BLOG

wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Dane and Ashleigh | Wedding | Rosemary Hill Farm

Dane and Ashleigh had the most amazing and beautiful wedding at Rosemary Hill Farm, and I was super privileged to have witnessed their love for each other!

Dane and Ashleigh | Wedding | Rosemary Hill Farm

I never loved you any more than I do, right this second. And I'll never love you any less than I do, right this second. Kami Garcia

#DASHwedding

I just knew when I finished Dane and Ashleigh’s engagement shoot, their wedding was going to be epic…and it was! And what a brilliant venue! It was my first Rosemary Hill Farm and it really felt as if I was capturing a wedding in a different country! Such a pretty backdrop to any wedding, and paired with great decor and food from Rosemary hill as well…wow, they really looked well after Dane and Ashleigh.

Ashleigh had the most amazing wedding gown from Enzoani with gorgeous details in the back, and her beautiful shoes from Anella Wedding Shoes complimented her so well! I really wanted her to wear her running shoes, because she and Dane are SERIOUS runners…I mean they both completed the IRONMAN this year! Impressive…so I actually swopped out one of Dane’s wedding shoes with a running shoe for the groom’s detail shots. If you are reading this and getting married…do yourself a favour and go to the Bridal Wardrobe and have a look…they stock the most amazing wedding gowns and wedding shoes!

Geraldi from Face by Geraldi did such a great job with the girl’s makeup. Just look at Ashleigh’s stunning makeup, she looked absolutely radiant!

Rosemary Hill Farm also did the decor’ flowers, but the beautiful flower bouquets were done by Wildflower Creations Decor.

Enough said. Enjoy the photos and please leave a message at the end!


Read More
wedding photography, wedding photographers Wynand van der Merwe wedding photography, wedding photographers Wynand van der Merwe

Ziegfried and Renee | Wedding | River Place Lodge

Ziegfried and Renee had a super special wedding with family and friends at the River Place Lodge!

Ziegfried and Renee | Wedding | River Place Lodge  

"No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart" Kapten & son

It was a first for me to capture a wedding where a Buddhist is madly in love with a Christian.

Something that was evident at Ziegfried and Renee's wedding was the fact that you really get the feeling that they are good people at heart, and it was truly tangible in their love for each other but also in their family. It was a privilege to capture their wedding love story at River Place Lodge, and what a stunning setting for a wedding...and the food was absolutely amazing!

Renee had the most amazing wedding dress from Bride & Co and her dress was displayed using a wedding hanger from Wedding Hangers SA. Renee’s beautiful makeup was done by Flawless makeup by Donique. Her hair was done by EllaHair, and the simple yet beautiful decor was done by Bella Fiore. The stunning cupcakes and chocolate cake was done by Melissa Andrews and the cheese cake by The Cheese Shop

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

*Teaser! Ziegfried & Renee | Wedding | River Place Lodge

Teaser! Ziegfried and Renee had a super special wedding with family and friends at the River Place Lodge!

*Teaser! Ziegfried & Renee | Wedding | River Place Lodge  

"No beauty shines brighter than that of a good heart" Kapten & son

It was a first for me to capture a wedding where a Buddhist is madly in love with a Christian.

Something that was evident at Ziegfried and Renee's wedding was the fact that you really get the feeling that they are good people at heart, and it was truly tangible in their love for each other but also in their family. It was a privilege to have captured their wedding love story at River Place Lodge, and what a stunning setting for a wedding...and the food was absolutely amazing!

Here's a sneak peak of their beautiful wedding!

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

Wow, this was the most emotional wedding I had the privilege to document to date. And Tertius and Monique looked absolutely gorgeous for their wedding celebration at Memoire Wedding Venue.

Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be. Frank A. Clark

Tertius & Monique's celebrated their wedding at the impressive MEMOIRE wedding and function venue, Muldersdrift. It was a super emotional day and I think its fitting and touching to have celebrated Father's Day a few days after their wedding. 

Tertius lost his dad recently and every time he remembered his dad during the day he would burst into tears. He had me in tears many times, and I couldn't have asked for a more special wedding to be a part of. Thank you for allowing me to capture memories for you and Monique, and wow....you looked absolutely smashing! 

Tertius may you truly be the man your dad meant to be! He will surely be missed. The painting in the groom portraits is a painting of Tertius and his dad. 

I must just add, I had so much fun photographing the partying at the end of the day! They went all out, especially the guys! 

