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Nolan and Seshnee | Wedding | Southern Sun Maharani Durban
Nolan and Seshnee tied the knot in Durban and what a special wedding!
“You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching, Love like you'll never be hurt, Sing like there's nobody listening, And live like it's heaven on earth.” William W. Purkey
I really believe that 2022 will be a great year with new challenges, but especially with new heights.
I have official added video to my range of services, yeah!
I have always advertised that I do photo and video packages but the video was always done as a sub-contract and I wasn’t involved in the editing. Nolan and Seshnee booked a combo package and I did photos and Nicholas did the videos, but I edited their video…and IV LOVED IT!
It is very exciting where my brand is heading to, and I can’t wait to edit my next video. Its so different telling stories behind a stills camera compared to video…I mean the endless possibilities to invoke senses and emotion in video is amazing! Long story short, you will see a lot more videos coming your way!
Nolan and Seshnee tied the knot in Durban, so we flew down in December to capture their wedding love story at the coast. They had their ceremony at the most amazing church, the St Thomas Anglican Church. The church was built in 1864 and it’s such a gorgeous setting for a wedding! Wow, I prepared myself for typical Durban weather: hot and very humid. But we had a cold rainy day. Yes, very strange! I must say, the whole of South Africa had the weirdest weather during the December. The temperature on the day was around 19 degrees, and it was windy and cloudy…Luckily no rain.
It started drizzling at some point during the couple shoot, but we were still at the church. We then decided to go to the Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani (where the reception was held). We planned to go on the roof, then go to the pier for photos, but when we reached the Hotel it started pouring. I normally get very excited when it rains because rain shots are really cool, but this it was different. We tried a few roof shots, but the wind was unbearable, so we then did photos in the Sky Venue (it’s an inside venue at the hotel)…and said we will try outside photos later when the rain stops…but it unfortunately never stopped.
Nolan and Seshnee, you are such a special couple. Your day was interrupted by rain, but that couldn’t stop you from having the wedding of your dreams! The decor was gorgeous, oh my word! And you guys looked amazing, especially Seshnee! Again, the rain couldn’t dampen all the feels for the day! Congrats again, and may the Lord bless you abundantly!
Enough said, the photos will do the talking!
Please leave a message at the end of the blog…perhaps I can add the messages in their album!
Suppliers who made the day special:
Southern Sun Maharani Hotel | Church: St Thomas Anglican Church | Dress: @jasminsbridal | Suit: @b_gangaram_za | Hair: @hashtaghbn | Makeup: @makeupby_pooja_m
Rynhard & Jeannie | Wedding | Northam, Limpopo
I just love destination weddings, and I love story telling but what I love more is the people I get to meet. I had such an amazing time photographing Rynhard and Jeannie's wedding on a friend's farm called Brosdoring Farm in Northam, Limpopo. The Farm has a very large Brosdoring (Brittle Thorn) tree on the farm, and we took some photos in the last sun at this beautiful tree.
Rynhard & Jeannie | Wedding | Northam, Limpopo
"You'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more" Phil Collins
I just love destination weddings, and I love story telling but what I love more is the people I get to meet. I had such an amazing time photographing Rynhard and Jeannie's wedding on a friend's farm called Brosdoring Farm in Northam, Limpopo. The Farm has a very large Brosdoring (Brittle Thorn) tree on the farm, and we took some photos in the last sun at this beautiful tree.
We had serious rain all over South Africa during the week of their wedding, and I thought we are going to take photos during the rain, but it had cleared for their day. What had happened was that the soil turned dark red (which I liked) but also muddy...so it was quite a challenge to keep Jeannie's dress clean....so with some photos you can see the mud on Jeannie's bum...but hey...it gives the photos character!
Jeannie got the best deal out of this marriage...she not only got Rynhard but his kids as well! I just love the dress photos with their kids Lané and Luan and Lané looked amazing in her soon-to-be mom's dress!
