Wedding Photography | Elize Mare Photography

Wedding: {Lourens & Lorencia}

July 28, 2017

“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

Wedding {Kate & Neil}

July 5, 2017

“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.

Wedding {Mandie & Roan}

June 22, 2017

“I got lost in him,
and it was the kind of lost
that’s exactly like
Being found…” – Unknown

In April I had the privilege of being 2nd Photographer to Simone Venter for the beautifully romantic wedding of these two…. one could feel the love the have for each other and I loved being part of Simone’s team to capture this special day.

Main Photographer – Simone Venter Photography
Second Shooter – Elize Maré Photography
Venue – Buitengeluk Venue
Hair – Monique Cloete
Make up – Luhanie Ehlers Make-up Artist
Dress – Bridal Manor Pretoria
Cake – Le Petit Artisan Treats
Décor & Flowers – The Love Knot

Wedding {Karien & Cornel}

June 17, 2017

Together… is a wonderful place to be – Moulin Rouge

Earlier this year (in March) I was second shooter for Bella Moore Photography at this beautiful wedding of Cornel and Karien. Their ceremony took place in the beautiful Old Church next to Pretoria Meisies Hoër, the family session in the gardens of the Union Buildings, and their couple shoot at Pretoria Church Square.

These are a few of my favorites I captured:

Wedding {Lenke & David}

May 30, 2017

“I don’t need paradise because I found you. I don’t need dreams because I already have you.” – Unknown

There is not much more I can say about this beautiful wedding of Lenke and David at Pont De Val in Parys…. everything was planned carefully and came together beautiful on the day. I think the images will truly speak for themselves.

Lenke and David, thank you for having Elize Mare Photography as your wedding photographer – it was such a stunning wedding… all the details, the emotion and the beautiful couple that is you I hope you love your images as much as I love capturing them for you.

Service Providers:
Elize Mare Photography : www.elizemare.co.za
Venue: Pont de Val Riverside Escape: www.pontdeval.co.za
Flowers: Scent Flower Studio: www.scentflowerstudio.co.za
Dress: The Bridal Secret: www.bridalsecret.co.za
Hair and Make up: La Rouchelle’s Make-Up and Nail Studio: www.larouchelles.co.za
Cake and Doughnuts: LunaBerry: www.lunaberry.co.za
DJ: DJ Tech dj-tech.weebly.com
Decor and Seating Plan: Handmade by the Bride’s Father
Rings: Handmade by the Groom’s Father

A note of Thanks to my second shooter for the day: Dean Goosen

Wedding {Lizelle en Gerhart}

May 22, 2017

“In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.” – Maya Angelou

Uilie (Gerhart) en Lizelle het vir die eerste keer 21 jaar terug ontmoet – toe Gerhart saam met Lizelle se sussie gewerk het.

Na die ontmoeting, en na Lizelle haar matriek voltooi het, het sy oorsee gaan werk, en in die Kaap voor sy teruggekeer het na Pretoria – waar Uil nog al die tyd gebly het.

In hierdie tydperk het hulle nie kontak gehad nie, en het vir die tweede keer weer ontmoet een aand toe hulle toevallig by dieselfde plek gekuier het …. Lizelle vertel so:

“Ek en vriendinne het een aand bietjie uitgegaan. Uilie (Gerhart) wat nie baie lief is vir dans nie was toevallig daardie aand ook uit gewees om ‘n vriend van hom daar te kry vir Besigheid.
Soos dit maar is, het ons girls maar ons eie drink goedjies gekry en by die kroeg het ek die man langs my sien staan en ek het so opgekyk (Uilie is langer as ek – hahaha) en gevra maar is jou naam nie Uil nie. Wel Uilie spot nog tot vandag toe sy naam sal Koos gewees het as ek hom gevra het! Hy het my die aand gaan aflaai, in ou DAISY (F100).
Ek het natuurlik nie gedink hy sal my weer bel nie, maar soos hulle sê – the rest is history :):):). Vandag na 15 jaar saam is ons getroud.”