Here's a list of the other suppliers who were involved making their day possible:

Flowers and decor: Bliss Floral Creations | Make-up: EA Academy MUD Westrand | Wedding Gown: Bridal Manor Pta | Wedding Designer: Pronovias (Pradera) | Monique's shoes: Charles & Keith, Menlyn | Tertius suit and shoes: Carducci | Painting of Tertius and his Dad: Friso van der Wal | Stationery: Vast Exposure | DJ: Starlightsounds | Live Music: CH2 | Photographer assistant: Carolyn J Gregorowski

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Jeandre & Bianca | Wedding | Avianto, Gauteng

Wow, Jeandre & Bianca's celebrated their wedding at the beautiful Avianto! What a gorgeous couple and fun wedding!

Jeandre & Bianca | Wedding | Avianto, Gauteng

“Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good times. And if things don't work out, just take another shot.” Ziad K. Abdelnour

Last year Jeandre and Bianca won the Oakfield Farm Expo prize and they got seriously cool deals  for their wedding, and I couldn't be happier with how their wedding turned out. With competitions you run the risk of getting clients who doesn't really fit with your style and personality (yes, we need to connect otherwise you will remember in 50 years that you could have had a better relationship with your photographer...hehe).

They are such sweet souls and so much in love, and I am really privileged to photograph such a gorgeous couple inside and out! Shame, Bianca had a little scare moments before she had to walk down the aisle...her dress tore and her mom had to come to the rescue....well done Mom...you saved the day and Bianca will remember this for days to come! You were there when she grew up and you were there on her wedding day to save the day! 

Wow, Avianto is such an amazing wedding venue and they look after their clients so well! I also love the new LOVE sign in the reception hall...just look at the decor photos and the photos of Jeandre and Bianca standing in front of the sign...so gorgeous!!

Well, enough said! I really enjoyed the wedding and party at the end was such a joy to capture! They had so much fun! Congrats again and may the Lord bless you and keep you safe in your marriage and in your walk together!

Here's a list of the suppliers who made the day possible!

Venue: Avianto | DJ: Nitelife Productions | Wedding gown: The Boys Couture | Wedding Shoes: Green Cross | Suit: Eurosuit | Make-up: Make Up by Taryn | Hair: Sunet Nuwenhuizen | Stationery and ring box: Rocam Signs | Flowers: Anne-lize Olivier | Decor: Cafe Fleur | Cake: Sugar Rush 'Cakery | Rings: West Rand Diamond Cutting

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

 

 

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Timothy & Jehdene | Wedding | Birchwood Hotel, Gauteng

Wow, I just loved photographing Timothy and Jehdene’s beautiful wedding love story! She arrived in a Bentley and later married a Bentley!

Timothy & Jehdene | Wedding | Birchwood Hotel, Gauteng

"Love is of all passions the strongest, for it attacks simultaneously the head, the heart, and the sense." —Lap Tzu, Chinese philosopher

"Jehdene arrived in a Bentley and later in the day married a Bentley!"

Timonthy and Jehdene are passionate Christians and their journey together started at Church. They both serve at Church and it was their passion for God and people that drew them together. They are adventurous souls and love the outdoors, and I just love the engagement shoot we did together on the Northcliff Koppie. (click here if you have missed it)

I also remember Jehdene said she and Timothy love music and that music will feature quite a lot at their wedding...and it did! They had their Church band, the Spoken Word Tabernacle (SWT) Band, for the music in the church but also at the reception and they were amazing! I loved it. There is just something special and personal about live music at weddings! The Skosana Family and Band also entertained the guests at the wedding and they were a hit!

Nicky from De Bron Events did the decor and wedding planning and she did a fantastic job. This was one of those weddings were the focus was a little less on the extravaganza of the decor and styling but more on the music and production and it happened flawlessly! Well done!

I must say I never photographed a bride without any make-up, and I don't know what Jehdene does with her skin but its flawless. (Feeewww) Makeup for weddings are for the bride, but man oh man...it helps us as photographers with the editing afterwards...make-up are in fact mostly done to look good on camera and it sometimes seem too much in real life. I have had so many brides who say to their makeup artists they want lighter make-up and then we end up editing their skin quite a lot because we don't want to give our clients photos where they dont look perfect...enough said...Jehdene took a risk...and she has her reasons for not wearing make-up...but her look was flawless nonetheless. Thank you Bianca for Jehdene's beautiful hair. 

