Kelly & Bart's Wedding at Knorhoek

Kelly and Bart... where to start. And no I'm not trying to turn this into a rhyming game :) I've known Kelly and her family for years - and after working together in 2006 at the green dot, I didn't really see her again until last year. She moved to Australia where she met and fell in love with Bart and eventually moved to Amsterdam together, where they live now. When I first met Bart, it was while discussing wedding packages and sifting through an album of photo's - a pretty standard meeting, small catch up and intro of the groom to be. We met a few more times, really liked him but had yet to really spend time with them. I had subsequently heard about the crazy bunch of friends that would all be flying in for the wedding, and stories that came with them. One didn't think too much of it until the wedding weekend arrived - but crazy was one way to describe it, awesome another and a magical love and laughter filled day of amazing friends and family was pretty much what it boiled down to. The colourful socks matched their effervescent personalities and I knew it was going to be a great day! Kelly was resplendent in her white gown as bride and everyone came together just perfectly.

The dark clouds threatened on the mountains nearby Knorhoek but ultimately never revealed themselves. I'm not sure anyone even had time to stop and worry about it. The day went without a hitch, the energy and atmosphere made my job effortless and into the night the fun went. It was not until all the formalities were over and the dance floor opened that the Dutch really came out to play. We stuck around a little after the photos finished and it felt like we had been part of the fun all day.

Many many thanks to everyone involved. To Kel and Bart for looking after us and making sure we had everything we needed. Too all the awesome Dutch friends we met and made - thanks for so much fun and laughter.

So now with all that in mind it was truly hard to show only a select bunch of photos, so while the post is long, make sure you get to the end and feel the magic!!

Until we meet again.

Matti

Sian & Simon Got Married at Zorgvliet

Sian and Simon got married earlier this year at Zorgvliet in Cape Town. Sian was originally from Zim, studied in SA and then jet-setted off to London where she had been living for a while. Here she met and fell in love with Simon :) Cape Town and their wedding would be the last stop en route to new beginnings in Australia.... so only appropriate then for a proudly South African wedding ;)

Most of the wedding party came from London and made a full trip of it with plenty of pre wedding festivities in the week leading up. Cape Town, as only it could do, brought some amazing and terrible weather to the table. On the morning of the wedding, driving over Helshoogte, we struggled to see 5m through the fog. Once this lifted, the heavens opened and the rain belted down. Cape Town, in all respects, was letting us down. The rain continued throughout the morning and early afternoon... but eventually everyone would make it to the church in time. Besides a few soaked boots, everyone was still in high spirits.

Then something truly amazing happened... after a beautiful ceremony and the saying of I do, within in minutes of the church erupting in celebration, the clouds parted and the sun came out... from arriving in the pouring rain, they would walk out into the sunshine!!! The sun lasted throughout the family photos, couples shoot and pre drinks. Once everyone was safely inside the reception it let out a small flood before holding off for the rest of the night... :)

It was a fabulous day in the end - the love and happiness, friendship and family could not be dulled by anything. Huge thanks must go to Sian and Simon for being so calm and collected and just as great thanks to the lovely ladies who ran the formalities on the day and making sure everything ran smoothly, we were hydrated and had as many back up photo plans as we needed!!

Right, so enough from me.... let the photos tell the story of a fabulous wedding. To Sian and Simon.... Cheers!

Ceri's River Cruise Hen Party

One of the last shoots to come from 2012 - and we went out with a cracker :) It was a scorching day on the banks of the Port Alfred river. The drinks were cold, the snacks abundant and the cupcakes and decorations meticulous. The girls were dressed for summer with a touch of the mad hatter's hats for a "Tea Party". I felt almost guilty to be calling this my work for the day - I mean it's not every day a guy gets to go behind the scenes at a kitchen tea, let alone on a river cruise with food and drinks supplied. Add a camera to the mix and I was pretty much having a very happy day :)

Janey and Lindy had organised up a storm and took great care of me over the course of the afternoon - many thanks to them and I know everyone had a ball - the photos tell the story. To Ceri, I hope you had an amazing wedding and that you are truly blessed in your marriage - it was great to share in a small part of it.

So sit back, relax and soak up the fun and laughter from the photos below.

Cheers for now,
Matti

Beautiful brides: Photo of the day

I just wanted to share... :)

Keep loving, living and doing everything else to make those moments count!

Dani and Xander Engagement Shoot

It's 2013 and we're back in action! The McLagan Photography workshop has been busy, busy, busy and it's time to share some of the past months action with you. So, what better way to kick off the new year than with one of my favourite shoots of 2012 - Dani and Xander's engagement shoot at Noordhoek Beach.

