Last month I had the wonderful opportunity to share Marcel & Sam’s South African themed wedding day with them. Marcel is South African and Sam is English but I’m pretty sure after marrying Marcel, she is now an honorary South African! When I met this lovely couple for the first time over a coffee in Wimbledon, I instantly liked them. They knew exactly what they wanted from their wedding photography plus they were super easy to talk to, which made me feel like I had known them both for years! When I got home that evening to an email from Marcel saying that they would love to have me as their wedding photographer, I honestly couldn’t have been happier! We did their Engagement Shoot in April in Oxshott while chatting about the South African theme for their wedding day – complete with African dancers, South African wedding favours, guineafowl feathers everywhere and the very well known South African flower – Strelitzia reginae which would be used to add splashes of orange to their tables.
Marcel & Sam chose Knowlton Court in Knowlton nr. Canterbury – Kent as their wedding venue and it was perfect. I had a great time hanging out with Sam & her bridesmaids in the morning where they got ready at Knowlton flat and then made my way over to The Dower House just a short walk away where Marcel & the guys were getting ready over a glass of red wine. Sam had bought Marcel a stunning Tag Heuer watch as a surprise wedding present with a little note that said “see you at the altar” – how sweet is that? The look on Marcel’s face when he opened his present was priceless!
The rest of the day was one big celebration and I loved the suprise Marcel’s best man, Dustin, had organised – a performance by the very talented U’Zambezi Performing Arts (UK based arts ensemble specialising in art forms from Southern Africa). When we got back from the couple photos, they entered through the side gate, singing, dancing & beating their drums. The guests loved it and it made me miss South Africa so much!
An enormous thank you to Marcel & Sam for allowing me to capture their wonderful wedding day, and for genuinely being one of the loveliest couples I have ever photographed. A big thank you to their guests as well, for making me feel so incredibly welcome. I wish you all the love & happiness in the world Mr & Mrs Bredenkamp.
As always, if you’re stopping by, please leave some love for the happy couple!
Wedding day suppliers:
Venue: Knowlton Court nr. Canterbury, Kent
Sam’s dress: Bonny Bridal
Sam’s shoes: Rainbow from Girls of Elegance
Sam’s earrings & necklace: Earrings from Links and necklace was a gift
Hairstylist: Hair by Chelle
Make-up Artist: Lisa from The Beauty Room in Eastry
Marcel’s suit: Austin Reed
Classical guitarist: James O’Neil
African performers: U’Zambezi Perfoming Arts
Evening band: Blue Attic
Catering: Coco Catering
Flowers: Hazel at Funky Bunches
Wedding cake: Creative Cakes