I really enjoyed photographed their wedding which they celebrated with family and friends...oh yes! A shout out to the MC Wesley Chetty...he was probably the best MC I have seen. I were laughing and photographing at the same time....well done Wesley!

One thing that stood out for me about their wedding is how serious Timothy took on the oath to be Jehdene's husband...or he surely felt the pressure. It was my first wedding where the groom was late for his wedding...yes...Timothy arrived a few minutes after Jehdene and he had to take some calming medicine before he walked down the aisle to his position in front of the Church. I am sure he is not going to miss that moment, but I know deep in his heart he didn't want to mess up this once-in-a-lifetime moment to marry the girl of his dreams! It also made some crazy cool moments to photograph...real moments photographed beautifully!

Here's a list of the other vendors and suppliers. 

 Church: St Michaels and All Angels Anglican | Reception Venue: The Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre | Bridal Gown: Magda Moller Designs (oh yes, Jehdene's dress was soooo pretty!) | Cake:  Mel’s Confectionery | Video: SWT Media | Production & Sound Engineering: Sonic State Productions | Wedding Favours:  Eshcol Trading Concepts | Information booklet: Morpha Design | Instagram Photo Printer: Mbongiworks | Popcorn Machine and sweets: Party and Petals

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

 

 

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Teaser! Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

Wow, this was the most emotional wedding I had photographed to date. And Tertius and Monique looked absolutely gorgeous for their wedding celebration at Memoire Wedding Venue.

Teaser! Tertius & Monique | Wedding | Memoire Wedding Venue, Gauteng

A father is a man who expects his son to be as good a man as he meant to be. Frank A. Clark

Tertius & Monique's celebrated their wedding yesterday at the impressive MEMOIRE wedding and function venue, Muldersdrift. It was a super emotional day and I think its fitting and touching to have celebrated Father's Day recently. 

Tertius lost his dad recently and every time he remembered his dad during the day he burst into tears. He had me in tears many times, and I couldn't have asked for a more special wedding to be a part of. Thank you for allowing me to capture memories for you and Monique, and wow....you looked absolutely smashing! 

Tertius may you truly be the man your dad meant to be! He will surely be missed. 

The painting in the groom portraits is a painting of Tertius and his dad. 

I must just add, I had so much fun photographing the partying at the end of the day! They went all out, especially the guys! 

Make-up: EA Academy MUD Westrand
Photographer assistant: Carolyn J Gregorowski
Live Music: CH2

Enjoy the sneak peak and I can't wait share the rest of this beautiful wedding!

Read More

Tyronne & Romandi | Rock the Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN

Wow, Tyronne and Romandi’s ROCK THE DRESS session in Sodwana Bay was spectacular! Their wedding was the day before which was held at Mseni Beach Lodge!

Tyronne & Romandi | Rock The Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN

"The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens

And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth,

He who calls for the waters of the sea

And pours them out on the face of the earth, The LORD is His name." Amos 9:6

When Romandi enquired about wedding photography and she said she is getting married in Sodwana Bay, I knew immediately I wanted to do a Trash the Dress session with them. It took a bit of convincing because it is not normal to jump in the ocean or crash waves with a wedding dress, but eventually they were keen to do it. In reality its also not the easiest thing to do straight after your wedding...because you had been partying for your wedding till who knows what time and then you have to wake up at 5am the following morning to do photos...yes...you have to do a little make-up before this shoot as well! But it was all worth it!

Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge the day before and wow...it was such an emotional and special wedding. Please go this link to see the wedding photos. (CLICK HERE)

Thank you for getting up early Kerry-Ann and Miriska to do Romandi's makeup and hair! Going the extra mile, well done Be Bella Hair & Makeup!

One thing I have learnt from this shoot is that I have always referred to these shoots as "Trash the Dress" but in fact the dress wasn't trashed. Romandi bought her dress at Bride & Co and she washed out most of the sand in the diver's pit (the bathtub which the divers use to wash their gear...this was a funny moment because Romandi and Tyronne were using the showers to get the sand out of her dress but she soon realised it will be better to bath with her dress!). And later when she got home she dry cleaned her dress and the dress is absolutely fine. So from now on I will also refer to these shoots as ROCK THE DRESS!

