Zimbali Beach Wedding – Melissa + David

I had been feeling a bit off in the week before Melissa and David’s wedding, and then it really hit me! Fevers, headaches and an aching body. I hauled myself off to the doctor and was diagnosed with tick bite fever. When I first met with Melissa she told me how she had looked through hundreds of photographers’ websites and couldn’t settle for anyone but me to shoot her wedding. Armed with this rather daunting knowledge there was nothing to do but put mind over matter, and Tash and I headed off to Zimbali to photograph their big day.

But enough about me!!!! Melissa and David are an interesting pair. Melissa is Canadian and met David whilst out here on holiday, they did the long distance thing for some time and have traveled all over the world together. Nowadays they both live in Jozi with their much loved dogs! Their wedding was an intimate affair with only the closest friends and family attending. Guests stayed at Zimbali for the weekend so it was more than just a wedding it was a vacation and an experience.

Melissa and David thanks so much for picking me! I will never forget your wedding that is for sure!!! Huge thanks to Tash I couldn’t have done it without her!!!!!

Second Shooter: Tash Schoeman

Reception Venue: Fairmont Zimbali Resort – OSA

Ceremony venue: Fairmont Zimbali Lodge – Valley of the Pools Beach

Hair & Make-up – Alana from Make-Up Your Mind. www.makeupyourmind.co.za

Shoes – Beach crochet shoe from www.etsy.com. Elbeth added details of my dress onto mine.

Ballerina flats from Kate Spade www.katespade.com

Brides Jewellery – Swarovski. The necklace was a gift from my mom and the earrings were a gift from my adopted South african mom and nana 🙂

Flowers & Decor – Sandy from Sweet P Decor www.sweetp.co.za. I all of this up to Sandy and she did an amazing job!! All I told her was that is that the flowers must include Blushing Brides. My mom handmade each little star fish for the wine glasses.

Brides dress – Elbeth Gillis. www.elbethgillis.co.za The hair clip was also from Elbeth. She was amazing to work with and made the whole wedding dress process so easy. She is based in Cape town but is in joburg regularly and I would highly recommend her to anyone needing a wedding dress or a cocktail dress!

Wedding party outfits – my mom brought all of these from Canada except for the jr bridesmaid.

Maid of Honor dress – Canada

Bridesmaid dress – Canada –  David’s bridal www.davidsbridal.com

Junior bridesmaid – Forever new

Flower girl – Canada www.adorable-kids.com

Grooms suit and grooms men – Woolworths

Cake – Cristina from La Tazzina, my favorite little restaurant in Joburg! Check out their facebook page.  www.facebook.com/latazzinacafe. Her cake website is www.cakery.co.za It was brought down from Joburg and my fabulous Bridesmaid Tami decorated it with fresh flowers

Music – DJ Jono dj-jono@hotmail.com