Kirsten & Paddy’s Molenvliet Wedding – Stellenbosch

Monica Dart — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 17:05:40 +0000

Kirsten and Paddy celebrated their wedding at MolenVliet, one of my all time favourite venues!! Kirsten got ready in the manor house – what added to the peacefulness is that there were so many beautiful biblical art pieces and statues dotted around the house. Just before Kirsten headed of to become Mrs Muldoon, I noticed a pack of “Angel” cards” next to her bag, so I asked her to choose one. She selected one which read ” I am helping you with your soulmate selection”. It was quite a moment.

The ceremony was intimate with close friends and family outside amongst the trees with the most beautiful view of the mountains. “All you need is love” filled the air as “The Swingers” brass band led everyone through the vineyard to enjoy canapes and champagne in the sunshine.

To all Kirsten and Paddy’s friends and family that traveled from far, and not so far – enjoy this little story of the most incredible day.

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Nelle & DeWet, MolenVliet Estate in Stellenbosch

Monica Dart — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 14:38:20 +0000

My photography has been influenced alot from reading Eckhart Tolle’s ‘The Power Of Now’. It’s about being in the ‘moment’ and experiencing that moment for what it is. Being ‘present’. Like when you’re sitting having a coffee with a friend, you are totally there, not daydreaming of that email you have to send, or the birthday present you have to buy. I sometimes battle with this, my thoughts buzzing around my head, but am always conscious of ‘the now‘. Some of the best images i’ve made were when I was being present, feeling the mood around me, scouting out the light, seeing where shadows are falling, ready for moments the bride and groom share a laugh or an intimate smile. I love playing with movement during some of my shoots – it creates a different element to a photograph, and a lovely energy.

Nelle and DeWet got married at Pniel Church in Stellenbosch and had their reception at the lavish MolenVliet Wine Estate. After the ceremony we headed off to do the bridal photo’s. Our 1st location was at an old, unused petrol station. It was hectically windy and at one point during the shoot, Nelle’s veil blew off into the street and was driven over by a taxi! The veil survived and thankfully was still clean and undamaged. Some days wind can be a real pain when shooting, but on this particular day, it worked in our favour. For the 2nd part of the shoot, Ockie (one of the owners of MolenVliet) kindly drove us in a 4×4 along a bumpy road to the top of the venue. Paradise – views of the vineyards and mountains with the sun just setting. This is one of the most stunning venues I’ve worked at! The design of MolenVliet is pure genius – the reception area has two sections built off it – the 1st is an outside area where guests can have a smoke and drink without feeling separated from the wedding party, and the 2nd section has a large ‘lounge’ type area with leather sofas and a black and white checkered floor. Ockie and Aneen from MolenVliet did an incredible job making sure the day ran smoothly. Nelle & DeWet, thanks for braving the wind! you were both so cool to photograph. Another AMAZING day at ‘work’!

make-up: Gabi Hough (see links page); Music: DJ Preston from On Cue Music; Videographers: Silverline Productions; Flowers: Flowers In The Foyer; Cake: Kanya Hunt

Blog uploaded the 3rd January 2010

I love this shot above – a gust of wind and the veil wrapped itself around Nelle.

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Monica Dart Photography Blog » MolenVliet Estate

Kirsten & Paddy’s Molenvliet Wedding – Stellenbosch

Nelle & DeWet, MolenVliet Estate in Stellenbosch