Bridal Couple - Amyaaz & Rizqa

Arderne Gardens Claremont

The wedding of bridal couple - Amyaaz & Rizqa was a very quaint affair. Lots of family, uncles, aunts, parents and cousins, lots friends, lots to eat and lots to drink. However when it came to the photographs the couple wanted pics without the rest of the family, especially since it was their wedding. That's exactly as it should be, considering it's their wedding album. No frivolous uncles and aunts with their obtuse attitudes who wants to be in each and every photograph, because either the bride or groom is their favourite niece or nephew. Nor those pesky cousins with the expensive cellphone with it's multi megapixel cameras who constantly jump or step in infront of the photographer just as her flash goes off to take that very special shot. As the old adage goes, you can choose your friends but you cannot choose your family.

Amyaaz & Rizqa had a really nice day for their wedding, not to much sun neither too overcast. Her wedding dress was a marvel with the bead work to die for. Together they made a very cute couple but not as cute as that amazing diamond ring. I may be wrong but they are probably the youngest couple we have shot todate.

STUNNING BRIDE

THE WEDDING OF SUHAYL & FARZANAH

It is festive season and it's a time that many young couples plan to get wed. One could say that it's wedding season because during the entire Christmas break  we are booked to capacity.  Today we attended the wedding celebration of Suhayl and Farzanah. Yesterday we took the wedding photos of Anika and Jihaad and the day before that we shot the wedding photos of Shakira and Tariq, which was in fact Christmas day. Last week Saturday we photographed the wedding of  Shabnam and Tariq and the Sunday we photographed the wedding of Sameera and Ghalied. But to get back to Suhayl and Farzanah's wedding. All I can say, is that it was very different from the traditional  Muslim Weddings, (Muslim Arab, South Asian Muslim Culture) in that this wedding couple held a joint reception. It was so nice, and unrushed. Farzanah  wore beautiful Indian sari with fancy beadwork in the morning, but her afternoon white lace wedding dress was really stunning.  She had mendi designs on both her hands and feet, which was quite different from that of her bridesmaids. 

Muslim marriages are predominantly held in mosques but it is not necessary nor is it a requirement. A Muslim marriage can be performed in a hall or even at home, presided over by  an Imam or any male with the requisite  Islamic knowledge to peform the marriage ceremony. What is necessary however, is that the wedding ceremony take place in the presence of witnesses and that a marriage contract is signed by at least two witnesses. The marriage ceremony does not require the bride to be present but rather the representative of the bride who in most cases is her father, a brother or a uncle. Marriage traditions differ depending on Muslim Arab, South Asian Muslim Culture or Islamic sect, and their individual observance of gender separation rules. Often brides attend mosque to witness the marriage proceedings but remain separate during the wedding ceremony. And again depending on the level of Islamic observance will determine whether or not mixing of the sexes are allowed at the wedding reception. Though in principal it is not permitted.

Suhayl and Farzanah wedding proceedings started off  at Masjied ul-Ishraaq  in 5th avenue Grassy Park with Moulana Dawood Sampson presiding over the the Nikah. Thereafter all in attendance were off the venue named Ambiance for breakfast  were the groom got to meet-up with his wife and where rings were exchanged. There was an abundance of delectable foods, savouries, fruits in season, nuts and chilled beverages to satisfy every pallet. Farzanah had an amazing white gold solitaire diamond ring with a radiant stone that could easily have been 1ct. The smaller stones on the wedding band could easily have been an additional half a carat. After all the guests dispersed, destined to meet at the reception for supper, there was time to take photos very leisurely in the garden at Ambiance. Then we took a break. 

Mid afternoon we rendezvoused with the bridal couple and their retinue to go on a magical photo shoot which took place inside the Baxter Theatre and thereafter we took some more photos in Bo-Kaap where we encountered several other wedding couples having the photographs taken by our fellow photographers and  colleagues. At the Baxter Suhayl and Farzanah were drumming on a drum kit, and playing music on electric keyboards and even tried their voices at singing. They had wedding props, moustaches on a stick and spectacles without lenses, pink lips on a stick and so many other fun stuff. Several hours later we had more than 700 photographs and considering a lot more photographs were taken at the reception. They had two beautiful cream coloured BMW vehicles, one for the bride and groom and the other for the brides maids and bestmen, There was also a third vehicle, a  range rover for the pages boys and flower girls which was also cream in colour. All three vehicles were dressed-up with fancy silver ribbon decorated with wedding bells and interlinking hearts.

I'm certain we managed well over 1000 photos.   The ones below, are just a few that we decided to share with you. The couple also had  a smoke machine, at their reception, as well as a sweets table, guest gift candles  and even a saxaphone player.  Their engagement and wedding photographs is going to be compiled into a photobook /coffee table styled book as the final product. Farzanah was miss photogenic and Suhayl  just went along with whatever she wanted. What a nice young couple. They enjoyed the support and the blessings of their parents and their guests made their wedding really wonderful and absolutely memorable. Like in a storybook, their cake ended of the proceedings with an inscription "And they lived happily ever after".

BRIDAL COUPLE - FAIZEL AND SAARAH

THE WEDDING OF FAIZEL & SAARAH

Today was a really nice day for a wedding. The sun seemed to shine much brighter than normal and the birds and bees where out in full force, chirping and buzzing as we strolled through the Company Gardens in Cape Town. There were several other wedding couples having their bridal photographs taken and their guest were everywhere. However, Faisel and Saarah had a very special guest who graced their photo session and I think he may have had a crush on Saarah.

Believe it or not, this very special guest was in fact a Squirrel. As can be seen in the photographs below, this Squirrel seemed to haunt Faisel, trying to tell him something in his own sort of way. I'm convinced that he definitely approved of the bride, but wanted her for himself. And he made no bones about it. He stayed with the wedding couple for a duration of almost three hours. You must admit that this isn't normal behaviour and certainly not from a Squirrel. Anyway Saarah and Faizel's wedding was very quaint with predominantly close friends and family which was held at The Venue in Imaam Abdullah Haroon Drive. This Muslim Wedding (Muslim Arab, South Asian Muslim Culture) reception was a lavish affair and Saarah's wedding gown was just as gorgeous, with diamond engagement ring, wedding band and  earrings to match, not to mention the shoes. Bling from another planet. According to the wannabe bride, it was a pair of shoes to die for. What astounds me most, is how brides can spend an entire day doing the balancing act on those high hills. But the freakiest part of all is that these shoes are brand new, and is bound to gift them with a few one dollar sizes blisters, on their feet.  Yep that's our women for you. You can't live with them and you cannot live without them. And Faizel is more than proof of this very fact.

The mother of the bride, the bride and her grand mother.

The groom waiting for his bride.

The squirrel going to the  patch where he hid the wedding ring
which I think he wanted to give to Saarah.

Yep and his digging away because it is a matter of urgency.

Facinated by their guest, the bride and groom careful observe
the squirrel as he put up a performance

Oh, excuse me, so sorry to interupt but I like to marry your wife Saarah

Sorry mate, she spoken for but you can eat the bouquet if you like. 

Happiness is holding hands

The famous steps at the green gates.

"Dude I'm serious man, I just adore you woman, just give her to me man... please"

"Mr. Squirrel lets be realistic, you can't have my wife, she is way too
beautiful for you, so get with the program and find your own bitch."

"Yo dude those lips are so kissable. man I wish I was  you."

The bridal couple kissing with the Squirrel looking on.

"That really sucks, I put so much effort into this proposal and he still gets to walk away with her.
Guess I just have to find myself a she squirrel caws I also want a piece of what his having tonight."