Andrea Carlyle Photography

Oakfield Wedding - Arista & Billy

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:27:08 +0200

I recall being in the bridal suite with Arista, her mum and a couple of Arista's closest friends, whom she had known from way back when.

They spent much of the time laughing and reminiscing over the years when they were smaller and the things they got up to. Not my memories, of course, but, watching them musing over their childhood memories got my sentimental wheels turning. Anyhow, fast forward a bunch of years and the little girl they were all fondly speaking of was about to walk down the aisle. How time flies.

I can't even begin to put into words how their exquisite day unfolded, but, thank you for being so totally amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed recording this dazzling ceremony and loved getting to know you and your families.

Arista's inspiration for the decor was their trip to India.

I do not think I have seen anyone more excited to get into a dress.

Cupcake evidence around their mouthes and Arista's veil that kind of got reclaimed ...I love this image.

Venue: Oakfield Farm

Please feel free to tag yourself or share the Facebook page.

Madikwe Wedding - Paul & Connie

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:15:15 +0200

For as long as I can remember, my mother once told me that when the time came to getting hitched, the best thing for me to do would be to find an exotic destination, ideal to explore and then elope. Yes, elope.

Well, Connie and Paul did exactly that.

Originally from Cambridge, England, Connie and Paul decided to tie the knot in South Africa - a bush ceremony involving just the two of them and a couple of witnesses, embraced by the warmth of the Madikwe Hills.

It was only after I had experienced this truly intimate and extraordinary marriage ceremony that I realised the wisdom in my mother's advice, and how remarkable an elopement can actually be.

Anyway, after Connie and Paul had exchanged their vows, the lodge organised a private dinner for them, under the stars on a wooden deck, with the only interruption being from a herd of elephants lumbering to the nearby water hole.

There is something about the tranquillity of the African bush that revitalises the soul, making you truly appreciate how insignificant your day-to-day problems really are. In fact, I could have stayed in room 3 forever, well almost forever.

Thank you, Connie and Paul - beyond this, there really are no words to suitably describe the occasion.

The spot where Connie and Paul exchanged vows, with a 360 degree view of the Madikwe Hills game reserve.

I absolutely love this shot. It may look ordinary, but to me it is very special, as there was a lion on he prowl no less than 80 meters from Connie and Paul.

To those that prefer Facebook, the images are here, feel free to tag and share.

Venue: Madikwe Hills Game Lodge

I just have to add the service, food, staff and setting at Madikwe Hills is just beyond words.

Pilanesberg Wedding - Claire & Andrew

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 06:38:15 +0200

Not many people can actually say that their marriage ceremony took place in the middle of the African bush, surrounded by sweeping panoramic views overlooking the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve. Into the bargain, they were accompanied by armed game rangers, patrolling the area should some dangerous wild animal happen to join Claire and Andrew exchanging their vows.

Well, Claire and Andrew really can.

A fusion of ululating African dancers, tribal singing, a marimba band and, to add some zest to the occasion, Scottish bagpipes were all part of Claire's and Andrew's spectacular bush wedding.

It was, as expected, an amazing African experience, along with a strong emphasis on family and friends.

The setting could not have been more perfect, so all I can say is WOW!

A panaoramic view of the setting - just to give you an idea.

Venue: Ivory Tree Game Lodge
Flowers: Wishez

If you were a guest at the wedding, you'll be able to tag yourself in the Facebook album over here.

Breakfast Wedding - Isabelle & Emile

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:09:45 +0200

From what I understand, it started out as a 1920's themed wedding and soon evolved into a delightful converse themed affair.

In fact, not only was Isabelle's and Emile's impeccable small-breakfast wedding just so idyllically suited to them, it also had Lisa and I swooning and sighing all day long.

It really was a "non-wedding" wedding, if that makes sense, and the ambiance was more akin to an everyday gathering of family and friends - although on this occasion, of course, they were uniting for a celebration that was to encapsulate Isabelle's and Emile's LOVE for each other.

I hope you both enjoy the preview and that Namibia was fab.

