As soon as we pull up outside Anderland the clouds start to gather, we’re here in the big black car – lesson learned, its a perfect day for photography. Add a killer bee dress, a super photogenic couple and one of our favorite venues, and the adrenaline starts to kick in. Today is going to rock. Just over twelve hours later we’re on our way back to Joburg, lightning kicking across the skies, tired, happy and with some seriously cool images locked into our memory cards and a very memorable wedding still fresh in my mind. It was an amazing day of friends, love and commitment – I saw those tears you know.

Hanri and Neil (082 490 3679 and 082 469 0070) were, as always, amazing hosts. Anderland is one of those super rare venues where nothing is too much trouble and they always go out of their way to make sure that everything is perfect. Check out their site here.

Emille, good to see you again

It is still raining, the cats are looking moody, the mamba is apparently being put back together (I don’t even want to know) … so no searing insights today, just an image I spotted while compiling the selection gallery for Madel and De Clercq.

Did I ever tell you the story of the photographer whose car broke down in the rain in Potch? We were on our way to Anderland, my first wedding of the year, I’d just dropped Ben off with the groom and I was on my way to photograph Madel, when the clouds which had been gathering since we left Johannesburg burst. I think burst is the right word here, one second it was just ominous dark clouds, the next I couldn’t see the front of the car. Ok, so I probably shouldn’t have been driving the green mamba, it has never really done very well in the rain, I think the engine is just too close to the ground. Anyway, I made it to Anderland, ran through the rain to the cottage where Madel was getting ready, photographed her and De Clercq’s beautiful vintage styled wedding, and then tried to make the long drive back to Johannesburg.

No such luck, the mamba kept cutting out, overheating, we eventually managed to freewheel into the Sasol garage, you know the one just outside Potch on the N12. It was an interesting three hours waiting for our tow back to Joburg. You see some very strange people frequenting that Sasol shop between 11 and 2am. Some very strange people, the kind of people that I wouldn’t imagine spend too much time in sunlight, so we did what any two photographers in a dead mamba would do if stuck at a Sasol garage on the outskirts of Potch on a Friday night, we bought some smokes (cigars for Ben and Lucky Strikes for me) and looked through our pics of the evening on the backs of the cameras. I thought we did ok for two non-smokers, by the time we left, the spot where the mamba had been parked smelled like a big cigar had died there. At around 5am, I finally made it home, dropping off passengers, tow ropes, equipment and everyone who came to our rescue. By the time I had finished backing up everything it seemed pointless to sleep. My throat is sore from the cigarettes, I haven’t slept in the last 24 hours, I’ve driven over 400kms and I’m back on caffeine. I also have a whole bunch of killer images.

Hanri and Neil (082 490 3679 and 082 469 0070), amazing hosts as always and Anderland is just getting better and better as a venue.

We’ve been to some really cool weddings in the 2006/2007 season. Made some friends, had a great time and shot some photos we are really proud of. In no particular order, my favourite weddings of the season.

Michael and Angela at Oakfield

Just an incredible wedding, filled with tradition and friends. Angela transformed Oakfield from a farm to a setting out of the Great Gatsby.

Maryanne and Scott at Koyama

Cool venue, laid back couple, indie sounds and glorious food from By Word Of Mouth.

Alesa and Dimitri at Saheti

Greek weddings are just fun, full stop. Add some wild Americans into the mix and well, you should have been there.

Mari and Elmer at Anderland

Two of the nicest people we’ve had the pleasure to meet.

JP and Christine at The Grace

Class and elegance would be the two words I’d use here. The love between these two was palpable.

Louise and Dan at The Westcliff

Wild. I mean really wild, like only a jewish wedding can get.

It was the night before I boarded the flight to Texas and we had gotten home at about 4am. I couldn’t remember the last time I had a full night’s sleep and I was struggling to put together Mari and Elmer’s sneak peek before I left the country. V and I had gone to the North West province to photograph the wedding of Mari and Elmer. It had been one of those days when the heavens opened up and the rain just wouldn’t stop. On the way back, dodging 18 wheelers in the dark and other drivers hellbent on the N12 we were treated to a spectacular lightning storm over the highveld.

That tuesday was one of those days. A beautiful celebration of Mari and Elmer’s vows to each other. Everything was perfect, including the weather which cleared just as the sun was setting. We were honoured to witness such honest love for each other, to be with your families and your friends. Such amazing people.

Its now the day after we left them at the airport. On the way back to the Netherlands, looking tanned after their Mauritius honeymoon, and I’ve finally gotten around to putting up your blog entry and your real sneak peek. Peace and blessings to both of you.

If someone could translate this to Dutch I’d love to post it.

Catch their sneak peak here.

[ vendor prop ] – I’m going to give this week’s vendor prop to Anderland, for their personal service, friendly attitudes and just being all around incredible hosts. It is not just that the grounds are beautiful and filled with hundred year old trees, the Anderland chapel has the feeling of a place with a lot of history despite having only been built recently.