Everything you need to know about booking your wedding photographer and videographer in Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands and beyond.
Planning your Cape Winelands wedding? Find answers about photography and videography packages, booking, timelines, delivery, RAW files, weather, travel and more.
We typically find that our couples book us 12–18 months in advance, especially for popular spring and summer wedding dates in Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands, and the Western Cape.
We always recommend securing your wedding photographer and videographer as soon as you've confirmed your wedding date and venue. As we only accept a limited number of weddings each year to ensure every couple receives our full attention, availability can become limited well in advance.
If your wedding is sooner, don't hesitate to get in touch—we occasionally have dates available and would love to check our availability for you.
The best place to start is by exploring our portfolio. Every wedding photographer and videographer has a unique style, and it's important that our work resonates with you. If you find yourself connecting with the emotions, storytelling, and natural moments you see in our galleries and films, there's a good chance we'll be a great fit.
Beyond our work, we believe that who we are is just as important as what we create. We're down-to-earth, approachable, and easy to communicate with. We value honesty, professionalism, and building genuine relationships with our couples, so you can feel relaxed and comfortable throughout your wedding journey.
Our style is natural, timeless, and documentary-inspired. Rather than relying on overly posed or staged moments, we gently guide you when needed while allowing your day to unfold naturally. We love authentic emotions, meaningful connections, beautiful landscapes, and the simple moments that often become the most treasured memories.
Photography and videography aren't just our profession—they're our passion. We genuinely love telling love stories and creating beautiful imagery that you'll cherish for generations.
If this sounds like what you're looking for, we'd love to hear from you. We'd be delighted to arrange a video call to get to know each other, answer your questions, and help you decide whether we're the right team to capture your wedding day.
Absolutely! We know that choosing your wedding photographer and videographer is about more than just beautiful photos and films—it's about finding people you genuinely connect with and feel comfortable having by your side on one of the most important days of your life.
We're always happy to arrange an online video call, no matter where you're based. It's a relaxed opportunity to get to know each other, hear more about your wedding plans, answer any questions you may have, and chat through our collections.
If you're local to Stellenbosch or the surrounding Cape Winelands, we'd also be delighted to meet over a coffee. There's no pressure or obligation—just a friendly conversation to see if we're the right fit for your wedding day.
Once you've received your quotation and you're ready to proceed, securing your wedding date is simple.
We require two things:
Once we've received both, your booking is officially confirmed and your wedding date is exclusively reserved in our calendar.
As we only accept a limited number of weddings each year to ensure every couple receives our full attention, bookings are confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis. Unfortunately, we cannot reserve dates without both the signed agreement and reservation retainer.
Yes. When you book with Flying Swan Media, you can have complete confidence that either André, Susara, or both will be personally involved in capturing your wedding day.
Our team is structured to ensure a consistent experience and the high standard of work you've come to expect from our portfolio.
Photography & Videography Collections
For couples booking both photography and videography, our core team will be there. André leads the videography, Susara leads the photography, and depending on your chosen collection, additional team members such as Jason, Ian, André K. or Marc may join us to provide extra coverage throughout the day.
Videography Collections
For videography-only bookings, André is your lead videographer. Depending on the collection you've selected, he may be accompanied by a second videographer from our trusted team, including Jason, Ian, André K., Marc or Susara.
Photography Collections
For photography-only bookings, Susara is your lead photographer. Some collections also include a second photographer. Our second shooters are carefully selected professionals from a trusted network we've built over the years. They photograph alongside us using consistent techniques, professional equipment, and shooting standards to ensure a seamless final gallery.
No matter which collection you choose, all photographs and films are edited by Flying Swan Media to maintain the consistent artistic style and quality you see throughout our portfolio.
We only accept a limited number of weddings each year to ensure every couple receives our full attention and the high level of service we're known for.
If both André and Susara, our lead photographer and videographer, are already committed to another wedding on your chosen date, we unfortunately won't be able to accept your booking. We never outsource or replace our lead team simply to accommodate additional bookings, as maintaining the quality and consistency of our work is incredibly important to us.
If your wedding date is still available, we'd love to hear from you. And if not, we genuinely wish you all the very best in finding a photographer and videographer who are the perfect fit for your special day.
Absolutely! We've been photographing and filming weddings throughout Stellenbosch, the Cape Winelands, and the greater Western Cape since 2018.
As a Stellenbosch-based team, we feel incredibly fortunate to call this beautiful region home. From rolling vineyards and majestic mountain landscapes to historic wine estates and charming countryside venues, the Cape Winelands offers some of the most breathtaking wedding settings in South Africa—and we never tire of capturing love stories here.
We regularly work at venues throughout Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Somerset West, Wellington, Robertson, Tulbagh, and beyond. Whether you're planning an intimate vineyard wedding or a grand estate celebration, we'd love to be part of your day.
While the Winelands are where we're based, we're always happy to travel throughout the Western Cape and beyond for destination weddings.
There's a good chance we have! Over the years, we've photographed and filmed more than 350 weddings at 150+ wedding venues across the Western Cape.
That said, if your venue is new to us, there's absolutely no need to worry. Our experience has taught us that every wedding day is unique, regardless of whether we've worked at a venue before. We're confident in quickly assessing the light, surroundings, and best locations to create beautiful photographs and films.
Before every wedding, we spend time researching the venue, reviewing timelines, and planning for the day ahead. If we're visiting a venue for the first time, we'll arrive early to familiarise ourselves with the property, scout the best locations for portraits, identify backup options in case of bad weather, and ensure we're fully prepared before we officially begin capturing your day.
Our focus is never simply on knowing the venue—it's on understanding the light, the atmosphere, and your unique story. That's what allows us to create beautiful, timeless imagery wherever your wedding takes place.
Firstly, don't panic! Rain is one of the biggest worries for couples, but after photographing and filming more than 350 weddings, we've learned that beautiful wedding photographs and films are possible in almost any weather.
While the weather is beyond anyone's control, it's something we actively plan for. Around 48–72 hours before your wedding, we monitor the forecast closely and, if necessary, make recommendations to your timeline to help make the most of the conditions. This could include adjusting the timing of your couple portraits, making use of covered outdoor areas, or identifying beautiful indoor locations should the weather require it.
