It occurred to me yesterday that I prefer small weddings, it was a thought that was immediately followed by the realization that I have a preference about weddings!? I think I’ve only ever been to one wedding where I wasn’t the photographer, and that includes siblings and even extended family.

I think it has to do with the fact that the bride and groom know everyone and it’s just a close group of people having a blast. Saturday was one of those kinds of weddings, you could tell everyone was having fun. Of course the whole Benoni factor didn’t hurt, and the fact that Sam went to Rhodes … well … we all know about Rhodes people.

The venue was the Londmeadow Piano Lounge which is probably one of the most relaxed, hang-out-in-the-garden-while-the-sun-sets venues in Johannesburg. All my memories of this place are of really friendly people having fun. Lots of photos of friends and family being themselves.

Right, some pics, but before that our usual facebook announcement that you can find more photos from Sam and James’ very very casual wedding on our Facebook page.

you can find more photos from Sam and James’ very very casual wedding on our Facebook page.

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I think it was the dress that sticks in my head the most, an exquisite Pronovias number that fitted Talia perfectly, add some serious Liz Tayloresque looks and she looked like she had stepped out for the premier of Giant, somewhere East of Dean and west of Hepburn. For once, for once the weather played nicely and we got the most incredible range of golden colors, naturally my instinct when it came to post production was to use cooler colors, something more dramatic and classical and timeless.

Did I mention that they brought the swagger to their classical photoshoot?

A couple of people we worked with who were pretty cool:
The coordinator at the Longmeadow Piano Lounge, didn’t get a name sorry, but really on the ball and just pleasant to be around.
The videographer, whose card I did take and promptly lost, very calm and casual and really fitted in with our style of photography.
The makeup artist, who was actually an artist, didn’t get your card sorry, but I’m sure Talia or someone will let me know.
I know, I’m terrible at networking, but as soon as I get the names and details I’ll put them up.

Some more killer bee images from Talia and Dewald’s classic wedding can be seen on our facebook page.

Some more killer bee images from Talia and Dewald’s classic wedding can be seen on our facebook page.

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Just finished this corker of a wedding, 800+ images all finished off by hand, many late nights but it had some real killer bee stuff in there – can’t wait for these guys to see what happens when we get a full hour to do the portrait images.

Lets see, some info about the wedding.
Reception + Ceremony: Casalinga – Incredible food and nice ambience.
Getting Ready: Monte Casino Palazzo Hotel
Dress: Patricia Nascimento

and just about to start editing this one from Longmeadow Piano Lounge:

I’ve been really getting into The no1 Ladies Detective Agency for some unapparent reason, its so not me in any way, but I’m really enjoying it. And its not just because every second episode shows a baobab.

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Thanks for all the laughs and jokes and messing around and general good times, I’m still smiling at all those rabbits walking back in a line. V and I had a blast, and you guys raised the roof at the reception, did you only invite people who could dance really really well? cause I’ve never felt that I needed to get some serious dancing lessons as much as I did last night – I’m pretty sure I saw a woman being dipped in the wrong direction at about 100km/h. Enjoy Paris, take the wedding lemon with you and plant it somewhere where no-one is looking.

I guess it’s Sunday already. Time to get some sleep, my head is till buzzing from tonight’s (last night’s?) wedding. So maybe just one photo strip, a strip that may answer that elusive question – was the DJ any good?

UPDATE: I have been reliably informed that his name is DJ Paul K and it was his first time DJing at a wedding, which may explain why his sound was so fresh and kept the dancefloor rocking. He can be contacted at paulking011[at]googlemail.com so spam him for his set list.