I won't get tattoo myself, but OH BOY...I love how tattoos photograph and how it adds character to a photo. Jeannie is a creative at heart, and I just love how a tattoo tells a story. I mean you don't just get a tattoo...there is a reason. So what I normally do when I have clients with tattoos then I try to frame the tattoo as the "main attraction" in the shot because then the photos become super exciting and interesting!
Jeannie bought her dress on an overseas website, and her shoes were from JET. Rynhard bought his shoes at BATA and his suspenders were from Kaalvoet Kind Ontwerp. Jeannie has her own hair and make-up company so she did her own hair and make-up, and her friend Tanya Hallatt helped with her eye liner. Rynhard and Jeannie did most of the decor elements themselves but the donuts were from Krispy Krem.
Well, enough said...enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
CJ & Carina | Wedding | Goosehill | Bloemfontein
CJ & Carina tied the knot in Bloemfontein at Goosehill Wedding and Guest Farm in Bloemfontein! It was an honour capturing a friend's wedding story! I had so much fun.
CJ & Carina | Wedding | Goosehill | Bloemfontein
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain - Vivian Greene
It was a privilege to have been a witnessed to the love between CJ and Carina. Carina is so happy with her prince charming!
Carina became a good friend while she stayed and worked in Johannesburg, and she fell for a boer from Elliot! Carina is originally from the Freestate so she probably dreamt of one day getting married to a boertjie.
Their wedding celebration was held at Goosehill Wedding and Guest Farm in Bloemfontein, and it was such a simplistic and elegant wedding. Carina is a travel agent, but she does interior design in her spare time...so she has a great sense of style! Well, that was evident in the decor. Most of the decor inspiration she made herself and it looks absolutely gorgeous! It looked like she had a wedding stylist to prepare the wedding details!
Carina is such a down-to-earth plaasmeisie, and she wore a gorgeous simple dress and vellies...yes...she is definitely a plaasmeisie at heart! Her make-up and hair, done by Amy Olden, was flawless and simple...just the way Carina like it!
Bad Ass Beards in Bloemfontein looked after CJ and the guys...and they looked dapper after their funky clean-up...and even after a few screams...waxing is not for sissies!
My wife Juanita was a guest so our whole family had a nice outing to Bloemfontein on the Friday, my mother-in-law went along to look after the kids and we left for home on the Sunday. I just love destination weddings, but I don't get the opportunity that often to travel with my whole family.
Enjoy the photos! CJ and Carina, I pray that your love and laughter will last till the end of days!
Juwaid & Farheen's Wedding | Fire and Ice Hotel | Gauteng
Juwaid & Farheen's muslim wedding is one I will not forget! I just loved their couple shoot on Sandton City's 8th Level parking area! The light and dramatic skies were out of this world!
Juwaid & Farheen's Wedding | Fire and Ice Hotel | Gauteng
Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life. Leo Buscaglia
Juwaid & Farheen's wedding was the first Muslim wedding I have captured and I can't wait for my next one! Wow...just love the colors! It was such a relaxing day for me because I wasn't part of the groom's nikkah, which happened at the Houghton Masjid. Farheen got ready at the beautiful Marriott Protea Fire and Ice Hotel, Melrose Arch and they met up with family and friends for a simple reception (or lunch) at Calisto's Restaurant in Rosebank Mall, where they also exchanged rings. The Portuguese food was absolutely sensational.
Thank you for the hospitality...I felt like an esteemed guest!
We left to do the couple shoot when the lunch and festivities was done, and I must tell you, if you need to work on how to keep a couple "busy" and not run out of ideas on how to pose people...do a 3 hours couple shoot. It keeps you on your toes, and its amazing also. Because you get to experiment a little bit....and when the light is out of this world....well then its heaven! We had a blast during the 3 hour couple shoot! The shoot was also such a relaxed shoot because there was no event happening after the couple shoot. So we had the afternoon/evening at our disposal for photos. We started at Sandton City Mall's level 8 parking area and we ended back at the Marriott Fire and Ice Hotel in Melrose Arch. The rooftop area must be my next-best photo location...I just loved shooting their urban wedding photos with the buildings in the background!