On the day itself, we're experienced at adapting quickly and making the most of every situation. Overcast skies can create beautifully soft, flattering light, while a break in the rain can often provide incredible opportunities for dramatic photographs and films.
Our advice is simple: focus on celebrating your wedding day, not the weather. We'll take care of the rest and ensure your memories are captured beautifully, whatever Mother Nature has planned.
While every wedding timeline is unique, we generally recommend scheduling your couple portraits during golden hour—the last hour before sunset.
Golden hour offers the most beautiful natural light of the day, creating soft, warm tones and a romantic atmosphere that perfectly complements the Cape Winelands' vineyards, mountains, and landscapes. The result is timeless, flattering photographs and cinematic footage.
That said, we'll always tailor our recommendations to your wedding day. Sunset times vary throughout the year, and factors such as your venue, ceremony time, weather conditions, and overall timeline all play a role. During the planning process, we'll help you determine the ideal time for your portraits so they fit naturally into your day.
Many couples also choose to step away for 10–15 minutes after sunset for a few additional portraits during blue hour. If your timeline allows, this can create beautifully atmospheric images and is often one of our favourite parts of the day.
Our goal is to make your portrait session feel relaxed and enjoyable—not rushed—so you can soak in a few quiet moments together while we create some of your favourite memories from the day.
Each film serves a different purpose, allowing you to relive your wedding day in different ways.
Wedding Trailer (Approx. 60 seconds)
Think of this as the cinematic teaser of your wedding day. Set to music, it's a short, emotional film designed to capture the atmosphere and excitement of your celebration—perfect for sharing with family and friends.
Wedding Highlights Film (Approx. 4–10 minutes)
Your highlights film is a beautifully edited summary of your wedding day. Combining the most meaningful moments with carefully selected music and professional audio, it tells the story of your day in a cinematic and emotional way. The exact length depends on your chosen collection and hours of coverage.
Complete Ceremony Film (Optional Upgrade or Included in Selected Collections)
This is a full edit of your ceremony, including the processional, vows, exchange of rings, signing of the register, sermon (where applicable), and your joyful confetti exit.
Complete Reception Film (Optional Upgrade or Included in Selected Collections)
This includes the key moments from your reception, such as your grand entrance, speeches, first dance, parent dances, bouquet and garter traditions (where applicable), and other important formalities.
Wedding Day Movie (luxury the Storyteller Collection)
Our most comprehensive film experience. Rather than separate edits, your entire wedding day—from getting ready through to the reception—is woven together into a beautifully crafted 1–2 hour cinematic wedding film, allowing you to relive your day almost as it happened.
Not as standard. Our wedding collections include a cinematic highlights film, while the Complete Ceremony Film is included only in selected collections or can be added as an optional upgrade.
If having your ceremony in its entirety is important to you, we'd be happy to recommend the most suitable collection or add it to your package.
Not by default. While key moments from the speeches may appear in your highlights film, the Complete Reception Film, including speeches and other reception formalities, is included only in selected collections or as an optional upgrade.
If you'd like to relive every word and reaction, we'd highly recommend including this option in your collection.
Yes. Beautiful visuals deserve beautiful sound, which is why we use professional audio equipment throughout your wedding day.
Depending on the event, this may include:
This allows us to capture your vows, speeches, and other important moments with clear, professional-quality audio that brings your wedding film to life.
Yes—if it's included in your chosen collection. Complimentary drone footage is captured whenever conditions allow, adding breathtaking aerial perspectives of your venue and surroundings.
Drone footage is always subject to:
Unfortunately, no.
While we always do our best to include aerial footage, drone flights are dependent on weather conditions, venue permissions, nearby airspace restrictions, and operational safety. If it's unsafe or unlawful to fly, we won't compromise safety or regulations.
Should this happen, we'll simply continue capturing your wedding using our professional ground-based cameras to ensure your film remains beautiful and complete.
Absolutely. We believe music is deeply personal, and you're welcome to let us know the songs that are meaningful to you.
If you'd like us to use a commercially released (copyrighted) song, we can do so for your personal copy of the film. However, please be aware that social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube may mute, block, or restrict videos containing copyrighted music.
For couples who would like to share their wedding films online without copyright issues, we also have access to an extensive library of professionally licensed music. Many couples choose licensed music for their trailer and highlights film, while keeping a personal version featuring their favourite song.
We'll happily discuss the best option with you during the editing process.
Yes—within the coverage hours you've booked.
The level of coverage depends on your chosen collection.
If you've booked a highlights film, we'll capture the atmosphere, key moments, and candid snippets throughout the reception to tell the story of the evening.
If you've included full reception coverage, we'll film the reception in much greater detail using multiple camera angles and professional audio, preserving the important moments such as speeches, first dance, parent dances, and other formalities.
This depends on the collection you've chosen.
Typical deliverables include:
No matter which collection you choose, every film is professionally edited in Flying Swan Media's signature cinematic style, carefully crafted to tell the unique story of your wedding day.
We recommend booking your wedding photographer and videographer as soon as you've secured your wedding date and venue. Like popular wedding venues, sought-after photographers and videographers are often booked 12–18 months in advance, particularly for peak wedding season and popular summer dates in the Cape Winelands.
This depends on your wedding plans, but we generally offer collections ranging from 6 to 10 hours.
We make the process easy. Before your wedding, we'll send you a detailed Wedding Day Questionnaire to learn more about your plans.
Using your ceremony time, venue, time of year, sunset time, travel distances, and even the weather forecast, we'll help create a timeline that allows your day to flow naturally while ensuring every important moment is beautifully captured.
As a Flying Swan Media client you also have access to our resources for clients including a timeline planning guide and PDF wedding planner.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all answer. The ideal ceremony time depends on the season, the length of your ceremony, your venue, and whether you'd like golden hour portraits before sunset.
We'll happily advise you on the best ceremony start time based on your wedding date and location to help you make the most of the available light.
