Beth and Rik are 100% our kind of people, they are massive Download Festival fans (like us), lovers of all things loud, colourful, and joyful, and just two of the most generous-hearted souls you could meet. Their Lodge Farm alternative fusion wedding was the perfect blend of their personalities, cultures, and excellent taste in music. From our first chat together we knew their wedding was going to be something incredible!
This wasn’t just a one-day affair. Friday kicked off with a beautifully vibrant Vidhi and Mehndi—full of colour, laughter, and so much meaning. By the time Saturday rolled around, the energy was high and the vibe was set for an epic celebration.
Rik made the most iconic entrance for his Bharat, he rolled up (skated up?) in a DeLorean, obviously. (Are you even a 90s kid if you don’t love Back to the Future?!)The ceremony and day as a whole were packed with personality, culture, and connection. From traditional rituals to personal touches, it was a full-blown lovefest that didn’t miss a beat.
The Barn at Lodge Farm was the perfect setting for their incredible days. Spacious, relaxed and just the right amount of rustic with loads of room to make the space feel totally theirs. We’ve shot here a few times now and the team always go above and beyond without making a fuss about it. It made everything feel easy and grounded, which is exactly what you want when you’re juggling outfit changes, guitar solos, and hundreds of joyful guests.
Their first dance was to The Darkness (already iconic), but then it got even better! In the best way… When Justin Hawkins himself made a surprise vocal cameo mid-song. As if that wasn’t enough, Rik then jumped on stage and absolutely went for it on the guitar. Honestly, their party was next level. Every emo and pop punk banger you can imagine was played by their awesome band.
We absolutely love photographing fusion weddings like this one! Where every detail is intentional, every tradition is honoured, and there’s still space to make it all feel uniquely you. Whether it’s a DeLorean, a surprise cameo, or just a killer playlist and your people around you, it’s all about crafting a day that actually reflects who you are. So if you’re an old 90’s kid, or a pop-punk lover, drop us a message and lets make some awesomeness at your wedding!
Venue: The Barns at Lodge Farm
Coordination: Occasion Queens
Flowers: Dear Luna
Caterer: Kanchans
Cake: Cakes by Shayna
Band: Slippy Underfoot
Dhol Drummers: Signature Drummers
MUA: Glam by Anisha
Saree Draper: AP Sari Draping
When Nicola and Cam started planning their wedding, they knew they wanted something laid-back, outdoorsy, a bit alternative — and a lot of fun. They found their perfect set-up at Hadsham Farm, with its tipi and festival vibe setting the tone for a relaxed, sunshine-filled day surrounded by their favourite people. We were so lucky as the weather played along perfectly!
Their ceremony took place outside by the lake. It was officiated by a dear family member, which made it even more personal and heartfelt. Set against the beautiful, watery backdrop, it was genuine, emotional, and full of all the good stuff — just the way they wanted it.
After the ceremony, and an insane confetti tunnel, it was all about hanging out in the sun with their friends and family. Drinks, snacks and chats – the holy trinity of wedding reception goodness. Nicola and Cam had asked for photos that felt relaxed, real, and a bit different — which of course was right up our alley. Candid moments, laughter, and colour were the order of the day, and these two absolutely brought it. It was so great getting to play with them during their two short couple shoots and using some vintage lenses to get a fun feel to some of their pictures.
Nicola’s dress was absolute perfection — classic in shape, but with a big black bow that gave it a badass twist. I love it when people take on tradition and make it their own! Later, she switched things up with a second outfit and some white Docs to properly get the party started. Strong moves.
No rigid timelines, no “because you’re supposed to” traditions — just a properly good day that felt like them from start to finish. Exactly how it should be. Their Hadsham Farm alternative wedding was absolute perfection! If you’re keen to have some great and chilled photos of your untraditional wedding – pop us a message!
Venue: Hadsham Farm
Dress: Ceris Davies
Food: Nyama Catering
DJ: Conrank
When Ellie and Marcus decided to tie the knot, they planned every detail with care, making sure their day was the perfect reflection of them and their love story. With just their three closest and fave people by their side as witnesses. They had a Camden Town Hall elopement was sweet, meaningful, and utterly them. We absolutely love Camden Town Hall for weddings as its just utterly gorgeous!
These babes said their vows in a beautiful civil ceremony at Camden Town Hall. Surrounded by love, loads of giggles and support. The Town Hall’s stunning architecture and timeless feel was the perfect backdrop for their intimate London wedding. After the official bits were done, we had a bit of fun capturing group shots with their favourite people—full of joy and laughter and a good measure of silliness. A key ingredient for all weddings!
From there, we made our way to Mornington Crescent, with a quick detour to the tube station where they shared their first kiss. An absolutely gorgeous and personal moment of them almost coming full circle. After that, it was on to Simmons, the bar where they had their first date. Retracing those early memories was such a beautiful tribute to the journey they’ve been on together.
To finish off their celebration, they grabbed cocktails with their besties, followed by a feast of vegan pizza and donuts. Honestly, what’s better than marking your love story with your fave food, favourite people, and sentimental places?
If you’re dreaming of a low-key, love-filled elopement in London, Camden Town Hall is such a gorgeous place to say “I do.” Whether it’s just the two of you or a handful of your nearest and dearest, we’d love to help capture every moment—quirky tube stops and vegan snacks included. Pop us a message!
Barbara and Dimitri’s South Farm alternative wedding was the kind of day that makes us feel so lucky to do what we do. Set on a golden autumnal day, with nature showing off with some magical light. They brought together their South African, Hungarian, and Bulgarian roots in a joyous explosion of culture, colour and personality. As a Hungarian South African myself, I couldn’t have felt more at home! Barbara and Dimitri were referred to us by another amazing couple whose wedding we shot. For us, personal referrals honestly mean everything!
Held in the breathtaking grounds of South Farm, their ceremony was joyous, emotional and authentic. The weather had us all on edge pre ceremony start, but the clouds parted and the sunshine poured in just in time and the rest of the day was just bliss. Barbara looked absolutely phenomenal in her exceptional pink dress, we are absolute suckers for non conventional wedding attire, and this babe nailed it.
After the ceremony, guests chilled in the sunshine with a drink in hand, soaking up the easy vibes of the day. Then we snuck off with these cuties for their couple shoot—holy shit! The light, the love, the backdrop… it was all just an absolute dream. These two are head over heels for each other, and it made for an absolute pleasure to shoot.
The reception was filled with laughter thanks to some hilarious speeches and the joyously chaotic Bulgarian bucket-kicking tradition. Instead of a cake, these legends opted to cut the donut (hell yes!), and then cut the rug on the dance floor like absolute pros.
The dance floor was lit. With a playlist full of pop punk, rock and other personal faves, the energy was unstoppable. At one point I even had to join them on the D floor, as its not very often you hear our fave band Tool at a wedding reception, so it would have been rude not to.
If you’re thinking of tying the knot with your own spin on tradition, South Farm is such a great backdrop for a day that’s full of soul and style. And if you’re into colourful, documentary, alternative photography (with a side of Tool and donuts), we’d love to be there. Let’s make some magic!
Phenomenal Second Shooter for the day: Ellie Gillard
Sarah and Sam’s Hackney Town Hall pub wedding was a truly special day. It was an intimate, full of joy, and bursting with personality. As Hackney locals, we love shooting weddings in our neighbourhood. Their most excellent wedding was a perfect example of why. With a beautiful ceremony at Hackney Town Hall’s Atrium and a fun-filled pub reception at The Old Ship Hotel, this was the ultimate laid-back yet heartfelt East London wedding.
Their ceremony took place in the stunning atrium at Hackney Town Hall. I mean its no secret we adore Hackney Town Hall and their excellent regstrars, The Atrium space in particular is a bright and elegant space that set the perfect scene for their vows. Their two little ones were an important part of their whole day and it was wonderful to see them so included in their ceremony. While they chose to skip traditional readings, they had a surprise hymn—a rendition of Wonderwall by Oasis, performed live by their guitarist and singer. It was a brilliant moment that had everyone smiling and singing along.
After their beautiful colourful confetti tunnel exit, Sarah and Sam really lent into their pub wedding theme. Their table place names were inspired by their favourite pubs, making the reception feel even more personal. They created pub-style games for their guests, including a hilarious custom “Guess Who” game featuring their wedding guests—such a fun and unique touch! Everything they did for their wedding was clearly done with so much love.