Makeup: Thameenah Saint | Hair: Studio 9 at Melrose Arch | Wedding Dress: Bridal Vault | Flowers: Flower Spot, Woodmead | Decor: Family and @rayhanscatering | Rings: JDC Jewellers & American Swiss | Tuxedo: Oriental Plaza | Juwaid's Shoes: Woolworths | Farheen's shoes: YDE | Farheen's henna: Henna Art by MS | Flower Bouquet: Striking Beauty
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Teaser! CJ & Carina | Wedding | Goosehill | Bloemfontein
CJ & Carina tied the knot in Bloemfontein at Goosehill Wedding and Guest Farm in Bloemfontein! It was an honour capturing a friend's wedding story! I had so much fun.
Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain - Vivian Greene
It was a privilege to have witnessed the love between CJ and Carina. Carina became a good friend while she stayed and worked in Johannesburg, and she fell for a boer from Elliot! Carina is originally from the Freestate so she probably dreamt of one day getting married to a boertjie.
Their wedding celebration was held at Goosehill Wedding and Guest Farm in Bloemfontein, and it was such a simplistic and elegant wedding. Carina is such a down-to-earth plaasmeisie, and she wore a gorgeous simple dress and vellies...yes...she is definitely a plaasmeisie at heart! Her make-up and hair, done by Amy Olden, was flawless and simple...just the way Carina like it!
Bad Ass Beards in Bloemfontein looked after CJ and the guys...and they looked dapper after their funky clean-up...and after a few screams...waxing is not for sissies!
Here's a few photos from Saturday's destination wedding!
Teaser! Juwaid & Farheen's Wedding | Fire and Ice Hotel | Gauteng
Juwaid & Farheen's muslim wedding is one I will not forget! I just loved their couple shoot on Sandton City's 8th Level parking area! The light and dramatic skies were out of this world!
Teaser! Juwaid & Farheen's Wedding | Fire and Ice Hotel | Gauteng
Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life. Leo Buscaglia
I captured my first Muslim wedding this past Saturday, and I loved it. It was such a relaxing day for me because I wasn't part of the groom's nikkah, which happened at the Houghton Masjid. Farheen got ready at the beautiful Marriott Protea Fire and Ice Hotel, Melrose Arch and they met up with family and friends for a simple reception (or lunch) at Calisto's Restaurant in Rosebank Mall, where they also exchanged rings. The food was absolutely amazing.
Thank you for the hospitality...I felt like an esteemed guest!
We then left to do the couple shoot when the lunch and festivities was done which lasted for 3 hours. Wow...this was such a relaxed shoot because there was no event happening after the couple shoot. So we had the afternoon/evening at our disposal for photos and the sunlight was out of this world. We started at Sandton City Mall's level 8 parking area and we ended back at the Fire and Ice Hotel in Melrose Arch. The rooftop area must be my next-best photo location...I just loved shooting their urban wedding photos with the buildings in the background!
Makeup: Thameenah Saint | Hair: Studio 9 at Melrose Arch | Wedding Dress: Bridal Vault | Flowers: Flower Spot, Woodmead | Decor: Family and @rayhanscatering | Rings: JDC Jewellers & American Swiss | Tuxedo: Oriental Plaza | Juwaid's Shoes: Woolworths | Farheen's shoes: YDE | Farheen's henna: Henna Art by MS | Flower Bouquet: Striking Beauty
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Ryan and Dawn | Destination Wedding | Orchards, Midlands KZN
Ryan and Dawn's destination wedding was one of those "pinch yourself" weddings. I just couldn't believe I was so lucky to be their photographer!
Ryan and Dawn | Destination Wedding | Orchards, Midlands KZN
My love for you is a journey, starting at forever and ending at never.
- Anonymous
Ryan and Dawn's destination wedding was one of those "pinch yourself" weddings. I just couldn't believe I was so lucky to be their photographer! And amazingly, they found me through one of my competitions which I had held at my exhibition stand at the Oakfields Farm Bridal Expo in January 2016. Wow, what a privilege to be a part of their journey!
