That same night (which is also our anniversary) Aleks phoned me to book her wedding date, they planned to get married as close as possible to 1 year after their engagement, and the date was set as the 5th February 2012 at Oakfield Farm

Aleks look just absolutely gorgeous in her Pronovias dress, breathtakingly beautiful. Her something blue was written on the bottom of her shoes “I DO”, and yes Otto had something underneath his shoes that he was not aware off till after we showed him the picture….”HELP ME”….LOL, you can see the photo below. The ever so awesome David John did her make-up, and was perfect as always, thank you David!

Otto could not stop his tears when Aleks walked down the isle, YES we know it was a bug in your eye, but you pulled it off quite alright for the photo , and if grooms cry, there I go aswell, luckily I could blame the camera strain on my eyes. (Otto, I had a better excuse than you).

The Decor was out of this world, thank you to FF Decor. Stunning flowers by Blooms on the Boulevard

Here are some same day edits of their wedding and hop over to Jaco’s website for more

Venue: Oakfield Farm

Dress: Pronovias – Barcelona

Dress Hanger: The Desert Rose project

Make-up: David John david-john@mweb.co.za

Decor: FF Decor facebook page: FF Decor: http://www.facebook.com/ffdecor?sk=info

Flowers: Blooms of the Boulevard

Guest Favours: Sparkling Bride

Photo Booth: PhotoBooth.inc

I only realised today how it feels to be a mom again. A free weekend to spend with the 3 girls, and it was EXHAUSTING!!! I realised how much they miss us, not one minute without a smile, or a kiss, or a “pick me up”, or “give me a hug” and that “I love you more”….my heart just melted. Tucking them into bed tonight, and that hug that lasts for minutes, and then asking for another, and then I love you again….I felt like sitting in a corner and let the tears just flow, I missed them so much, and it took me a year to realise it. It was not me that baked the rusks with them, it was not me that allowed them to make a mess in the kitchen to try a new cooking technique, it was not me that taught the little missy to ride her bike,  it was not me helping them with their homework, but…..it was all about me, and nothing about them. And it feels like their is this empty space where they should have been.

Sometimes we take the acceptance of our children for granted, we just go on caught up in our own world, and we forget about their needs. This weekend was a time to breathe, to realise how much our kids needs us, and what is important. They never complain when we are away from home, and happily accept it and walk to granny with their little suitcases packed for the night. But if you stop, breathe and look into their eyes it is so clear that they are desperate for just a minute of unconditional love.

A year of time is hard to make up, but if there is only one thing on my 2012 list, it will be them.

I thought I would be brave, I thought I would be able to hide the tears, even though I tried behind the sticky tape smile, I had to turn away every time a teacher asked me..are you OK mommy? What is up with these teachers these days, trying to make the parents cry when their baby goes to big school, just you wait, I will get you back this year, no easy going mommy for you, just because you tried to break my stick on smile . My heart skipped a thousand beats when I finally let that little hand slip out of mine and hand her over to her teacher, will she be ok? That table is to big for her, she cant reach the floor with her feet, does she know that her daddy packed her a special lunch? Will she remember to eat it? All of this racing through my mind, and all I see in her face is pure joy, confidence and that special smile whispering silently “mommy, I am ok, are you?”

Well today she stepped into her big shoes (yes literally to big for her). But in my heart I know she is ready for what ever the world may bring her way. Her laughter, joy and kindness will carry her through.

And there we go home, and all that is left behind is her “blankie” in the car that she left, and I am counting down the minutes for the school bell to ring.

I wonder what you’re doing right now, and if everyone is treating you kind.
I hope there is a special person, a nice friend that you can find.

I wonder if the teacher know just, how special you are to me.
And if the brightness of your heart is something she can see.

I wonder if you are thinking about me and if you need a hug.
I already miss the sound of your voice and how you give my leg a tug.

I wonder if you could possibly understand how hard it is for me to let you grow.
On this day know that my heart breaks, for this is the first step in letting my baby go.

- Wendy Silva-

See more on Jaco’s blog here: Ricky & Chanelle

Dress: Maggie Sottero

Dress hanger: the Desert Rose project

Hair: Nonette Hair and Beauty Salon e-mail:jlebesa@gmail.com

Make-up: Ellenor , elle@makeupbyellenor.co.za, www.makeupbyellenor.co.za facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MakeupbyEllenor

But this is not the only reason, these pictures are different from those I usually post and not all the moochy wedding pictures you always see (well almost mostly see), some of these are the “fun, behind the scenes” pictures, so brides and grooms brace yourselves (especially the groom that did “Die Leeuloop”…hehehe), you have all seen these pictures, but some of them not on my blog.

What an amazing season with the most awesome couples, we were fortunate to travel to Dullstroom – Dunkeld for a breathtaking wedding in the woods, and to the magnificent Summerfields Rose retreat for an Australian couple (and also friends) in the the heart of Mpumalanga where we spend the weekend being treated like kings and queens. Oh yea, we almost got struck by lightning there but wow, it made a great picture .  We got bookings from as far as the UK and Dubai, and were so very blessed have been part of their wedding day (Yes, we did do a lot of Skyping)

Not that this was without its challenges, as per my previous post, we had a good share of late nights, many tears, and the constant doubt, BUT, we have learned more than you can believe. We are humbled by all the mentoring, help and advice we have received.

Next year we will be once again blessed by 2 bookings from the UK and another from the US (South African’s to be married back in their home country) and we will be traveling to the beautiful Malawi for a wedding there. (Off course we are packing to stay over…hehehe)

But this is not about us, this is to celebrate the couples that we had the privilege to spend one of the most important days with. Thank you for trusting us, and doing the sometimes “odd” and not so traditional things…we loved it.

To you all, we wish you a happy 2012, with lots of babies on the way

xoxoxo

2011 has been roller coaster ride at most for me, the ups and downs, the late nights, the tears (hubby always there to wipe them off and give me a hug, assuring me that it will be all right), the anxiety and doubt, the fear of failure, criticism (hard and real that made me stronger, and more forgiving). The reality that I am not living in a cocoon and sheltered from what life can fire at us ..and then there were  joy, happiness, knowing that God is always there to protect and answer our prayers, forgiving and helping us through the tough times, and smiling with us through the good ones.

I could see this in the eyes of the kids I photographed. Their innocence, their believe, their humbleness. It made me realise that even being a “grown up”, I learn every day from these kids. Don’t be afraid, believe in who you are, be strong, take criticism, mold it and make it your own, and grow from it and never give up on your dreams.

Here is to all those munchkins that taught me so much in 2011. Love you all xoxoxoxox

Venue: Intundla game lodge

Venue: Andeland

Dress: Maggie Sottero

Samantha you got problems on your hands!

Thanks so much Sam for giving me the opportunity to photograph your beautiful angel.

Also view Jaco’s same day edits here

Make-up: Hannelie Burger

Hair: The Stylest

Venue: La’Mathil

Dress: Baronne Bruidshuis