With a tight-knit and wonderful group of friends and family, the atmosphere at The Old Ship Hotel was nothing short of amazing. The speeches were emotional, full of laughter, and had everyone feeling the love. As the evening rolled on, the pints flowed, the laughter got louder, and the party vibes took over.
As local Hackney wedding photographers, we love capturing weddings in our neighbourhood. If you’re planning a Hackney Town Hall wedding followed by a pub reception, we know all the best spots to make your day feel relaxed, fun, and authentically you. Let’s chat about how we can capture your day!
After nearly two decades and two kids together, Rachel and Mike decided it was finally time to make it official. And they did it in the way that was absolutely perfect for them. Their North London pub wedding was the perfect mix of relaxed, personal, and joy-filled, proving that weddings don’t have to be big to be meaningful.
Rachel and Mike’s day started with a civil partnership ceremony at George Meehan House. Keeping things intimate, they were surrounded by their closest friends and family as they exchanged vows. It was low-key, heartfelt, and exactly how they wanted it—just pure love. Their little ones were an important part of walking them into the ceremony and their inclusion during the ceremony was definitely something they will cherish the memories of as they grow up.
After the ceremony, guests gathered for drinks in the garden, soaking up the sunshine and celebrating the newlyweds. From there, we all made our across to The Palm Pub N15 on board a vintage red bus. The Palm is a real neighbourhood gem and their fave local, so was the absolute perfect location. The pub was the perfect spot for warm mingling, heartfelt speeches, and relaxed good vibes.
Once the formalities were over, it was time for cocktails and dancing! The party moved just down the road to Ten to One Cocktail Bar. Where the drinks were flowing, and the cosy dance floor got busy. Deep conversations, excellent cocktails, phenomenal late night vegan food and some solid dance floor boogying. Their night ended exactly as it should—full of love, laughter, and the best people. It was such a delight to spend the day and night with these wonderful people and their incredible group of friends x
If you’re dreaming of a North London pub wedding, we’d love to be there to capture all the love, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s a registry office ceremony, a pub reception, or a cocktail-fueled dance party, we know all the best spots to make your day truly special. Let’s chat!
Elisa and Mel tied the knot at one of our absolute fave East London wedding venues, the stunning Clapton Country Club. In the heart of Clapton, this venue has such a unique, industrial-meets-rustic vibe that makes every wedding here feel effortlessly cool and intimate. We have shot there a few times now and its always an excellent choice of venue!
Their intimate Clapton Country Club Wedding began with a gorgeous first look between the brides. I absolutely love a first look as a way to have a private moment pre wedding, particularly if you’re walking down the aisle together. Their ceremony in the Department of Life and was full of love and personal touches, setting the perfect tone for the day. Surrounded by their closest family and friends, they said their vows in a space filled with warmth and emotion.
After the ceremony, it was time for drinks and snacks with all their favourite people. Their wedding was packed with energy, thanks in part to having their entire football team there to celebrate with them! The speeches were filled with both laughter and happy tears, making it such a heartfelt moment to capture.
One of the best things about Clapton Country Club is the opportunity to sneak away for some gorgeous couple portraits. We managed to do just that! Catching the golden sunset light made for some seriously breathtaking shots, capturing the love between these two in the most magical way.
As the evening rolled in, the brides hit the dance floor, boogeying the night away with all their besties. It was the perfect way to end such a joyful and excellent, love-filled day.
We love shooting weddings at Clapton Country Club and not just because its so close to home for us. The venue is the absolutey perfect spot if you’re planning your own East London wedding. let’s chat—we’d love to capture all the magic of your day!
Andy and Jonathan tied the knot in the iconic Windsor Guildhall. The same stunning venue where Elton John got married! They saw another wedding we shot there and knew they wanted us to be a part of their day. This is such a compliment for us! Their day was packed with emotion, love, and so many unforgettable moments. It was one of those weddings that that reminds us just how special this job is.
Their ceremony was nothing short of breathtaking. With three beautiful readings from their loved ones, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. Including ours! It was one of the most heartfelt and emotional ceremonies we’ve witnessed in a long time. Capturing those moments was such an honour.
After the ceremony, we had some fun with posed group shots. The Guildhall is the perfect spot for some regal editorial shots! After some confetti, and a crowd of tourists wondering which royalty just got married, we headed off to wander around Windsor for some pictures. The historic streets and riverside made for the perfect backdrop to celebrate their love.
Then, it was off to The Olde Bell in Hurley for an afternoon of drinks, snacks, and sunshine. This historic venue had the perfect laid-back vibe for their celebration. We loved seeing everyone bask in the joy of the day.
Speeches were an incredible mix of funny and emotional, and after plenty of happy tears and laughter, we stepped outside with the wedding party for something extra special. A smoke bomb photoshoot! Using the colours of the rainbow, we created a stunning Pride-themed backdrop, which resulted in tons of laughs and some absolutely epic photos.
Since the Thames is a meaningful place for our grooms, we took some quiet moments by the river for some final couple portraits, soaking in the significance of the location and their love. This also gave them a few moments breather to reflect on how incredible the day was. We always recommend two couple shoots, as the later in the day one is a great time to catch your breathe and share a moment alone.
The evening ended with a beautiful first dance, followed by a lively dance party with all their favourite people. Their love was an absolute joy to capture, and their wedding was a perfect reminder of why we do what we do—documenting love stories in all their unique, wonderful, and deeply personal glory.
If you’re dreaming of your own Windsor wedding, whether at the Guildhall, riverside, or beyond, we’d love to capture your love story in a way that feels authentically you. Let’s chat!
Cyd and Matt’s wedding at the Prince Albert Pub in Camden was an absolute joy. Small in size but massive in heart and energy! Their day was all about family, friends, a good pint, and some seriously great food. Literally everything you could possibly want from a London pub wedding.
One of the best things about their day? How incredibly kid-friendly it was! These two made sure their mini guests were included in the fun, which made for such a warm and lively atmosphere. From confetti chaos to giggles throughout the day, it was a wedding that truly embraced everyone.
Speaking of confetti—Cyd and Matt brought it! Their guests showered them in a sea of colourful joy. I will always reiterate, confetti is the most fun you can have when people throw things at you. Afterward, we snuck off for a few couple portraits around Camden, making the most of the incredible backdrops we know so well from shooting here so often.
Being just a short stroll from some of the best hidden gems in the area, The Prince Albert is one of our all-time favourite pub wedding venues. They absolutely nail the wedding experience—fantastic food, seamless organisation, and that warm, relaxed pub atmosphere that makes for the best kind of party.
If you’re thinking about a London pub wedding with amazing food, great vibes, and a relaxed yet lively feel, The Prince Albert Pub in Camden is an absolute gem. And if you want a photographer who knows all the best spots nearby, let’s chat!
Sara and Utkan, two incredibly talented architects, tied the knot in an elegant and deeply personal ceremony. Their Black Tie wedding was at Wandsworth Town Hall. I couldn’t think of a better and more beautiful venue for these wonderful people. Their day was all about love, connection, and celebrating their journey together in a way that felt true to them.
Their ceremony was a beautiful mix of English and Turkish readings, honouring their cultures and the life they’ve built together. Even without understanding every word, you could feel the emotion behind them. Their vows were heartfelt and full of meaning, a true reflection of their bond.
Wandsworth Town Hall, with its striking architecture and timeless charm, made for the perfect setting. After the ceremony, we took a stroll around the town hall to capture some gorgeous portraits of the newlyweds, their absolute joy was just contagious! Their guests were waiting outside, ready to shower them in confetti. After hugs and kisses, they shared some bubbly with their guests.
Sara and Utkan kept their wedding intimate, celebrating with only their nearest and dearest before heading off to continue the festivities that evening. Their day was proof that a wedding doesn’t have to be big to be meaningful—sometimes, keeping it small makes it all the more special.
There’s something so magical about micro weddings like Sara & Utkan’s—stripped back, deeply personal, and completely focused on what matters most. If you’re planning your own London town hall wedding, Wandsworth or otherwise, and want it captured in a way that reflects all the love and emotion of the day, we would love to be there for it.
