Gondwana Private Game Lodge, South Africa Elopement Photo Story Award

A beautiful private elopement wedding at the Game Lodge, Gondwana - Mossel Bay in the Garden Route

The couple said their vows and became husband and wife in a ceremony filled with great reactions, shot creatively with the golden hour light reflecting off the lake

The ceremony was filled with these great reactions and I shot it creatively by using the stunning golden hour light with reflections.

This couple came all the way from Dubai to get married at the beautiful private Game Lodge, Gondwana. Gondwana is situated near Mossel Bay in the Garden Route.

This was a very emotional day for both the bride and groom as this was a marriage that they both knew should have happened a long time ago already. After so many years, they could finally live out their love for each other. The ceremony was celebrated as the sun set over the African bushveld and while the elephants were grazing close by.

We followed the ceremony with a couple of portrait sessions in the Game Reserve with plenty of wildlife in the background. The couple retreated to a fine dining experience to conclude their perfect day.

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Garden Route, South Africa Elopement Photographer:  I used natural elements like the local fauna and flora that the region is known for as well as a streak of sunshine (pun intended) to highlight the jewelry.

I don't usually do ring shots, but this was a request from the couple as the rings meant so much to them. I used natural elements like the local fauna and flora that the region is known for as well as a streak of sunshine (pun intended) to highlight the jewelry.

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Garden Route, South Africa Small Wedding Photographer: The bride getting her make up done. I just tried to make it as visually interesting, using mirrors, reflections and some photographic tricks.

The bride getting her make up done. I just tried to make it as visually interesting, using mirrors, reflections and some photographic tricks.

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Garden Route, South Africa Small Wedding Elopements - A quick few snips of a scissors fixed the dress with no dramatics. I loved this because usually brides are VERY concerned about their expensive wedding dresses.

A quick few snips of a scissors fixed the dress with no dramatics. I loved this because usually brides are VERY concerned about their expensive wedding dresses.

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South Africa Elopement Bride Image - The bride drinking a quick splash of water before heading out to the wedding ceremony.

The bride drinking a quick splash of water before heading out to the wedding ceremony. I saw this awesome natural back light as the room's light was turned off and quickly set my camera to a silhouette. This was in a matter of a few seconds.

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South Africa Elopement Image of the bride walking to the ceremony, she glanced at the grazing zebra right next to the path.

The bride walking to the ceremony, she glanced at the grazing zebra right next to the path.

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South Africa Elopements - The pastor spoke about the rings during the ceremony and held it out to the couple to put on. Right at that moment I saw this sun streak and I was lucky to get it all lined up.

The pastor spoke about the rings during the ceremony and held it out to the couple to put on. Right at that moment I saw this sun streak and I was lucky to get it all lined up. (no photoshop added)

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A funny moment when the bride took the wedding ring to place on the groom. I love the light and emotions in this image from a South Africa elopement ceremony.

A funny moment when the bride took the wedding ring to place on the groom. I love the light and emotions in this image.

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Gondwana Private Game Lodge, Garden Route, South Africa Elopement Wedding - The sun just hit the camera lens perfectly for this stunning sun streak. The couple was easy to 'pose' as they are so naturally in love - all the time! - no photoshop involved

The sun just hit the camera lens perfectly for this stunning sun streak. The couple was easy to 'pose' as they are so naturally in love - all the time! (ps - no photoshop involved)