Paulo and Tammy were lucky enough to have their wedding and reception at a private farm near Lydenburg.  If I remember correctly, the farm and farmhouse was the property of the Swiss embassy in South Africa a couple of decades ago.  I can see why – it must have evoked memories of home.

I did their engagement shoot as well and we communicated quite a lot before and directly after the wedding.  I get really close to my clients and it feels like I make new friends the whole year through.  The wedding photographer is the person that spends the most time with the bride on her wedding day – from having her make-up done and getting dressed right through to the party afterwards.  The downer is that I feel like losing friends after I’ve completed an order!

These types of wedding settings make it so much easier to get stunning shots.  It’s about as easy as point and shoot!  The farm has a river running through it which boasts a waterfall as well.  The ochre colours of the surrounding rocks, the green foliage, blue skies and silver water gave us the perfect backdrop.

Oh – I forget to mention the clouds.  I love clouds in the sky.  It gives wide angle shots such a nice texture and sense of grandeur don’t you think?

And what would a wedding shoot in open air be without a classic “bride in the grassy field” shot?  Again the colours blended perfectly with Tammy’s red hair and goldish dress.

The farmhouse is built right on a small lake and has a wooden deck spanning a bit over the lake.  We quickly commandeered a couch and some draping from the house to stage some really awesome group shots.

The good and the bad about the venue: well the bad was the cramped space next to the swimming pool during the wedding ceremony and the threatening thunder storm and the good was the picture perfect surroundings and madly in love wedding couple.