Here is link to Ryan and Dawn's engagement shoot in Maboneng last, for in case you missed it! Click HERE.
One of the things that make my blood pumping vigorously is getting on a plane and to jet off to a far off destination. The Midlands isn't halfway around the world, but it is still a "far off destination". I just love travel. To see places, and to meet new people, and to experience different cultures...and then to capture this on camera is even more exhilarating.
Ryan and Dawn's wedding was held in the Midlands at the most beautiful country venue The Orchards. I have been following the venue on Instagram for a while now and when Dawn said that she is getting married at this venue I really got super excited. I know weddings aren't really about the venue, or dress, or food...but about the people...but beautiful venues that makes your photos so much prettier...and when you have the most beautiful decor and flowers at a beautiful venue...wow...then you are in for some eye candy...the decor was out-of-this-world with this wedding!
Dawn did most of the planning for the wedding, and she was inspired by the 2016 colour palette of serenity and also blue...I mean blue is her favorite colour! For the reception she chose a woodlands theme with greenery and ivy, ferns and lilies as the main flowers. Wood were added in the form of wooden coasters for the favours, thick wooden discs as signs, which were cut from logs, and wooden branch pieces used as menu stands. The latter was done by Ryan and his brother. Ryan and his mom also made the table numbers by using moss-covered polystyrene numbers, and how amazing is this: The alter was made by Dawn's dad!
Crystal and Vine did the table decor and also the overhanging arrangements and lighting. Debbie Martens did the amazing flower and Food Matters were responsible for the incredible food. The stationery was designed and printed by a family friend and the sweets and cake was made by another family friend...And I wish I could make people taste the cake through the photos because you surely missed out...it looked good but tasted even better!
Dawn had a stunner of a dress. It was a Nola dress designed by Maggie Sotero, and Dawn bought the dress in Wimbledon London at Paverly Bridal. She also bought her shoes in London at Next. But why London? Well, both Ryan and Dawn are South Africans and they just love traveling and going to new places and the UK especially are close to their hearts. So in January this year Dawn accepted an offer for a job in London, which created some chaos in their lives, especially with the planning of their dream wedding in SA. They realised that it will be a nightmare to arrange things from the UK, so they basically met with the caterers, florists and decor people in South Africa six months before the wedding before they moved to London to start her new job in March. Wow, that is trust on a new level, and the suppliers did such an amazing job...great decisions in choosing your suppliers!
Thank you for trusting me with your memories. I had a blast capturing your wedding photos, Ryan and Dawn, and may your love for each other just grow and grow!
Dawn's incredible make-up and hair was done by Camilla Kerr – The Durban Makeup Artist and the video was done by the talented Jon R Photography. The music during the canapes and snacks was done by an incredible duo Aymira Band (I mean they were seriously good) and the sound and music during reception was done by the incredible DJ Worx.
Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!
Love is the bridge | Brand & Vanessa's E-session | The Bridge Muldersdrift
Teaser. Here is a sneak peak of Brand & Vanessa's beautiful e-session this past Saturday!
Love is the bridge between you and everything - Rumi
Here is a sneak peak of Brand & Vanessa's e-session at the beautiful Bridge Venue in Muldersdrift!
An urban love affair | Ryan & Dawn's Urban E-session
Dawn & Ryan's beautiful e-session is up on my blog!
"Nobody has ever measured, even poets, how much a heart can hold." -Zelda Fitzgerald
Dawn & Ryan entered the competition I hosted at the Oakfield Bridal Expo this year and won, so they qualified for a 50% discount...but I was super lucky to get such good looking people as clients!
They are such great people to be around with and the chemistry they have with the camera and with each other was special.
The were fun, yet stylish at the same time, and I enjoyed capturing them against the Urban setting of the Maboneng Precinct, which is very much a contrast to their wedding venue, The Orchard Wedding Venue, KZN! It's a long stretch till their wedding, but I can't wait for their wedding in September next year!
We ended the shoot at the Origin Coffee in Maboneng, and I must say there isn't coffee that tastes better than theirs! Amazing!
