Wow the first blogpost of 2015!
This blogpost is special for a number of reasons. Firstly it documents my sisters wedding that took place in South Africa earlier last year, but also is a tribute to my late grandfather.
It may become quite lengthy so feel free to scroll past if you are visiting purely for the pretty pictures!
It’s taken me a while to decide to blog this wedding and also find the words. In July my husband and I headed to South Africa to celebrate my sisters wedding that took place at Nooitgedacht in Stellenbosch. It was an extra special trip as we were also to celebrate my grandfathers’ 80th birthday while there. It was the first time in 6 years that all his children and grandchildren would be together in one place as many of us live abroad.
Three months prior to this my grandfather had a light stroke, and had to have an operation. It was a difficult choice for him and the family as we knew he was frail and any operation carried a high risk. It was especially difficult as some of his children and grandchildren (like myself) live abroad and we would not be able to be there. I remember sitting at my desk the morning of his operation, unable to concentrate on work, praying that everything would go well. All I wanted was one more opportunity to see him in person…
Luckily the operation was successful, although it meant he was now bound to a wheelchair which I knew frustrated him. Three months later we headed to South-Africa…we spent quality time with my family, celebrated my grandfathers 80th with a massive party and a week later celebrated my sisters’ wedding.
My grandfather passed away on the 3rd of August 2014, one day after my sisters’ wedding. That evening the family sat together in my grandparents home, comforting each other, when a family friend shared a story unbeknown to us. He had visited my grandfather 3 months before when he was in the hospital. He asked my grandfather if he could pray for him and also asked my Grandad, if he could ask for anything at all, what it would be. My grandfather asked for two things: To live long enough to see his 80th birthday…and to see my sister get married. He held on long enough to see both these events…
This gives me and our family much comfort. I believe he was holding on to see all his children and grandchildren together one last time, to celebrate with us, to spend time with us. Once this was done he was ready to go…he was ready to leave…we miss him dearly.
The photographs of the wedding is also now special for more reason than one, as it doesn’t only document my sisters’ wedding day, but also the final hours of my grandfathers life. These photographs are priceless…these photographs will help keep his memory alive.
You can also view the video done by Capture media of the day here
In memory of Adam Johannes Noble (1934-2014)
A rather sweet (and possibly biased!) testimonial form my sister and her new husband, Ahren, but much appreciated non the less!
“Tatum and Michael truly went out of their way to capture our most important day exactly how we wanted to remember it…perfectly!
Tatum, what talent, she made sure we got every shot we wanted, with more than enough time for me to put my feet up for a while before the reception!
And with the complications that comes with having a winter wedding, she made it happen-with some kind of effortless magic! Even though it’s suppose to be about the bride and groom on the wedding day ,she made every one of my ( sometimes demanding) family feel special! Always with a smile on her face ready to take another and another, and another photograph!
To be honest , I was not so sure about having a videographer, I felt it might be too invasive having a video camera around, it makes most people uncomfortable, but I was wrong! Michael was like a Ninja, invisible, never intrusive, always getting everybody’s ”good side ” and most importantly captured not only us but the people we love the most.
My grandfather passed away the day after the wedding and without having to let him know, Michael instinctively put a bit of a focus on him in the highlight video, it was a heartfelt surprise when I saw it… thank you for that!
No words can express the thanks and gratitude we have for not only the perfect pictures and video,but for the perfect way you made it all happen on the day! I can not imagine my wedding day without the two of you!
We love you guys!
Thank you
Adri and Ahren Adams”
Venue Decor and planning by the amazing team from Glee Events.
Loved all of it……beautiful memories captured.
Absolutely priceless moments and all captured so so stunningly!!!!