For a change it was great to do a wedding shoot on the Highveld. The cooler climate is a welcome relief from the hot temperatures we experience during the summer months in Nelspruit and the scenery and landscape is also very different from the sub-tropic Lowveld. Lyla and Ruan’s wedding venue was at the stunning Kralinbergh venue, situated just outside Ermelo.
I looked forward to inevitably bump into some familiar faces. A massive cloudburst hit the town the Friday afternoon before the wedding which caused some concern as the ceremony and reception was to take place in the open veld. Nevertheless proceedings were to go ahead as planned and I met up with Ruan on Saturday morning to get the decor and getting dressed shots of him. The guest house has a sweeping view of pristine farm land to the east. Preparations at the site were in full swing when I arrived. The setting was unique and I looked forward to see what it would look like during the evening.
Blast from the past
I was in the same class as Ruan’s brother Anton from Grade one to seven and it was good to see him again after nearly 24 years. Where did the time go? Ruan got dressed at the guest house and I then made my way to Lyla’s getting dressed location in Ermelo. On arrival she was very relaxed and in good spirits. We got a few creative shots and then it was time to make our way back to Kralinbergh. She had organised to be taken there in an old turquoise VW kombi. It had to be push started which created some laughter and then quite soon after it ran out of petrol. Interesting planning but it made for some memorable moments that I’m sure she’ll never forget.
Meanwhile poor Ruan was sweating it out, wondering whether Lyla had done a “Runaway Bride”. Soon enough though the noisy kombi careened down the hill and his relief was obvious for all to see. Minister Frans Boschoff led a solemn ceremony under the rustling trees. A wedding is a wedding is a wedding but what always fascinates me is how the ceremonies differ from one to the next. Each time I shoot a wedding it always catches me by surprise how there’s that one moment during the ceremony where you think… “Wow! THAT is really special.”
The weather threatened with thunder and lightning during the evening but somehow the rain gods turned their attention away from Kralinbergh this night to let Lyla and Ruan enjoy their special day. I want to extend a big thank you to them for the wonderful opportunity. It was a real pleasure.
EJ.
