Chloe and Herman's two day wedding, (the hottest of my career at 44 degree celsius), spanned three distinctive venues on both sides of the Tulbagh valley. From the plush avant-garde designs at Saronsberg winery, to the quaint and almost desolate stone chapel at Montpellier, to the inerrant Cape-Dutch architecture at Rijks, this was not only a wedding celebration, but a true passage to all senses.
Saronsberg wine estate with
its cutting-edge tasting room which houses the Saronsberg Collection, a permanent display of contemporary South African art (www.saronsberg.com)
Artists including Paul du Toit and Walter Battiss(one of South Africa's first and most important abstract painters) adorn the walls of the upstairs gallery, adding a plethora of colour, texture and artistry to the this novel wedding shoot.
Oscar Wilde once said, 'Life imitates art far more than art imitates Life" Here's a picture to ponder that point!
Colour my love! Chloe and Herman are highlighted by Paul du Toit's 'Off the wall' painting. This painting uses the impasto technique (thick industrial paste into which he scratched lines and images). Sadly Paul died of cancer at the tender age of 48 last month (www.pauldutoit.com)
I adore the subtlety sexiness of Chloe's smile, the tender ease of her hand on his hand--all those gestures that add up to one simple line that say's, 'You are mine'
A blending of my life's greatest passions: photography and wine! I was in my element shooting this couple in the barrel maturation room at Saronsberg. The famous Robert Mondavi once said: "I want to make wines that harmonize
with food—wines that almost hug your tongue with gentleness" and so it was for the meal that was soon to follow under the star-struck silence of the Tulbagh night.
Sundowners all around
Saronsberg wine estate with its bohemian design and art-rich grounds is the perfect playground
for romantic getaways and starlight dinners in this idyllically windless valley.
The baywatch babes--on the run!
Reflecting on art
Throwing caution to the wind---groom included.
The Belgian boys club!
Reminiscent of Englishmen Paul Young's hit song "Wherever I lay my hat, that's my home"
Day two--and its a perfect day for a white wedding!
My darling papa, getting ready to walk me down the isle.
Montpellier's charming hillside chapel, in the picturesque Tulbagh valley (www.montpellier.co.za)
Magic moments---Chloe making sure that the ring is on to stay!
It's a kiss, a smile…….its summertime! |
A plethora of colorful parasols did wonders for adding to the 'cooler' feel on this scorchingly hot day (www.quirkyparties.co.za)
Even the guests started getting into the romantic vibe amidst the wooden shutters
Montpellier
provides a romantic setting for a country getaway, with it's charming chapel, picturesque wedding venue and old Cape style guest
house and manicured grounds.
'Grape expectations' await this wedding couple
Beautifully
thatched Cape Dutch Architecture, hundreds of iceberg roses,
award-winning vineyards and the Obiqua, Winterhoek and Witzenberg
Mountains as a backdrop: Your photos at Rijk’s Country House will
be something to treasure forever (http://www.rijks.co.za)
The next bride to be - oh who will it be? Bridesmaids shouting out please pick colorful ME!
Rijk's
is a boutique winery dedicated to producing
award-winning Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Pinotage.(www.tulbaghtourism.co.za)
Rijks country house -a blissful outdoor wedding venue under a canopy of vines and a ceiling of stars (http://www.rijkscountryhouse.co.za)
The Belgian's boogie on the dance floor
Love is…….photographing yourself!
Cheers
During the night of 29 September 1969 most of the picturesque little town of Tulbagh and surrounding area was partly destroyed by the most destructive earthquake in South African history. (hwww.route62-info.co.za/towns/info/4/tulbagh). Today, the tourism and wedding industry loom as large as this little chapel at nightfall--moonstruck.
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