Our deepest gratitude to you both for allowing us to spend the perfect day with you!

I think the picture above, has to be my favourite image of 2012!

Venue: Tres Jolie

Feel free to share or tag yourself on our Facebook Page.

Eggs and Bunnies

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:16:42 +0200

It's been one of those extra-long weekends, with a whirlwind of childrens' activities that involved a kidnapped Easter bunny, a night egg hunt and countless scores of Easter eggs, so waking up this morning and getting back to the PC needed a huge dose of caffeine in order to get a kick-start for the day.

Hope you had a good one, no matter how you celebrated this long weekend.

Kroonstad Wedding - Su-Mare & Gerlouw

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:37:55 +0200

I have really been thinking about the story behind every photograph captured at a wedding.

Wondering whether in a couple of years time the décor images will remind Su-Mare and her mom of all those months they spent planning and perfecting the big day.

Whether a curled up, yellowing photo of Gerlouw at the church will remind him of his emotions, the very first time he saw Su-Mare walk down the aisle.

Wondering what every single snapshot stolen from a solitary day in time will bring to mind in a couple of years time...and then I realise what a huge and honourable task I have been bestowed, when asked to capture anyone's wedding day.

Thank you, Su-Mare and Gerlouw, for allowing us to witness your marriage ceremony and I hope the images captured will remind you of what can only be described as an awesome gathering of family and friends.

...and Thank YOU both for postponing your trip to Cape Town, by a couple of hours, with the aim of getting some great portraits - I can assure you it was worth it ;-).

I hope you enjoy your sneak peak.

One last huge shout-out has to go to Ruth and her gorgeous husband, Caz. Thank you, I know it was an early start!
If you are ever in Bloem and want your hair done, you just HAVE to pop into this trendy little salon.

Reception: Oryx Lodge and Safaris
Make-up: Caz
Band: Romanz

Port Edward Wedding - Anna & Robbie

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 18:47:14 +0200

Lisa and I were standing outside the venue, watching the merrymaking in full swing, sipping our chardonnay, reflecting on the day's weather, the people's expressions, the cute stuttered vows and those quaint offbeat moments.   We both sighed and nodded our heads in agreement - yes, this is what epitomises a marriage ceremony.

There are couples who quite simply remind you of what it's all about.   Couples who share a genuine connection that you can't help but be moved by.   Most of all, couples with whom you can freely have a hoot and laugh in their presence. That is Anna and Robbie.

While the rain did arrive and abandoned any hope of the intended beach ceremony, Anna never stopped smiling.   In fact, Anna getting dressed was one of the most relaxing and fun vibes I've walked into for a long time.

Thank you Lady and Lord Cornwall, we had a "cracking time"!!

A certain person confided that she thought that this was the best wedding venue in the area, I have to agree, Umtamvuna River Lodge is Thailand meet Bali meet beach...just awesome!

If you prefer Facebook the post is here.

St Patrick's Day

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 13:07:06 +0200

I failed to attend the chaos caused by the mischievous leprechauns at our home on Saturday morning, because I was on my way to the airport. However, just before I was due for take-off, I 'phoned home and, without catching a single breath, the boys didn't spare any details as to the extent of the mess the little trolls had made.

So, because I missed St Paddy's day with the boys, we decided to hire a waterslide and celebrate the milestone today; not least because it was a public holiday. . . and, no, we are not Irish.

The St Patrick's Day printables were downloaded from Love the Day Designs and the Leprachaun treasure hunt, which was a huge hit amoungst the short guests, from Green Lilly Designs.

Red Ivory Lodge - Megan & David

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:49:23 +0200

So here we are again, our blog "meeting place" - just you, me, my cup of coffee and a swanky couple about to be posted.

As you know, we were away last weekend, in the Hartebeesport area, and on Saturday, I slipped away from the Carlyle clan to assist Dror at Megan's and David's wedding.

I got a chance to curse the directions given to me, catch up with a friend (and very proud dad), hang around with an utterly delightful couple, shoot some vogue images at "that tree", laugh a lot, learn about dust photography, enjoy a wooded chardonnay and create some really cool images - what more could you really ask from a Saturday?

