If a picture-perfect wedding is what you’re after, look no further than Kurland as a venue and Hanru Marais as the official photographer.
Hanru is an accountant-turned-self-taught-photographer based in Cape Town. He also regularly spends time in Nice, France, where his partner, Michelin star chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, opened his renowned restaurant, JAN.
He always knew he wanted to work with international clients and from the minute he turned professional, he focused on building up his portfolio accordingly, sometimes self-funding shoots and hustling to make his visions a reality. Last year, Hanru had a milestone career moment when his photography for an incredible 500-guest wedding (which took place over three days in December in South Africa) was featured in American Vogue.
“My photographic career has taken me in many different directions, but I always navigate back to weddings,” Hanru confesses with a smile. “It’s the emotions! I love being present in those special, intimate moments within a wedding, and capturing what I see.”
Hanru has jobs lined up for international weddings in both Cyprus and Verona later this year, but he’s passionate about staying in South Africa and using it as his photographic base.
“The wedding industry in South Africa operates 100% on an international level. Suppliers here are on a different level, giving such authentic, professional service. There are so many opportunities for destination weddings and although our reputation as a country is definitely picking up, there are still a lot of people living overseas who are unaware of what we have to offer.”
When South African destination weddings are featured in international publications, like the American Vogue piece, it shows the world not only what we can do but also what breathtaking destinations our country has to offer.
One such destination is our very own Kurland Estate, which offers multiple spectacular indoor and outdoor locations for weddings with a difference.
All images by Hanru Marais
“I absolutely love Kurland as a wedding venue,” Hanru gushes. “The photographs always turn out beautifully, with plenty of natural light. And because the property is so big, there are so many options for those special contrasting shots that make wedding photography unique. Like the lushness of the green polo fields, compared with the sophisticated, rich interiors of the Homestead. Or the Pavillion standing out against a dramatic mountainous backdrop, in comparison with the simplicity and romance of the softly lit, tree-lined avenues leading to the stables.”
As Hanru explains, many people are steering away from vineyard weddings and looking for something completely unique and different. Plus, the advantage of Kurland’s exclusive-use Villa and Homestead accommodation options gives guests the choice of staying on the estate for a few days and experiencing the full realm of luxury country living.
Hanru is a man of many talents. He’s gearing up to open a concept store in Cape Town, called The Tall Man (because he’s 1.98 m tall!), and he has dreams of taking The Tall Man to Monaco and France.
He draws diverse inspiration from the people and places he captures, and also from what he calls his 5 simple joys in life:
- Room diffusers: “I love walking into my home and smelling a scent I love.”
- Cool magazines: “Print will never die.”
- Music: “I feel it in my bones. It’s my company when I edit photos – and it can make me happy.”
- Arriving at an airport: “The feeling of being in a new place. That smell, the newness, the unknown, the opportunities…”
- Hiking in nature: “I recently hiked the Otter Trail and would love to do more multi-day hikes.”
If you’re planning a wedding, Kurland is an idyllic space in which to celebrate unforgettable wedding memories with friends and family members. For a wedding day and country stay that you and your guests will never forget, get in touch.