Michelle and Ben are the sweetest couple.  He's from the States, she's from SA and they met on a Christian dating website.   I'll save their story for when I blog their wedding photos.  

For now though....enjoy the sweetness that took place at Ushaka Beach on the Moyo pier.  It took us a while to arrange a day to shoot as Durban has seen a lot of rain recently...but when we got it, it was beautiful!!

High -: seeing dolphins from the pier, Low - getting stung by a blue bottle. :(

As I drove into the gates of Giants Castle in the Berg, I felt incredibly nostalgic.  This was the place that I first experienced the world of wedding photography while assisting Jacki Bruniquel about 4 years ago.  Up until then, I was terrified at the idea of photographing the most important day in a couple's life - and the potential of messing that up. I didn't feel that I had the technical experience behind me, or the life experience to handle the pressures of such a big day..  The truth is that I didn't - BUT, what Jacki showed me was that it really didn't have to be as scary as I was making it. and that as soon as I got a bit more shooting experience - I'd be ready. I've continued to follow Jacki's work and very helpful blog posts and feel privileged to have a friend in one of SA's top wedding photographers.

So here I sit, with the popular months of 2013 already fully booked...about to blog one of my best weddings yet.

I met Lyndsay at Adventure Boot Camp.  As we ran up and down a set of stairs she told me about her 'wedding woes' including the conversations she'd been having with photographers. I didn't say much (I was hyperventilating from exertion) but sent her an email later that day with links to my website.  

Lyndsay and Dave are the nicest people with so much energy - and you'll know that I'm not making this up once you watch their wedding video.  Charity Sarah did an exceptional job on their wedding highlights movie and this is now something that 'Derryn Semple Photography' offers as an add on to your wedding package.  We're still new at it, so I wasn't sure how well it would all come out. But I am ecstatic! and watching the tears fill the corners of Lyndsay's eyes - made all the hours and hard work worth it!

Enjoy the movie - enjoy the photos!

Xx
Derryn

Click the title below  - you'll be re-directed to Vimeo where you can enjoy the movie.  I haven't figured out how to embed it yet.

Charity and Reece are the youngest married friends that I have.   Being unmarried and 26, I always wondered how people can commit and KNOW at such a young age who they want to spend their lives with. 

Having got to know these two however, I can see that age means nothing. They love each other fiercely and are incredibly committed to one another.  It's beautiful to watch and I love being in their company!! 

Photographing their anniversary photos in Durban's City Center was great.  Charity is actually Canadian and has made a life here with her husband.  (Commitment eh??)

I hardly ever get to venture into this other world, while I'm stuck up in the suburbs.  Quite a shame really - the architecture of our old buildings is amazing and worth being enjoyed.  Reece was the one who suggested the we climb to the top of the Royal hotel to enjoy the sunset (high five Reece!) and eat the cake that Charity very lovingly baked.

While up there we also got to watch a French/South African production team set up for a spectacular trapeze show that was performed 2 days later.  Now THAT was incredible - but alas, I took that evening off and did not carry my camera. so have nothing to show you.

Enjoy the photos and HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Charity & Reece.

Xx.

Despite wanting to call this couple Kirtstin and Ben and not Kristin and Ken (as it's supposed to be) the shoot went well and I think they look just too cute. 

We photographed at Botanic Gardens...that place is amazing!
Don't you think they are going to have one gorgeous looking child???

Dan decided to propose to Emma at the Botanical gardens - and further surprise her by having family and friends waiting at the Gazebo to celebrate with champagne and strawberries.

The weather was perfect, the sun set was romantic and everyone had a great time. 

Good job Dan!