Flowers: Wild at Heart
Venue: Wandsworth Town Hall
Dress: Adrian Alier Bridal
Tux: Canali
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Nick and Rory’s Camden Town Hall Pub Wedding was nothing short of incredible—full of love, laughter, and all the best vibes. These absolute babes started their day at Somers Town Coffee House near King’s Cross. The grooms got ready with their wedding party and families which was just the best. Pre-wedding drinks set the tone for what was going to be an unforgettable day!
From Somers Town, we all walked across together to Camden Town Hall. Nick and Rory, being the popular babes they are, packed out the Council Chamber. They were both given away together by their parents which was so lovely. This was such a beautifully heartfelt moment. And such a wonderful symbol of their families coming together in love for them.
The ceremony was personal, moving, and filled with music, readings, and singing that made everyone well up. We were no different and both got totes emosch during the ceremony.
We managed to wrangle a full group shot on the steps of Camden Town Hall and some fun group shots, the Grooms got pelted with confetti by their guests. (There is nothing better than a good confetti throwing and their was excellent!) We then set off for a gorgeous walk and some photos along the Regent’s Canal. I think our love of London’s canals is well known, as we live on them and we always gush about them. If you’re considering a Canal Wedding Photos session, we cannot recommend it enough!
Their reception at the Colonel Fawcett Pub was an absolute blast. They had some of the funniest speeches we’ve heard in a long time. At one point even having to remember to take pictures we were cry laughing so much. They partied the night away surrounded by all their favourite people. A Camden Town Hall Wedding is truly perfect for couples who want an intimate yet vibrant city celebration.
Nick & Rory’s wedding was the perfect mix of heartfelt moments, city vibes, and pure fun. By the end of the day it honestly felt like we had got to watch two special friends of ours get married. This is always such a wonderful feeling for us. If you’re planning your own Camden Town Hall, or pub wedding, let’s chat! We would love to be your Camden wedding photographer and capture your day in all its unique and brilliant glory!
When Allison and Andrew first got in touch about their London elopement, I knew it was going to be a special one. These two wanted something intimate, meaningful, and effortlessly cool. Just them, their closest family, and their adorable pup. Celebrating in a way that felt completely them and in the area they call home.
Their day started at the elegant Mayfair Townhouse, where Allison got ready with her parents. It was a chilled morning, filled with excited chatter and those beautiful little pre-wedding moments that make this job such a joy to capture. Then it was time to hop in a classic black cab and head to meet Andrew (and their sweet pup!) for the main event.
They chose Islington Town Hall for their ceremony. This is always one of my absolute faves for London weddings. There’s just something about the grand architecture mixed with the warmth of those rooms that makes it such a perfect place to say ‘I do.’ With their closest family flying in from Australia and the US, it was an emotional, heartfelt ceremony. Full of happy tears, big smiles, and all the OMG we just got married feels.
After officially tying the knot, we jumped back into a black cab and made our way to Shoreditch, Brick Lane, and Old Street for some couple portraits. Since these two also call East London home, it felt right to document their love in the places that mean the most to them. Wandering through the graffiti-filled streets, and soaking in the vibrant, buzzing energy of the city—it was a dream shoot and shooting so close to home is always such a joy!
From there, they met up with their family and friends at their local. The William IV in Hoxton for drinks, hugs, and all the post-ceremony celebrations. Nothing fancy, just real, down-to-earth good times. Exactly how they wanted it. Then, in true East London style, they wrapped up their day with an intimate, delicious meal at Brat in Hackney, surrounded by the people they love most.
This was the perfect example of why I love intimate London weddings—no fuss, no stress, just an absolutely brilliant day filled with all the best things. Allison and Andrew, you absolute legends, thank you for letting me be a part of it! ❤️
If you’re planning your own Shoreditch intimate wedding or an East London elopement, let’s chat! I’d love to capture your day in all its unique, awesome glory.
Verônica and Mattias’s St Albans city wedding was the perfect celebration of a global love story. With roots in Brazil and Sweden, and a life built together in London, these two beautiful people got married in front of guests from across the world—including guests from Australia and Brazil—to witness their joyful union in the heart of St Albans.
Their day began with a beautiful, intimate ceremony at the St Albans Registry Office. It was simple, sweet, and filled with so much multilingual love. Verônica and Mattias wanted to keep things relaxed and real—and that vibe carried through the entire day.
After the “I do’s,” we wandered through the streets of St Albans for some couple portraits. These two chose us because they loved our natural, colourful, street-style photography—and that’s exactly what we leaned into. St Albans gave us the perfect mix of charming streets, lovely light, and relaxed energy to capture their connection in the most authentic way.
Their reception took place at The Hub, where guests kicked off the celebrations with drinks in the sunshine and all the hugs and chats you could hope for. After this, there were heartfelt speeches, happy tears, and a dance party that absolutely went off! That Brazilian dance energy definitely came through!
If you’re dreaming of a St Albans wedding that’s relaxed, joyful, and a little bit offbeat—we’d love to capture it for you. Whether your guests are flying in from halfway across the globe or just down the road, we’re here for all the love, colour, and laughter. Let’s chat!
Steph and Ayden’s wedding day was an absolute vibe from start to finish. They kicked things off with an intimate ceremony at the iconic Old Marylebone Town Hall (always one of our fave Town Halls). They then moved on with an effortlessly chic celebration at Sea Containers London. This was the kind of day that proves you don’t need all the traditional bells and whistles to make your wedding unforgettable. We met them a couple years back at a friend’s wedding and based on that, knew their day would be nothing short of phenomenal!
Steph and Ayden opted for a super stylish black-tie dress code, and honestly, they nailed it. Being the first wedding of the day, they had the Town Hall almost entirely to themselves. This meant plenty of time for fun group shots on those famous steps before the crowds rolled in. Their ceremony was emotional, intimate, and packed with all the emotions—it was clear how much love surrounded them.
Later that day, the celebrations moved to Sea Containers London, a venue that’s pure magic with its sweeping views of the Thames and the London skyline. Steph and Ayden kept things simple but oh-so-elegant: no speeches, no cake cutting, and no first dance—just bubbles, incredible canapés, and plenty of good vibes. Their focus was on celebrating with the people they love most, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
These two didn’t just bring the love; they brought the energy! Even late at night, they were up for some fun city portraits. Whether it was the twinkling city lights or their infectious excitement, the night felt electric, and they made sure every moment was unforgettable.
Steph and Ayden’s day is proof that your wedding can be anything you want it to be—fun, stylish, and totally unique. If you’re planning your own epic celebration at The Old Marylebone Town Hall, Sea Containers, or anywhere in London, we’d love to be part of it. Get in touch, and let’s make some magic together!
A wedding this stylish doesn’t come together on its own! Steph and Ayden’s day was brought to life by an incredible team of talented suppliers. From the breathtaking venues to the chic black-tie attire, here’s who helped make their day unforgettable:
On an early Spring day that was unseasonably warm and sunny, Nicky and Kish got married. Nicky and Kish’s Intimate Windsor Guildhall wedding was low-key in the best possible way. These babes opted for just a few hours of coverage which was all they needed to have the important bits captured. No fuss, no big production, just a celebration that felt very them. We absolutely love shorter cover weddings as we still get to be with you for all the important bits. But it gives our couples space to just enjoy their day at the pace they want.
I spent a bit of time with Nicky while she got ready with her girls. There was such a great energy with them. It’s always such a lovely to have a little window into a couples life getting to spend time with them in those pre ceremony moments.
Windsor Guildhall is one of our absolute favourite venues—beautiful light, brilliant registrars, and a proper sense of occasion without being too over the top. Nicky and Kish kept things super personal with their own vows, and the whole thing felt very honest and meaningful. Its always such an honour being a part of a couple’s ceremony and getting to watch their family and friends get all emotional!
After a few family group shots, we headed off through the streets of Windsor for some pictures. As always, Windsor was buzzing with tourists, all looking to see if someone royal/famous has come out the Guildhall! We wandered down to the Long Walk, what made it extra special is that for Nicky and Kish this area is part of their everyday lives and somewhere they walk all the time! Shooting in a place that has personal meaning to a couple always gives a lovely mix of meaningful and beautiful backdrops.
We wrapped up our time together with a cheeky half pint at a nearby pub before they headed off to carry on celebrating with their families. Nothing staged or formal—just a few solid hours spent capturing what actually matters. I absolutely adored my time with these babes !