Whenever possible, we recommend scheduling your main couple portraits during golden hour—the last hour before sunset.
The light is softer, warmer, and incredibly flattering, creating the romantic, timeless photographs and films the Cape Winelands is known for.
We generally recommend 30–60 minutes, depending on how important portraits are to you and whether you'd like to visit multiple locations around your venue.
We'll always work efficiently, allowing plenty of time for beautiful photographs while ensuring you spend as much time as possible celebrating with your guests.
This is a very personal decision—there's no right or wrong answer.
A First Look can be a wonderful option if you're feeling particularly nervous, as it gives you a private moment together before the ceremony and often helps couples relax for the rest of the day.
However, it's worth remembering that seeing each other beforehand changes the experience of the bride's entrance down the aisle. For many couples, that emotional first glimpse is one of the most memorable moments of the day.
Weddings rarely run exactly on time, and that's completely normal.
After photographing and filming hundreds of weddings, we're experienced at adapting throughout the day. We'll continually adjust where possible, make the most of the available time, and work closely with your planner and other vendors to help keep everything running smoothly.
Weather is one of the few things nobody can control.
Our advice is to let go of the things you can't change and focus on what truly matters—celebrating your marriage.
We'll monitor the weather in the days leading up to your wedding, suggest timeline adjustments if needed, and always have alternative ideas for beautiful photographs. Some of our favourite images have been captured on rainy wedding days.
We'll help you with this during the planning process.
When building your timeline, we use realistic travel times based on Google Maps while also allowing for traffic, particularly during weekday peak hours and busy weekends in the Cape Winelands.
Yes. If possible, we always recommend visiting your venue before the wedding. It gives you a better understanding of the layout, lighting, and logistics, making planning much easier and helping your wedding day run more smoothly.
Absolutely. Timeline planning is included in our service, and we'll happily help create a schedule that allows everything to flow naturally while making the most of the available light.
Yes.
Before the wedding, we'll provide a guide to help you prepare your family photograph list. On the day, we'll direct each group efficiently, but we do recommend asking a member of your bridal party, your MC, or a family member to help gather people. It makes the process much quicker and more enjoyable for everyone.
We recommend taking family photographs immediately after the ceremony, before guests head to canapés and refreshments.
Having a prepared list and someone helping gather family members makes the process smooth, efficient, and allows everyone to return to the celebrations sooner.
Yes. A family photo list ensures no important combinations are forgotten and helps us move efficiently through the group photographs.
Having everything together before we arrive saves time and allows us to begin photographing immediately.
For the bride, we recommend having your dress, shoes, jewellery, perfume, bouquet, invitation suite, rings, vow books, veil, and any sentimental items ready.
For the groom, your suit, shoes, watch, cufflinks, tie, boutonnière, gifts for the groomsmen, and perhaps a bottle of whisky for a celebratory toast all make wonderful storytelling details.
We recommend setting aside your invitations, rings, jewellery, perfume, shoes, vow books, ribbons, bouquet, heirlooms, and any meaningful keepsakes you'd like included in your photographs.
If it's something that resonates with you as a couple, absolutely.
Private vows create an incredibly intimate moment and translate beautifully into your wedding film, allowing you to share personal words with each other away from the crowd.
We think so.
Personal vows make your ceremony uniquely yours and often become some of the most emotional moments of the day, both for your guests and in your wedding film.
The best thing you can do is trust the process.
We also highly recommend a pre-wedding shoot. It allows you to become comfortable in front of the camera, understand how we work, and arrive on your wedding day feeling relaxed and confident.
You're not alone—most couples feel this way.
A pre-wedding shoot is the perfect confidence booster. You'll quickly realise you don't need to know how to pose—we'll guide you every step of the way.
Simply plan your couple portraits during the final hour before sunset. It's the most flattering light of the day and creates the beautiful warm, romantic imagery you've probably seen throughout our portfolio.
If your timeline allows, absolutely.
Your wedding day goes by incredibly quickly. Taking just 10–15 minutes together away from the celebrations gives you an opportunity to pause, soak it all in, and enjoy a quiet moment as newlyweds.
The best gift your guests can give you is their presence.
Encourage them to be fully present during your ceremony rather than viewing it through a phone screen. During cocktail hour, providing drinks, canapés, and entertainment also keeps everyone relaxed and engaged while we capture beautiful candid moments.
We highly recommend an unplugged ceremony.
There's nothing more disappointing than a beautiful first kiss, aisle entrance, or confetti exit being blocked by guests holding up phones or stepping into the aisle for their own photographs. Allowing your guests to be fully present creates a more meaningful experience for everyone—and results in much cleaner, timeless photographs.
Build a timeline with room to breathe.
Allow enough time for getting ready, travel, family photographs, and couple portraits, and don't try to schedule every minute of the day. Weddings almost always experience small delays, so having a little flexibility means you'll enjoy the day far more.
Plan well, choose experienced and trustworthy wedding vendors, and then let go.
Once you've done the planning, trust the team you've chosen. Your job on the wedding day isn't to manage logistics—it's to marry your best friend, celebrate with the people you love, and be fully present in each moment.
The happiest couples we've photographed are the ones who embrace the unexpected, laugh through the little imperfections, and focus on what truly matters. At the end of the day, your wedding isn't about a perfect timeline or perfect weather—it's about the beginning of your marriage, and that's what makes it unforgettable.
Once you've received your quotation and decided you'd like to book with us, we'll send you a booking proposal containing your contract and invoice.
To officially secure your wedding date, we require:
Your booking is confirmed only once both have been received. At that point, your wedding date is reserved exclusively for you in our calendar.
Because we accept a limited number of weddings each year, we cannot hold dates indefinitely.
Your wedding date remains available to other couples until we've received both your signed contract and reservation retainer. We therefore recommend confirming your booking as soon as you're ready to avoid disappointment.
We accept secure electronic bank transfers (EFT).
For our international couples, we also offer Wise, which provides a simple and cost-effective way to make international payments with competitive exchange rates.
The remaining balance is payable one month before your wedding date, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
This allows us to focus entirely on your wedding day without any outstanding administrative matters.
