Lyndall and Brook. What a sweet, genuinely loving couple. Lyndall’s family are originally from South Africa, but they moved to the UK years ago. And it was on a trip to Australia that Lyndall’s brother met Brook, on a cruise around Sydney Harbour. Since Lyndall had already told him to find a good-looking Australian guy for her, it was fate. They became Facebook friends, and that was the beginning of, well, the beginning.

This was also the first LDS wedding I’ve ever photographed – or, in this case, NOT photographed, since I wasn’t allowed inside the temple. So perhaps I should say it was the first wedding I’ve photographed where I wasn’t actually at the wedding itself However, Lyndall and Brook had a ring ceremony at the Westcliff after we left the temple, so that the rest of their guests could witness that…and the first kiss. They then had a lunchtime reception, finally ending off the day with the couple photos! Never let it be said that weddings are all the same. This one certainly wasn’t. Also, as it turns out, Lyndall and her sister Camilla and I all went to the same Primary School, so I had a good old chat with their mother about that! Small world indeed.

My second shooter for the day was Corinna Tannian.

Brook’s first look at his bride, as she arrives at the gate of the temple:

And back to the Westcliff:

I’m really enjoying this ray of sun shining down on Lyndall…as if she didn’t look ethereal enough! Le sigh.

Since they were already married, Lyndall and Brook were pelted with confetti as they arrived AND as they left! Which I totally loved…it’s awesome fun, and you get double use out of your petals!

Each table at the reception was named after a place or something else that had personal meaning to Lyndall and Brook as a couple. There was even a table called “skype”, which played a big part in their relationship when they were living in different places.

Lyndall’s 95-year-old grandfather made a heartfelt speech.

And Brook’s brother made a very emotional one:

And the bouquet toss…of which there were two. The first one fell short, and the second one, well…here it comes:

And there it goes!

Lyndall & Brook were married yesterday and held their reception at the Westcliff. Just one pic for now!

Robert and Silja were married the weekend before last. Because of some last minute emergencies, they booked me only ten days before their wedding, but I was thrilled to be there and be a part of their incredibly special union. Rob and Silja have a very special love story, which Silja explained to me when she booked me, and which made it even more emotional for them…and for me.

In Silja’s words:
“Robert and I have known each other for almost 20 years, were never married. We have a daughter together who was born in 1995. When Anaïs was 3 we separated (our gap years as we now call them) and through a true miracle found back to each other 10 years later. I believe if we had stayed together then we would not be together today. We both needed to grow and mature; we never stopped loving each other, though, and it is a blessing to have our family reunited.

We have been through challenging times since getting back together in late 2007. Robert had a horrendous car accident (fell asleep behind the wheel and drove into the back of a bus), which he survived only because of his guardian angel’s protection. He broke almost every bone in his face, lost teeth and a part of his lip and underwent 3 operations. But he was brave and strong and has made a remarkable recovery.”

Isn’t that wonderful? I love the idea of finding your way back to your love after many years apart.

Now onto the photos…

The next two are just priceless, to me anyway:  Silja’s reaction on realising that her 16-year-old daughter Anais just caught the bouquet!

Thank you for a great day, Rob & Silja. You are wonderful, and your family and friends are fantastic. I wish you a lifetime of happiness, now that you’re finally together for always.

-Kat

PS – my second shooter was the wonderful Juanatte Van Schalkwyk of Deanna Photography.