Enough said. Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

Read More

Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN

Tyronne and Romandi’s wedding at Sodwana Bay was so special! I will remember it for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, and I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her own dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled. #Destinationwedding

Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN

"I am proud of you when you are proud of yourself...and you can be super proud, Romandi...your wedding is amazing!" Romandi's stepdad, Bertus, at the wedding

Wow, what a wedding! I will remember this one for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, and I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her own dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled.

Romandi's dad passed away 21 years ago at Sodwana Bay and she wanted to commemorate him by having her wedding at Sodwana Bay with close family and friends. Romandi made almost all the details herself, and she made sure there were little details of her dad in the details...for instance she made her own flower bouquet with a protea flower (her dad's favourite flower) and added a locket with her dad's photo around the stems of the flowers! Powerful stuff!

Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge and I had been at the very same place 9 years ago on my honeymoon...so it was also sentimental for me to be at the wedding! Their wedding ceremony was held on the main beach were they launch the boats for the fishing and diving excursions, and it was intimate and beautiful! 

The reception was held on the deck of the restaurant, and the view of the sea from there is spectacular. The decor was truly simple yet elegant and the most of the details was done by Romandi herself, and the coordinator at Mseni just styled the way that Romandi wanted it. The lasercut under-plates was given to each guest as a gift to take home. Amazing.

I also loved the Guest Album, where they took a picture of each guest with an Instax camera and glued it in the Album, and each person had to write best wishes to the couple next to their own photo! 

One thing to take into consideration is the fact that none of the decor elements were within reach when you are in Sodwana Bay...so you need to bring everything in your car! a Job well done Romandi!

I arrived on Friday at Mseni Beach Lodge, and the wedding was on Saturday...so I told Romandi I had this crazy idea where I want to photograph her dress at sunrise on Saturday...and OH MY WORD....it was magical! And funny enough...I almost didn't do it. When I woke up at 5am it was dark but you could see the light is starting to show, but it was cloudy. So my first thought was...I am not going to see the sunrise...I will just see clouds. So it took some inner convincing to get up and get it done....to hope to see the sunrise...and I got an even better sunrise than I expected. If there were no clouds, I wouldn't have had these incredible results!

Tyronne & Romandi also agreed to do a Trash The Dress shoot the day after the wedding, which was epic. We were super tired and half asleep, but so worth it. Like in the ads on TV...."Stay tuned for more"! So more on the Trash the Dress in the next blog post!

This wedding was hard work with little sleep...but it definitely paid off! This why I love what I do. So when I go home and my clients are over the moon with going the extra mile...that is when I feel I have succeeded in delivering an amazing service. It's almost as if the photos is an added bonus! AND BOY OH BOY...the photos are out of this world!

The other suppliers involved: Romandi's Dress: Bride&co | Makeup and hair: Be Bella Hair & Makeup | Makeup assistant: Miriska le Roux | Lasercutting: Cheeky Crafts, Laser Cutting | Night gowns: The Wedding Store | Romandi's shoes: Baruch | Custom whiskey glasses: Ludi's Crafts | Flowers: The Flower Market | Bridesmaids dress: Gelique

Enough said. Here's the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Teaser! Jeandre & Bianca | Wedding | Avianto, Gauteng

Wow, Jeandre & Bianca's celebrated their love this past weekend at Avianto! What a gorgeous couple and wedding!

Teaser! Jeandre & Bianca | Wedding | Avianto, Gauteng

“Life is like a camera. Focus on what's important. Capture the good times. And if things don't work out, just take another shot.” Ziad K. Abdelnour

Wow, Jeandre & Bianca's celebrated their love this past weekend at Avianto! What a gorgeous couple and wedding!

Enjoy the sneak peak! 

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events

I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families. And they looked amazing!!!

Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
forever. Ps23:6

I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families. I just love it...and I was sad to say goodbye at the end of the day. That is what weddings is for me and what it means to me...I pour out my heart and soul to capture special photos for my clients, and I love it when hard work pays off! Just look at the photos...amazing fun, laughter and smiles! They are all such a happy bunch of people! 

Something super funny happened. Mareli's sister Ilana did her make-up and hair (her company in Namibia is Ilana's Hair Gallery) and her two sons (one is 5 and the other is 3 years old) were the ring-bearers but they missed their afternoon nap, so when it was time to hand-over the rings...well the eldest was more than half asleep which made for such a funny moment! 