 Location, Location, Location. Heard that one before? Well it's true... but in this case it was Dani & Xander, Location, Location, Location. I'd been eyeing a spot on this beach for ages and finally got the chance when Dani said they were all for a beach vibe setting. The location did not disappoint but add a dash of Dani and Xander spice and we had a whole new kettle of awesomeness to work with. They were fun, spontaneous, energetic, full of love and up for pretty much anything - all I had to do was point and shoot!

By the end of the session, you'd swear we'd been friends for ages. As the sun set behind us, it was the perfect end to a great weekend. Thanks so much guys, I cannot wait for the wedding - it's going to be a rock star event!

Before you get to the photos, just one last word (if you are still reading) from me - I recently said that some people put far too many photos in a blog post and you race through them to the end - ironically I'm guilty as charged in this post. There were just too many great photos not to share them all. I do hope you stick with it and make it all the way to the end - it's worth it!

Keep your eyes posted for more to come soon. Until then...
Cheers

Matti

Taryn & Ryan Engagement Shoot

Ahhh... Taryn and Ryan, such a cool couple :) We all know about couples not being the best of rockstars behind the camera. Ryan was intitially one of those, to the point that Taryn hadn't told him until the day before that they were having some photos taken ;) Nevertheless like all good couples, once the flashes started going they warmed up to the camera. The lens did the rest!!!

It was an awesome themed picnic, park, scrabble and blue skys day out...  we had triple word scores and beautiful light. We had round abouts, swings and bridges over madison county!!! Love was in the air and true to Jhb life we had blue skys and clear air.

Im so glad that Taryn found me on FB on my trip up to the big smoke... such a magical day and great times we could spend.

Hope you survived the hens party T and all the best to you both for the future!!! x

Speechless.

A Little bit of inspiration for anyone looking today ;)

Keep loving, living and doing everything else to make those moments count!

Candi & Vink Got Married PART 3

    Post 3 as the final post in a 3 day 3 post series celebrating Vandi :)
See part 1: http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/candi-vink-got-married-mayerskraal-part.html
See part 2: http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/candi-and-vink-got-married-part-2.html

POST 3: The AFTERPARTY!!!

Ok... so the nerves had subsided, the formalities of the ceremony were over, the most important bridal shots done, the drinks had begun and now it was time for the big entrance as Mr. and Mrs. Lategan!! Vink donning his dougal cap welcomed the papparazi that faced him and Candi floated in on cloud 9!

The evening was one of fun, laughter, joy and celebrations. Everything ran according to schedule and everyone looked the part. The speeches were heartfelt and meaningful, the cake was magnanamous, the dance floor a place for the party people and the fairy lights set the mood :)

Ok, so you've heard a lot from me now if you have been following from part 1, so this is where I lay the camera down so to speak. One thing i can see, is that there is nothing quite like a super cold hunters dry in the corner after 10 hours on your feet... and then the party started :)

Thanks again to everyone involved for all their help and support and to the people of Mayerskraal, you created the perfect setting for a great weekend. To Scholtz the videographer, thank you for working so well with me and I look forward to reliving it all again soon... this time form the comfort of my couch.

Enjoy the last part!!

Big love to Vandi!

Matti :)

Candi and Vink Got Married - Part 2

      Part 2 in a 3 day 3 post series :) - see part 1 at:
      http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/candi-vink-got-married-mayerskraal-part.html
PART 2: I now pronounce you Vandi!!

The Party Bus was packed, the trusty driver was ready and I was off to get ready for their arrival. And low and behold the sun was tyring to come out... nothing like a "4 seasons in one" day in the Western Cape!
The entrance was grand as the ever trusty blue combi pulled up and the beautiful bridesmaids filed out followed by Candi, looking resplendent as always! Tears were flowing and the atmosphere was hard to put words too... I had to remember at this stage to focus on the bride as i saw my wife walk down the aisle as a bridesmaid - so proud ;)

Anyway, back to the lovely couple... it was a heartfelt service, as just as the two kneeled down to have their blessing, the sun shone through the clouds and lit the place up - It was quite surreal :)

By the time we got to the bridal party shoot location, the dark clouds and colourful skyline were just right for photos!! I must say that this must have been the most fun and entertaining bridal shoot I have ever encountered. Everyone was in such a good mood, the drinks were flowing, Vink was in his homeland amongst the vines and my chosen handlangers from the wedding party were too funny for words. Nevertheless we got some amazing shots, everyone was soaking up the love and I think the photos provide some memory of an awesome time.

