Wedding and Lifestyle Photographer
“Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.” Nicholas Sparks
In April I was lucky enough to witness the love Aamina and Waheed has for each other.
Capturing their traditional Nikah Ceremony, followed by their Couple shoot and Reception at Mount Usambara,
it was a privilege to 2nd shoot for Andre Sonnekus once again.
Enjoy a few of my favorites.
“For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you” – Andrew McMahon
These two tied the know on their Happy Ever After day recently at Mooiplaatsie Wedding Estate, and it was a joyous occasion with loads of love, tears and laughter.
They met at the race track with Matthys sliding into hear heart with his Blue Boy Drift Car, and it was head over heels for both of them. A few years later we did their surprise proposal and engagement on a beach in Port Shepstone and since then I was looking forward to capture their Wedding Day memories.
Andoline looked absolutely gorgeous in her wedding dress, and Mathys looked handsome in his Western Style outfit. The love these two have for each other is evident in every look and touch.
Ando & Mathys, May you love each other… always!
1 John 4:16: “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
Service Providers:
Photographer: Elize Mare Photography – www.elizemare.co.za
Venue: Mooiplaatsie Country Estate
Make Up: Beauty and the Brush SA
Hair: Soho Hair and Color Lab
Dress: Hanny Wertheimer – Forver After Creations
Cake: Portallian Kitchen
Rings: American Swiss
“Before you came, my life was empty.
It is you who lifts me up…
It is you who give me life…
Now, I am confident on loving you for the rest of my life.” – Unknown
This Industrial Wedding… oh wow, I have loved every minute of it! And… the venue is one of the venues on my bucket list to shoot at, so when Andre asked me to assist him with this wedding I jumped with joy at the opportunity!
I met up with the Bride and Bridal party at the Sheraton Hotel for the pre-wedding images, from where we headed to 012Central for the Ceremony and Reception, complete with food trucks and great music for entertainment.
The venue and surrounds outside in the streets of Pretoria, made for some pretty great and unique wedding photo’s – we even went dancing in front of the State Theatre, and popped in at Chicken Licken on the corner for fun.
Enjoy some of my favorites – there is quite a bit of them!
This lovely couple tied the knot at the breathtaking Thaba Eco Hotel and Spa in March 2018. Tamara’s dress definitely is a favorite of mine for 2018 – it has pockets!
Their wedding was filled with beautiful moments. My favorite being Tyran’s expression as he saw his Bride walking down the isle.
Oh, and I LOVED the wedding ring box Tamara’s ring was kept in.. it had this glowing light which made the ring sparkle even more!
During the couple session, we had the most gorgeous sunset light. Sunset for sure is my favorite part of any wedding day.
I was second shooter to Marisa Venter for this wedding, and I loved every moment. Here are some of my favorites.
“What’s meant to be will always find a way” – Trisha Yearwood
Val and JP’s wedding at La Louise in Pretoria North was a sunny warm autumn day. and their signs welcomed you to their love story from entering the venue. With their Winter Wonderland theme to their wedding day, Val made me think of Elsa in the animated film, Frozen.
It was a relaxed afternoon getting ready with loads of laughter and the bridesmaids enjoying their swirling dresses. There were some really beautiful moments, and for me three stood out distinctively. I especially loved the one moment between Val and her Grandfather when he saw her in her wedding dress, oh and the bridesmaids expressions when we did the reveal of Val in her dress, as they have not seen it yet. But the best one was when JP saw his wife to be walking down the isle – he couldn’t hide his tears of happiness. This to me is what sums up weddings… Love and Emotion!
The couple session… oh my soul! We had the most gorgeous sunlight in the small amount of time we had to capture these two during their first moments of Mr & Mrs van Heerden, and I love every single image we captured for them.
These are just a few of my favorites from their wedding day, and I hope you enjoy them.
To Val & JP:
Thank you for having me as part of your wedding day. I wish you just more happiness and love as your journey together continues.
