Photography by Drikus le Roux

Wedding | Carmen & Reon | Bloemendal Wine Estate, Durbanville

Drikus — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:34:06 +0000

I couldn’t have asked for a more amazing couple. I had to say that first, because Carmen and Reon were so relaxed (although a little nervous and excited) on their wedding day, however I think if they had the chance they would’ve jumped the gun and got married 4 hours earlier! Cape Town was blessed with one of those stunning late summer, early autumn days and add to that the view from Bloemendal over Cape Town and it’s enough to get anyone excited.

The train of Carmen’s dress is actually her mom’s wedding dress (her something old) and I loved the blue lace ribbon she had around her waist. Chandeliers…chandeliers, chandeliers! Those of you who’ve been to my shop at the V&A Waterfront, might have noticed there are two chandeliers in there and I lost count of how many chandeliers there were at their wedding. (I love them, if you haven’t noticed.) The church had about 5 or 6 and the venue had 3 massive ones and I actually had to stop myself from posting more photos of chandeliers in here.

Reon en Carmen, baie dankie dat ek kon deel in jul spesiale dag en meestal dankie dat julle so opgewonde, spontaan en lief is vir mekaar. Dit maak hierdie werk soveel pret en ek hoop julle geniet julle foto’s!

A special thank you to Candice Rodrigues for assisting and second shooting on the day. This is also the last wedding that I will be blogging for this season, it’s been crazy busy, but don’t fear there are a few more posts that I’ve got planned coming through until the next wedding season starts again.

Found this chalk board at Reon’s parent’s house, loved how everyone had written little notes for them!

Venue: Bloemendal Estate, Durbanville
Second Shooter: Candice Rodrigues

Photo Booth | Wedding | Phia & Crowther, Pretoria

Drikus — Sun, 13 May 2012 08:44:04 +0000

Under a tree in a park in Pretoria, Phia and Crowther set up a screen, brought some crazy props and told their guests to have some fun. This is the result from their wedding photo booth. It was the first time that I saw a photo booth have a constant queue for just under an hour! These guys really got into it and the more they laughed the more people came to queue to get their own photo done.

Enjoy!

Wedding | Phia & Crowther | Jan Cilliers Park, Pretoria

Drikus — Mon, 07 May 2012 08:31:12 +0000

I met Phia and Crowther last year at Anca and Jandré’s wedding in Pretoria and it wasn’t long after their wedding that I received an email from Phia saying that she wanted me to take her wedding photos. I think the wedding date changed 3 times so that we could find a weekend where I was able to travel up and they could get their guests all there as well. And the emails continued. Phia doesn’t just write emails, she composes them, during the past year whenever I saw an email from Phia in my inbox I would get myself a coffee and sit down and start reading. She went into so every little detail about everything that she wants at her wedding and all the little things that she was planning and in a million years I couldn’t see it coming together the way these two pulled it off on that Monday morning!

Two hours before the ceremony there was still nothing, I freaked, 7:30am and there is no setup and the boys looked a little bit tired from the night before and in two hours Phia (who had been up since 5am for hair and make up) will be arriving and… I got the rental, asked the GPS to take me back to the guest house. Arriving at the girls I just said: “Move your ceremony to 10:30″. No one freaked out, Phia was calm and I knew this was going to be a special day. Phia and Crowther are getting married for the right reasons and it’s not about a schedule.

Before I write an essay to rival even the longest of Phia’s emails I’ll stop. Enjoy the wedding, picnic, candy floss, toffee apples, picnic baskets, crossword puzzles, heart shaped red balloons, bunting, bunting and kilometers of bunting!

There will be a second post featured the photo booth images a bit later!

Phia en Crowther, duisende dankies vir julle! Mag julle paadjie saam lank wees en elke dag soos ‘n piekniek in die park voel!

Special thank you to Sharon Senior for second shooting.

And there in the crowd was another of my previous couples, Anél and Hannes!

