Yolanda Saayman Photography

Mayibongwe & Lungile
Wedding Date: 05 December 2009
Venue: Spier Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

A scorching day in the Boland, but a lovely day for a wedding…

I met Lungile in June to discuss all the arrangements for her wedding day and to make sure that I am prepared to meet her expectations. Even then, her natural beauty and soft spoken manner was very striking.

Michelle (my assistant) and I arrived at Cultivaria where Lungile got dressed at around 12h30. She looked very relaxed for a bride and of course even more beautiful than the day I met her. While they were still busy with the finishing touches of the make-up and hair, I started shooting the stills for her coffee table book. As mentioned, it was very hot, so I tried to keep her in the shade as far as possible and of course to avoid the stark sunlight.

When we arrived at St. Paul’s, there were hardly any guests. I was very surprised as I expected 180 people to be squeezed into the church by now. In fact, I could not locate the groom either! Lungile was sitting in the Mercedes Benz with her bridesmaids waiting for her groom. This was a first for me. We waited and we waited and we waited. After 45 minutes a minibus with the groom and his best men arrived. I was thrilled, the show could go on, but it didn’t…

As I was pacing up and down the aisle (one would think that it was my wedding), we got news that the groom’s mother’s car broke down on the N2. So we waited some more. After 1h30min, the groom said that the wedding could start without his mother which was obviously a very tough decision for him to make.

Lungile (Zulu) and Bongwe (Xhosa) are both Christians and met at His People in Goodwood while they were still living in Cape Town. Bongwe was very emotional during the entire ceremony. This was agapé.

What I liked about it most was that although there was a procedure in place, i.e. vows, rings, kiss, mass, etc. everything was very relaxed. I always try to be discreet and use natural light where possible during the ceremony and not once, did I feel that I was “disturbing” anyone while I was documenting this event.

I took some family shots at the church and the remaining family and group shots at Spier. My highlight of any wedding is the time I get to spend with the couple alone. This is when I have time to be creative and play. The point where you can create magic without the pressure of a one-second shot – if you miss it, it is gone! Fortunately I did warn Lungile beforehand that I get a bit trigger happy and they just danced to my camera tune without complaints. Bliss! Michelle slugged the gear along and was brilliant to work with. We are actually so in sync. This is the “priceless” element of an assistant.

Bongwe was initially shy, but warmed up so well to the camera that when it was time to do the bridal party shots, he was very relaxed and posed like a pro! I really do like the fashion model-like shots. Very cool!

I think part of the thrill for me is to see them enjoying the moment too. In my opinion we created memories and I am really happy that I had the opportunity to capture this lovely couple’s special day.

Lungile is the first bride I have decided to enroll for a “Bride of the Year” competition – 2009. It is a schlep to vote, but please take the time to register and vote for her.

http://www.weddingdreamers.co.za/competition/lungile-dlamini.html

Yolanda Saayman

The Forbidden Fruit Music Festival was organised by Ferdinand Rabie (former Big Brother winner) with sponsors such as Castle Lager and Western Cape Tourism. The festival was held over the entire weekend of 13 to 15 November at Worcester’s Kleinplasie.
Ferdi thought of everything – great food stalls, 3 bars, a VIP tent, a Kiddies village, festival souvenir t-shirts and caps, secure parking, immaculate security, loads of rubbish bins, staff making sure that the litter goes where it is supposed to, camping facilities, excellent sound and lighting, a great entertainment line-up AND a DJ for the after-party!
The line-up consisted of 18 of South Africa’s hottest groups and artists, including Zebra & Giraffe, Albert Frost and Akkedis, DJ Ossewa, Karen Zoid, Coda, Bed on Bricks, Sterling EQ, Just Jinger, Aking, Kurt Darren, Josie Field and Prime Circle.
As to why there were so few people, I’m clueless. This was definitely one of the best organised music festivals I have been to and the only disappointment was the turnout. This did not dampen the enthusiasm of the musicians though. The festival goers definitely got their money’s worth.
As for me, I was just happy being there and having the opportunity to capture some of South Africa’s best artists. My press pass got me into the VIP tent and on the stage so that I could snap away to my heart’s delight!
My Canon 5D Mark II worked overtime. I had the opportunity to push the ISO to 6400 and the results are not too shabby. A faster lens is definitely on my shopping list though…
I have loaded some of the pictures under “Live Music” and “Social Events” on my portfolio page. I hope you get a glimpse of what I enjoyed this weekend.
OK time for me to get some sleep…

Yolanda Saayman