There are few statements that make me shudder... One that comes to mind is "I am a photographer" and the second... "The venue has a . . . 'nice' garden".
Let me start off by saying I haven't a problem with "nice" gardens...DH (Dear Hubbie) is an avid gardener, so I do know the difference between a Geranium and a Gerbera...and really do appreciate our "nice" garden. And, there really is nothing more rewarding than pottering around in your own garden. BUT, when it comes to wedding photography and if someone describes the venue as one that has a "nice" garden...I tremble.
"Nice" gardens are wonderful to get married in, to sit in sipping your chardonnay, listening to the kids laughing, and running through the sprinkler, but, 'nice' gardens makes it very difficult to acheive awesome creative portraits. That is why I generally look for an alternative location for the creative portraits. Chris and Elzerie got married at Kleinkaap, which is a stunning venue with "lovely gardens".
We had already used the scrapyard for Marné's wedding, so I did not really want to use the same area. Chris is a budding phototographer, so I had a double whammy..."a photographer" and "nice" gardens...but Chris and Elzerie were really open to every suggestion, so I think they got some pretty cool pics...in a lovely garden that we kinda coverted to the Amazon come Garden of Eden, combined with some at the "canal". (Luckily for me Kleinkaap were in the process of building on an extention!)
Chris and Elzerie were a joy to work with, Thank You! for allowing Belinda and I to share this magical day with you. You both had so much fun on your wedding day and we both enjoyed photographing the two of you! 
One of my favourite processed images from the day after shoot...Wesley got the shot!
WOW I can't wait to feel the same way! BTW great shot! that TTD venue looks amazing!
(03.07.08 @ 06:20 PM)I know there is nothing more boring for brides than reading through stories of "my kids are so wonderful", so onto something much more exciting; the wedding of Yolandie and Westley.
Another mighty fine-looking couple (I promise they are not models I hired!), another great venue, and another great celebration! Tanja and I got up at some outrageous hour of the morning to board our flight to Durban...a breeze for me (I have 15-month-olds), though, not so easy for Tanja...the pre-toddler phase being but a faded memory. So, off to Durban - and not a beach in sight! We were welcomed by both families with open arms and were almost in a time zone - you know, the days where everything takes longer and things were made to last.
The days of cupcakes, Frank Sinatra, a vintage MG and romantic music. Who said romantic weddings have to be boring? Landie and Wes are the picture-perfect, storybook couple, probably the nicest, kindest people you could ever meet...and both damn good looking...Life just isn't fair! Their day was truly special and I am glad we both had the opportunity to experience it! OK..STOP! ...enough of this "gushy" "mushy" loooove stuff!...onto the photographs: 
OK how about I start paying you just to look at the pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Stunning!!!!!! Mzuri sana!!!!!!!!!!!! (swahili)
Your assistants and DH have to be the luckiest people....I could look at these all day as a matter of fact I already looked at them 3 times already in the last 30 minutes!
I keep thinking with each wedding you shoot this must be the wedding of the year....and sure enough you surprise on the next shoot! Have to say for a photographer that is an amazing "problem" to have.......
I can't get enough! WOW!!!!!!!!!! WOW!!!!!!!!!
(02.28.08 @ 03:47 PM)Yip it is a HUGE problem!....get nervous with each wedding as I want to get keep on getting better images...and it doesn't help when the couples keep on looking like rockstars!
(02.28.08 @ 08:44 PM)Oh and btw DH is totally disinterested in weddings and photography, sad but true...that is why the selection process takes so long, I have no immediate 'bounceboard'...and I am so terrible at narrowing down...would post 20 pics from each wedding if left to me own devices! I have a BPC (A Blog Post Consultant) which is not DH!!
(02.28.08 @ 08:54 PM)No need to get nervous at all with these kind of images.....DH does not know what he is missing....the pics always uplift me
Have looked at them now I can't even count how many times...They are just AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! But pic #2 I mean seriously that pic is very very artistic and very unique!!!!!!!! I can't even put it into words so will just leave it at FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC!!!!!!!!
(02.29.08 @ 04:53 PM)#2 is also my favorite. But all of the photos are fantastic. Great job once again Andrea.
(03.01.08 @ 12:21 AM)You know if you did post 20 pics (or more) from each wedding we would all be thrilled, right?
(03.01.08 @ 11:52 AM)No 2 is one of the most awesome images I've seen in a while... VERY much a cracker!
(03.01.08 @ 05:41 PM)Thanks Jules..
