You don't need me to tell you again how much I love the South African bushveld - as Ernest Hemingway said: "I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up and was not happy." This wedding has everything I love about the bushveld - the soft, dreamy colour palette, the rustic setting, amazing animal sightings, colour, laughter, joy - and most of all, the sense of serenity that only comes under a great big starry African sky. Of course, a wedding like that needs a photographer to do it justice, and Rensche Mari does just that - these pics are super gorgeous, and show off every pretty detail of Lizel and Guy's beautiful big day. Grab a G&T and enjoy!

SHE SAYS: I'm an Afrikaans small-town girl that came to Johannesburg to study at UJ and still find myself in the big city. My husband, Guy, is a born and bred "soutie" from the north of Joburg and also my colleague... an "office romance" as they call it. In 2012 I joined the corporate finance division of our firm. I was the 'newbie' in the office and for some reason Guy always looked for a reason to come chat to me. It was only later that year where he got the 'Dutch courage' together at an office party to tell me how he felt about me. That December he invited me to meet his family in Knysna and after a few bottles of wine, oysters and trips to "the bar you can only get to by boat", I knew I had met "THE ONE".
HE SAYS: I always hoped to meet and marry a girl just like Lizel: beautiful, intelligent, strong values and morals, and the list goes on. I never thought I would be fortunate enough to marry the original. Right from the start I was always interested in the softly spoken Afrikaans girl from Klerksdorp (yes, she did start out soft spoken). I would always try to find an excuse to ask her something even when the answer was of no importance to me. When she went for tea, I would suddenly feel an urge for some rooibos - and I hate rooibos. The first time Lizel took my breath away was at a go-cart racing day, she looked at me with her beautiful blue/green eyes and I felt like Stan from Southpark - except that I didn't throw up! I told my mates that I had met my future wife but that it was 'complicated'. It wasn't until much later that year that our relationship took a turn for the best and we have never looked back. My time spent with Lizel has been the happiest of my life and the sweetest cherry on top was when Lizel agreed to be my wife. I still have to pinch myself sometimes.

Advice for Future Brides & Grooms
Through all the rush, nerves and planning madness, always try to remember what the day is all about - a ceremony of your love for each other. If possible, try to make a weekend of the occasion. This gives you a chance to spend time with all the guests even before the big day.
Invest in a good photographer! We had the very talented Rensche Mari van Dyk who knows exactly how to capture those special moments. And lastly, I would suggest a good videographer to capture the ceremony, speeches, first dance and all the emotions that come with it. The video and photos are after all all that you have left of your special day.

You can see more from this wedding on Rensche Mari's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue, catering & co-ordination: Karongwe Private Game Reserve | Photography: Rensche Mari van Dyk | Videography: Blimp Wedding Films | Cake: Leo's Kichen, Tzaneen | Flowers & décor: Blomskuur, Tzaneen | Bride's dress: Olivelli | Bride's accessories: Browns | Hair : Marilu at Benedictus, Roodepoort | Makeup: Azelle at Bei Capelli, Tzaneen | Bridesmaids' dresses: bestbridalprices | Groom's attire: Hugo Boss