Don’t let the venue name of this Dirt Therapy wedding in South Africa fool you! While it sounds like a place to wallow in the mud, Dirt Therapy in Plettenberg Bay is actually a lush garden center full of plants and trees that transforms into a magical spot for couples getting married. For this couple, Nikki and Pete, and their wedding photographer, Jack Hoyle, it was an ideal spot for a summer celebration.

Hoyle, a Detroit, Michigan-based photographer, says the owner of Dirt Therapy went to great lengths to make the space beautiful for Nikki and Pete. Personalized touches included outfitting a semi-outdoor tropical dining space, complemented by a permanent gin bar and a kitchen hidden within an airstream caravan. The incredible views across the hills to the sea, some resident monkeys, and a mid-summer sunset rain, created a dramatic golden hour on the cliffs above the nearby Robberg Beach.

The couple met when Pete relocated to South Africa from the UK, and was introduced to Nikki, a fashion designer, through a mutual friend. Their first encounter was a dramatic incident that involved some unsavory characters, pepper spray and a getaway in a classic car Pete owned at the time. Luckily things smoothed out after that and it wasn’t long before they fell in love. The couples told Hoyle, “we chose a Dirt Therapy wedding because it felt very "us." It’s quite intimate, tasteful, airy and well cared for.”

For Hoyle, there was a particularly memorable moment towards the end of the day where he stepped back to take everything in at once; from the spectacular venue and scenery to the important moments that made the day so special. He recalls, “The wedding included a heart warming, raw and intentional ceremony. Nikki wore a one-of-a-kind dress and Pete’s ring was handmade by his wonderful mum. The electro didgeridoo beats, confetti cannons, a choreographed first dance with the bride in a mustard suit was so just bloody cool,” 

We agree, and so are the photos. We love the gorgeous shots Hoyle took throughout the day and the stunning portraits taken during the golden hour. “That shooting experience will stay with me for a long time,” Hoyle admits. “We got caught in a summer downpour just as we were finishing up, which created the most magical, golden sunset.” 

Hoyle concludes, “I love photographing big belly laughs and watching people let go of their inhibitions. I strive to capture feelings as much as how things look.” 

See more work from Jack Hoyle here or visit his website.

And to find the best photographer for your wedding, no matter the location or style, don’t miss our carefully-curated gallery of experienced and talented photographers all around the world.

Vendor Credits:

Wedding Dress: Gold Bottom Africa (made by bride Nikki Hutchings)

Catering: Nguni Restaurant, Plettenberg Bay, South Africa

Hair and makeup: Nikki Hutchings (the bride)

For Photographers:

Camera: Canon R6

Lenses: 50mm f/1.2L and 35mm f/1.4L

Lighting: Godox v1 for a little bit of camera flash in the evening