Destination photographer Amanda Kopp says her photos of Erik & Paulina’s South African wedding will always be some of her “favorites” because of how special the ceremony was. The Denver-based wedding photographer was awarded Grand Prize in PDN‘s Top Knots wedding contest in 2013, and also had the series published on  Destination I Do‘s homepage.

Erik & Paulina are a couple who chose a game reserve in South Africa as the location for their destination wedding because of the groom’s African heritage and the bride’s love of animals. Forty family members and friends, along with three orphaned elephants, gathered to watch the couple marry, setting an exotic but intimate location for Kopp to photograph their union.

PDN’s 2014 Top Knots photography contest is open for entries through January 14th. Judges include StyleMePretty.com founder Abby Larson, Martha Stewart Weddings design director Michael McCormick, and The Knot Inc. Weddings Photo Director Rebecca Crumley.