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Shalwyn Wedding Photographer

Shalwyn, in the Tala Valley near Camperdown, is a venue we have photographed many times, and it has given us some of our most successful weddings. It sits between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, surrounded by farmland, which means you get a forest ceremony, open fields and a lake all within a few minutes of each other.

Photographing a Wedding at Shalwyn

The Forest Chapel

The ceremony takes place in a chapel in the forest, and it is an absolute winner. At one wedding the aisle was covered in sawdust to keep everyone’s shoes clean, with purple foliage in little buckets lining the way. The trees soften the light, so faces stay even and flattering, and the walk back down the aisle under a shower of petals always photographs beautifully.

Cabbage Fields, Cane Fields and the Lake

For the creative shoot, the farmland around Shalwyn is the star. The cabbage fields have become a favourite of ours, and running around in them with a couple at sunset has produced some of our most joyful portraits. Burnt and cut cane fields add strong lines and texture, and the bridge by the lake is one of the best spots for a quieter, more romantic portrait.

Light and Weather

Winter weddings at Shalwyn are a real treat. Dean and Robyn married on a perfect winter’s day, finished off with that perfect winter sunset. If you are marrying in the cooler months, we suggest planning your couple portraits for the last hour before sunset so you get that warm light across the fields.

Getting Ready

Brides have got ready in the bridal suite at Shalwyn itself and at nearby guest houses such as Chinook, near the Tala Game Reserve, while grooms have used guest houses just up the road. Everything is close, so our photographer and second shooter can cover both preps and still be at the forest well before the ceremony.

Real Weddings at Shalwyn

Here are the Shalwyn weddings we have shared on our blog. Each one shows a different season and a different side of the venue.

Getting Married at Shalwyn?

If you are planning a Shalwyn wedding, we would love to hear about your day. We offer wedding photography and wedding films, and you can see what is included on our packages page. You can also browse more Midlands wedding venues we have photographed.