I know Kate but then the numbers go up...I then end up editing 60 pics...because I can't choose!!
..and DH gets very annoyed with my constant plea's for which one he prefers..."You're a photographer? why are you asking me ...you should know which one is a better shot"....Yes I know but which one do you prefer!
Beautiful photographs once again Andrea. You always seem to have gorgeous brides and grooms. I'm so jealous. Are you sure these two lovebirds above are not models? I know they're not but they ought to be. And oh, the first two pics are my favorite. I really love the b&w ceremony pic. Lovely.
(02.19.08 @ 06:22 AM)Wow, wow, wow!
Sorry that I don't have anything intelligent to say! ;)
(02.20.08 @ 11:47 AM)My oh my....why did my puter have to crash last week…..I say conspiracy....I have to agree with Audrey and my name sake.....
I mean seriously.................What more can a stalkerazzi say........I am not even kidding I have to go study the dictionary for more vocabulary ha ha ha I have tried spanish and Italian and now I am out.....
They just keep on getting better and better……….love the B&W love the color...love them all......I think 3 & 5 are my fav.......You rock!
(02.20.08 @ 08:33 PM)My oh my....why did my puter have to crash last week…..I say conspiracy....I have to agree with Audrey and my name sake.....
I mean seriously.................What more can a stalkerazzi say........I am not even kidding I have to go study the dictionary for more vocabulary ha ha ha I have tried spanish and Italian and now I am out.....
They just keep on getting better and better……….love the B&W love the color...love them all......I think 3 & 5 are my fav.......You rock!
(02.20.08 @ 08:34 PM)Hi ive been regularly having a look at your blog and images you post
Ive told you before but il say it again im so impressed
You are really, really talented some how you just capture the most amazing moments
Absolutely love this new post.
Have missed you Anne!! you have my sympathies .."my Puter"...are you sure that is not "Rasputer" ...will not ask you the question I hated...."Did you not back up?" ..big surprised, innocent eyes and in an ever so polite BA airhostess voice!!!
Mandy thank you....but have not seen you say it.....so please feel free to tell me again, and again, and again...I do offer payments for the "your pics are great" comments!...isn't that right Anne?
(02.21.08 @ 04:53 PM)I was extra excited to see these (and I'm always excited to see your blog!) because my wedding is also going to be at The Moon & Sixpence, and I love seeing photos at "my" venue! Beautiful, just gorgeous.
(02.23.08 @ 10:12 AM)
WOW WOW WOW
Talk about making my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!! These are PHENOMENAL!!!!!!!!!!
I am really getting sick of myself using the same old tired phrases but my gawd these colors and angles!!!!
I just love how you keep pushing yourself to the next level and that you are constantly thinking outside the box and making each wedding look and FEEL different!
Gotta give the bride her props too that dress is amazing and she is just too gorgeous def the camera loves her!
(02.05.08 @ 10:47 PM)I really have to agree with Anne. These pictures are amazing. I personally love the door shot with the bride and groom. And the light. Wow. Are these all captured in natural light Andrea? Again, amazing pics.
(02.06.08 @ 03:54 AM)Thanks for the compliments guys...Anne I am glad you have moved your wedding to December....it means more time for ego strokin for me!!...people will think I pay you a monthly retainer for your comments!
Audrey ...All natural light.
(02.06.08 @ 05:21 AM)They do look fantastic - just wanted to add that the location for the portrait shoot and 'the styling' were all organised by Andrea, and the entire thing was done in .... errrrm ... lets just say less than ideal timeframe i.e. that sun was dropping faster than the rand.
(02.06.08 @ 05:46 AM)Wow, these are STUNNING, all crackers! I was going to say I especially love the first one but they are all awesome!
(02.07.08 @ 06:16 AM)
Beautiful! I love the last photo.
(03.11.08 @ 10:32 AM)These are freaking awesome! ....Those garden pics are amazing! I love the last photo too....#3 is also amazing! Genius!
Magical and Lovely... looking at these photos makes me feel warm and fuzzy all over.....especially today ....thanks for making me feel awesome!
(03.11.08 @ 05:37 PM)your writing is hysterical - completely identify with the 'nice garden' statement!
(03.12.08 @ 10:29 AM)beautiful pics once again too!
Well, if that's the kind of pictures you take in a 'nice' garden, I'm not even sure how you could top them in a fantastic, unique, gorgeous and generally wonderful garden! These are stunning. I love the last one with the reflection!
(03.12.08 @ 01:05 PM)