Evi and Lucas got married at Motel Studios, which is an absolutely excellent East London venue. It blends luxury and industrial chic in Hoxton. Evi and Lucas live nearby and it was important for them to have somewhere close to home, with a cool London vibe to get married. It was such a fun day and they were super laid back and chilled every step of the way. There were also loads of awesome DIY elements – which always speak to my heart!
The ceremony was an intimate service under one of the arches. They decorated the area with pots of aromatic lavender, which I loved. Instead of confetti, the couple opted for bubbles which was such a fun touch. When you have a lot of kids at your wedding (like they did) bubbles are always extra fun! The drinks reception and food reception were also in the arches at Motel Studios. Honestly I have such a crush on this venue! Its such a quirky space that just lends itself so well to customization, and is the most excellent location in East London.
Motel Studios has a really vibrant atmosphere, and is one of the coolest places to get married in Hoxton. The venue offers an amazing atmosphere for a wedding – and there is graffiti all around and views of Liverpool street that’s a perfect backdrop for photos.
Evi wore the most stunning vintage style dress and Lucas wore snazzy blue suit and they both just looked really hot.
The couple got in touch with us because they were drawn to how colourful and full of life our pictures looked. This is probably one of the best compliments we would receive, and as soon as I hopped on a call with them I just knew they were our sort of couple! An adorable cat, great music taste and an overall excellent energy.
Words from the couple: “We just wanted to take a belated moment to send a huge thank you for the incredible work you did at our wedding! Your photos are absolutely stunning, and every single shot captured the energy and joy of the day. We really adore your work, and we can’t stop looking at the photos! You made us feel so comfortable, and it shows in every shot. You really went above and beyond, making everything seamless and fun, and we’re both so incredibly grateful for that.
Thank you again for making our day extra special!”
Venue – www.motelstudios.co.uk/weddings
Lucas’ suit – http://www.reiss.com
Evi’s dress – https://www.instagram.com/thevampireswife/?hl=en
Hair and MUA – https://www.hannahkenneyhairandmakeup.com/
Lavender – https://n1gardencentre.co.uk/
Bloody phenomenal food – https://sarahgreencatering.com/
Alex and Elis got married at the gorgeous Phoenix Cinema in East Finchley. Alex and Elis share a love of old movies, and the theatre. So where better to get married than an old cinema near where they first lived together? Their Cinema wedding, was absolute perfection. From custom movie posters, popcorn, singalongs and movie montages.
The ceremony took place in London’s oldest dedicate cinema. It was the absolutely perfect place for these film lovers to get married. The ceremony included words from their parents, singing and a montage of the couple’s fave movies. It was so incredibly romantic.
After the ceremony, and lots of popcorn and bubbly, we headed across to their reception venue which was just up the road.
The reception was held The Bald Faced Stag. This was such a great pub space and was the perfect location for a mixture of chilling out in the sun, and eating and chatting inside.
They had some amazing music while they chilled with their guests. Guests were then called for dinner, dinner was all tapas based around the couples fave foods – every step of this day was so beautifully personalised. The incredible food and heartfelt speeches were the perfect way to round it all off.
Alex and Ellis have an absolutely beautiful kind of love and their wedding was the most magical reflection of their life together.
Here is Alex and Elis’s story in pictures.
Grooms suits – https://www.percivalclo.com
Reception – https://www.thebaldfacedstagn2.co.uk/
Wedding venue – https://www.phoenix.org.uk/
Flowers – https://www.theblossomhouse.co.uk/
Guitarist – https://www.instagram.com/sherikasherard/?hl=en
Claire and Duncan got married at The Crypt on the Green. It is an amazing old church in Farringdon with a gorgeous gothic crypt. It was such a fun wedding and which was super laid back and had loads of awesome DIY elements! Claire and Duncan are friends with one of our old wedding couples who ended up becoming good friends, so we straight away knew Claire and Duncan were going to be awesome!
The ceremony was officiated by a close friend which made it incredibly personal and heartfelt. It was really beautiful and had so many personal elements to it. They decorated the area with personalised paper bunting, which gave the space a fun, festival feel to it. The reception was in the crypt space at The Crypt on the Green. Honestly, we love this venue because its such a quirky space that just lends itself so well to customisation. We are big on couples DIY’ing their weddings to do it their way, probably because this was how we approached our own wedding. The churchyard is an excellent spot for some afternoon drinks and hang outs, and the crypt space is just perfect for both marrying in and partying in!
Claire and Duncan said they were approaching their wedding in a very relaxed manner, and honestly they nailed it at every turn! For dinner they had pie and mash, which is truly excellent wedding food in our opinion. They got in touch with us after we met Duncan through friends at an Architects concert at Ally Pally. In our chats with them they stressed the importance of chilled vibes and a big party. Needless to say, this really spoke to us. They said they didn’t care about anything except having an epic party, and I loved that they played the best music and partied the night away with their friends. (Impeccable music choice, but we knew that would be the case!) They finished off the evening with a pizza delivery to help fuel the party late into the night.
Claire wore the most stunning vintage dress and Duncan wore a dapper tuxedo and they looked really gorgeous.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Crypt on the Green, get in touch!
Venue – https://cryptonthegreen.co.uk/
Kate and David, an actor and a musician, are two of the most creative souls we’ve had the pleasure of photographing, and their wedding reflected every bit of their dynamic personalities. When they first enquired they mentioned that seeing Pearl Jam mentioned in our FAQs was a selling point for them, so we immediately knew they were our kind of people. Their celebration kicked off at the iconic Islington Town Hall, where they exchanged vows surrounded by their closest friends and family.
After the ceremony, the party moved to the Five Points Brewery in Hackney, a venue that perfectly suited their laid-back style. This Hackney Brewery Wedding was just around the corner from where both they and we live, making it feel like a true local celebration. With a fantastic barbecue and drinks on tap, the atmosphere was relaxed and fun, keeping guests energised throughout the day.
The day was full of personal touches that made the wedding feel intimate and unique. Kate wore an incredible jumpsuit that broke away from the traditional, and David’s dad added an extra layer of sentimentality by playing at their ceremony. The speeches were hilarious, leaving everyone in stitches, which set the tone for a joyous and lighthearted reception.
The energy of the day was something truly special. The combination of live music, heartfelt speeches, and the overall vibe of this Hackney Brewery Wedding made for an unforgettable celebration. The informal atmosphere of Five Points Brewery provided the perfect backdrop for Kate and David’s unique style, and it was a privilege to capture their meaningful and joyous day.
Sophie and Joe got married at the gorgeous Norwich Castle, Norwich. It was their legal wedding ceremony, with their big wedding taking place the following weekend. We absolutely love how many couples are planning big weddings. Often officiated by a friend or someone close to them. Then opt for a small legal ceremony before the big day. We just love to be able to be a part of both days!
The ceremony took place in a beautiful room in the museum. It was a simple but emotional legal ceremony. It was a delightfully intimate occasion with just their closest family in attendance.
After the ceremony, we did some pictures on the way to a local pub. Their casual drinks reception was held at The Garnet. This is in the heart of Norwich market which was really lovely, and despite it being quite rainy, there was such a fun energy to our time together.
Sophie and Joe were an absolute joy to shoot. Despite claims they don’t have many pictures together, their ease with each other in front of the camera, and their beautifully playful energy made our time together so much fun. The beauty of a small legal wedding pre big wedding, is having the chance to have an intimate celebration with the people you’re closest to. As almost a warm up to your “real” wedding. This sort of wedding combo is just the best in our opinion – and not in anyway biased by the fact that this is what we did at our own wedding. After a couple hours with these babes and their families, I left them in peace to carry on celebrating and preparing for their big day.
Day two of Ria and Shiraj’s Asian wedding at the stunning Crows Hall began with an intense sports day. The collective athletic fortitude of their guests was impressive. Especially given that everyone managed to participate the morning after the first big party.To read about the amazing start of Ria and Shiraj’s celebration, check out Day One. The tug of war and plank challenge were incredibly intense, fun, and energetic.It was so great watching the level of serious competition!
After some serious exertion, everyone retired for the afternoon to rest and recharge. The evening kicked off with a gorgeous cocktail hour in Crows Hall’s picturesque gardens. The serene setting provided the perfect backdrop for guests to mingle and enjoy some refreshing drinks. It was here that Ria gave the most beautiful bride’s speech.