Love
Elize
Service Providers:
Photography: Elize Mare Photography – www.elizemare.co.za
Videographer: First Kiss – www.firstkiss.co.za
Venue, Decor & Catering: La Louise – www.lalouise.co.za
Hair: Nicole du Plessis
MakeUp: Mystique Make up
Wedding Dress: The Bridal House – www.bridalhousesa.co.za
Bridesmaids Dresses: Gelique – www.gelique.com
Wedding Cake: Divine Delights Cake boutique – www.divinedelights.co.za
Groom’s Suit, Tie & Cufflinks: Smart Guy, Centurion – www.smartguy.co.za
Satin Gowns, Slippers & Garter: Forever Vogue
Brides & Bridesmaids Bouquets: Dollies Closet
Guest Book frame & Ringbox: Laser Link – www.laserlink.co.za
DJ : Gauteng DJ – www.gautengdj.co.za
“One day you will be old and wrinkled, and I will still love you.”
― V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light
Earlier this year I had the privilege to assist on this simplistic Wedding in one of the most picturesque parts of our beautiful country, at The Red Barn in Dullstroom with Studio40Six. I couldn’t help myself during this wedding and just snapped away at everything I saw.
For a wedding planned in less than two months every little detail was picture perfect, and oh my heart! the Views of Dullstroom …. enjoy a few of my favorites!
“I Love you
For all that you are
all that you have been
and all you are yet to be”
Dawie and Tanya’s wedding day at The Forest Walk Wedding Venue arrived sunny and warm and just as Tanya was to walk down to the beautiful Chapel in the Forest it started pouring down with rain. How much more blessed can a wedding day be. As soon as the rain lit up, the Bridal party arrived walking down the isle followed by the gorgeous Bride.
It was such a privilege being main photographer to Andre Sonnekus Videography for this wedding. These are a few of my favorites.
“Ich möchte den Rest meines Lebens mit Dir Verbringen”
{I want to spend the rest of my life with u}
Rhonwyn and Sascha’s story is a true love story and I got to spend time with them on their most precious day to capture their wedding photos at Red Ivory.
It was a beautiful hot sunny day in Hartebeespoortdam and Rhonwyn looked so beautiful in a stunning designer dress from Olivelli and Sascha looking dashing in his outfit from Ghalic – but with the shirt he wore on the day he proposed, how sweet is that!
The best moment for me was when Sascha saw Rhonwyn walking down the isle, tears streaming down his face. Their ceremony was filled with love, tears and laughter and ended with a special moment with the Christening of their little boy.
With rain in the distance, and the stunning views from both the Chapel and the Reception hall this sure was the perfect day, and I loved every moment I captured.
Sascha & Rhonwyn,
My wish for you is that you’ll be happy every day of your life.
Thank you so much for having me as part of your day!
Love,
Elize
Service Providers:
Videographer: Fireproductions
Wedding Dress: Olivelli
Groom Suit: Ghaliq
Cake: Candy Cake
MakeUp: Tammy
Hair: Lloy
DJ: Blaste entertainment
“He was magical, and serious…
And he stole my heart away” – Unknown
These two had the most perfect wedding day at Harmonie Protea Wedding Venue outside Cullinan, from the first looks when they saw each other while Shannon walked down the isle to their couple session, everything was perfect and truly beautiful. We had the most amazing sunset light to end of their couple session among the Proteas, and I’m in love with every single image I captured.
Assistant Photographer: Elize Mare
Main Photographer: Lee-Ann Nel
Venue: Harmonie Proteas
‘When I look into your eyes I don’t see just you, I see my today, my tomorrow and my future for the rest of my life”
One evening in Potchefstroom during their good old university days of October 2009 these two met on a dance floor and danced the night away and into each others hearts. It was the beginning of their beautiful relationship. Nine years later, on 13 January 2018, the time was right for them to say their I’do’s at Padlangs Wedding Venue outside Bronkhorstspruit.
As with their Engagement shoot, we had loads of laughter. Wayne loves to tease the love of his life and face pulling is part of who he is – so yes we even got that on ‘film’. But all jokes aside, one can feel and see the love these two have for each other.
Their wedding day was hot and sunny, with beautiful simplistic pastel decor and everything to the finest detail planned came out beautifully.
I’m really excited to share some of my favorites from their wedding with you.
