Shepstone Gardens is a beautiful wedding venue situated in the heart of Johannesburg.  When you drive past it in the street you can never imagine the true beauty which lies inside the stone walls.

This Johannesburg wedding venue also has it’s own unique story.  Ken’s father has a passion for gardening (which you will see once you go and have a look at these heavenly gardens)  So one day Ken proposed to his father why don’t they turn it into a wedding venue?  And voila!

When I went through to go and take a look before the wedding day I remember walking up the stairs and telling Ken how beautiful his venue is.  And he was saying but I haven’t even seen it yet.  I just had the feeling like I was walking into a movie.  You don’t get many places like Shepstone Gardens in South-Africa and that’s what makes this a unique wedding venue.

Sharon & Anton is living proof that you can really find your soul mate over the internet.  Yes, they met in a chatroom and decided to then meet face to face and here they are a few years down the line saying I DO

They are completely smitten…  You can almost feel the energy when you are in their company. WOW!  I love to just watch the way they communicate.  You know that song:” You say it best.., when you say nothing at all…”  It makes me think of them.

Sharon & Anton, thank you for making me feel like part of the family!  I truly enjoyed your gorgeous wedding day and all the best for the future!

Riani

Belamie & Alain are getting married in Mozambique  (how romantic?!) and unfortunately their mozambiquan wedding venue can only accomodate a select few wedding guests like moms, dads and other close family. 

They decided on having a spiritual ceremony for extended family and friends and their chosen wedding venue was St Andrew’s school for girls situated in Edenvale Johannesburg.  The school is built in a traditional Victorian style and features older buildings (very well maintained) and well established gardens with rolling lawns and  enormous oak trees.

On arrival I was told that the start of the ceremony included each and every guest choosing a hat from a table covered in a array of  hats including a circus hat, pirate hat, cowboy hat and too many others to remember.

Belamie is a free-spirited woman, not necessarily like a hippie but just very spiritual and in tune with the earth and other people.  They really make a great pair, Alain is so in love and it’s always great being able to capture this kind of connection between a couple.

The ceremony consisted of dancing, not like race but just basically moving your body gently on the rythm of the music with a spiritual leader telling everyone how they should be moving….

like everybody slowly lift your arms up into the air, keep it there for a few seconds and then slowly bring them back down and this symbolises utilising the power of the earth to strengthen the bond between the couple and guide them in their upcoming marriage.

The ‘bridal couple’ stood in the middle of this big circle of friends in order to receive all these blessings.  In the middle of this ceremony Belamie and Alain had the chance to make a small speech to one another, about how much the other person means to them, how they met, what they’re expecting from the marriage and how much they cherish each other… you know the rest

After the ceremony they had a lovely picnic lunch and everyone enjoyed just socialising in paradise under umbrellas on soft picnic blankets.

It’s a real pleasure to photograph such a laid back bride and groom, it makes my job as a professional wedding photographer in Johannesburg so much easier and fun.  Having a relaxed couple really helps inspire me to create more beautiful and creative wedding imagery.

This unconventional wedding ceremony ended up giving me Goosebumps,  it was such a spiritual experience and will remain with me forever…

Riani

Since I have been to quite a few weddings I thought it was high time I started telling you a bit more about these great Gauteng wedding venues.

Let’s start with Thaba Ya Batswana.  Thaba Ya Batswana is situated in the South of Johannesburg and is great if your looking for an African/Bush feel for your wedding. Theyre
on top of a brilliant koppie which makes for the most beautiful view.  Their Chapel has big windows running along either side so there is more than enough natural for great
wedding photos of the bridal couple at the altar.  The scenery is brilliant right through the year as there is lots of veld with long grass which always work well in wedding
photos.  Thaba Ya Batswana has 2 function halls, so it doesn’t matter if your wedding is small and intimate or if you have the whole Greek family at your wedding they have the
ideal space.  PS- Their food is also never a disappointment

The moon and sixpence:
I can still remember with the first wedding I photographed here at the Moon and Sixpence I was so awe inspired by the layout and beauty of this perfect wedding venue that I felt
like skipping and jumping for joy.  They’re situated in the North of Johannesburg in Muldersdrift and let me tell you it’s well worth the drive.  This unique wedding venue
offers two totally different chapels and reception halls. They have a great garden with a variety of flowers ranging from agapanthus’s right through to fuschias.  This venue
has been specifically designed with great architectural features like stairs, square tiles with flowers in between, fountains and loads more. Their food is well presented and
really appetising!I can’t even describe to you how good their food was   This venue is any photographer’s dream! I’d love to have my wedding there!

For beautiful wedding photographs, contact us and we will design a package to suit your requirements.

I often get asked the question by young couples looking to get married, whether or not the wedding venue makes a difference to the wedding photographs. There is no simple answer to this question – it is actually yes and no.

I say ‘yes’ because obviously a beautiful wedding venue such as the many in Muldersdrift, have both beautiful landcsapes and gardens in which to take unique wedding photos. I got married at a wedding venue called Glenburn lodge which I absolutely loved (and still do – I am such a sentimental fool…) but the gardens and the chapel and the whole setting is just so intimate and romantic….. I just love it!! One of my favourite wedding photographs is one where ryan and I are standing on the bridge over the river looking into each others eyes and the lighting is beautiful.

Having said that, I think any photo where ryan & I are looking into each other’s eyes would be special to me, regardless of the background or the lighting or the setting. It is precisely for that reason, that I also say ‘no’ to the question about wedding venues making a difference to the photographs. Well that and also because a good photographer can usually work around most settings and find ways to make the photographs beautiful and unique.

All in all, I always recommend that you choose a venue that you feel comfortable with, that you resonate with and that you really love, for no rational or logical reason – but simply because it feels good to you. Trust me, when you feel good, the photographs will show it and you will be the most beautiful bride and groom in your own unique way.

I wish you the wedding of your dreams and photos that you will cherish forever!!