Unfortunately, I am in quite a rush today, as I have luggage to pack and a pot-pourri of matters to organize, so I have to keep this dispatch very much to the point.

The pictures, however, will more than make up for the lack of words and I hope you enjoy the images as much as I enjoyed Megan's and David's ceremony.

I did capture the actual kiss, but I far more prefered these two images; one just before "the kiss" and one just after.

Gone Fishing

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:25:49 +0200

...back on Monday

2011: Favourite Images

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:34:48 +0200

I never do a best-of- the- year post because, in all honesty, Christmas is much too HUGE in our home and it requires tons of untold gusto and sweat. So there never seems to be any valuable, or non-Xmas, time to get such a post together, which would be suitably primed for the new year.

I then blink and, without warning, we're suddenly bidding February a heartfelt fairwell and then, of course (caught off-guard), it's already much too late.

Well, this year I am doing a lot of things much more differently and, seeing as I've been given an extra day, with it being leap-year, I thought why not, before we advance full steam into the new wedding season.

As you would have gathered from this wee blog, I'm not much for resolutions, but, there is something incredibly gratifying about looking back and reflecting on all those great little moments that added up to one fantastic year.

Happy LEAP YEAR... and now for some of my favourites from the 2011 season:

Mmmwah...

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:43:32 +0200

To all the romantic's out there; Happy Valentine's Day....xoxo.

Holiday Memories

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:10:13 +0200

"Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are,
the things you never want to lose."

~ The Wonder Years

Here we are, already in the first week of February. Blimey, did January go by so unexpectedly super-fast for anyone else, or is it just me?

Anyhow, in early January, we hired a houseboat for the day, bobbing along at a snail's pace on the Vaal river and then over-nighting at a picturesque quayside, just in time for a wondrous sunset (and glass of Chardonnay).

As usual, I took thousands of photos in the hope of preserving these childhood memories forever. . .

Longmeadow Piano Bar - Susanne & Alan

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 08:27:41 +0200

Any wedding involving a barefoot bride and groom, cocktails on the lawn and some crazy dancing is a score.

Susanne, who works in event management, had put such care into every exquisite detail, that the whole day was literally bursting with purple prettiness! If you haven't gathered from the images, Susanne's favourite colour is purple.

Despite the torrential downpour earlier in the day, their ceremony took place on cue under the jacaranda trees, surrounded by friends and family that travelled from all over the world to witness Alan and Susanne exchange vows.

Thanks so much Susanne and Alan for giving us the opportunity to enjoy so much beauty in one day. I went a little overboard with the finer points, so grab your morning cup of java for this one!

The midget cake stalkers, you get them at every wedding.

I must also give a huge shout out to Leeandra and Claire from Fields of Colour, you ladies were a hoot!

As always the images are also on Facebook, feel free to tag and share.

Rooftop Wedding - Megan & Vernon

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 18:45:50 +0200

New year celebrations. Yes, they happen every year, but, ever since I can remember, I've never been one for big Auld Lang Syne celebrations - more than ever, since each bash always seemed to be a bit of an anti-climax. When I look back, it was those end-of-year festivities that were mostly low-key, unplanned and reserved for close family and friends that proved to be the best in heralding the coming year.

My pre-2012 new year, even with a little rainfall, was nothing short of astounding, as it was spent capturing Megan's and Vernon's incredibly special commemoration of their wedding vows. Their entire day was about friends, family and the love they shared. Nothing more, nothing less. Just an awe-inspiring day.

The reception took place at Skyline Gardens in Braamfontein, overlooking the steel and concrete summits of the Johannesburg skyline, scattered with thunder and fireworks. Needless to say, this will be an eve to ANY new year that I will remember for a long time.

My deepest gratitude to you both for allowing me to be part of your completely one-of-a-kind, completely perfect, completely easy-going and artistically remarkable day.

As always; Megan and Vernon's wedding is also up on the Facebook page. Feel free to like. leave your comments, share or tag yourself.