Venue: Jan Cilliers Park, Pretoria
Dress: Maggie Sottero from Amanté
Make Up: Michela Benigno
Hair: Christie Smith - 082 921 4038
Printing of Newspapers: Spektrum Print
Balloons: Balloon Design
Catering and Toffee Apples: Faith Foods
Soft Serve Ice Cream: Rentals 4 All
Candy Floss: Gummis Castle and Adventures
Branded Waterbottles: Exclusive Mineral Water
Tables, tablecloths and blankets: Margaret Hugo

A boy and a girl had a picnic wedding in a park

Drikus — Fri, 04 May 2012 07:10:09 +0000

Busy editing Phia and Crowther’s wedding in Pretoria and thought I’d share some of them before their full blog post goes up in next week. This was a picnic wedding with great ideas, from candy floss, toffee apples, ice cream and more and more and more… Coming soon!

Wedding | Lauren & Jonty | Cafe Felix, Riebeek Kasteel

Drikus — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:19:53 +0000

I can’t tell Jonty and Lauren’s story better than the way it was told on the scrolls that each guest got:

Jonty and Lauren met in the mountains, now live by the sea.

He was – Waiter: noun (Plural Waiters) A man who serves people with food and drink in a restaurant.
She Was – Watress: noun (Plural Waitresses) A woman who serves people with food and drink in a restaurant.

They became friends.

He had a crush, She wasn’t so sure. Many concerts, beers and years later… He kissed her and She kissed him back.

Jonty left Aspen and travelled South. Lauren followed a similar path. They met up in Ecuador and again in Peru and flew to South Africa to spend Christmas together.

They fell deeply in love with each other. When it was time for Lauren to leave she couldn’t, so she didn’t!

Until one day they went sailing in the Seychelles. Jonty got down on one knew and Lauren said yes. Two years later we’re all together celebrating their marriage in Riebeek Kasteel.

It’s the end of one story and the start of another.

The most adorable ring bearer!

It rained. Not just a little, it poured! Best of all was that neither Lauren nor Jonty were in the least bit worried about this. Lauren’s exact response to me was: “Whatever, as long as my family and my friends are here!”

Quite like where this beer can ended up.

And then during the ceremony I look up through the big oak tree at Cafe Felix and I see a bit of blue sky coming through!

Jonty and Lauren, thank you for letting me share in your special day. I know you’ll travel a beautiful journey together!

Venue: Cafe Felix, Riebeek Kasteel

A boy and a girl getting ready for their wedding

Drikus — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:52:50 +0000

I woke up on the morning of Jonty and Lauren’s wedding and outside I heard that subtle sound of raindrops falling from my reed covered stoep onto the jacuzzi below and I turned around in my bed to sleep a bit more when I shot up straight in my bed with eyes wide open. RAIN! It was raining. Now I don’t have a problem with rain on a wedding day. I actually think it creates a very romantic atmosphere. My worry is always the bride, what secret weapon am I going to have to take with me to this wedding to take her mind off the fact that there is rain on her day, is she freaking out, is she sitting in the bathroom crying and refuses to come out?

Not Lauren.

Her reaction, “Whatever, as long as I have my family and friends here.”

And that’s exactly what this was. A wedding about a boy and a girl who met in the mountains, fell in love and their family and friends who came together to celebrate. That should actually read CELEBRATE!

Before you think that this is their wedding post, it’s not, just a teaser of their post that will be up next week. I hope you two are enjoying Vic Falls and Italy, can’t wait to meet up with you when you’re back in the country!

* Edit: Their full wedding post is now up: click here to view.

Venue: Cafe Felix, Riebeek Kasteel

Wedding | Lauren and Jon | Nooitgedacht, Stellenbosch

Drikus — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 11:33:17 +0000

After having overcast, windy and cold weather at their engagement shoot, Lauren and Jon were bound to have sunshine on their wedding. Their friends and family gathered at the picturesque Nooitgedacht Estate just outside Stellenbosch to see these two tie the knot, with quite a few laughs during the ceremony!

I had so much fun working with Eloise Dreyer, Elmarie Bredell and the awesome guys from FJS Productions. Can’t wait to work with you all again!

Thank you for letting me share in your special day and from the pictures you sent me it looks like you enjoyed your honeymoon as well! Enjoy your memories.

