Destination Weddings Are What Make Our Hearts Beat.
So when Ilne and Wayde booked us to document their intimate garden wedding in their hometown, Richard's Bay, in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, we couldn't be more thrilled. Our schedule was planned to a tee, because Gita was to leave for Zimbabwe immediately after this trip. Our bags were packed, our batteries charged, memory cards formatted and we were as ready as we could be.
As it goes in Cape Town on a Friday afternoon, traffic was pure madness, and even though we left two hours earlier than we needed to to be on time, by the time our phones notified us that our flight had started boarding, we were still in bumper-to-bumper traffic somewhere in the area of UCT. Panic pumping in our ears, the minutes ticking by and the cars in front of us not moving an inch, we made a decision to try an alternative route, slicing out of the queue and onto another lane which took us through all the city suburbs via back streets to the airport. By the time we parked, the boarding gate was closed. We've been in enough airports to know that they were now repeatedly calling our names over the intercom while we sprinted with heavy bags up the ramp, sweating profusely, to the security line which moved painfully slow.
A problem at the security check: Gita had forgotten to take her pocket knife out of her handbag. "TAKE IT! We're SO late!" Still stuffing laptops and loose items back into our bags, we sprinted down towards our gate, deserted but for the officer checking the tickets. She laughed when she saw us coming with our panicked faces and pointed to the person behind us - who, might we add, looked a lot less stressed about being incredibly late than we did! We couldn't believe it! We made it!
Being virtually last on the plane is never fun, but we squeezed ourselves into our seats, bags between our legs as the tiny plane's overhead storage was overflowing.
In Durban's warm humid air from Cape Town's chill, still on the high of the adrenaline rush and elated that we didn't miss our flight, we proceeded to pick up our rental car and took the road north to Richard's Bay, feeling like we're on the world's biggest adventure. This was going to be an epic one.
A Tropical Paradise
Waking up to strange birdsong is one of our favourite things about travel. That sense of adventure is unbeatable! On the morning of the wedding, we hunted down a good hearty vegan breakfast to power us for the full day that lay ahead. Overlooking the lagoon sprawled out among by lush palms and large industry on the opposite bank, with Yellow-billed Kites swooping by on eye-level, we soaked up the tropical heat and our wonderfully exotic environment at Jack's Corner Ocean View situated right next to The Ridge Guest House where the groom's party was getting ready as well. In the distance, the Indian Ocean sparkled azure.
Getting Ready
When it was time to get started, we met Wayde and his groomsmen at the guesthouse, where they had a beer to relax while dipping their feet in the pool. Some of his party had come all the way from Dubai to attend this wedding and we loved to see how loved and supported they made him feel on this momentous day.
On the southern shore of Lake Mzingazi, the bride was getting ready at Hilton Manor. The bride's mom and the couple's baby boy joined our bride Ilne where she was getting ready, and they shared some tender moments together before they got dressed. The atmosphere was peaceful and gentle, Ilne embodying grace and calm. We had to wipe some tears when the bride's father saw her in her wedding dress for the first time.
The Venue
You could really feel the intentionality and care that had gone into the planning and execution of every detail of this wedding. It was something quite different and quite special to be a part of. Every person present had contributed to the day in some way or form. The venue of the ceremony and reception was set on the edge of a green strip in the Meer-en-See area of Richard's Bay, in a family member's lush tropical garden. Stepping off the street and straight into a fairytale.
The Ceremony
With all their closest friends and family present in the dappled afternoon light falling through palm leaves, seating weaved through the trees, little corners of the garden creating cozy moments, a multi-generational gathering of loved ones were present as first Wayde, then Ilne amd her father, walked down the aisle to promise forever to each other with their most precious people as witnesses. Ilne's older brother, a pastor by profession, officiated their union.
Couple Portraits
From a destination wedding photographer's perspective, to have a lush tropical bush as well as wild untamed coastline as a backdrop for the couple portrait session is something straight from a fantasy. The love and passion this young couple exuded during their portrait session was contagious, and added to the adventure of photographing them here in this paradisal setting.
The Reception
When the sun had gently set, and the salty breeze made our hair puffy and chilled our skin, we returned to the garden venue where an evening of laughter, great food, joyful company, and some good fun was had. In keeping with the rest of the wedding, the wedding feast was prepared and served by family members who did an excellent job of creating a memorable experience for this special couple.
Epilogue
Saying a poignant goodbye to people we had come to adore in the space of a day, we had a 3am start the next morning to catch the first flight back to Cape Town from Durban. We were so grateful to have had the privilege to document this beautiful intentional wedding in this magnificent location. It is one that will live on in our memories forever.