The wedding was on the Friday and it rained during that week...oh wait it poured with rain. So the morning of the wedding day it rained once more and I prepared like crazy for me to stay dry during the couple shoot, and I kept thinking the whole day "we would embrace the rain and take epic rain shots"...well...that was what I expected. I mean it had been raining for 2 days flat so what else did I expect? Exactly the opposite...we had sunshine! It was muddy but there were dramatic skies and sunshine...amazing. Mareli's prayers were truly answered. The biggest testimony for the day was the exact moment when Mareli walked into church, that was the first time the first sunshine appeared...so we had to take a photo!

We did the sunset shoot at a random spot on our way to the venue, and we were lucky to get Kosmos flowers in the field. I always try my best to document the day as it happens rather than directing the day, but it's always difficult during the couple shoot because none of the happenings during the couple shoot happens "naturally"...I mean its not normal to go stand in a random field on your way to the venue. But I love the little moments in between the posed moments which I didn't direct like when Mareli and Klaas-Jan did the Tango with a Kosmos flower, or when Klaas-Jan picked Mareli up to take her back to the car....real moments are such a joy to capture!

The reception was super fun. They had the coolest games to entertain the guests which made everybody laugh like crazy and it was fun to capture! The venue is situated in a sort of a valley with 2 dams right in front, which means if it gets cold at night, then there surely will be mist. And there were lots of it! So I just knew the night shot was going to be epic and it was! 

Here's a list of other suppliers who were involved:

Venue: Ingaadi Spa & Events Venue  Flowers: Wynand Saayman (Ilana's husband and Mareli's brother-in-law)

A big thank you to Leandrie from Leandrie du Plessis Photography. She did the decor photos for me!

Enjoy the photos and please leave a comment at the end!

Read More

Teaser! Tyronne & Romandi | Trash The Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN

Wow, Tyronne and Romandi’s trash the dress session in Sodwana Bay was spectacular! Their wedding was on Saturday at Mseni Beach Lodge!

Teaser! Tyronne & Romandi | Trash The Dress | Sodwana Bay, KZN

"The One who builds His upper chambers in the heavens

And has founded His vaulted dome over the earth,

He who calls for the waters of the sea

And pours them out on the face of the earth, The LORD is His name." Amos 9:6

Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge this past Saturday and we did a Trash the Dress the following morning at sunrise! 

Wow...I am in LOVE This shoot was so much fun...even though were super tired from the partying of the wedding....it was all worth it! Memorable stuff...! And I thought the dress was going to be ruined, 

Here's a little sneakpeak...enjoy!

Read More

Teaser! Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN

Wow, the wedding this past weekend was soooo special and I will remember it for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, but I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled. Destination wedding at Sodwana Bay.

Teaser! Tyronne & Romandi | Wedding | Sodwana Bay, KZN

"I am proud of you when you are proud of yourself...and you can be super proud, Romandi...your wedding is amazing!" Romandi's stepdad, Bertus, at the wedding

Wow, the wedding this past weekend was soooo special and I will remember it for many years to come. I get emotional at weddings, but I rarely shed a tear, but when Romandi's stepdad gave a speech with his daughter at his side and when he said her dad would have been proud of her....oh wow...my heart crumbled.

Romandi's dad passed away 21 years ago at Sodwana Bay and she wanted to commemorate him by having her wedding at Sodwana Bay with close family and friends. Romandi made almost all the details herself, and she made sure there were little details of her dad in the details...she made her own flower bouquet with a protea flower (which were her dad's favourite flower) and she added a locket with her dad's photo around the stems of the flowers. 

Tyronne and Romandi's wedding reception was held at Mseni Beach Lodge and I had been at the very same place 9 years ago on my honeymoon...so it was also sentimental for me to be at the wedding! Their wedding ceremony was held on the main beacj were they launch the boats for the fishing and diving excursions. 

I arrived on Friday at Mseni Beach Lodge, and the wedding was on Saturday...so I told Romandi I have this crazy idea where I want to photograph her dress with sunrise on Saturday...and OH MY WORD....it was magical! And they also agreed to do a Trash The Dress shoot on Sunday, which was also SUPER MAGICAL! So I experienced two magical sunrises out of the 3 days...

It was hard work with little sleep...but it definitely paid off! 

And funny enough...when I go home and my clients is over the moon with going the extra mile...that is when I feel I have succeeded in delivering an amazing service. It's almost as if the photos is an added bonus! AND BOY OH BOY...the photos is out of this world!

Enough said. Here's a few photos from this weekend! 

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

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!