Yes.
Many couples choose to make additional payments throughout the planning process. As long as the full balance has been received by the final payment due date, you're welcome to pay in instalments that suit your budget.
Absolutely.
Every wedding is unique, and we're happy to tailor a collection that better suits your plans, coverage requirements, and priorities. Whether you'd like additional hours, extra photographers or videographers, a pre-wedding shoot, or heirloom products, we'll gladly prepare a personalised quotation.
Yes.
We offer standalone wedding photography and wedding videography collections, as well as combined photography and videography packages for couples who would like one creative team capturing their day.
We believe so.
When one team is responsible for both photography and videography, everyone is working towards the same creative vision and timeline. Communication is seamless, and we can work together without competing for the same moments.
That said, we're always happy to collaborate professionally with other photographers, videographers, planners, and wedding suppliers to ensure your day runs smoothly.
If our lead team is already committed to another wedding on your date, we're unfortunately unable to accept another booking.
Rather than outsourcing your wedding to photographers or videographers you haven't met, we prefer to remain true to the personal experience our couples book us for.
If we're unavailable, we'll happily recommend other trusted professionals where possible.
If your wedding date changes, please let us know as soon as possible.
We'll always do our best to accommodate the new date, subject to our availability. If we're available, we'll gladly transfer your booking in accordance with the terms of your Wedding Agreement.
Yes, subject to our availability.
Many couples decide to add extra coverage, a second photographer or videographer, a pre-wedding shoot, or heirloom products closer to the wedding. We'll do our best to accommodate your request wherever possible.
Yes.
Pre-wedding shoots are one of the best ways to become comfortable in front of the camera before your wedding day. They also give us the opportunity to get to know each other, helping you feel relaxed and confident when your wedding arrives.
If a pre-wedding shoot isn't included in your chosen collection, it can easily be added as an optional extra.
Your reservation retainer allows us to exclusively reserve your wedding date and decline other enquiries for the same day.
Because we can only photograph or film one wedding at a time, your booking fee secures our availability and the time we'll dedicate to planning, preparing for, and capturing your wedding.
The amount of coverage you need depends on your wedding timeline, venue, and what's most important to you. To suit different celebrations, we offer 6, 8, and 10-hour collections.
Our most popular collection is 8 hours, as it offers a wonderful balance of coverage and value for most wedding days.
6 Hours
Ideal for couples who would like the day captured from the ceremony through to the main reception formalities. This typically includes the ceremony, family photographs, couple portraits, canapés, reception details, speeches, cake cutting, and first dance.
8 Hours (Our Most Popular Collection)
Perfect for full-day storytelling, covering everything from bridal and groom preparations through to the key reception moments. This collection allows us to document the excitement of getting ready, the ceremony, portraits, candid guest moments, and all the important reception formalities.
10 Hours
Our most comprehensive collection, designed for couples who want their entire wedding story documented at a more relaxed pace. It allows extra time between events, more opportunities for candid moments, additional creative portraits, and extended reception coverage—giving you the freedom to slow down, be present, and truly soak in every moment of your wedding day without feeling rushed.
If you're unsure which collection is best suited to your wedding, we'd be happy to chat through your timeline and recommend the option that best fits your plans.
Absolutely! We understand that every wedding is unique, which is why we're happy to tailor a collection to suit your plans, timeline, and priorities.
Whether you'd like to adjust the number of coverage hours, combine photography and videography, or create a bespoke collection that better reflects your celebration, we'd be delighted to help.
Simply let us know a little about your wedding day, and we'll recommend a collection that best suits your needs and budget. Our goal is to ensure you receive the coverage that's just right for your wedding—no more, no less.
Absolutely! While many of our couples choose to book both photography and videography together, we also offer standalone photography and standalone videography collections.
Whether you're looking for beautiful, timeless photographs, cinematic wedding films, or both, we'd be delighted to help. Each of our collections is thoughtfully designed to provide comprehensive coverage of your wedding day, with options to suit different timelines and budgets.
If you're unsure which option is best for you, we'd be happy to chat through your plans and recommend the collection that best suits your wedding day.
While it's certainly not essential, we do believe there are many advantages to booking your photography and videography with the same team.
When you book both services through Flying Swan Media, you have one creative team working towards the same goal—telling your wedding story beautifully and seamlessly. Because we regularly work together, we understand each other's workflow, communicate naturally throughout the day, and ensure we're never competing for the same moment or getting in each other's way. This allows us to capture your wedding efficiently while keeping the experience relaxed and enjoyable for you.
That said, we're proud to be professional and collaborative. If you've already booked another photographer or videographer, we're always happy to work alongside them, as well as your planner, celebrant, DJ, venue, florist, and every other member of your wedding team. Our focus is always on creating a positive atmosphere and ensuring your day runs as smoothly as possible.
At the end of the day, our priority is the same as yours—to preserve your wedding day with beautiful photographs and films you'll treasure for a lifetime.
Absolutely! In fact, this is one of the most common things our couples tell us before their wedding—and the good news is that you don't need to be a model to have beautiful wedding photographs.
Our approach is natural, relaxed, and documentary-inspired. We love capturing genuine emotions and authentic moments as they unfold, but we also understand that most couples aren't used to being in front of a camera. That's where we come in.
We'll gently guide you throughout the day, offering as much or as little direction as you need. Whether it's subtle prompts to help you interact naturally or more structured posing for portraits, we'll adapt our approach to suit your personalities and comfort levels. Our goal is for you to feel relaxed, confident, and simply enjoy being together.
We also highly recommend a pre-wedding (engagement) shoot. It's a wonderful opportunity for us to get to know one another before the wedding, while giving you the chance to experience how we work. You'll become familiar with our posing style, learn that being photographed is much easier than you imagined, and arrive on your wedding day feeling far more comfortable and confident in front of the camera.
If a pre-wedding shoot isn't included in your chosen collection, it can always be added as an optional extra.
Absolutely! In fact, that's exactly how we love to work.
We believe your wedding day should never feel like a photoshoot or a production. It should be about celebrating with the people you love, being fully present, and enjoying every moment. Our role is to document those moments naturally while providing gentle guidance whenever it's needed.
