Early morning one Saturday morning. We are on our way to Kris & Charlene’s wedding at Monate Game Lodge near Modimolle. I am doing the photography side, and Timothy and Christiaan will be the videographers for the day. I just love these weddings on game farms and other places that is a little bit out of town. It always feel like a little holiday, and the guests also have a holiday feeling seeing that they are normally staying over.
Charlene’s room was a flurry of activity, like all bride’s rooms. Kris’s room, nobody there, he and his groomsmen started their day on their motorbikes driving around in the area.
I was immediately VERY impressed with Monate, their wedding coordinator, Jeannie Erasmus from Jeanet Lenore Event Management is a VERy capable and friendly lady. Within 15 min of our arrival we had a cup of coffee, we’ve seen the reception area, we’ve met the bride, and we were under the guidance of a game ranger showing us the best photo spots on the farm. Thanks Jeannie, you are truly a star!
Something VERY unique about Monate, Kris and Charlene didn’t get married in a wedding chapel, they got married in a REAL cave, this was a first for me. And a VERY unique experience.
In fact, the whole place had a very “Out of Africa” feeling about it.
They say all frenchman are very romantic, and Kris definitely was. Charlene has a little daughter, Leandra. Leandra was Charlene’s little flower girl. Just before Kris had to put the ring on Charlene’s finger he went on his one knee, put a ring on Leandra’s little finger, and promised her he will look after her and her mommy. i don’t know about the other people, but I had to wipe a few tears away.
Our photo shoot was a fun drive around on the farm with the groomsmen and bridesmaids, stopping everywhere for photos. It ended at sunset, with drinks and snacks watching the sunset. You can’t get more idyllic.
So, how did these two met:
We met at work, he broke my pen .We started talking as friends and months later our life together started…. we’ve been together now for 3 years.
And how did they get engaged?
Ummmm i’m not sure how to tell you our story… I wanted to propose to Charlene while we where in Dubai up on Burj Khalifa, but it was so busy we only got there on our last day and they were fully booked. My plan failed.
Kris then proposed to me in our favorite place ….. In our big bath tub at home. still very sweet and romantic.. in some strange way.
Their first date, in Kris’s own words (This is the part I love most…JC)
Kris took Charlene and little Leandra to the zoo on their first date. He saw what a fantastic mother Charlene is and how good she was with Leandra. Kris said he saw she has “unconditional love” for Leandra, and he thought: “Maybe one day she can also have this kind of unconditional love for me”
Well Kris…your wish came through my friend, I could see that love between you two!
May every day of your future be filled with this kind of love.
Here is a few video highlights form the day followed by the photos.
Photographer: JC Crafford