Read More
wedding photography, wedding photographers Wynand van der Merwe wedding photography, wedding photographers Wynand van der Merwe

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!

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Teaser! Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events

I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families.

Teaser! Klaas-Jan & Mareli | Wedding | Ingaadi Spa & Events

Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever. Ps23:6

I am truly privileged to be doing what I love, and even more privileged to share in the love of people's happiest day of their lives. Klaas-Jan & Mareli's wedding day was super special, and I not only made a special connection with them as a couple, but also with their families. I just love it...or perhaps I shouldn't be so excited...that I get to make new friends, and I was sad to say goodbye at the end of the day. That is what weddings is for me and what it means to me...I pour out my heart and soul to capture special photos for my clients, and I love it when it pays off! I just love their photos and I tried looking for a few sneak peaks but I ended selecting 31 photos....wow...the biggest selection for a sneak peak until now. 

Something super funny happened. Mareli's sister Ilana did her make-up and hair (her company in Namibia in Ilana's Hair Gallery) and her two sons (one is 5 and the other is 3 years old) were the ring-bearers but they missed their afternoon nap, so when it was time to hand-over the rings...well the eldest was more than half asleep. Such a funny moment which I caught on camera!

They got married on Friday and during the week it rained...oh wait it poured with rain. So the morning of the wedding day it rained and I prepared like crazy for me to stay dry during the couple shoot, and I kept thinking the whole day "we would embrace the rain and take epic rain shots"...well...that was what I expected. I mean it had been raining for 2 days flat so what else did I expect? Exactly the opposite...we had sunshine! It was muddy but there were dramatic skies and sunshine...amazing. Mareli's prayers were truly answered. The biggest testimony for the day was the exact moment Mareli walked into church was the first time there were sunrays...so we had to take a photo!

The day ended with the coolest mist, so I just knew the night shot was going to be epic!

Venue: Ingaadi Spa & Events Venue  Flowers: Wynand Saayman (Ilana's husband and Mareli's brother-in-law)

Enjoy the sneak peak!

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

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!

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

Heinrich & Simone's wedding | Lace on Timber | Gauteng

Wow, words can even describe how beautiful and special this wedding was! I am truly honoured to have witnessed the love between Heinrich & Simone on their wedding day! Your wedding at Lace on Timber was beautiful, elegant and simple....what a way for me to start my weddings for 2018! 

Heinrich & Simone's wedding | Lace on Timber | Gauteng

"When you meet the one who changes the way your heart beats, dance with them to that rhythm for as long as the song lasts." Kirk Diedrich

Wow, what a way to start 2018.

Heinrich and Simone are super fun and down-to-earth people and so easy to photograph. What a journey we had together...they were the winners at my Oakfields Bridal Expo Stand last year, we did their engagement shoot at Harmonie Proteas (click here to view) and I photographed the Bridal Workshop which Simone Pheiffer from The Wedding Event hosted last year and Simone and her mom and mom-in-law was part of this amazing day. Wow, so many memories captured during the past year and a bit.

The beautiful decor, Simone's dress, the cool groomsmen, the exquisite venue, lovely food, and loads of fun and laughter made this day super memorable. Everything which was done, was done in style and they didn't hold back...even when the bridal party entered the reception they gave it their all....wow what fun and laughter! They are truly a happy bunch of people. I had so much fun photographing this wedding, and I pray that the happiness will keep strong in their marriage!  

I must say the hype about Lace on Timber is true. This place is magical. There is prettiness in every corner and in every direction that you look and wow...this place can make your wedding go from beautiful to gorgeous! And they have such friendly staff and service...definitely one of the best venues I have captured a wedding in South Africa. 

Well done to all the suppliers involved, their day was perfect!

Venue & Desert Table: Lace on Timber  |  Wedding Dress: Timeless Bridal Couture  |  Simone's shoes: Aldo | Decor & Flowers: Pebble and Lace  |  Protea boutonnières: Hello Bird  |  Video: Barefeet Videography  |  Rings: Browns (Simone) & Bellagio (Heinrich) | Bridesmaids dresses: Forever New | Simone's mom's dress: House of JM Designs | Nougat: Ma Mere Confections

Have a drink, put your feet up and enjoy the photos!

Read More
wedding photography, wedding photographers Wynand van der Merwe wedding photography, wedding photographers Wynand van der Merwe

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! 

Read More
wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe wedding photographers, wedding photography Wynand van der Merwe

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!

Read More