Given & Matshediso

I first met Given and Matshediso a few years ago at their home church in Lutheran Siyabuswa, through a mutual friend. At the time, Over the years, I had the privilege of working on a few projects for the church, and somewhere along the way, Given became more than someone I knew through work — he became a brother in another city. Whenever I am in Middelburg, it is always good to spend time with him and the gents. So, years later, standing behind my camera as Given married Matshediso felt like one of those beautiful full-circle moments. Given is now a Reverend at St Peter Confessional Lutheran Church in Mhluzi, and I had the privilege of documenting this new chapter of his life.

The wedding had a beautiful quiet elegance to it — refined without feeling overly formal, and warm without losing its sense of occasion. The soft sage of the bridesmaids, white florals, dark greenery and natural surroundings created a timeless palette, while the laughter and relaxed moments between the couple, family and friends kept the day feeling intimate and genuine. There was something wonderfully unhurried about it — a celebration that felt less about spectacle and more about the people sharing the day. But for me, the photographs carry something beyond the wedding day. They carry a little bit of history. Some stories take years to arrive at the moment you get to photograph them.