‘n Mooi liefdesverhaal ne! 🙂

In Desember 2016 het Uil vir Lizelle gevra om sy vrou te word, en op 22 April 2017 het die twee hul sprokiestroue gehad by Vintage Yard buite Parys langs die Vaal rivier en ek was daar om al die mooi en al die herinneringe vir hul vas te vang. En natuurlik was Daysie (die F100) ook daar – sy is mos deel van hierdie liefdesverhaal.

Hul troue was absoluut pragtig en gevul met emosie en soms ‘n paar trane – selfs ek moes ‘n paar keer diep asemhaal!

Die ‘vintage’ tema van hul troue het perfek by die paartjie gepas, en ook die venue – en ek kon letterlik nie ophou foto’s neem nie!

Lizelle & Uilie…. dankie – baie dankie dat ek so bevoorreg was om deel te kon wees van jul troue!
Hier is solank ‘n voorsmakie – geniet dit!

Liefde
Elize

Service Providers:
Photographer: Elize Mare Photography
Venue: Vintage Yard Wedding Venue – www.vintage-yard.com
Make up & Hair: Lezandre Gerber
Trou Rok: Ciska Barnard Couture : www.facebook.com/CiskaBarnardCouture
Ringe: Esther Boshoff – Beaudell Designs : beaudell.co.za
Trou Koek: Corni du Plessis
Trou Kaartjies: Ilse Pretorius – Pikant Creative Design : www.pikant.co.za

Wedding {Mercia and Sean }

May 4, 2017

“You are my Moon, You are my Sun, You are my Star.
No matter if You are near or far.
In my Heart is where you are.
Thank you for always knowing what to do and what to say.
You are my sanity at the end of the day.
Thank you for a love so pure, so true.
I have truly found my everything in you.” – C. Blanco

Today I’m sharing a few of my favorite images from Sean and Mercia’s wedding with you.
I got to second shoot for DGR Photography and it was an absolute pleasure to be part of this day, which was blessed the promise these two made to each other and lots and LOTS of rain.

Wedding {Shazia & Shohen}

April 18, 2017

“Once in a while right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairytale.”

Remember Shazia and Shohen from their eShoot in the Bryanston Forest? Well, today I’m sharing their fairytale wedding day with you.

Shazia and Shohen got married on a beautiful sunny day earlier this month – actually a mere 10 days ago! I was privileged to attend their Nikah Ceremony at the gorgeous Nizamiye Turkish Masjid mosque in Midrand. From there they headed home to have a family tradition, and I met up with them again later the afternoon at the Palazzo Hotel at MonteCasino for their Couple session.

Shazia and Shohen… let me begin by saying thank you for making me part of your very special day! It was an absolute privilege to be part and to capture your day for you.

The images I’m sharing here, are just a few of my very favorites – I hope you like them too!

Make up: Nikkita Naidoo – Nikki’s Beautique
Mosque: Nizamiye Turkish Masjid mosque in Midrand
Couple Shoot Location: The Palazzo Hotel, Monte Casino

Engela and Peter’s Roseview Hill Wedding

March 14, 2017

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness–and call it love–true love.”
– Robert Fulghum

When I did Engela and Peter’s eSession in 2016 I got to know them a little, and soon realized that they both have a little bit of weirdness that compliment each other SO well! and that these two have indeed found their true love.

On 11 February 2017 I had the privilege to photograph their simple yet beautiful wedding at Roseview Hill, outside Pretoria on a gorgeous sunny day. Everything was perfect – from the setting in the reception hall, the detail in the Chapel, Grandfather’s antique tractor all cleaned up for the Bride, their wedding rings tied to a beautiful old Bible and the Bride and Groom looking gorgeous in their wedding attire.

I loved the little ‘victory dance’ they both gave walking out of the chapel for the bubble confetti moment. Their couple shoot – oh wow – so beautiful, and without warning their mutually satisfying weirdness make its way out – and yes, it’s captured for forever memories!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Vir Engela en Peter,

Mag jul huwelik vol awesomely great quirky en weird oomblike wees – altyd!
Dit was vir my ‘n voorreg om vir jul hierdie herinneringe te kon vasvang, ek hoop jul kyk gereeld daarna en onthou al die spesiaal.