Last post tomorrow... thanks for watching :)

Candi & Vink Got Married @Mayerskraal - PART 1

    Part 1 of a 3 day 3 post Series. Just too much good stuff not to share it all!!
See part 2: http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/candi-and-vink-got-married-part-2.html
See part 3: http://mclaganphotography.blogspot.com/2012/06/candi-vink-got-married-part-3.html

PART 1 - Wedding Detail and Preparation

Candi and Vink.... AKA Vandi :) One of the most special couples you could have the pleasure of meeting. I may be part of the family, so slightly biased, but in all honesty they are filled with kindness, generousity, love and all the things that are part and parcel of a wonderful couple. Take that and couple it with Brandy, Raisins, Coke and Die Blou Bulle and you have something truly amazing :)

Candi has good claim to being my biggest fan as well... always making me feel uber special :) She made the decision long in advance that she wanted me to do the photos - she just had to bring Vink around. Some of you will remember them from their Touch. Pause.Engagement shoot. Ever since then it was a very long anticipated wedding that ultimately did not disappoint! It began with a Kitchen Tea on the Thursday and a Spa day on the Friday before the big day on Saturday. The weather had been ominous and by 11 o clock on the Saturday morning, it was still raining. Im not sure if I was more nervous for shooting another wedding in the rain or if the bride was more concerned about everything "melting" :) Nevertheless, with enough prayer and positive thinking, the heavens held out and it turned into a perfect afternoon.

So many stories to tell and thank you's to be said... but for now Im going to leave those for the next  post and get straight into the wedding day prep. An amazing bunch of vendors (listed below) and family (particularly the Brides Mom) made everything look so perfect. From the flowers to the dress, hair and make up and not to forget the trusty videographer - Candi looked stunning!!

All things Vendorlicious:

Hair                    Chanel Venter                http://www.hairrehab.co.za/ or chanel@hairrehab.co.za  
Make-up             Simóne Matthee             http://www.capemakeupartist.co.za/ or
                                                               info@capemakeupartist.co.za
Dress                  Heléne Spies                  helene8505@gmail.com:
DJ                       Wynand from Your DJ     http://www.yourdj.co.za/ or info@yourdj.co.za:
Videographer      Scholtz Kitshoff              info@wide-eye.co.za
Caterer               CJ Braaiworld (Carlo)      http://www.cjbraaiworld.com/ or braaiworld2@gmail.com
Cake:                  Flour Power Cupcakes     cynthia@flourpower.co.za 

I'll leave you to the photos for now... see you on the other side.

Annali's Kitchen Tea Yacht Cruise

Its been a long time since there was any activity on this blog (humblest apologies to my 3 following faithfuls ;). Safe to say as well that Annali is since happily married, back in london and winter is upon us in Cape Town. Its been a busy year, ok :) Nevertheless never too late to share some photos from an awesome afternoon on the high sea. Thanks to my old friend Annie I was afforded the opportunity to join a bunch of girls on a clifton yacht cruise and be able to take candid shots of them as I pleased :) Not a bad way to spend a sunday.

Anyway jokes aside, besides the few rolling waves and chilled air - it was a magical day out to Clifton. The champers was cold and the girls were dolled up - if you haven't noticed there was nothing tough about this photo shoot whatsoever :)

Big thanks to Annie and all the other girls i chatted to... Lara for making sure I wasn't parched and Ula for an awesome catch up!! To all the rest I can't name - thanks for not being to camera shy ;)

Enjoy the trip.... :)

Jeremy & Morgans Wedding - Boschendal

A few weeks ago I got a late call up to take some wedding pics for Jeremy and Morgan. Funnily enough Jeremy and I went to school together but hadnt seen each other in years - so it was to be a small reunion too. At first it was just meant to be an intimate sharing of vows between the two of them... until mom and sister decided it needed a little bit of this and some of that :) The ceremony took place at home affairs and scrap whatever you think about that because it was a fun, well organised event. The Magistrate was full of beans apart from not allowing cameras in for the actual formalities but the family did get to see them exchange rings and share their first kiss as husband and wife!

The wedding party then headed to a stunning boschendal for a picnic lunch under the trees. We managed to get an awesome bunch of shots with an endless array of photo opportunites and we had to pick and choose our best! The afternoon was relaxed and filled with fun, love and laughter... and of course a little bit of bubbly!

Thanks to Jeremy and Morgan for being so relaxed and amazing - It was such a pleasure to be there and take photos for you and ofcourse have a little catch up too :)

follow the link to more from the day...