Service Providers:
Dress : Nelia Schwarzer (Bride’s mother)
Hair: Chantel Menezes – Ultimate Hairstyle Potchefstroom
Make Up: Brenda and Rochelle – MUD studio
Biltong Cake: Percy en Nelia Schwarzer
Red Velvet cake: Mita Lombaard
“Walking with your hands in mine and mine in yours, that’s exactly where I want to be always.” —Fawn Weaver
15 October 2017, Charl & Chene had their Fairytale Wedding at the stunning Memoire wedding venue in Muldersdrift, and Elize Mare Photography got to be assistant photographer to Marissa Venter.
Everything about this wedding was magnificent, from the venue to the decor done by Zavion Kotze to the dress to the emotion on Charl’s face when his bride was walking down the aisle with tears streaming down his face. What an incredible privilege to have shared in this day. Congratulations to two beautiful people!
Enjoy these favorites I got to capture:
“They say you only fall in love once, but that can’t be true. Every time I look at you, I fall in love all over again.” – Unknown
7 October 2017, Kirsty and Sergio got married at the Stone Cellar outside Heidelberg, and I was main photographer for Andre Sonnekus Videography.
The day started out pretty wet with loads of rain and their outside ceremony had to be moved into the indoor chapel. By the time the ceremony started all rain was gone, and it was a clear blue sky.
I loved the simplicity and minimalistic feel of their wedding and we had loads of fun.
Enjoy a few of my favorites from the day.
“The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and to let it come in.”
This is Chaldine & Ockert on their wedding day at Die Akker, on 16th September 2017. The love and respect these two have for each other is such a beautiful thing to witness – it was an absolute pleasure 2nd shooting this wedding for Lilly Leigh.
Main Photographer: Lilly Leigh Photography
Assistent : Heinrich Odendahl
Second Shooter: Elize Mare Photography
Venue: Die Akker Wedding Venue
Make-up: Minette Brand
Hair: Studio S Hairstyling Wedding
Dress: Whimsical Bridal
“A Tale as Old as Time” – Beauty and the Beast
Vivion and Nicola’s wedding was inspired by Beauty and the Beast with a touch of magic – a day they have been dreaming of, and it truly was a magical day with only their closest family and friends to witness their love to each other.
These are just a few of my favorites from their wedding day – I hope you enjoy.
Photographer: Elize Mare – Elize Mare Photography
Venue: Die Akker
True love is eternal, infinite, and always like itself.
It is equal and pure, without violent demonstrations:
it is seen with white hairs and is always young in the heart.
True love is not the number of kisses, or how often you get them,
true love is the feeling that still lingers long after the kiss is over.
This is the beautiful wedding of Dietrich and Marguerite at Padlangs Wedding venue. The day started out sunny and hot, some very curious onlookers during the bridesmaids photo’s as well as the couple photo’s. Some serious rain as soon as the couple entered the reception hall – what a blessing – great food, no power at some stages and super cold wind by the time we did the night shot – but all this added to a great atmosphere at these two lovebirds’ wedding, and I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
These are a few of my favorites, I hope you enjoy 🙂
Suppliers:
Main Photographer: Elize Mare Photography
Assistant Photography: Lilly Leigh
Videography: DC Productions
Venue: Padlangs Wedding Venue
Decor: done by Bride and Groom
Flowers: Padlangs Wedding Venue
Hair & Make up: Debbie Ellis
Dress: Chiqwawa Bridal Couture
“You are the last thought in my mind before I drift off to sleep and the first thought when I wake up each morning.”
It’s always a privilege to assist a photographer I admire with a wedding – this time I was assistant photographer to Lilly Leigh for this wedding at Shere View in Pretoria.
“Happiness is….
Planning a Trip
To somewhere new….
With Someone you Love” – Uknown
While going on a 6 week tour through South Africa and Africa, Chloe and Bryce seized the opportunity to get married under the South African sun with the majestic Drakensberg mountains as their Chapel backdrop at Moholoholo Forest Camp outside Hoedspruit – yes they Eloped!
Their Ceremony was short and very intimate with only the Bridal Couple and Pastor – well and me and some Lodge staff as witnesses – with a beautiful message and some African culture incorporated in the form of giving and receiving gifts, and not only rings, as their promise to each other.
