NINA & JUSTIN'S WEDDING DAY - BOWLED OVER BY BEAUTY ON BOULDERS BEACH, NEAR SIMON'S TOWN

If you ever needed proof that online dating could lead all the way up the wedding isle then look no further than Nina and Justin. Despite having to endure the ferocious south-easter winds, it was the calmness of Justin and Nina's enduring zealous spirit that made this photo-shoot stand out in my trademark 'passionately playful' manner. Here's to 'rolling out the red carpet' for the rest of your lives together. Cheers!

   Welcome to Mrs Williams in waiting... and thanks to make-up artist Alicia for enhancing Nina's glowing presence on the day (https://www.facebook.com/AliciaProfessionalMakeUpAndHairServices)

                            The moment their eyes met … 

Rolling out the red carpet for the new Mr & Mrs on the block

Justin looking dashing in his black attire from Zedmens (http://www.zedmen.co.za/) and Nina in her picture perfect wedding gown by (http://meyleabridal.wordpress.com/)

         

Nina's hairstylist Cheryl Walbrugh did a sterling job of securing Nina's veil (http://www.houseofsilk.co.za/) as well as her immaculate hairstyle to withstand the mighty south-easter winds

The perfectly poised and happy bridal party - bridesmaids dresses by (http://www.fascinatingjulia.co.za/) and the groomsmen suits by top hat (http://www.tophat.co.za/)

                     Let the good times roll

Congratulations 

A rainbow nation of colour, with parasols from (www.abcwholesalers.co.za)

Nina and Justin being serenaded by the blissfully clear and calm azure waters of the famous Boulders Beach near Simon's Town 

Sunkissed

When the south-easter winds are playing havoc with your photo-shoot, time to switch 'focus' and try incorporate some creative 'lens flare' into your shots (by shooting straight towards the sun)

Nina and Justin holding centrestage against the backdrop of Boulders Beach. These immense boulders are responsible for the pristine beaches and sheltered sandy coves as they protect  the waters from large waves (www.capetown.travel/attractions/entry/Boulders_penguin_colony)

Moving swiftly forward onto the reception which was held at the historic Simon's Town Town Hall (www.simonstown.com) 

 The formidable Qdrive (www.qdriveproductions.co.za) provided the live entertainment, with the perfect blend of Jazz oldies (standards), international funk as well as African fusion.

I was lucky enough to see the great Blues maestro Mr BB King (www.bbkingblues.com) live in concert in The Netherlands a few years back. If looks and demeanor are anything to go by, then this guitarist is destined for stardom.

Anyone who can make a wedding cake look as healthy as this deserves another…. .cupcake! Thanks to http://www.freyas.co.za/ for allowing me to salivate as I photographed the 'sweetest' part of the shoot

CHEERS

Love the pure blissful contentedness of the wedding couple in this pic. Florist and table centerpieces compliments of  (http://www.lolsfunctions.co.za/)

Sincerity, hilarity and story telling--these speeches had it all and were the best I have heard in a long time.

An the Oscar goes to……NINA AND JUSTIN for the best lead roles in a romantic comedy!

      The Rhythm is going to get you too. 

BEAUTY ABOUNDS WITH DERUSHA & NEIL'S HINDU/CHRISTIAN FUSION WEDDING AT KLEINE ZALZE IN STELLENBOSCH

Derusha and Neil's wedding day was the perfect reminder of the rich tapestry of life, culture and religions on offer in our magical country. The wedding ceremony's were infused with vibrancy and colour and Kleine Zalze, with its rolling lawns and capacious gardens offered the perfect wedding venue for keeping photograph fresh, elegant and timeless.

Bangles are not only is not only an ornament, but also an important part of womanhood and honour, boasting great sentimental value.(http://marriage.sudesh-kumar.com/2010/03/significance-of-bangles-or-chudi-in.html)

Wedding ceremonies in India are largely elaborate and filled with many interesting rituals and customs, with the presence of  ceremonial fruits and flowers, all adding to the colour and vibrancy of the occassion.

Central to the Hindu ceremony is the Valam Varuthal, where the bridal couple walk around the canopy 3 times to seek blessings of peace.

Guru Krishna exhibiting the perfect blend of custom and humour during the 'Exchanging of the garlands' ceremony which is done to show mutual expectation and equality.

The Havan is the holy fire ceremony, where the fire-deity (or the Sacred fire) is primary witness of a Hindu marriage. By law, no Hindu marriage is deemed complete unless seven encirclements have been made around the Sacred Fire by the bride and the groom together.

                    Coconut plays a vital role in all rituals. The coconut is a satvic fruit, considered sacred, pure, clean, and health giving,  It is offered in the sacrificial fire and is broken and then placed before the Lord.

At the end of any ritualistic worship, the priest places a coconut in the lap of the woman, thus filling her lap as it is the main symbol of fertility. The coconut resembles the human head in many ways - the coir outside resembles the human's tuft of hair, the hard nut the skull, the water inside the blood and the kernel is akin to the mental space.

The marquee was perfectly poised on the edge of the pool to add to the coolness and astounding colour of the occasion.  (http://twinflame-events.blogspot.com/)

Tying of the thaali - On the wedding day, a yellow thread is prepared by using turmeric paste and is tied around the bride's neck with three knots during the marriage ceremony while the priest recites Vedic hymns and partakes in prayers. The groom then ties the'mangalsutra' (sacred necklace) around the bride's neck on the day of the wedding, thereby giving her the status of wife and their nuptial bond.

Thilak - the groom applies a red dot to the brides forehead to signify her new marital status. The 'bindi' is arguably the most visually fascinating of all forms of body decoration. Hindus attach great importance to this ornamental mark between the two eyebrows -- a spot considered a major nerve point in the human body and the seat of concealed wisdom. Traditional bindi is red or maroon in colour. A pinch of vermilion powder applied skillfully with practiced fingertip make the perfect red dot. (http://hinduism.about.com/od/bindis/a/bindi.htm)

Rev Roux Malan then continued with the Christian segment of this fusion wedding.

Kleine Zalze offers exceptional al fresco wedding ceremonies, boasting stunning panoramic views of the Helderberg Mountains (www.kleinezalze.com)

A beautifully ornate and colourful blessing of the rings followed by an exchanging of the vows ceremony.

Rev Roux Malan and Guru Krishna blending the two elements of this Christian /Hindu Fusion wedding into one perfectly blended day.

             The function venue at Kleine Zalze boasts a magnificent view of the barrel cellar and overlooks the golf course outside.

Welcome to the newlyweds

                Cake desgin: (http://www.nellecakes.co.za/)

Flowers and decorations: (http://kleinemarie.co.za/)

Party Time!