Elopements

in the Garden Route.

Your Dream Adventure Awaits

If you’re looking for a breathtaking, intimate way to celebrate your love, an elopement in the Garden Route is the perfect choice. With its pristine beaches, lush forests, and majestic mountains, this region offers a picturesque backdrop for your special day. Whether you envision a secluded ceremony at the foot of a waterfall or exchanging vows on a rugged coastal cliff, the Garden Route provides endless possibilities for an unforgettable elopement experience.

Bride and Groom reading vows on a field near Knysna.
Destination Wedding Elopement in Stilbaai.
Summer beach days at Great Brak River.

GARDEN ROUTE

Sunset image view of the Outeniqua Mountains from George.

Why Choose the Garden Route for Your Elopement?

The Garden Route is one of South Africa’s most beautiful destinations, and it’s ideal for couples seeking adventure and romance.

  • Scenic Diversity: From lush forests to golden beaches and dramatic ocean views, the Garden Route has a variety of landscapes to suit your planning.

  • Year-Round Destination: Thanks to its mild climate, the Garden Route is a fantastic location for elopements any time of the year. Even in winter!

  • Privacy and Intimacy: Elopements allow you to focus on each other, and the serene surroundings of the Garden Route provide just the right amount of solitude.

Let the natural beauty of the Garden Route inspire an experience to remember.

Professional Business Portrait of Ruan Redelinghuys.

HELLO

Hi! I’m Ruan, your Photographer.

Passionate, Experienced, and Committed to Your Vision

I'm Ruan Redelinghuys, and capturing love stories is my passion. With years of experience photographing people and their connections, my goal is to make your photo shoot an unforgettable experience. I pride myself on creating a relaxed atmosphere where your true personalities can shine through. Whether it's a laugh, a kiss, or a quiet moment, I’m there to capture the magic that makes your relationship unique. Ready to make some memories?

  • Creative Image of a bride and groom on their elopement at a game lodge.
  • Bride and Groom on a chair with solar lights underneath a big tree.
  • Elopement ceremony at a game farm in the Eastern Cape.
  • Funny moment during elopement couple portraits.

PRICING

Elopements & Micro-Weddings

I offer a variety of customisable packages designed to suit your specific needs and desires. Whether you are planning a simple ceremony or an adventure, I have a package that perfectly aligns with your dreams. Each option includes high-resolution images and professional editing, with additional offerings like albums and prints available. Elopement and Micro-wedding packages are currently available for week-day dates and elopements or micro-weddings on short notice.

Elope One

5 Hour Coverage

High Resolution Images

Digital files on USB

Personalised Box with Prints

Private Online Gallery

R 12 000.00

Elope Two

3 Hour Coverage

High Resolution Images

Digital files on USB

Personalised Box with Prints

Private Online Gallery

R 7 500.00

Elope Three

1 Hour Coverage

High Resolution Images

Private Online Gallery

R 3 000.00

Your Dream Elopement Awaits

Eloping in the Garden Route is an unforgettable experience, and I’m here to help make it a day you’ll cherish forever. If you're ready to start planning your perfect elopement or have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Let’s capture the magic of your love in one of the world’s most beautiful destinations.

Let’s Plan Your Elopement

Ready to bring your vision to life? Schedule a meeting through my Google appointment calendar. We'll connect via Google Meet or WhatsApp to discuss your ideas, answer any questions, and start planning the details of your elopement photography. I'm excited to collaborate with you!

Prefer to discuss the details in person?

Send me an email, phone or message me and we can discuss all your plans for your elopement.

FAQs

  • I can guide you through the process of finding the perfect spot that aligns with your vision, from secluded beaches to hidden forest paths.

  • Yes, although I specialise in the Garden Route, I’m available to travel throughout South Africa for elopements.

  • Absolutely! I can help you plan a small, intimate ceremony that includes close family and friends, while still capturing the spirit of eloping. I have a wide network of planners that can create a beautiful space just about anywhere.

  • Summer elopement in the Garden Route.
  • Elopement ceremony on a deck near Belvidere in Knysna.
  • Creative couple portraits during an elopement at Gondwana Game Reserve.
  • Romnatic couple portraits during an elopement at Knysna Elephant Park.

REVIEWS

Real Love Stories, Real Reactions.

Nothing speaks louder than the experiences of those I've had the honor to work with. Read the heartfelt reviews and testimonials from couples who've trusted me to capture their elopement. Their stories reflect the commitment and passion I bring to every celebration. I can't wait to create lasting memories with you, too.