Liefde,

Elize

Service Providers:

Photographer: Elize Mare Photography
Assistant Photographer: Jean Dohse – Vanilla Silk
Flowers: Ria Rudolph
Cake: Extra Mile Patisserie
Biltong Cake: Antoinette
Venue and Decor: Roseview Hill
Make up and Hair: Profile Beauty
Dress: Imago Bridal
Groom Attire: Edgars & Truworths
Bridesmaids attire: Bride & Co
Groomsmen attire: Edgars & Truworths
DJ: Rocket to Russia

Wedding {Saqib & Nusrat}

December 31, 2016

“To a lovely couple, I send heartiest wedding wishes for your wedding.
Let Allah bless you both with love and happiness and many cherish moments of a blissful married life.”

A few weeks ago I published a session with Saqib and Nusrat – their Wedding Day images taken on the day they got married at the stunning Mosque in Midrand – if you missed that, head on over to the Post.

Today I’m happy to share the next part of their images of their Wedding – the Celebration Day images.

Their preparation for the Celebration took place at the beautiful Irene Country Lodge in Centurion. It is a beautiful lodge with the most gorgeous places to do a Couple shoot, and the sunset over the little dam is simply beautiful, together with Nusrat’s exquisite traditional outfit and Saqib looking dashing in his suit, more beautiful memories were captured for these two.

Their Reception took place at the Kit Kat Convention centre in Pretoria, and the hall was looking just amazing with white, gold and red – simplistic but beautiful.

But let me share just some of my favorites with you…

Preparation venue: Irene Country Lodge
Reception venue: Kit Kat Convention Centre
Assistant Photographer: Dean Goosen – DGR

Wedding {Francois and Angelique}

December 29, 2016

“No matter what I say and what I do…. there is not a single moment when I don’t htink of you” – Unknown

With a small intimate morning wedding ceremony attended by close family and friends, Francois and Angelique got married at the elegant Tuscan style venue, Castello di Monte, in Pretoria.

These two had eyes just for each other, and it was a super special and emotional ceremony. As soon as the family photo’s were done, we headed out on the grounds of this stunning venue to photographer their Couple session.

These are a few of my favorite images from their day – I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as we enjoyed capturing them!

Thank you to my assistant photographer : Dean Goosen from DGR – as always it’s great having you as part of my team.

Wedding {Olido and Katie}

December 29, 2016

“If i know what love is it is because of you” ~ Herman Hesse

Olido and Katie got married at the stunning Moholoholo ya Mati situated outside Hoedspruit and I was ecstatic to be able to second shoot this wedding for a BLM Photography.

It was a hot and humid Saturday, but despite the intense heat, the couple looked absolutely stunning. These two decided on this beautiful venue the moment they set foot on the grounds during their first visit.
After the ceremony in the beautiful old Chapel, the couple and guests had time to learn more about the rehabilitation of wild animals at the rehad centre – and there were loads of photo opportunity.

Thank you BLM photography and to the wedding couple for having me as the assistant photographer – it was a huge privilege to work with you and I share a few of my favorites I captured through my lens…

Wedding {Antonio & Sofia}

December 22, 2016

“It’s been said that you only truly fall in love once. But I don’t believe it. Everytime I see you, I fall in love all over again “~ Unknown

This is Antonio and Sofia on their wedding day at the beautiful Mulbarton – Our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church in Johannesburg South.

I got to work with a good friend in the industry – Dean Goosen from DGR Photography – as her second shooter, and we really do work well as a team.
While Dean was capturing the Bridal portraits I met up with the videographer at the Groom’s and did the Groom portraits.

This couple is absolutely gorgeous together, and I loved being part of their day. With Vic Pardal being their Master of Ceremony the reception was loads of fun.

