Most families will experience a wedding day or two in their lives. The buzz in the house on the morning of the big day. That happy tension and excitement as last minute preparation is done. Minor disagreements between the bossier relatives on just how much rescue remedy is too much? (Just FYI, the correct answer is that even if they would sell it to you in a drip, there wouldn’t be enough). These moments have all become something I expect to find when I walk into a brides home on her wedding day. Our home, on January 13^th 2012, was no exception.

My sister and I walking our mommy down the aisle and giving her away to a man like Dick was a dream come true. Being old enough myself now to understand the joy and pain of loved ones both lost and gained, I’m filled with such hope and appreciation by the love and understanding that they’ve found in one another. It was a blessing to bear witness to the union between two people who I love so very, inexplicably much (both as individuals and also as a couple). Most wonderful of all? When couples merge through second marriages, there’s the added bonus of the fact that whole families merge too … I’ve gained an entire army of wonderful new step brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews and even a step great nephew (I think???) Eat your heart out “Modern Family” … our reality show is taking you down! I hope these pictures give you a window into what was a truly special day in all our lives, set against one of my favourite backdrops … the little Karoo town of Graaff Reinet.

{PS If I’m in a photograph, it’s safe to say that I wasn’t the one taking it … credit then goes to either my sister Caroline, or my good friend Jess}