During your couple portraits, family photographs, and a few key moments throughout the day, we'll offer relaxed direction to help you look and feel your best. The rest of the time, we take a documentary approach—capturing genuine emotions, candid interactions, and the little moments that often become the most meaningful memories.
Our goal is for your final gallery and films to feel authentic to who you are as a couple. Rather than creating moments for the camera, we prefer to capture real moments as they naturally unfold, resulting in timeless photographs and films that truly reflect your wedding day.
You're certainly not alone—many couples tell us this before their wedding day. The good news is that creating beautiful, flattering photographs has far less to do with being "photogenic" and far more to do with feeling comfortable and relaxed.
Our job is to guide you into natural light, flattering angles, and comfortable poses that suit you as a couple. We never expect you to know what to do in front of the camera—that's our responsibility. Throughout the day, we'll gently direct you when needed while allowing your personalities and genuine connection to shine through.
We also believe that the best photographs aren't always the perfectly posed ones. Often, they're the moments when you're laughing together, sharing a quiet embrace, or simply enjoying each other's company without thinking about the camera.
For couples who feel particularly nervous, we highly recommend a pre-wedding shoot. It's a relaxed way to get comfortable in front of the camera, experience how we work, and build confidence before your wedding day.
Most importantly, we want you to look like the very best version of yourselves—not someone different. Our editing is timeless and natural, enhancing your photographs while preserving the authenticity of your wedding day.
Each of our collections includes a guide for the approximate number of edited photographs you can expect to receive. The exact number will depend on factors such as the length of your coverage, the size of your wedding, the number of guests, and everything that unfolds throughout your day.
The important thing to know is that these numbers are minimum estimates, not maximum limits. We don't stop editing simply because we've reached the number stated in your package.
If a photograph meets our professional standards and contributes to telling the story of your wedding day, we'll edit it and include it in your final gallery. Our goal is to deliver a complete, beautifully curated collection of memories—not to withhold great photographs because of an arbitrary number.
Rather than focusing on a specific image count, we focus on delivering the strongest possible collection that tells the full story of your wedding, from the biggest moments to the smallest details.
Yes. Every photograph you receive is individually reviewed and professionally edited before it is delivered to you.
Our editing process includes carefully culling your images, followed by colour correction, exposure adjustments, white balance refinement, straightening, cropping, and other subtle enhancements where needed. Every image is thoughtfully edited in Flying Swan Media's signature editing style—natural, timeless, true-to-life, and consistent with the work you see throughout our portfolio.
We don't simply apply a preset and export your gallery. Instead, we individually refine each photograph to ensure your final collection is cohesive, beautifully balanced, and tells the complete story of your wedding day.
Our goal is to deliver a polished gallery of high-resolution photographs that are ready to print, share, and cherish for generations to come.
Our standard editing does not include advanced retouching, such as extensive skin retouching, body reshaping, object or person removal, background reconstruction, or other detailed digital manipulation. We believe in creating timeless, natural images that authentically reflect your wedding day rather than altering reality.
If you would like additional retouching on selected photographs, we're happy to assist. Specialist retouching can be arranged at an additional cost and is outsourced to a professional retoucher. Fees typically start from R50 per image, depending on the complexity and extent of the requested edits.
If there's a specific image you'd like enhanced after receiving your gallery, simply let us know and we'll gladly provide a quotation.
Yes. Your wedding gallery is primarily delivered in full colour, carefully edited in Flying Swan Media's signature style to reflect the natural beauty and atmosphere of your wedding day.
In addition, we thoughtfully select certain images to also be edited in black & white. These are typically photographs where emotion, light, or storytelling is enhanced by a timeless monochrome finish. Rather than converting every image, we carefully choose the moments that we feel are best suited to black & white.
The result is a beautifully balanced gallery that combines vibrant colour with classic black & white imagery, giving you the best of both worlds.
Your photographs will be delivered digitally via a beautiful VidFlow online gallery, designed to make viewing, sharing, and downloading your wedding memories as simple and enjoyable as possible.
Your gallery is hosted for 2 years, allowing you to revisit your photographs anytime during this period using your private gallery link. It's also easy to share with family and friends anywhere in the world, making it effortless for loved ones to view and celebrate your wedding day with you.
Your online gallery also allows you to:
Your photographs will be available for download for 12 months, so we encourage you to download and back up your images as soon as you receive your gallery.
In addition to your digital gallery, we also offer a selection of beautiful keepsakes, including:
These products can be added to your collection at the time of booking or after your wedding.
Absolutely! All of your photographs are delivered as high-resolution, print-ready JPEG files, giving you the freedom to print and enjoy your images however you wish.
Whether you'd like to create framed prints for your home or gifts for family and friends, your files are suitable for professional-quality printing.
If you're planning a large-format print, such as a canvas or wall art, we recommend checking the printer's size requirements beforehand. We'd be more than happy to provide the most suitable version of a specific image to ensure the best possible print quality.
We also offer a range of professionally produced fine art prints, framed artwork, and luxury wedding albums if you're looking for heirloom-quality products designed to last for generations.
Your private VidFlow online gallery will remain available for 2 years from the date of delivery, giving you plenty of time to revisit, relive, and share your wedding memories with family and friends.
Your high-resolution photographs will be available to download for 12 months, so we strongly recommend downloading and backing up your images as soon as you receive your gallery.
While your gallery remains accessible for two years, it's ultimately the client's responsibility to safely store and back up their photographs after downloading them. We recommend keeping copies in at least two separate locations, such as an external hard drive and a trusted cloud storage service, to ensure your memories are preserved for years to come.
Yes! Your VidFlow gallery is designed to make sharing your wedding memories with family and friends simple and convenient.
You can share your private gallery link with loved ones anywhere in the world, allowing them to view and download the high-resolution photographs during the gallery's 12-month download period.
It's a wonderful way for family and friends to relive your wedding day and save their favourite memories, no matter where they are.
Absolutely! We believe it's often the little details that help tell the complete story of your wedding day.
