A 35mm Film Wedding photography at Cape Town’s Most Iconic Venues

Louise Meyer
Jan 9
3 min read

There’s a quiet beauty to weddings photographed on 35mm film — moments captured slowly, intentionally, and without interruption. As a 35mm film wedding photographer in Cape Town, I’m drawn to venues that allow space for atmosphere, light, and emotion to unfold naturally.

Cape Town and the surrounding Winelands are home to some of South Africa’s most iconic wedding venues, many of which pair beautifully with analog wedding photography. Whether photographed as a standalone film service or as a 35mm film add-on alongside digital coverage, film brings a softness and timeless quality that feels especially suited to these spaces.

Below are a few venues where film wedding photography works exceptionally well.

A couple embraces on a lawn surrounded by lit chandeliers at sunset, with mountains in the background creating a romantic ambiance.

Cavalli Estate, Stellenbosch – A 35mm Film Wedding photography

Cavalli Estate’s sculptural architecture, neutral tones, and refined interiors make it an ideal setting for editorial film wedding photography. Film responds beautifully to the clean lines and soft Stellenbosch light, enhancing the venue’s understated luxury.

Photographing a wedding on 35mm film at Cavalli allows moments to feel calm and unforced — focusing less on perfection and more on connection. Film complements Cavalli’s aesthetic by preserving texture and tone without over-polishing the environment.

Many couples choose to book 35mm film photography as an add-on here, creating a secondary visual narrative alongside their digital coverage.

Man in white jacket helps woman in a lace gown adjust shoe at outdoor setting. Green lawn, table with bottle and glass, elegant mood.

A woman in a white lace dress stands among a group under a white tent. Another wears a shimmering gown. The scene is bright and elegant. In the background is Hanru Marais a famous wedding photographer

Bride in a white lace gown stands on grassy field at sunset, touching hair. Candles surround her, mountains in the distance.

Couple in formal attire embraces in an elegant setting with chandeliers, candles, and draped fabric. Mood is romantic and luxurious.

Mount Nelson, Cape Town – A 35mm Film Wedding

With its historic architecture, lush gardens, and pastel palette, Mount Nelson lends itself naturally to analog wedding photography. Film captures the layered textures of this iconic Cape Town venue in a way that feels romantic and timeless rather than overly sharp or modern.

On 35mm film, Mount Nelson weddings feel soft and nostalgic — quiet moments between guests, movement through the gardens, and light filtering through verandas are where film truly shines.

Film is often used here to document:

Bridal preparations
Guest interactions
Cocktail hour moments

A pink cushioned chair with a white handbag sits on grass under a pink striped umbrella. A wooden bench and hedges are in the background.

Pink flowers on a vine against a pale wall, with a white bag hanging on a branch. The scene is soft and serene.

Elegant table setting with a white tablecloth, black napkin, gold cutlery, a menu titled "THE MENU," and champagne glasses.

Gold hoop earrings hanging on the spiky green leaves of an agave plant, with water droplets visible on the leaves.

Avontuur Estate, Somerset West – A 35mm Film Wedding

Avontuur Estate’s expansive views, open skies, and equestrian surroundings create a sense of movement and scale that film captures beautifully. 35mm film wedding photography here feels cinematic yet grounded — wide landscapes balanced with intimate moments.

Film responds especially well to:

Natural movement
Changing light
Unscripted interactions

Couples often add film coverage at Avontuur to create contrast — balancing the openness of the venue with softer, more emotional imagery.

People celebrate at an outdoor event, throwing confetti. A woman in white and a man in black are smiling, surrounded by greenery. Bright setting.

Outdoor dinner party with people seated at a long table covered with white cloth, decorated with flowers. Warm, relaxed ambiance at sunset.

Bride joyfully raises bouquet, groom beside her, in front of an arched doorway surrounded by greenery. Guests in foreground.

Woman in an elegant maroon dress stands in dimly lit kitchen, with window light and vintage decor creating a warm, nostalgic ambiance.

Pink lilies with dewdrops bloom amid green leaves, creating a fresh, serene outdoor scene.

La Roche Estate, Franschhoek – A 35mm Film Wedding

Set among vineyards and mountain views, La Roche Estate offers a relaxed, intimate atmosphere that pairs beautifully with documentary-style film wedding photography. Franschhoek’s natural light and slower pace mirror the intentional nature of shooting on film.

35mm film allows the landscape to breathe , capturing the warmth, texture, and quiet emotion of the day without distraction. This venue is particularly well suited to couples who value authenticity and understated romance.

Many destination couples choose a standalone film photographer at La Roche, or book film coverage alongside digital for a more layered storytelling approach.

Ballerina in white tutu leaps gracefully by a lake with mountain backdrop. Two statues frame the scene. Sky is partly cloudy.

Ballerina in white dress poses on a set table by a large window overlooking a lake and mountains. Elegant, bright ambiance with natural light.

Elegant table setting with crystal glasses, brown napkins, and candles on a white cloth. Ballerina's tutu and greenery in background.

Mountain landscape with a blue lake in the foreground and a range of green hills under a partly cloudy sky. Peaceful and serene mood.

Ballet dancer gracefully poses in a sunlit room, wearing a white tutu. Another dancer stands nearby. Mood is serene and focused.

Why These Venues Work So Well with Film Wedding Photography

Across Cape Town and the Winelands, these venues share qualities that suit analog photography:

Natural, consistent light
Texture and atmosphere
Space for moments to unfold naturally

Film encourages a slower, more intentional approach — one that prioritises feeling over perfection and storytelling over trends.

35mm Film Wedding Photography as an Add-On or Standalone Service

35mm film wedding photography can be booked:

As a standalone film service, or
As an add-on alongside your digital wedding photographer

Film doesn’t replace digital — it adds depth. It offers a secondary narrative of your wedding day, capturing moments that feel honest, emotional, and timeless.

Whether your wedding takes place at Cavalli Estate, Mount Nelson, La Roche Franschhoek, or Avontuur Estate, 35mm film offers a way to document your day that feels intentional and enduring — long after trends fade.

1 Comment

meery232

2 days ago

Detailed and practical, this guide explains concrete rebar in a way that feels approachable without oversimplifying. The step by step clarity is especially useful for readers new to the subject. I recently came across a construction related explanation on https://hurenberlin.com that offered a similar level of clarity, and this article fits right in with that quality. Great شيخ روحاني resource. explanation feels practical for everyday rauhane users. I checked recommended tools on https://www.eljnoub.com

s3udy

q8yat

elso9