We had the pleasure of working with an incredible team of wedding professionals for this incredible wedding, all of whom we look forward to collaborating with again in the future! Wedding planning and coordination by Dyana Dessar, floral design and arrangement by Dear Luna Florals, DJ services by DJ Irfaan, makeup artistry by MUA Meera, hair styling by Shrena Kara, marquee provided by Events Under Canvas, dresses by Ritika Mirchandani and Rimple and Harpreet Narula, and entertainment by the phenomenal Ambassador Band.
Darren and Elliott had the most gorgeous Farnham Castle wedding, which is the most magical castle in Surrey. It was the absolutely perfect backdrop for these babes’ stunning wedding. It was a gorgeous day and we even got the sun for most of the day, which for an April wedding really was so lucky!
Their ceremony was an intimate affair in the castle. The grooms were both walked down the aisle by important women to them which was so lovely and touching. During the ceremony they had several beautiful readings from friends and family. It was such a beautifully personal service.
Farnham Castle was the most perfect location for Darren and Elliott’s big day. it is a really stunning and regal location with absolutely gorgeous gardens and views over the picturesque town of Farnham. There was also the option to go up into the old castle for photos, we did this at sunset and it was such a lovely way for the guys to watch the sunset on their wedding day.
The couple had a cocktail drinks reception in the afternoon with an oyster bar and the guests mingled in the gorgeous sun for a lovely, lazy, Summer feeling afternoon. The wedding party gave the most beautiful and hilarious speeches during the reception, and you could just feel the amazing amount of love that Darren and Elliott have from their community.
If you’re planning a wedding at Farnham Castle, get in touch!
Venue – https://www.farnhamcastle.com/weddings/
Grooms’ suits – https://www.reiss.com/shop/gender-men-productaffiliation-suitsandtailoring-0
Music – https://www.everyoneskindofmusic.co.uk/
Music – https://www.instagram.com/beckablanchard/
Carly and Gary’s love story is a testament to the spontaneity and joy found in music. They met at a rave and got engaged at a concert, they brought their infectious energy to their wedding day at Clapton Country Club, one of our absolute fave local venues in East London. As we got together at a music festival, we immediately knew their wedding was going to be awesome!
Against the backdrop of Clapton Country Club’s gorgeous plant-filled atrium, Carly and Gary shared an emotional first look, setting the tone for a day filled with love and laughter. Their ceremony in the Department of Life was a fun and intimate affair, surrounded by their closest friends and family. It perfectly captured the essence of their unconventional love story.
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed drinks, snacks, and we snuck off for a few couple photos around Clapton. We then headed back for some emotional and hilarious speeches, followed by the most delicious food. We took their wedding party out for a few shots later in the day and had the most fun on the streets of Clapton, so much so that we even had passersby joining the photos. But the real highlight of their wedding was absolutely the lively dance party, with a roving band adding to the energetic atmosphere. This was the most perfect way to end an awesome day.
Carly and Gary’s wedding at Clapton Country Club was a vibrant celebration of their unique love story, filled with music, laughter, and unforgettable moments and we are so greatful to have been a small part of it.
Venue: https://www.claptoncountryclub.co.uk/
Carly’s dresses: https://www.bridesdogood.com/ and https://www.nadinemerabi.com/
Gary’s suit: https://www.scotlandshop.com/
Flowers: https://theterracelondon.co.uk/
Music: https://roameomusic.com/
Neil and Jon started their official married life at the iconic Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green. Now we may be biased as this is one of our absolute fave local venues. But this really is one of the most gorgeous East London wedding venues. We absolutely loved that Neil and Jon who also live in the area. They wanted to keep it a local affair sourcing most of their suppliers from the Bethnal Green and Bow area. This historic venue served as the perfect backdrop for their elegant affair.
Their furry companion, Rufus, stole the show as the adorable ring bearer, adding an extra dose of charm to their day. It was just so cute how he was just so delighted the whole day that so many people had come out to give him (and his dads) attention.
After the heartfelt ceremony and a shower of confetti, the newlyweds and their guests indulged in an afternoon of jazz, cocktails, and delectable canapés. The atmosphere was lively and full of laughter as everyone celebrated the love shared between Neil and Jon.
As their London wedding photographers, we loved popping out to capture some fun couple moments around Bethnal Green. Of course stopping off and enjoying a pint at The Camel. The Camel is a brilliantly quirky pub just around the corner from the Town Hall Hotel. If you’re thinking about sneaking off for a cheeky pint mid wedding day, we cannot recommend it enough!
The evening continued with a sumptuous multi-course dinner. Their guests were treated to an elegant culinary experience. In between the formalities, we snuck away for some fun and silly pictures with Neil, Jon, and their wedding party. I love it when couples and their entourage want to do something a little fun and less formal for group shots. It ended up being such a good laugh. The night ended on a high note with the soulful tunes of a jazz band, creating the perfect ambiance for Neil, Jon, and their friends to see out the night.
Neil and Jon’s wedding at the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green was a celebration of love, laughter, and the beauty of our little corner of East London. It was an honour to be a part of their special day. It was a delight to capture both this gorgeous couple and the people (and dog) they love having just the best day!
Venue: https://www.townhallhotel.com/home
Food: https://www.caterlondon.co.uk/
Florals: https://www.denningtonsflowers.co.uk/
Music: https://www.inezamusic.com/
Suits : https://www.reiss.com/
Aimee and Ross’s wedding adventure is a hard one to sum up into words. The Okavango Delta is a magical place for them, and having spent time with them there, we completely understand why. To truly understand the magnitude of what they pulled off with this wedding, you would need to understand the logistics of 150 people being keen to travel up into the middle of nowhere for your wedding. To arrange tables, chairs, a marquee, decor, drink, DJs, food and music, when the nearest town is a nearly 6 hour drive away on a road with more potholes and donkeys than actual road, and the last stretch to Guma Lagoon needing good clearance and 4×4. To understand the amazing community they have, you would need to see how so many people pitched in for days before the actual wedding to help turn a stunning fishing camp at the edge of the Delta into a magical wedding spot. To properly understand the level of energy and stoke for life this group of people have you would need to see the insane parties that happened not only the night of the wedding (which ended with a spectacular motobike blowout), but the nights leading up to the wedding, the shirts thrown to the rafters and the new best friends that were made. And Aimee and Ross’ love? One they have shared from childhood? Let’s hope out pictures can do all of this justice x
What a couple of legends! We were lucky enough to spend two days with Stacey and Will at their beautiful BnB in Morthoe, West Devon… that they own! What?! Yes. For most couples it’s hard enough moving in together, getting used to each others quirks and finding that balance in sharing the same space. These guys did that all but took it to the next level by buying and renovating a 9 apartment BnB with a cafe! As you can imagine they lead very busy lives, so it was awesome that they took the day off to be our tour guides along the cliff-lined coast, while having a few photos along the way.
But first, a surf! Borrowing a board from Will and wearing Stacey’s wetsuit, I (Andy) finally got to surf in England – something I wanted to do since I first moved to the UK 13 years ago, but never got around to doing. The wind was pumping, the water was cold, and I sucked, but it was loads of fun. We had a lot of LOLs with these two and loved every minute of this shoot with them. Their love for each other was incredible to see (and shoot), and their ease and energy with each other made it so easy to hang out with them.
Stace and Will, thank you for your hospitality and for sharing your beautiful town with us. We cannot wait for your wedding!
A wedding spot alongside the Thames overlooking the O2, TWO gold wedding dresses and 3 different bands playing over the course of the day, Gabby and Lucas’ wedding at Trinity Buoy Wharf has to be one of the coolest weddings ever. Also Gabby and Lucas must be two of the coolest dorks we have ever met (and coming from two pretty big dorks, that’s one hell of a compliment). They even trusted us enough to climb the outside edge of a windy lighthouse and to balance on a railing near the edge of the Thames for us to try and get a cool night time shot of them. Their love is fun and energetic and getting the chance to hang out with both of them and all their phenomenal friends and family from all over the world was such a special experience for us. There really is nothing like being a small part in the first step of a new adventure unfolding!
