MR & MRS EHLERS |barnyard mpumalanga highveld wedding - Izelle Labuschagne Lifestyle Photography

The Mpumalanga Highveld is one of my favourite parts of the country – its picturesque scenery is ideal for a wedding! Liezel & Ruan said their “I do’s” at the charming Barnyard Lodge in Ermelo on the 1st of February 2014. This wedding truly was a photographer’s dream wedding – besides for the beautiful location, we were spoilt with so much decor details and the natural light due to the cloudiness on the day was amazing. Liezel & Ruan gave us an opportunity to take some couple photos before and after the ceremony (something I strongly recommend all couples consider as it allows for some sort of back up option in case it should rain later on the day) and we managed to use all of this time for couple photos – the rain started falling just as the reception started.

Mr & Mrs Ehlers were a stunning couple to work with – they were calm, relaxed and so natural in front of the cameras – they have a visible chemistry together and they truly are beautiful inside and out.

How did you meet/How did the proposal happen?

Liezel: “We met in high school in grade 11, we were both 17 at the time (although this is not technically accurate since we were in the same grade from grade 1 – and thus met when we were 7). I suppose I should rather say that we fell in love when we were both in grade 11, and Ruan has been my best friend ever since. After school we both studied in Pretoria for 4 years, where after we returned to our home town of Piet Retief. We knew that we wanted to spend the rest of our life’s together but we were both 22 at the time, just starting our different careers, so we decided that we would postpone our engagement until we were both 24. (Longest 2 years of my life…) In June 2013 we were in Nelspruit with friends, when I saw the most stunning ring in a jewellery shop. I showed Ruan the ring and he agreed that it was lovely, but insisted that we would get an engagement ring on another date. While I was busy in a different store, Ruan returned to the jewellery shop, without my knowledge, and got the ring I wanted… He then planned a romantic weekend away at Jozini Tiger Lodge outside Pongola, I suspected that he was going to propose, so I went through his bag before we left, and found a little red box, which I realised had the ring inside. Despite being extremely excited and curious as to what the ring would look like…I did not open the box. That part I wanted to be a surprise. So I waited patiently… Ruan proposed on 20 July 2013 next to the St Lucia estuary just after sunset. I said ‘yes’.”

What was your favourite part of your wedding day?

Liezel: “It’s difficult to point out the favourite part of one’s wedding day. When I think back to our day, what stands out perhaps was our guests waiting for us outside the chapel and confetti raining over us, everyone was laughing and I could feel the excitement all around us – that was a wonderful moment. Also, when my brother sang at the reception (which was the first time the whole family heard him sing – myself included) , I’ll never forget that. And our first dance, which I cannot put into words…”

How would you describe your wedding theme?

Liezel: “Our colours were mainly peach and mint. I can’t say that we really had a theme, we used what we liked! Most of the décor was DIY projects. My mother-in-law also had lots of creative ideas which we used.”

Do you have any tips/advice for our future brides and grooms?

Liezel: “Advice for future brides and grooms is to enjoy the time spent with family and friends whilst planning your big day. And savour every single moment and every single detail on the big day itself. Laugh, cry and dance to every song you possibly can – because the day is over in a heartbeat.”

Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Ehlers, we loved being a part of your delightful day!