As part of our planning process, we'll send you a Wedding Details Questionnaire, where you can let us know about the special elements you've carefully chosen—from your invitations, rings, dress, shoes, jewellery, bouquet, and stationery to your ceremony décor, reception styling, and any sentimental heirlooms or personal touches that are meaningful to you.
On your wedding day, we aim to capture all of these details, along with the bigger moments, to create a complete storytelling experience. From the venue and floral arrangements to the table settings and personal touches you've spent months planning, we want your final gallery to reflect the entire atmosphere and emotion of your wedding day—not just the people, but the story behind it all.
Absolutely! Your family and friends are an important part of your wedding day, and we believe they deserve to be included in the story.
We'll work with you before the wedding to create a family photograph list, ensuring all the important group combinations are captured efficiently after the ceremony. We'll also document plenty of natural, candid moments of your loved ones celebrating throughout the day.
Our goal is to create a gallery that not only tells the story of the two of you, but also the people who shared this special occasion with you.
Yes! We'd be delighted to.
Table photographs are a wonderful way to ensure you have a keepsake with every guest who attended your wedding. Rather than visiting each table individually throughout dinner, we usually recommend a fun and interactive photo dash.
This can be done in one of two ways:
A photo dash is not only a great way to capture everyone, but it also creates a fun, energetic moment that guests really enjoy. We'll happily work with your MC or DJ to ensure everything runs smoothly and efficiently.
Absolutely! While the bride and groom are naturally the focus of your wedding story, we also capture the people who make your day so special—your family, bridal party, and guests enjoying the celebration.
That said, it isn't possible for any photographer to guarantee a photograph of every single guest, particularly at larger weddings. Throughout the day, we're continually documenting genuine interactions, emotions, and candid moments as they naturally unfold, rather than photographing each guest individually.
If there are particular family members, friends, or special moments that are especially important to you, simply let us know during the planning process or include them on your Wedding Details Questionnaire. We'll make every reasonable effort to ensure they're captured.
For larger weddings or couples who would like even more coverage of guest interactions, we highly recommend including a second photographer and/or second videographer. While the lead photographer focuses on the key moments and the couple's story, the additional team member can dedicate more time to capturing candid guest moments, family interactions, cocktail hour, and the atmosphere of your celebration, resulting in an even richer and more comprehensive collection of memories.
No. Every photographer and videographer has a unique artistic style, and ours is a big part of what couples choose us for.
Our signature style has been developed over many years and extends far beyond editing. It includes how we use natural light, compose images, direct our couples, capture genuine moments, and edit every photograph and film to create a timeless, natural look.
For this reason, we don't replicate another photographer's or filmmaker's editing style or alter our work to match trends or specific presets. We encourage couples to explore our portfolio before booking to ensure they genuinely connect with our approach.
Please familiarise yourself with our portfolio of work.
Our style is natural, timeless, documentary-inspired, and romantic.
We focus on genuine emotions and authentic moments as they naturally unfold, while providing gentle guidance when needed. Rather than creating a production, we aim to tell the story of your wedding day as it happened—beautifully and honestly.
Our editing is true-to-life, with natural colours and a timeless finish that won't feel dated years from now.
No, we use professional editing tools and modern technology (Adobe Lightroom for photos and DaVinci Resolve for videos) to streamline parts of our workflow, but every gallery is personally reviewed and carefully edited by Flying Swan Media.
We believe your wedding deserves a human touch. Every final image is refined in our signature editing style to ensure a consistent, beautiful, and timeless collection.
No. Our philosophy is to capture you at your best—not to change who you are.
Our standard editing includes professional colour correction, exposure adjustments, cropping, straightening, and subtle refinements. Extensive skin retouching, body reshaping, object removal, or digital manipulation isn't included as standard but can be arranged and quoted separately if requested.
Both.
The majority of your wedding day is captured in a documentary style, allowing real moments and genuine emotions to unfold naturally. During family photographs and your couple portraits, we'll provide relaxed guidance so you never feel awkward or unsure of what to do.
The result is a gallery that feels natural, elegant, and authentically you.
We're always happy to see inspiration images, as they help us understand what you love.
However, rather than copying another photographer's work exactly, we'll use your inspiration as a starting point and create photographs that suit your venue, lighting, weather, and personalities while staying true to Flying Swan Media's signature style.
Yes, when needed.
Whenever possible, we prefer to work with beautiful natural light. However, once the sun goes down or lighting conditions become challenging, we use professional flash and continuous lighting to ensure your photographs and films remain beautifully lit while preserving the atmosphere of your celebration.
We know how exciting it is to relive your wedding day, and we'll begin carefully curating and editing your photographs and films as soon as possible after your celebration.
Every wedding is individually edited in Flying Swan Media's signature style, and because editing is a creative process, we always prioritise quality over speed.
Our estimated delivery times are as follows:
Photography
Off Season (May–August):
Approximately 8–10 weeks
Wedding Season (September–April):
Approximately 10–14 weeks
Wedding Highlights Film
Off Season (May–August):
Approximately 8–12 weeks
Wedding Season (September–April):
Approximately 12–14 weeks
Complete Ceremony & Reception Films
Off Season (May–August):
Approximately 10–12 weeks
Wedding Season (September–April):
Approximately 14–16 weeks
Please note that these are estimated turnaround times and may vary during exceptionally busy periods.
If your collection includes Sneak Peeks, you'll typically receive a small preview of your wedding within approximately two weeks, giving you something special to enjoy and share while we complete the editing of your full gallery and films.
We truly believe your wedding memories are worth the wait, and we take great care to ensure every photograph and film meets the standard you've come to expect from Flying Swan Media.
All of your wedding memories will be delivered through your own private VidFlow online gallery, making it easy to view, download, and share your photographs and films from anywhere in the world.
Your gallery will remain hosted for 2 years, allowing you to revisit your wedding day anytime during this period using your private gallery link.
Your high-resolution photographs and films will be available to download for 12 months from the date of delivery. We recommend downloading and backing up your files as soon as you receive them to ensure they're safely stored for years to come.
