SMITSFIELD VENUE INTIMATE RIVERSIDE WEDDING

dAVID & mIKA'S INTIMATE RIVERSIDE WEddING CELEBRATION AT sMITSFIELD vENUE NEAR LOTHAIR

We have been putting off posting David & Mika’s wedding for so long.And no, not because we didn’t love it. On the contrary, it was one of those weddings that completely resonated with us on all levels! One that reverberated through our whole being. We found it so hard to find the right words to describe this very intimate celebration on the banks of the Vaal river. Or any words to describe these two remarkable people.

BUT LET US TELL YOU THEIR STORY:

Just like Istanbul seems to thread its way through our personal lives; Mika describes the stretch of Vaal River – right at the origin in Mpumalanga – as somewhere their family always seem to circle back to. And when she first contacted us to discuss their wedding this symbolism struck so many cords with us!

“Exciting, Genuine, Exceptional – this is how we’d describe working with Steph & Elaine”

– David & Mika Keyser

The colour palette was chosen for its simplicity with soft greens, browns, whites and dusty pinks. Not to mention Mika’s ethereal wedding dress; designed and custom made for her by Jana from Silver Swallow Design. Mika’s dress was whimsical, timeless and unique and the long billowing sleeves caught the breeze as Mika walked down the sandy aisle. Pure bridal perfection!

When planning their wedding intimate wedding, David & Mika asked Smitsfield Wedding Venue to do something they have never done before: to setup a unique ceremony on the sandbanks of the river. Rights as it crawls and curves through the farm. This made for an incredibly memorable occasion in nature as the guests sat listening to the vows while having their toes in the sand, the sound of the flowing waters in the background.

One of the other standouts of this wedding; apart from the ceremony location was the unique train accommodation on the farm, which consists of luxuriously renovated post railway carriages set along two station buildings imitating a railway platform.

Another standout: The cocktail hour served in the fields overlooking the Vaal River where champagne & a decadent carrot cake were served right there in the veldt before the couple slipped away for a few minutes of photographs with us before joining their 16 guests for a mesmerizing candlelit dinner in the unique entryway with its intricate ceiling at Smitsfield Venue

“Booking a wedding photographer, I was concerned that out photos would lose their warmth and sense of being ‘ours’ and instead morph into something that we would look upon as if they were strangers in a magazine. That most definitely did not come true. Instead, the photos we received from Steph & Elaine are the most stunning and authentic captures of our day. The emotions and vibe of the day are embodied so beautifully in the photos.



Without a doubt the highlight of our journey with Dust and Dreams was the element of fun and genuine investment you bring to the wedding photography process! You bring a sense of excitement to the build up to the day, which spills over into your service both on and after the wedding day. It made it such a joy having you as our photographers!



The service we received was authentic – not something that stopped once the photos were taken, nor a façade as required in the industry.

Totally worth every penny and then some! We received a level of service and eye for detail that gave us full faith in our photographers.

And, wow did it pay off! The quality of images we received from the wedding day have been incredible.” – Mika Keyser