebo, which is perched on a ledge overlooking the ocean and Hout Bay in the distance……  Then, a piper announcing the arrival of the most beautiful bride…  Minister Patrick Boucher led this couple in their vows in this most magical of locations before everyone meandered down the lane to the venue below.

As the night drew in, informal speeches were given on the deck before guests each threw a “wish stone” into the water below.  The day was elegant, sophisticated but also relaxed, friendly and fun.  In reality, a perfect wedding for this great couple!  XXXX

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Michelle & Rory wed at The Twelve Apostles ~ 16.12.11

What better location than the fabulous Twelve Apostles hotel !   Michelle was dressing in one of the sea facing suites and the mood when I arrived was relaxed but definately fun!  Good friend and talented photographers, Jan & Theresa Theron arrived to capture this day with both John and I and what footage we all got!

With blue skies overhead and just a slight breeze blowing, guests assembled around the gazebo in the Fynbos Garden area to await the entrance of beautiful bride, Michelle.  With the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, the moving ceremony was soon underway and guests listened as Michelle and Rory repeated their vows. 

Our photo session was at Hout Bay, with the bride donning her “just married” flip flops to walk along the beach.  It was a lovely sunny afternoon and we got some great shots as Michelle & Rory walked amongst the dunes and then paddled in the water.  Watch out for these fun shots in my video!

Back at the venue, guests had moved into the evening marquee area and a great night followed!  Live music, fabulous food, the sun setting over the ocean….. oh my goodness, what a wedding party!  Michelle and Rory are such a lovely, lovely couple and I really wish them a great life together!  X

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Claudia & Wilhelm’s Molenvliet wedding ~ 12.11.11

Something old, something blue ~ something DIFFERENT, something NEW!  Yes, this wedding lived up to this description.   As soon as I saw beautiful, beautiful Claudia in her couture gown, I knew this day would be one to remember ~ not just for the couple, but for all of us there to see Claudia and Wilhelm marry each other in the fabulous setting that is Molenvliet!  There was lots of fun and emotion as Claudia slipped her long white gloves on and added her jewellery accessories before being joined by her polka-dot dressed bridesmaids.  Yes, something different was going on!  Short black dressed with white polka-dots, bright yellow belts and handbags instead of bouquets for the girls….  what more awaited us…..  Arriving at the hilltop ceremony area, the groom was flanked by his groomsmen who were all wearing dark trousers, waistcoats, white shirts and flat caps.   Claudia took away not only Wilhelm’s breath as she walked towards him in her stunning gown on her proud father’s arm, but everyone was breathless as she stepped along the petal strewn pathway to greet her groom.

Photographer L:izelle Lotter and I had an easy job that day, we had the perfect couple, retinue, scenery and venue to work with!  Amazing coordinator, Karla from Absolute Weddings had worked her magic and created a wonderland as guests happpily walked down the tree lined lane to the reception area below.  Having been given a balloon on the way, we were able to capture a great shot as the guests let go of the string and all the balloons floated up high into the air and over the mountain range beyond.  Wonderful!

The reception area was lit by delicate hanging lanterns as the couple entered to cut their 6 tiered wedding cake.  Following moving speeches, great food and romantic first dance, the Candy Bar was opened and guests helped themselves to a veritable ’sweet shop’ of delights!  A truly perfect ending to a perfect day for this perfect couple!  X

 

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