Enjoy the pictures and please leave a comment at the end!
Desmond & Madelize | Dullstroom | Wedding Celebration
*Teaser! Desmond & Madelize's epic Dullstroom wedding celebration is on my blog!
What a weekend and wedding! I knew since Rentia, Madelize's mom, phoned me the first time, to my first meet-up with Desmond and Madelize, to our incredible engagement shoot at Gold Reef City's Theme Park that the wedding was going to be epic! The past weekend was full of tears and absolute splendor!
Madelize's parents built a wedding venue on their farm just outside of Dullstroom and what a beauty!
Venue: Renanda Trout and Leisure Farm
I cant wait to post the full blog post. Please enjoy the sneak peak!
Edmund & Terri's Wedding Celebration{Sedgefield}
Edmund and Terri's destination wedding celebration are on my blog!
There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved. ~ George Sands ~
I had the privilege embarking on a destination wedding again, and what a wonderful wedding it was! Terri and Edmund tied the knot at the Whistle Steam Stop in Sedgefield, Western Cape, and what makes this wedding so memorable to Terri is the fact that they spent most holidays in Sedgefield and she always wanted to get married there!
I just love destination weddings because it gives me the chance to travel and to spent time with my family...yes...we had a four day holiday in Plettenberg Bay!
Edmund and Terri are such wonderful people to be around and their love each other and for the Father was so tangible, and I believe it can be seen in all aspects of the wedding.
Other suppliers
Venue: Steam Whistle Stop, Sedgefield
Wedding Gown: Terri wanted a light pink dress, which she dreamt of since forever, and according to her was the Wedding Dress, Northcliff, the only wedding dress supplier who would actually makes this dress. Risky but beautiful!
Event Management: Conféti Weddings, Events & Hire. They arranged the DJ, the Marque tent, tables and chair and catering.
Cake: Crumbs n Smiles made a beautiful cake, and incorporated elements such as our engagement shoot photos printed on edible paper. Amazing.
Table Lasercut elements: Die Stalletjie Laser Cutting
Engagement
Terri comes from Cape Town and Edmund from Johannesburg, and it was on a planned holiday to the Mother City that he proposed to her in June 2015 at a small restaurant close to the railway in Franschoek. They were dating for 9 months at the time and Edmund, a hopeless romantic, went on his knees during desert, and all Terri could say was "YES"!
Terri told me that the owners of the Whistle Steam Stop said that they have never hosted a wedding before because it is not a function venue. so with the help of Confeti they had to bring in almost all of the suppliers in from the outside which included the Catering, Marque Tent, Chairs and Chapel area.
They both got ready at the Myoli Beach Lodge in Sedgefield, which was very close to the main beach in Sedgefield! Such a simple and cozy little place!
The Myoli Beach Lodge cabins are a tad bit small for wedding preparations, but Terri made a plan by doing her make-up in the bathroom. :)
I am so sad that I didn't have the chance to take some pictures of Terri at the beach, but luckily it wasn't the case with Edmund and his groomsmen.
#wedding #terriedmund #destinationwedding #sedgefield #wynandvandermerwephotography #wynandvandermerwedotcom
Eddie & Terri's forest picnic {e-session}
Eddie & Terri's forest picnic e-session is on the blog!
"Faith makes all things possible. Love makes all things easy.” Dwight L. Moody
These two, Eddie and Terri, are just fun people to be around! They were full of sports for their engagement shoot, and Eddie is the sweet romantic... they had a picnic basket with sushi, fruits, bubbly and white balloons! They look so happy together and just couldn't stop laughing during the shoot...just amazing!
Can't wait for the wedding in August in Sedgefield! Its going to be epic!
Venue: Bryanston Pine Forest
#engagement #esession #weddingphotography #wedding #balloons#loveatfirstsight #nikond700 #cute #fun #sushi #bryanstonpineforest #sparklers #gautengphotographer #johannesburgphotographer #engagement #bridetobe #groomtobe #inlove #love #SAwedding #sedgefield #easterncape #destinationwedding #travelphotographer #destinationphotographer