Tayne and Wade’s story sounds like it would fit in your granny’s favourite Mills and Boon novel. From Wade hanging out at Tayne’s restaurant to catch her eye, to finally convincing her to give him a shot, and then having a long distance relationship across the country, the Olympian and the Restaurateur made it work and got married on Tayne’s folks farm. Their wedding was a weekend long affair with all of their most important people spending the whole weekend celebrating this awesome pair. From Tayne’s BEYOND spectacular purple Terence Bray wedding dress, to getting married under an exquisite old tree alongside a gurgling river, and having home made steam punk aspects to the whole wedding, their wedding was a beautiful reflection of these two amazing people.
Damnit this is a hard story to tell… Pretty much because I don’t think we have enough adjectives and superlatives to quite do justice to these people. We clicked HARD with these two when we did their pre-wedding shoot, and even before we got far down South for their wedding, knew it would be an epic one. So to summmarize: location-stunning, ceremony-totes emosche, reception and speeches-some of the best ever, bridal party-epic, couple-kinda okay if you like people dripping with puns and awesomeness, photographers – down with tickbite fever(Szerdi) and bilhazia(Andy) but in awe of the amaze day, dance party-spandex onesies, swimming and punk circles-holy shit! Some might say the best wedding Iver…
Melissa contacted me about shooting her and Paul’s mid-week elopement/mini-wedding and we were over the moon with excitement! They had decided against a big wedding and wanted instead to get married somewhere beautiful and intimate. They chose the stunning Qambathi Mountain Lodge in the Kamberg and shared the day only with their parents, siblings, us and a harpist. Everything about the day was relaxed and calm, even when a good old berg storm derailed their plans to get married outdoors. As if they couldn’t be any cooler, Melissa, as a designer made her own ridiculously amazing dress (a couple of days before the wedding even!). We have such a soft spot for couples that start their married adventure their own way and on their own terms, and it was truly such a delight and so incredibly special to share this beautifully intimate day with two brilliant people.
Domi and Brett met in Cape Town and moved their lives across the country with the two cutest pigs furkids you have ever seen to start out what we think must be one of the most amazing health spots in Durban, Tree (you seriously need to go and eat/drink/yoga there if you haven’t already!). For both of them, Africa and the bush have always held an important part of their hearts, so when they were looking at where to get married, their only option was their home away from home Phinda. Their wedding was arranged around a whole weekend of game drives, bush exploring and picturesque meals with all of the people they love. For two of the most generous and biggest hearted people we have had the honour of meeting, their wedding could not have been more perfectly them. They got married under an ancient tree in a sand forest with all of their people around them, and while I usually can hold myself together at weddings, Brett’s surprise song to Dom had me (and pretty much all the guests) drizzing just a little bit. Honestly, there are not enough adjectives and superlatives to describe both the magic of their wedding weekend, and the amazing love that they have for each other and the intense connection they share. What an incredible wedding to start our 2017 year with!
(Be warned, this is a long post! But there is no other way to tell the whole, beautiful story of a magical wedding weekend!)
Okay so I have to gush, we really do get to meet and document the most amazing humans. Annette and Alex are awesome! Their wedding was awesome – their decor, venue, friends, party, all of it, awesome! Annette and Alex are the kind of people you can meet, have a beer with, and before you know it you’ve been chatting for ages and they just feel like old friends. They got married at the amazing Die Woud, which is without a doubt one of our new fave venues. ADK and Oolex you guys rock, I should probably stop now before I adjective and superlative too much!
Katie and Jeremy are one of those magical couples full of adventure. When we met them in London to shoot some pics of them before the wedding, we hit it off with them so damn hard. They were super comfy in front of the camera and just had a beautiful confidence in who they were and their love for each other. Fast forward six odd months to their wedding and we knew we were in for a treat! With Jeremy being an old Eastern Cape guy, they chose to get married at the very cool Rose Barn between Jeffrey’s Bay and St Francis. Then I walked in to see Katie’s beyond stunning pink custom Marianne Fassler dress and I nearly died with happiness! Add to that a heart-warmingly sincere ceremony officiated by a friend, hand made and embroidered bunting and napkins made by Katie’s mom, an effortlessly in love couple shoot, and a surprise flash mob at Jeremy after the first dance and honestly we could not have asked to be a part of a more beautiful and perfect day for a phenomenal couple! Cant wait to meet up with you guys next time we are in London for a beer or three and to catch up on how your magical marriage adventure is unfolding!
We were lucky enough to spend a few days with Temi and Brian and their amazing family and friends. While Temi and Brian split their time between Cape Town and Kenya, all of their guests made the trip out to South Africa for their wedding from the US. The day before their wedding we hung out with them at the Cloof Wine Estate and then followed them all up to Paternoster. The next morning Andy headed out with Brian and some friends for an early morning surf while I got to hang out with Temi and her incredible friends. They got married overlooking the beach before heading off to the gorgeous Gelukkie for their reception. The entire day(s) overflowed with so much love and a beautiful energy. Getting to share such a beautiful marriage in such an idyllic place with such incredible people, was honestly the best possible way we could have ended off an amazing year of weddings. Temi and Brian, you guys are amazing! We cant wait to see what adventures your future has in store for you!
Tanya and Mike have known each other since they were 7 years old and have pretty much grown up with each other. This shows in the way they have this beautiful ease and comfort with each other. Their wedding was a beautiful one full of all the people who mean the world to them and it was so awesome to get to share this amazing time with them. Also, could the two of them be any hotter or more in love?! Guys, wishing you so much joy and adventure in this new chapter of your lives together xx
We met Nikki and Richard down one evening at the Hawaan Forest in Umhlanga. A spot much loved by family photographers and others keen for a nice foresty background. Luckily for us, this wasn’t going to be a normal posey shoot, as we had our own secret weapon – a gin fuelled couple with a bit of crazy and a lot of awesome. They encouraged us to go mad and shoot them as we wanted, but when they suggested something a bit more “sexy” we were more than up for it! Nikki and Richard, with the sun setting slowly behind them plunged fully clothed into some amazing poses any swimsuit model (or Gemini model), would be proud of. These two honestly had us in stitches. Their love is a mischievous and full one and so much fun to be around, we cannot wait for their wedding!
When Andy first contacted me about their Durban city wedding at the Plant and S43, that was going to be all about awesome vibes and some epic takkie squeaking with their people, we were sold! We love a good urban wedding, and love an amazing couple with incredible chemistry even more. To say it rained a bit, is putting it mildly, it p*ssed, HARD, for pretty much the entire day. When Andy and I chatted about it earlier in the week that there was a chance it may bucket down for their wedding, all she said was how her and Kern loved the rain, so this was perfect. Their industrial/botanical vibe was executed amazingly and (my) Andy and I almost lost our minds shooting all their amazing details. After their ceremony, we somehow got about a 20 minute window of it not monsooning, which was just long enough to get some snaps of these epic humans. I am not even joking when I say that we were totally in love with their wedding, and if it couldn’t get any better, it ended with a beyond insane dance party with (partial) male nudity, the worm and some amazing 90s pop hits. Andy and Kern, truly, you are two epic human beings and if your married life is going to be anything as good as your wedding was, its going be one hell of a party!
We have been so lucky to be able to pursue our love of making pictures, that we decided it was time to give back something to our community. When I first posted our request to do some work for a charity or NGO, we were inundated with requests from various organisations (many of whom we will be doing work for in amongst our ridiculous wedding schedule). This will be the first story of our series of giving back to our wonderful world and community through our lenses.
When I first heard about Sindy I knew she should be the first recipient of some pictures. Sindy Duma, runs the Tholuthando Childrens Home, by herself. Her home is located not ten minutes from where we live and overlooks the fancy Camelot Estate in Hillcrest. In 2004 Sindy’s sister died tragically leaving behind two young children. She adopted them despite already having two children of her own and their personal financial difficulties. Observing this, the local community began to inundate them with requests for assistance and reports of child abuse and they soon realised that there was a desperate need for a children’s shelter in the area. They approached the authorities and so Tholuthando Children’s Home was founded.
She looks after 45 children between the ages of 10 months and 19 years old by herself! Police and the community come to her and leave neglected and abused kids with her. Only 6 of the children she looks after have government grants, the rest she looks after with donations from people. Every one of these children has suffered abuse, neglect or abandonment at the very hands of those who should have provided them with love and guidance. Sindy treats each child as her own and is committed to providing rehabilitation and education for them, so that they may, one day, enjoy normal productive lives. They encourage the children to participate in school activities and church programs to stimulate and challenge them. They are particularly proud of their Church Youth Choir’s achievements.