Your VidFlow gallery also allows you to:
Our goal is to make reliving and sharing your wedding day as effortless as possible, while providing a beautiful online experience you'll enjoy returning to long after your wedding.
Your private VidFlow wedding gallery will remain online for 2 years from the date of delivery, giving you plenty of time to revisit your wedding memories and share them with family and friends.
Your high-resolution photographs and films will be available to download for 12 months. We strongly recommend downloading and backing up your files as soon as you receive your gallery to ensure they're safely stored in multiple locations.
After the 12-month download period, your gallery will remain viewable for the remainder of the 2-year hosting period, after which it will be archived and removed from our online gallery platform.
Yes, absolutely. We strongly recommend downloading your photographs and films as soon as you receive your gallery.
While your files will remain available to download for 12 months and your gallery will stay online for 2 years, it's important to create your own backups as soon as possible.
As a best practice, we recommend storing your wedding memories in at least three locations, for example:
Having multiple backups helps protect your photographs and films against accidental deletion, computer failure, theft, or other unforeseen circumstances, ensuring your memories remain safe for many years to come.
No. Flying Swan Media does not provide RAW photographs, unedited video footage, or other digital negatives under any circumstances.
Your wedding collection includes professionally edited, high-resolution photographs and films, carefully curated and delivered in our signature style.
RAW files are the original, unprocessed files recorded by our cameras before any editing has taken place. They are comparable to a film negative and are intended as the starting point of the creative editing process rather than the finished product.
Because RAW files have not been colour corrected, cropped, straightened, retouched, or artistically edited, they do not reflect the quality, vision, or standard associated with Flying Swan Media.
Editing is an essential part of our creative process and forms part of the style you've chosen when booking Flying Swan Media.
Just as an artist wouldn't deliver an unfinished painting, we don't deliver unfinished photographs or films. Every image and film is carefully selected, professionally edited, and individually refined to create a cohesive collection that reflects our artistic vision and professional standards.
For this reason, RAW photographs, unedited video footage, and other production files are not included in any collection and are not available for purchase or release.
No.
Our signature style extends far beyond editing. It includes how we photograph, film, use natural light, compose our images, tell stories, and create timeless, natural-looking photographs and films.
We don't imitate another photographer's or filmmaker's editing style or alter our work to follow current trends. We encourage every couple to explore our portfolio before booking to ensure they genuinely connect with our artistic approach.
Flying Swan Media retains the copyright and intellectual property rights to all photographs, films, RAW files, and other original works we create, in accordance with the South African Copyright Act.
Your booking includes a personal licence to enjoy, print, and share your edited photographs and films for personal, non-commercial use. Copyright ownership is not transferred to the client.
Absolutely! We'd love for you to share your wedding memories with family and friends.
We simply ask that you don't apply additional filters or edits that significantly alter our work, as these no longer represent Flying Swan Media's signature style. We'd also be grateful if you tagged Flying Swan Media whenever you share your photographs or films online.
No. Your photographs and films are licensed for personal use only.
If a venue, wedding supplier, publication, business, or any other third party wishes to use your photographs or films for commercial or promotional purposes, written permission from Flying Swan Media is required.
No. While we take every reasonable precaution to safeguard your files during editing and delivery, clients are ultimately responsible for downloading and safely backing up their photographs and films once delivered.
We strongly recommend storing your wedding memories in multiple locations, including an external hard drive and a trusted cloud storage service.
Flying Swan Media is proudly based in Stellenbosch, Western Cape. We photograph and film weddings throughout the Cape Winelands, Cape Town, and across South Africa.
Absolutely! We love travelling and regularly capture weddings throughout the Western Cape and beyond.
Whether you're planning a vineyard wedding in Stellenbosch, a seaside celebration in Hermanus, or a destination wedding elsewhere in South Africa, we'd love to be part of your day.
Yes! Since 2018, we've photographed and filmed weddings throughout Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Somerset West, Wellington, Tulbagh, Robertson, and the greater Cape Winelands.
As a Stellenbosch-based team, we know and love this region. From world-renowned wine estates and historic venues to breathtaking mountain landscapes, it's a privilege to tell love stories in one of South Africa's most beautiful wedding destinations.
There's a good chance we have. Over the years, we've photographed and filmed more than 350 weddings at over 150 wedding venues across the Western Cape.
If your venue is new to us, there's absolutely no need to worry. We thoroughly research every venue beforehand and arrive early whenever possible to familiarise ourselves with the location, scout portrait locations, and identify the best lighting before your day begins.
Travel within the area included in your quotation is already covered.
For weddings outside our included travel radius, additional travel costs may apply. Any travel fees will always be discussed and clearly reflected in your quotation before you book—there are never any hidden costs.
Yes! We absolutely love destination weddings.
Whether you're planning a celebration elsewhere in South Africa or inviting guests from around the world to the Cape Winelands, we'd love to hear more about your plans and create a custom collection to suit your wedding.
Yes.
Many destination weddings include welcome dinners, pre-wedding celebrations, or post-wedding brunches. We'd be delighted to tailor a bespoke photography and videography collection to cover as much—or as little—of your wedding weekend as you'd like.
If we've photographed there before, we already have a good understanding of the venue and its best locations.
For new venues, we don't usually arrange a separate site visit. Instead, we research the venue beforehand and arrive early on the wedding day to scout portrait locations, assess the light, and familiarise ourselves with the surroundings before coverage begins.
Absolutely! After photographing hundreds of weddings across the Western Cape, we've had the privilege of working at many incredible venues.
If you're still searching for the perfect venue, we'd be happy to recommend locations based on your vision, guest numbers, and preferred style—whether you're dreaming of a vineyard estate, mountain views, historic architecture, or an intimate countryside celebration.
We'd be delighted to.
Over the years, we've built wonderful relationships with talented wedding planners, florists, celebrants, DJs, makeup artists, cake designers, musicians, and other professionals throughout the Western Cape.
If you're looking for trusted recommendations, just ask—we're always happy to point our couples in the right direction.
While this is extremely unlikely, we believe it's important to have a contingency plan in place.