These are a few of my favorites:

Second Shooter: Elize Mare – Elize Mare Photography
Main Photographer: Dean Goosen – DGR Photography
Makeup artist: Makeup by Monique
Videographer: Bright Moon Videography

Wedding {Saqib and Nusrat}

December 18, 2016

“May these vows and this marriage be blessed. May it be sweet milk, this marriage, like wine and halvah. May this marriage offer fruit and shade like the date palm. May this marriage be full of laughter, our every day a day in paradise. May this marriage be a sign of compassion, a seal of happiness here and hereafter. May this marriage have a fair face and a good name, an omen as welcome as the moon in a clear blue sky. I am out of words to describe how spirit mingles in this marriage.” Rumi

Saqib and Nusrat’s eShoot took place on their actual Wedding Ceremony day, which means their eShoot was in fact their Wedding Day pictures and this made it even more special!

Their official ceremony took place at the Nizamiye Mosque in Midrand – a beautiful setting for this stunning couple who met just about a year ago.

It was a unique experience, I loved working with these two on the day and I was already looking forward excitedly to their Reception the following week – but more about the Reception later.

These are a few of my favorite images from their first session.

To Nusrat and Saqib :

Thank you for choosing me, and allowing me to be part of this special day filled with memories. It was an absolute privilege for me to have witnessed and capture these images for you!

Wedding {Arno & Juanice}

December 6, 2016

“Because I could watch you for a single minute and find a thousand things that I love about you.” – (Unknown)

Arno and Juanice got married on 8 October 2016 at Bramasole Wedding venue, situated outside Bapsfontein, and I had the privilege of second shooting for Simone Venter at this beautiful wedding.

These are a few of my favorites I’ve captured:

Wedding {Jessie & Jorge}

November 1, 2016

“And I’d choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I’d find you and I’d choose you.”
—The Chaos of Stars by Kiersten White

On 17 September 2016 I had the opportunity of second shooting this beautiful wedding of Jessie & Jorge at Diep in Die Berg. It is a beautiful venue for small and intimate weddings situated on the slopes of Wapadrand.
The Reception hall was beautifully decorated in a Royal blue and Gold – looking very stylish.

I met up with the Groom, his Groomsmen and family just a short drive away from the venue to do the detail shots and some group photo’s. The Groom’s parents came through for the wedding all the way from Portugal, and they do not understand English. But this language barrier did not worry us at all – communication was done with some great translation assistance from the Groom, and me showing them what I wanted them to do through gestures. I loved every second of capturing the special memories of the Groom’s side of the wedding.

Heading off to the venue, we waited for the rest of the bridal party and Bride to arrive for the Ceremony to start. It was a special ceremony, with some tears – but tears in a good way. I just really love weddings with an abundance of emotion!

After the ceremony, I got to assist and shoot with the main photographer, the Couple session – and the venue had some really beautiful spots we used.

Jessie & Jorge, thank you for a beautiful wedding filled with great moments, love, laughter, joy and tears. May your years to come be filled with some really great adventures.

Wedding Venue: Diep in Die Berg
Main Photographer: Jessica Otto
Wedding dress: Imported from Portugal
DJ: Roberto – Blue Moon

Wedding {Chris & Juanita}

October 25, 2016

“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” Wuthering Heights

Juanita & Chris has known each other in what feels like forever! Having met each other through her older brother – whose wedding I captured just over three months ago (if you missed that, have a look here ) – these two were soulmates from the start, meant for each other. I can’t even remember the amount of years they have known each other! So while the family was waiting, and waiting,….. and waiting for the Big Wedding Day, Juanita had it all planned out already, this girl knew exactly what she wanted event before they got engaged.

They got engaged under her favorite tree on her parents’ Game Farm, and she also knew that this is the farm where she would want to get married on. With the date for the wedding decided – 24 September 2016 – a lot was still to happen as the farm was not fit to host a wedding. Plans were made, lay-outs were done, and the planning went over into action and a dream started to come true. I’ll share a bit of the Venue Development with you in this post before I share some of their Wedding Day images. A LOT of work has gone into the venue, and on the day of Juanita & Chris’ Wedding final touches were being done. On behalf of the owners, Kobus & Tania, a BIG thank you to everyone involved and who helped in making this dream a reality, and finishing it on time – no matter how big or small your roll were, You are appreciated!