With a beautiful simplistic table setting done by the Lodge staff, these two enjoyed a small reception overlooking the mountains, while we waited for the sun to start setting for their couple session.
It was SUCH a huge privilege for me to be part of this special celebration and I couldn’t wait to start sharing these images, but I had to wait until they were back in Australia and had their Reveal party, which friends and family thought was their wedding day!
Dear Chloe and Bryce,
Thank you for having me on your special day. May the years to come be filled with more travels and exhilarating experiences, but may THIS one be the best one ever!
Love Elize
“When you smiled you had my undivided attention.
When you laughed you had my urge to laugh with
you. When you cried you had my urge to hold you.
When you said you loved me, you had my heart
forever.”- Anonymous
It was a glorious almost-spring day in late August when Liezl and Karel said their I do’s at Tsekama Wedding Venue in Limpopo. The weather was the exact opposite than their engagement session earlier this year! If you missed that, have a look here.
Their wedding was simplistic, yet stylish with greenery and whites – beautifully suiting this stunning couple.
The bride got dressed next to the chapel in a beautiful bridal room, while the groom and his groomsmen were preparing at the Bottle House across the road – we also used the container home in the couple shoot, and I love the outcome! (some might recognize the container home in a recent Tuis Magazine).
We had the most gorgeous light during the entourage and couple shoot late afternoon, and with the couple session even had a curious Giraffe in the background – which made for some great images.
These are a few of my favorites – enjoy looking at them!
Service Providers:
Venue: Tsekama Wedding Venue
Main Photographer: Elize Mare Wedding Photography
Bridal Gown: Bridal Manor Pretoria
Groom outfit: Eurosuit
Cake: Tsekama Wedding Venue
Assistant Photographer: Simoné Venter
“Every time I see you…. I fall in Love again” – Unknown
I’ve been 2nd shooter to some amazing weddings, and this was for sure one of my favorites and a bucket list venue – the stunning Lace on Timber.
These are a few of my favorites I captured – and I can’t wait to go back here again.
Thank you to Lilly Leigh Photography for having me as part of her team on this beautiful wedding.
Assistant Photographer: Elize Mare Wedding Photography
Main Photographer: Lilly Leigh
Venue: Lace on Timber
“I’m feeling alive and with every breath that I take, I feel like I’ve won. You’re my key to survival.” —Secondhand Serenade
On a beautiful winter’s day Lorencia and Lourens said their I do’s at the shabby chic venue, Die Akker, outside Pretoria.
I was so excited to be part of their wedding day, the love they have for each other just shows when they look one another in the eyes.
We started off with detail images of their wedding venue, and me being a bunny lover just fell in love with their wedding decor of wooden rabbits!
After decor images it was time for Groom and Bride detail images and portraits…. These two looked RADIANT in their wedding attire and every detail was thought of.
Their Ceremony was one of the most special ceremonies I have attended as it was done by Lourens’ Grandfather. I especially loved his special blessing to the bridal couple. During the ceremony I noticed this small cross on the floor…. it looked like a light shining, or a reflection …. I don’t know where it came from, but it was SO significant to their special ceremony and off course now forms part of their wedding images – and you’ll see it below.
To Lorencia and Lourens,
Thank you for the privilege I had of being part of your special day – to witness your love exchanges during your ceremony and to capture these memories for you.
May your love grow through the years and may you always remember the memories of your wedding day.
Love Elize
Service Providers:
Photographer: Elize Mare Photography
Make-Up: Burn Make Up
Stationary: Greenvelope
Flowers and Decor: Die Akker
Dress: Still White
Suit: Jones and Kent, Brooklyn
DJ: Die Akker
A special note of thanks to my assistant photographer, Simone Venter.
If you missed Lorencia and Lourens’eShoot earlier this year, you can view it HERE
“Do more than love your spouse. Cherish them. Honor them. Build an everlasting friendship. It is those things, along with love, that make marriage so special.” -Fawn Weaver
On my recent trip to the beautiful Western Cape, I had the honor of being Assistant Photographer to Sibling Photography for this gorgeously simplistic wedding at Bloemendal in Durbanville. I just LOVE destination weddings! Here are a few of my favorites I captured.