Sindy gets up every morning before all her children to make sure they all have breakfast before they go to school, she then by herself makes sure they have lunch made and dinner, all while running the Home, getting supplies and making sure the children have enough love and feel special. In her words, if a child has love and food, they have a chance to have a good life. Sindy is an incredible woman and we were blown away by her warmth and that of her amazing children. They are desperately looking for any help, particularly food donations, but any maintenance work or other donations would be incredibly appreciated.
The girls and boys all have their own spaces which are impeccably neat and clearly filled with love and pride.
Most of these children have no photos of themselves, something most of us take for granted, we decided to do a series of portraits for them which we have printed and will give to them on our next visit to them. Some are quite causal and posed by the kids themselves.
Sindy and her boys. What an incredible group of young men! They were so friendly and positive and full of life!
Sindy and all her kids.
One of Sindy’s youngest babies, Junior had passed away the week before. Both Sindy and some of the little ones wanted a picture with him.
Sindy and her girls.
The incredible lady herself, filled with big smiles and the most amazing warmth.
We love getting in our Landy and setting off to some cool campsite in the beautiful part of the world we live in. Rocky Bay is only about and hour and a half from home. This is maybe one of the most awesome campsites we have been to as we were pretty much ON the beach. Apart from the normal chilling at the beach vibes, we got up to some double and long exposure shenanigans after a bottle of pinotage, and they actually came out pretty cool!
Although the purpose of our US trip was not primarily for holidaying, neither of us felt like we could go half way around the world and not have some sort of adventure. Since my teen years of reading Anne Rice novels, New Orleans has always been a place that has fascinated me. Louisiana is only an hour’s flight from Texas so we decided to pop over there for a few days after the craziness of the World Cup. New Orleans was probably the most “un-American” feeling place that we visited. This is probably due to the fact that it was founded by the French Canadians and was occupied by the Spanish for quite a while. We stayed in the picturesque French Quarter which runs alongside the famous Mississippi River. After dropping our bags at the beautiful house we rented in the French Quarter (gotta love Air BnB!) we immediately set out to explore this incredibly atmospheric suburb. While Andy was buying what he says was the best coffee of his life, I stumbled into Jackson Square and was immeadiately hit with the tangible energy of New Orleans. I was suddenly surrounded by artists, fortune tellers, jazz bands and other busking musicians all sharing space around the colonial Plaza de Armas. I hope these pictures do some justice to the energy and quirky beauty we felt on our first day in New Orleans.
While some parts of New Orleans are painstakingly restored, a lot of places lie in aesthetically pleasing deriliction after Hurricane Katrina that devastated New Orleans in 2005.
Streets all have Spanish and French names which add to the European feel to this part of the city.
My entry to Jackson square which was a barrage of my senses being surrounded by painters, fortune teller, bands and hippies.
The best coffee in the world…
I ended up chatting to a couple of snake charmers/crackheads who despite appearance were actually really cool people. The amazing and weird people you meet while travelling is definitely one of the huge benefits of exploring our world.
Local women eating some “crawfish” with the view of Jackson Square.
The famous Mississippi. The French Quarter is below the level of the river which is pretty creepy and explains why it floods so easily!
We saw SO many crews filming all over the city, this was for CSI New Orleans.
Probably one of the most famous streets in New Orleans is definitely Bourbon Street. Bourbon Street was crazy even on the Monday night we arrived and there were people all over the place punting 4 for 1 drink specials in amongst the gaudy but surprisingly endearing neon signs and jazz and blues bands playing in virtually every window we passed. Despite Bourbon Street smelling of a mix of cheap booze, vomit, urine, embarrassment and regret, it was great to experience the famous carnival-esque street.
Frenchman Street about a 10 minute walk from the bacchic Bourbon street had a much calmer Bluesy and artsy vibe that we really enjoyed and warmed to. We had the most amazing spicy Bloody Mary’s which no doubt helped to enhance the vibe and energy of this part of town…
We hung out quite a bit at the Spotted Cat which is a famous bar and music spot on Frenchman Street. The bands we encountered everywhere in New Orleans were all exceptionally good. I have never been a big jazz fan, but that cuz I realised I have never heard jazz like the kind that lives in New Orleans!
Right next door to the Spotted Cat was a fantastic little art market where local artists come and sell their work. There was some amazing stuff on offer and getting to chat to some of the artists was so great. I only wish we had had more money to support more of them.
Ethiopia has always been at the top of our long list of countries to visit, a choice often met with raised eyebrows. The country has had a hectic past 30 years with droughts and civil wars, but there’s a huge misconception that Ethiopia is nothing but a desert and the people plagued by famine. We were there during winter so the landscape looks a bit brown and dry in the photos, but it is anything but infertile. Summer must look amazing when it’s green!
So needless to say, we didn’t go in search of capturing an award-winning photograph of a malnourished child with a fly on it’s lip, and a vulture lurking in the background… We chose Ethiopia for it’s culture and insanely fascinating ancient history.
It’s where the 3.2 million year old remains of “Lucy” were found, making Ethiopia the oldest know location of human (or pre-human) existence. The city of Axum was one of the most powerful kingdoms in the world during the Roman empire and the days of the Egyptian pharohs. The people practice some of the oldest forms of orthodox Christianity and Judaism, and being a ‘Christian island’ surrounded by Islam there’s a kind of seemless blend between the religions and cultures that really makes this place unique. Even the language, people’s facial features and complexions are like a schmorges board of African, Arabic and Mediteranean. The European interaction during the middle ages inspired some amazing medieval castles… yes medieval castles in Africa!… and countless little monastaries and rock-hewn churches, amazingly decorated from floor to ceiling with paintings depicting scenes from the bible and Ethiopian history. It also claims to be the resting place of the Ark of the Covenant. Those of you who read (or watched) the Da Vinci Code, or any Graham Hancock books will know that it’s supposed to be a gold box holding the stone tablets engraved with the ten comandments.
I could go on and on… We were there for 2 weeks and that just wasn’t enough! It honestly feels like you’ve gone back in time (if you ignore the odd satelite dish on a shack roof) where the majority of the people wear robes and go everywhere with a stick and a donkey. They live just like people have always lived.
After arriving in the capital it was time for a history lesson at the Addis Ababa Museum. Lucy’s remains (in the shot below) were definately a highlight. In case you’re wondering, Lucy apparently got her name because the archeologist who discovered her was listening to “Lucy in the sky with diamonds” by the Beatles at the time. Her real name is AL 288-1, which is not as catchy.
Details of crowns worn by Ethiopian kings
St George Cathedral in Addis was built in 1896. Emperor Haile Selassi was crowned here in 1930 and has since become a pilgrimage site for Rastas after they adopted him as their messiah… they also adopted the colours fro the Ethiopian flag. Ethiopia has never really been influenced by Rastafarianism. Weed is illegal and not many people have dreads.
The “mercato” in Addis is supposed to be the biggest market place in Africa. It’s a dense maze of alleyways, colourfully crambed with stalls and people.
The people in the market place HATE having their photo taken and will cover their faces or unabashedly tell you to “fuck off” in plain English. So this was a lucky shot.
We LOVE coffee! and another ‘perk’ about visiting Ethiopia is that it’s the birthplace of the lovely stuff. They call it “buna” and every market is well stocked on fresh, green, and ready-to-roast buna beans.
Guzara Castle was built in 1572 on a hill away from Lake Tana to escape the the malaria mozzies that plagued the area.
To these kids this ancient castle was their playground. They also became our inpromptu guides for the morning.
Our Ethiopian Adventure part 2, 3 and 4 coming soon!…
Part 2 of our Ethiopian adventure covers our trip through the city of Gonder and the Simien Mountains.
Gonder was founded in 1635 and has a huge cluster of 17th century castles and palaces right in the middle of town. We spent an entire day exploring these and the churches nearby. In particular, the amazingly decorated church of Debre Birhan Selassie built in the 1690s.
Some rules for church visitors…
The ceiling is decorated with 80 painted cherub faces.
Honey wine. #Delicious!
Emporer Fasilidas’s Pool is dry most of the year and only filled for the annual Timkat ceremony in January. The pool is filled only by redirecting one of the nearby streams, and they were only a few days in when we visited.
Just next door a local soccer match was in full swing, so our pool tour had a great soundtrack of Shakira’s “Waka Waka”…
The Royal Enclosure has six 17th century castles and loads of tunnels to explore.