Beach Elopement in the rain at Buffelsbaai.

  • “Ruan is a wonderfully talented photographer. He captures who you are as a couple and individuals with every picture. He is patient and creative. Even though I planned our wedding from another continent, he was easy to communicate and plan with every step of the way!”

    Larike & Kevin, Plettenberg Bay, 2017

  • “I engaged with Ruan after finding his profile online to take photos of my proposal. His engagement was very professional, prompt and made it feel like we were a team planning the proposal together! On the day of the shoot, we were still doing last minute planning and he was very flexible with the last minute changes. We had a lovely photoshoot after the proposal and it made for a memorable experience for my fiancée and I. The photos are of superior quality. I am very grateful I found him and would 100% recommend him!”

    Tim & Grace - Herolds Bay, 2024

  • “Ruan Redelinghuys is an incredible photographer! He is funny, caring, respectful, open to ideas, super talented, and THE BEST in the business. We couldn't believe our eyes the moment we saw our wedding photos. It is absolutely beautiful. The way Ruan captures nature and the surroundings and makes it come "alive" in a photo behind us, is something to see. He works in a way that no one notices him, but in the end, you can clearly see how he captured every single special moment without us realizing he was there. We are in love with your work, Ruan! Thank you so much. We HIGHLY recommend Ruan Redelinghuys Photography.”

    Marnus & Jenny - Misty Valley, 2024

  • “Ruan was absolutely amazing in capturing our beautiful wedding day. He made sure that every detail and emotion was caught on camera. He made us feel comfortable in front of the lense and we were able to showcase our love and personalities easily and comfortably. Ruan is simply the best and I couldn't have asked for a better wedding photographer to capture our special day!”

    Zeka & Cherissa - Oppie plaas Venue, 2024

  • “Ruan is unbelievably professional, talented, and genuinely a pleasure to work with. We hosted several events both indoor and outdoor, and were so thrilled with the final results. He was able to capture both spontaneous/candid moments from our event as well as spectacular posed shots that we will cherish for a lifetime. And on top of that, he is simply a wonderful person and so easy to work with.”

    David & Julia - Molenvliet, 2024

  • “Very few artists can both understand the expectations of their client and execute their own vision so successfully. Ruan created an atmosphere of complete comfort and engaged with us so effectively we will likely never have better photos of ourselves in our lifetime. We were stunned at the final result and would HIGHLY recommend him to anyone who want timeless gorgeous photos to reminisce and enjoy for ever.”

    Shaun & Andrew - Blackwaters River Lodge, 2023

  • “Wow wow wow!! Words fail me...Ruan, your dedication and commitment to ensuring that our wedding photographs were spectacular was just amazing. We really don't know how to thank you enough. We have the most beautiful memories of the most special day of our lives due to you and your creativity. Thank you so much!! Megan and Brian Xxx”

    Brian & Megan - Alkira Lodge, 2022

Planning an Elopement outside the Garden Route? Contact me today to start planning a day that’s all about you and your love.

  • Game lodge destination elopement in the Eastern Cape.
  • Golden Hour couple portraits in the Garden Route.
  • A forest ceremony during a garden route elopement.
  • Creative couple portraits at a private lodge in Sedgefield.

Elopement

Tips & Advice

Planning an elopement can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, it becomes a magical adventure. Here are a few tips to help you along the way:

  • The Garden Route is full of stunning spots. Consider your personal style and the type of scenery you want in your photos. I have a big library of locations that work best on different times of the year.

  • For the best lighting, consider having your ceremony early in the morning or during the golden hour at sunset. Both times offer beautiful, soft light that will elevate your photos.

  • Don’t forget to ensure all the necessary paperwork is in place. I recommend connecting with a local officiant who understands the legalities of getting married in South Africa. Yes, referrals are available!

  • Make your day truly unique by incorporating meaningful elements, like hand-written vows or a custom bouquet from local florists.

Book Now to Secure Your Date

LIMITED AVAILABILITY

Great moments are fleeting, and so are the opportunities to capture them. My calendar fills up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so don’t miss your chance to book your dream shoot. Are you ready to save the date and make your memories last a lifetime?

Windswept couple portraits in Stilbaai.
Elopement ceremony overlooking the Swartvlei estuary from a private villa. 
Wedding & Elopement Photographer based in George, the Garden Route, South Africa. © 2008 - 2024 Ruan Redelinghuys. No unauthorised copying or usage. All rights reserved.