In the event that a member of our team is unable to attend your wedding due to serious illness, injury, or another unforeseen emergency, Flying Swan Media will make every reasonable effort to arrange a trusted, experienced replacement from our carefully established network of professional photographers and videographers.
We only work with professionals whose standards, equipment, and approach align with our own, ensuring your wedding day remains in capable hands.
To maintain the Flying Swan Media experience, all editing, colour grading, and post-production will continue to be completed in-house using our signature editing style. This ensures your final photographs and films remain consistent with the quality and artistic vision you've come to expect from us.
Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, and we have systems in place to ensure you're looked after, even in the face of the unexpected.
Yes, absolutely.
We take the reliability of our equipment very seriously and always arrive prepared with professional backup gear. This includes multiple camera bodies, lenses, memory cards, batteries, lighting equipment, audio recorders, and other essential accessories.
Where applicable, we also work with dual memory card recording for added redundancy, helping to safeguard your photographs and footage as they're captured.
Our goal is to minimise risk wherever possible, so you can enjoy your wedding day with complete peace of mind, knowing we're prepared for the unexpected.
While equipment failure is extremely rare, we're fully prepared should it ever happen.
Our team always carries multiple professional camera bodies and lenses to every wedding. If a camera or lens were to malfunction, we can immediately continue shooting with our backup equipment, ensuring your wedding day coverage continues with minimal interruption.
Preparing for the unexpected is part of being a professional wedding photography and videography team. That's why we invest in backup equipment, redundant storage, spare batteries, memory cards, audio equipment, and lighting—so you can enjoy your wedding day with complete confidence and peace of mind.
Weather is one of the few things none of us can control—but rain certainly doesn't mean your wedding day is ruined.
We'll monitor the forecast in the days leading up to your wedding and, where necessary, suggest small timeline adjustments to make the most of the available weather and light.
We're experienced in photographing and filming weddings in all weather conditions and always have alternative locations and creative ideas should it rain. Some of our most romantic photographs have been captured on rainy wedding days.
Our advice is simple: embrace the day, trust your team, and remember that your marriage—not the weather—is what truly matters.
Power outages have very little impact on our ability to photograph and film your wedding.
We arrive with sufficient batteries to cover your entire wedding day, including backup batteries for cameras, audio equipment, flashes, and lighting.
If natural light becomes limited, we use professional flash photography and portable video lighting to ensure your photographs and films maintain the quality and style you've come to expect from Flying Swan Media.
Weddings rarely run exactly according to schedule, and that's completely normal.
After photographing and filming hundreds of weddings, we're experienced at adapting throughout the day and will always do our best to keep your photography timeline on track while still capturing the moments that matter most.
If your celebration extends beyond your booked coverage, and we're available to stay longer, you're welcome to add additional coverage on the day.
Yes.
If your wedding day runs longer than expected and our team is available, additional coverage can usually be arranged on the day.
We'll simply confirm the additional hours with you (or your designated contact) before continuing coverage, and the additional time will be invoiced after the wedding in accordance with our current rates.
We understand that unforeseen circumstances can arise.
If your wedding needs to be postponed, please let us know as soon as possible. We'll make every reasonable effort to accommodate your new wedding date, subject to our availability.
Your Reservation Retainer will be retained in accordance with your Wedding Agreement and, if we're available on your new date, may be transferred as a credit towards your new booking. A revised quotation and updated Wedding Agreement may be required if pricing or package offerings have changed since your original booking.
We sincerely hope this never happens, but we understand that circumstances can sometimes change.
Because wedding dates are often reserved 9–18 months in advance, accepting your booking means we decline other enquiries for the same date. For this reason, cancellation charges apply as set out in our Wedding Agreement and are intended to represent a reasonable pre-estimate of loss in accordance with the Consumer Protection Act.
In summary:
Full details can be found in your Wedding Agreement, and we're always happy to discuss any questions you may have before booking.
Your journey begins with a simple enquiry. We'll take the time to learn about your wedding plans, answer any questions you may have, and recommend the collection that best suits your day. Once you're ready to book, we'll guide you through a straightforward online booking process, making it easy to secure your wedding date with confidence.
A pre-wedding shoot is the perfect opportunity for us to get to know one another before your wedding day. It's a relaxed and enjoyable experience that helps you become comfortable in front of the camera, while giving you a feel for our natural, guided approach. By the time your wedding arrives, you'll feel more confident, allowing your photographs and films to feel effortless and authentic.
We're with you long before the wedding day arrives. Through our planning questionnaires and personal guidance, we'll help build a timeline that makes the most of your venue, lighting, travel time, and the season. Our goal is to create a relaxed schedule that allows you to enjoy your day while ensuring every important moment is beautifully captured.
When your wedding day arrives, our focus is simple—you. We'll quietly document genuine moments as they unfold, while offering gentle direction whenever it's needed. With years of experience and a calm, professional approach, we'll work seamlessly alongside your other suppliers, allowing you to be fully present while we preserve your memories with care and intention.
The excitement doesn't end when the celebration does. Within approximately two weeks, you'll receive a carefully curated selection of sneak peek photographs, giving you a first glimpse into your wedding story and something special to share with family and friends while we complete the full editing process.
Every photograph and film is individually selected, professionally edited, and refined in Flying Swan Media's signature style. Once complete, your memories are delivered through a beautiful private online gallery, where you can view, download, and share your photographs and films with loved ones anywhere in the world.
Your wedding deserves more than a folder on a computer. We offer a carefully curated range of heirloom products, including luxury wedding albums, fine art prints, framed artwork, memory boxes, and USB keepsakes. Designed to be enjoyed for generations, these timeless products allow you to relive your wedding day long after the celebrations have ended.
Your wedding is more than a single day—it's the beginning of a lifetime together. We'd be honoured to preserve those memories with heartfelt photography, cinematic films, and an experience that's relaxed, personal, and thoughtfully guided from your first enquiry to your final gallery.
If our approach resonates with you, we'd love to hear your story. Get in touch to check our availability, receive your personalised quotation, or arrange a relaxed video call to see if we're the perfect fit for your wedding day.
Stellenbosch Wedding
Photographers & Videographers
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