While planning and building at the new venue went underway, we had a super stunning time with their Engagement shoot at a protea farm – as this girl is a Protea girl! Their eShoot images were stunning and I was already looking forward to their Wedding 🙂

Let’s move on to the Wedding Day… it was a sunny and hot spring day in Limpopo – a beautiful day for a wedding!

ir pre-wedding photo’s. I decided to do their photo’s earlier than normal, and through jokes and laughter they got dressed and we finished sooner than they expected. Remember, guys don’t like photo’s, so to get them to dress up for a photo shoot is like pulling a thorn from a toddlers foot. Afterwards, or so I hear, they were all too happy that it didn’t take too long, and that I was done with them, so they could swim and relax before getting dressed (again) for the Wedding.

The Bride and her Bridesmaids got dressed in one of the houses at Leselo Lodge – stunning space with awesome light flowing into the house. Once I got to them, after capturing the details at Sôkêng of the hall and Chapel, I started with the detail shots, hair and make-up and moved on to capturing the beauties all made up and dressed.

Off to the Ceremony, and open-air Chapel on the game farm where everybody was waiting for the Bride to arrive.
When she came walking down the dirt road to meet her Dad at the Chapel all eyes where on her, and I could see tears on a few faces (mine included) … Juaniata you were SUCH a beautiful Bride!
I loved how you and Chris connected through the Ceremony, the way you looked at each other and the laughter – you are a stunning couple!
Photo magnets of each person/couple attending the wedding was used at Table Seating – loved the one you chose for us. And what could be more fitting to cut the first piece of wedding cake than with one of the tools used in the building of the venue!

But wait, let me stop now and just share some images…. Enjoy!

First up… a small look into the develoment of Sôkêng Wedding Venue:

Diens Verskaffers:

Fotograaf: Elize Mare Photography www.elizemare.co.za

Dekor: Estie van Wyk Jovner 072 898 5607

Kos: Wolf’s Rock Lodge

Grimering: Isma – Beauty and the Brush

Koek: Sweet & Salty Baker

DJ: AMA Promotions

Wedding {Alet & Reinier}

August 12, 2016

On a beautiful Autumn day, 15 April 2016, I was privileged to work with one of my close friends and fellow photographer [Dean from DGR] as a second shooter on friends of her and her husband’s wedding at River Place Country Estate .

It was a beautiful day, and the venue was one of those with loads of options for the Couple shoot.

I captured the Groom and Groom’s men preparations, but also had a moment to spare to capture a few images of the beautiful bride. These are most of my favorites of what I captured:

Wedding {Chery & Gerdi}

August 11, 2016

Chery and Gerdi’s wedding took place at the beautiful Country Venue Valverde Eco Hotel in Muldersdrift on a sunny winters’ day in June 2016.

We captured some really gorgeous images for these two promising their love to each other and it was a privilege being second photographer to Jessica Otto on their wedding day. Here are a few of my favorites …

Wedding {Annezel & Marius}

July 13, 2016

There are three things that last: faith, hope and love,
and the greatest of these is love.

-I Corinthians 13:13

Annezel and Marius, this bible verse is for you – when I read this, I see the two of you.

I thoroughly enjoyed your shoot – and it’s for sure one to remember! From the moment I stepped into the Bridal suite and met you all for the first time, I knew we were going to capture some really beautiful images for you 🙂

I’ll also remember this little story that happened on the day we did your shoot:

As we all walked down to the spot where the first set of photos were to take place, we could see preparations at the reception area being done for a wedding which was to take place the next day, and those busy working were staring at us all as if we’re from an unknown planet… they were almost in a state of panic and even the caterer came out to ask what is going on. They thought they had their dates mixed up and couldn’t believe when they saw a bridal party at the venue they’re preparing for a wedding. We had quite a laugh!

Once the family photos and the bridal party photos were done, I took Annezel and Marius through Memoire’s garden to capture their bridal couple photos.
I really enjoyed this session and I could see the love these two have for each other.

Annezel and Marius – thank you for trusting me with these, I hope you enjoy your images.

Make-up and hair by Beauty & The Brush
Venue – Memoire

Lots of Love, Elize