SAMANTHA MABER PHOTOGRAPHY

A few months ago i did a blog about Monique and Neales wonderfully coined wedding festival: WEDSTOCK. Wedstock was still to be when i did that post and Dean and i were just boarding our flights to the UK to witness and document such a momentous day. Months later after our dear friends have honeymooned and returned and christmas has come and gone, i finally get to do this blog that has been on my list of “to-do’s” for far too long.

Next to my sister, Monique is my oldest friend in the world. we first met when we were 5 years old, and even then Mon loved pretty things. Her feminine hats and bags with “the sweetest little panty eating butt” (as her dad so sweetly mentioned in his speech). Wedstock had Monique and Neales personality stamped all over it. It was a gorgeous day full of bubbly, bow ties, tea dresses, good food, good music and lots of love. Fran Soler from EGG & SPOON did the most remarkable lunch. A medley of goodness. Pies and pasties, scotch eggs and goats cheese tarts. Couscous herbs and pistachio salads, cheeses, pickles and the best “darn float me down the river so good i dream of it” pumpkin seed pesto.

After lunch, full bellies lazed on hay bales in the afternoon sun, sipping vodka pear and elderflower punch, while an unbelievable 5 piece folk band, Skinny Lister serenaded us with their infectious acoustic melodies. As the sun slowly melted behind the trees, the Egg and Spoon team starting cranking up the barbeques for a dinner of burgers and chorizo and prawn skewers. I was so busy licking my fingers i forgot to document this. (oops) Then it was speeches and dancing, and with the bunting strung high and a water pistol full of rum, a foot stomping do-si-do-ing Skinny Lister continued to ho heave the party into the morning.

Thank you to my dear friend for the honour of being your bridesmaid. My wish for you is that your marriage will be colourful, that your table always be full. May there be ladles of laughter, a medley of goodness and may you ho heave through life with the flags flying high. We love you guys.

I met Louise and Gilo at Phinda mountain lodge almost a year ago. We had a drink together around the fire place in the boma and it felt like we had known them for ages. We chatted a few times on the phone leading up to their big day, so when the wedding day arrived, Lou and Giles felt like old friends.

Gilo and Louise’s brother worked together at Phinda as game rangers. Giles often used to visit the Hedges family on his way back to Phinda and on one occasion when Louise was home from London on holiday, Giles arrived and his bright blue eyes instantly caught Lou’s attention. Needless to say the couple got on famously but Lou had to return to the Uk and Giles back to the bush.

Giles and Louise had their first date in Madagascar and although long distance wasn’t ideal, their love continued to grow and bind them together. Being far apart did however mean that they got to meet up in exciting destinations such as India, Tuscany, Paris, Botswana, and Zimbabwe - life together had become an exciting adventure. Their passion for birding, wildlife and nature has taken them to Kenya where they are having the time of their lives setting up their new home TOGETHER. Their incredible lust for life will keep them happy wherever they are…

Gilo’s Godparents own Bellwood Stud farm and have recently built a wedding venue on their property. The reception area was finished the day before the wedding and overlooks a gorgeous trout dam. Colourful fabric bunting hung from the wooden rafters. Tins and vases of Peonies, orchids and baby-pink forget-me-nots, handpicked from Lou’s grandmothers garden were placed on the tables, and cupcakes and chocolate brownies made by Lou’s sister Kerry, decorated cakes stands. Lou’s floweres were so beautiful she needed some encouragement to throw her bouquet. She is now very chuffed she did as one of her bridesmaids caught the flowers and has since got engaged…