Venue: Nooitgedacht Estate, Stellenbosch
Bride’s Dress: Robin Roberts
Bridesmaides Dresses: Elbeth Gillis
Make Up: Eloise Dreyer
Videography: FJS Productions
Flowers: Elmarie Bredell – El Le Fleur
Stationery: Elsje Designs
Hair: Basil – Reyjeane
Dessert Station and Cake: Nelle’s Cakes, Sinnfull Ice-cream, Sticky Cinnabons from Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market
Lighting: Let there be light
Wedding Planning: By Invite Only
Band: Me and Mr Brown
Hiring: Wilgenhof Estate, Styled Functions, Table of Contents, Okasie, De Oude Schuur Antiques, Tens of Cups, A Vintage Affair, Pure Bars, SMD Technical

Wedding | Jill & Richard | Café Felix, Riebeek Kasteel

Drikus — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 09:47:42 +0000

I sometimes get a bit carried away when getting wedding photos ready for a blog post. This is one example of it, but so worth it. Meet Jill and Richard who tied the knot at Café Felix in Riebeek Kasteel on a hot day in March. There’s a calmness and a sense of peace and happiness that goes with all weddings that I’ve done in Riebeek, it’s like the valley has some magical effect that just makes every wedding there a very happy affair! Even the groomsmen getting lost on the way there couldn’t get Richard to break a sweat.

Loved the gold and yellow tones. Yes, Yellow was the daring colour of choice and wow, I couldn’t believe how amazing it looked in Jill’s bouquet and the arrangements on the tables.

Richard and Jill you were fantastic to work with, had so much fun with your couple shoot and you had the best wedding DJ I heard at a wedding ever! (This guy can play 8 out of 10 requests, he was tested at the reception! Highly recommended.) I wish you all the love and happiness that you deserve and I know you’ll thoroughly enjoy the journey ahead! Enjoy these memories of a great celebration on a special day just for you.

* Special thank you’s from the couple are the bottom of this post.

The groom getting his speech in order and directing the groomsmen to the venue.

It’s not everyday that you have a bride who breaks out in song during her speech! The girls definitely got the evening and the party started on the right note!

Richard and Jill would like to thank the following people for their amazing work at the wedding:

For being the best “Woman of Honor” ever – Marian Jacobs
For being the most handsome Best Man – Brian Craig
The Best MC Ever! – Jeremy Harris

Malcolm and his team from Café Felix
The Beautiful Dress – Kobus Dippenaar Atelier
Hair and Make Up – Kirsten Murphy
Flowers and Decor – Keith October
Invites and Table Settings – Megan Craig
The Funky DJ – Denver Apollus
The Video – Raf Sabatini
Cupcakes – Liza-Mari

Maude Craig and Desiree Middlekop, our mothers, for helping us whenever needed.

A girl and a boy got married in my favorite town, Riebeek Kasteel

Drikus — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:43:20 +0000

It’s no secret that I love the Riebeek Valley and that I would move to a little cottage with a grass field as a backyard in a heartbeat! So, whenever a couple get in touch with me and say that they’re getting married anywhere in the Valley I jump! Richard and Jill got married at Cafe Felix in Riebeek Kasteel, here’s a sneak peak of what has been gracing my editing screen for the past two weeks. Their full blog post is coming on Thursday!

Venue: Cafe Felix, Riebeek Kasteel

Wedding | Melanie & Hansie | Groenrivier, Riebeek West

Drikus — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 06:10:55 +0000

There are weddings with detail and then there are weddings with Detail! Melanie and Hansie definitely thought about a few little things to make the bigger picture at there wedding more complete. Hundreds of tea light candles, crocheted napkin holders and tie backs for the chairs and I loved the boxes that the guests received to take their wedding cup cake home in if they didn’t have it at the reception.

This was also my first time shooting at Groenrivier in Riebeek West and what a perfect reception hall to shoot in, it’s pure white, from floor to ceiling with a long row of doors along the one side that let in amazing light.

Hansie, I know you’ve been up since 5:30 this morning checking when you’re photos are going up, here they are! Thank you for being such an amazing couple to work with!

Enjoy!

Venue: Groenrivier, Riebeek West
Decor and Flowers: Jeanette Geyser
Cupcakes: Noelene Crommelin
Dress: Bride & Co
Hair and Make Up: Mariet Marnewick, Pasquale Hairstylists
Bridesmaids Dresses: Desire
Catering: Malita Joubert
DJ: Extreme Sound