The first time the colours green, yellow and red were found being used together. If you hadn’t noticed, these are now the colours on the Ethiopian flag.
Castle through a keyhole…
Cow horns used as towel hooks in the “sauna” room.
The extent of the tourists. Three of which are Ethiopian, and one of them was our guide.
What a juxtaposition. A medieval castle in the middle of modern Gonder.
The kids here freaking love having their photo taken! They’ll come hurtling down the street screaming “Faranji! Faranji!” (Foreigner! Foreigner!), and thought it was halarious when we screamed “Habesha! Habesha!” (Ethiopian! Ethiopian!) back at them.
About 100km north of Gonder we hit the dramatic Simien Mountains, one of the biggest ranges in Africa. more than 12 of the peaks are above 4000m! The altitude can take it out of you, and a short walk can turn you into a heavy-breathing-chunder-machine…. Luckily we only experienced mild symptoms.
I want a Gelada baboon! They look like they just climbed out of a bad 80s music video with their flowing David Lee Roth (Van Halen) hair doos. They have these amazing weathered faces and a freakishly inteligent look in their eyes.
These guys graze on wild tyme in herds of up to 400 baboons! They are so chilled and not even in the slightest bit concerned about us hanging around and grazing with them. We spent about 2 hours just sitting amoungst the herd, watching and listening. This was probably one of the most awesome new years eves we have ever had!
Haile Gabre Selassie is an Ehtiopian long distance running legend! He’s smashed world records, won Olympic gold medals and still lives in home town of Addis Ababa.
After hours of driving on the main tar road from Mekele we stopped at an intersection swarming with people, donkeys, goats and taxis. We said goodbye to our guides and climbed in a minibus and turned onto an unassuming dirt road. The road to Lalibela…
Lalibela was the part of our adventure we were most looking forward to. And it was far from disappointing. The town itself is in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by an amazing mountain range and rocky farmland. But we’d seen a lot of that already. We had come all this way to see the 800 year old rock-hewn churches, which have been concidered the 8th wonder of the world… and would be officially if they were better known outside Ethiopia!
Looking around you don’t see anything that even kind of resembles a church. But as you approach, the bedrock opens up to trenches more than 10m deep with these amazing buildings set in the middle, below ground level. Rather than being built up, they’ve been carved down!
There is a lot of speculation as to how these churches were constructed. Legend has it, King Lalibela had a vision from God to create a new Jerusalem in Ethiopia and that he had the help of angels, or as Graham Hancock argues, the help of the Knights Templar… and some say aliens (WTF). All I can say is that Lalibela has to be the most mysterious and fascinating place I’ve ever been to.
We had planned our trip to be in Lalibela for the Ethiopian Christmas, which is on the 7th January according to the Gregorian calendar. The Ethiopian calendar is about 7 years behind ours and they have 13 months in a year.
A lot of the people making the pilgramige to Lalibela for Christmas, travel on foot for up to 3 weeks! Others are bussed in from villages all over the country.
Priests on their way to to Lalibela take donations for their churches. These, and the pilgrims along the road, were just a taste of what we were about to experience…
Because of the massive influx of pilgrims (approximately 20 000), the entire town ran out of water. So we stocked up for our three day stay. Drinking, washing and toilet.
It felt like we were at a music festival where the headline act was “Jesus and the Virgin Mary”.
On our first day at the rock hewn churches, we were incredibly overwhelmed by the sea of people who surrounded us and who often moved together as a united sea of pilgrims. If you have issues with personal space, you wouldnt love this experience…
It can get pretty intense inside the churches. It’s dark and you’re the only foreigners surrounded by hundreds of pilgrims, all murmuring a prayer or singing under their breaths. A bit freaky, but also really humbling and peaceful.
Most of the churches are linked via a maze of tunnels running direclty through the rock. Being funneled into a dark tunnel is not something for the claustrophobic.
You wil often find a small cave in the walls surrounding the churches where priests will sleep during their visit to Lalibela.
Bet Maryam (House of Mary) is by far the most elaborately decorated of the Lalibela churches. It is also the church that hosts the main Christmas celebration.
Templar crosses are often found carved into the walls and ceilings. Part of the evidence in the argument about the Knights Templar/Freemason involvement in the churches’ construction. Considering that at this time much of Europe was still in the depths of the illiterate Dark Ages, maybe it was the aliens?… Or perhpas it was just the Ethiopians…
Despite the fact that this is one of the poorest countries in the world, the people are incredibly generous, to the church and to beggars. Its quite humbling to see people who cant even afford to buy proper shoes giving a portion of what little they do have to those even less fortunate than themselves.
The cross-shaped tower of Bet Giyorgis (House of St George) is probably the most famous of the Lalibela churches. We spent an entire day sitting inside the church or under a nearby tree, just watching.
A mummified priest in one of the small caves.
Ethiopian woman in the northern regions often have face tattoos, most commonly a cross on their forehead, as a symbol of their devotion to God.
Not many tourist get to experience this (in fact, its not even mentioned in any of the guide books), but we were really lucky to be taken through “Hell”. A narrow, 40m long and pitch-black tunnel deep within the rock which ends inside one of the churches, symbolising a rebirth of the spirit. It was about 10 minutes underground in the dark slowly shuffling along to the eery hymns echoing off the tunnel walls, sung by the pilgrims infront of and behind us. It was so dark you had to touch the wall just to know you weren’t floating in space. It was maybe one of the most intense and overwhelming experiences we have ever had.
Coffee break…
On the Ethiopian Christmas eve we made our way in the pitch black of night to Bet Emmanuel, the largest of the rock hewn churches at Lalibela. We were witness to one of the most amazing spectacles of religion we have ever seen. The service consisted of dense rows of priests slowly chanting and swaying side to side accompanied by a slow tribal beating of the drum. We thought this was incredible, especially surrounded by hundreds of pilgrims, but this was nothing in comparison to when the drummers picked up the pace and beat and we experienced rows of priests competing in what looked like some kind of dance-off. This was accompanied by the ululating of the crowd, clapping and cheering. The energy was incredible and just as it reached its climax, the drumming would suddenly stop and the priests immediately returned to a seated position while a sacred relic was brought around or more slow chanting began.
Both Christmas eve and Christmas are filled with these amazing dancing priests and this was by far one of our highlights of our trip. What was also mind blowing, is these church services have not changed in the last 800 odd years! Meaning the service we witnessed would proabably have looked the same as it had the first year the rock-hewn churches were built!
We were still on a high from our experiences at the Christmas Eve celebrations and from exploring the churches so when it became dark on the actual night of Christmas we were filled with suspense of what the night would hold as we had been told that the Christams celebration was truly spectacular.
The Christmas celebration is held at Bet Maryam the most exquistily decorated church. We again made our way through the mass of people, clambering up rock faces and navigating our way to Bet Maryam through the maze of 10m sheer dropoffs in the darkness. Around us people were lighting their ways with traditional candles, and some even with the light from their cellphones.
The sea of white robed figures lay on every surface imaginable in order to get as close as possible to the Christmas service which started at 10pm and ended when the sun rose. We have never in our lives seen so many people so densely congregated in one place and it created an excited festival atmosphere and created a warmth that was quite surprising in the chilled winter’s night air. People everywhere were chanting, praying, reading their bibles and even just sleeping in this holiest of environments.
Of all the places we have visited in our travels and of all the places we intend still to go to, Ethiopia, and Lalibela in particular will defintely be the place we have to return to one day. One trip was simply not enough.
I’ve always wanted to drive up Sani Pass into Lesotho. Even before we got ‘Wimpy Hightop’ (our old 1963 Series II Land Rover). The weather man told us that a massive cold-front was on it’s way and extreeeem conditions were expected in the Drakensberg and Lesotho areas, with snowfall predicted too! All this forecast for my birthday weekend! It was a sign!
Some last minute arrangments and we were off with lots of warm cloths and our cameras…
I have never seen falling snow, so when the first flakes hit the wind screen as we reached the top of the pass, I was ecstatic!!! Best birthday present ever!
That night the temperature dropped to -15 deg C !!!! The wind pumped so heard that the snow fell horizontally! The water in Wimpy’s radiator froze so I had to do some bush-mechanic repairs to the cracked water pump… What an awesome weekend!
