Meet The Maids and Men
The Parents
Bride's Mom
Susara Maria (Esmé) Nortjé
The woman behind the bride, in every sense of the word. All the awesomeness that is our beautiful Bride is entirely thanks to this woman. All who know her, love her. Truly a powerhouse of a woman.
Bride's Dad
Grant Nortjé
Grant will be honoured as part of this day's celebrations, as he cannot be with us physically. He is present in the hearts and minds of all guests who were blessed to have known him.
Groom's Mom
Sarah Jane Collins
Ryan's loving and caring mother, whose kindheartedness knows no bounds. A gentle spirit with a huge love for the outdoors, there is much of her that - fortunately - Ryan inherited.
Groom's Dad
Mark Elon Collins
The man who taught Ryan all he knows about business-smarts, tenacity, wisdom and love. The man who taught Ryan the art of delayed gratification and being able to reflect on what really adds value in life. The man, the legend.
The Maids
Maid of Honour
Aniefiok Edem
Anie and Morgan have been friends since they were 6 years old, when their parents met at Christian Revival Church in Bloemfontein. Anie and Morgan both attended school at Eunice Girls Primary in Bloemfontein, until Morgan moved away. Now, Anie lives in Johannesburg and is working toward completing a Masters degree in Emergency Medicine. Morgan has always loved her for her determination and tenacity, and the royal demeanour with which she has always been known to carry herself.
Maid of Honour
Natasha van der Schyff-Slabbert
Morgan met Natasha when she moved to a new school in Pretoria North when they were both 12. They were both first-language English-speaking nerds in an Afrikaans-medium school that prized sporting ability over smarts, so they sought each other out and quickly became besties. Natasha now lives in the UK with her husband, Nick, but video calls Morgan on a weekly basis. Natasha takes offense when Morgan calls Ryan her favourite person, but she knows that she takes a very close second. Morgan has always loved Natasha for the passionate way in which she attempts all things, from writing to teaching, caring, grooming, loving and living.
Bridesmaid
Marso Kruger
Marso and Morgan both took Spanish in their first year of University. One day, Morgan spoilt herself with a rare treat - she bought herself some fries for lunch and began to eat them while waiting outside the Spanish classroom. Marso brazenly asked Morgan if she could have one - it was the first time they had ever spoken to each other. Morgan was appalled, but shared her chips. They have been friends ever since. Morgan has always loved Marso for her free spirit, her sense of humour, her giant heart, and her "I don't give a f***" attitude toward life.
Bridesmaid
Samantha Ellis
Sammy will soon be joining the Nortjé family as Morgan's sister-in-law - and Morgan cannot be more excited. Beautiful, tenacious, and fiercely inspiring, Sam makes being a pilot, a mother, a fiancée, a daughter, a friend, and a professional netball-player look like a cakewalk. Morgan has always loved and admired Sam for her ability to do all things she sets her mind to, for her driven determination to break through every glass ceiling, for her strength, and for her tireless capacity for love!
The Men
Best Man
Bradley Dean Collins
More than Ryan's best man and big brother - his lifelong friend. He gave Ryan goals and aspirations to be better, simply through leading by example. Brad's drive, determination, and honesty have been traits that Ryan has always admired most.
Groomsman
Nathan Reuben Nortjé
It would be fair to say that without Nathan, none of us would be here today, since he introduced Morgan and Ryan to each other. Nathan is Morgan's younger brother, and he and Ryan were both waiters at the Godfather while in flight school. He is one of Ryan's best mates. Ryan and Morgan both love Nathan for his fierce loyalty, his enigmatic sense of humour, and his charismatic energy.
Groomsman
Brendon Schimmel
A friendship that started 12 years ago, Brendon became one of Ryan's closest friends. He is the tallest and funniest person Ryan knows, yet somehow can drop profoundly wise words when advice is needed.
Groomsman
Kyle Reginald Clarke
Kyle has also been a close friend of Ryan's for over 12 years. A very bright gentleman, one who is able to entertain everyone with a whimsical tale or two. Kyle's ever-driven aspiration to experience life to the fullest often impresses.
Master of Ceremonies
Siphesihle Mashigo
Morgan met Siphe when she began to spend time with the St. Alban's Scouts around 2010. Sips is a multitalented man - a dancer, a stage actor, a musician, an entertainer, a quiz master, a father, a restaurant-owner, and the lead singer of the awesome South African comedic rock/Indie band, Zebra.
The Minis
Flower Girl
Alyssa Riley Ellis
"Rileykins," as her auntie Morgan calls her, is the daughter of Nathan and Sammy. A smarter, cuter, more assertive young lady, you never did see.
Flower Girl
Elné Petrie Wessels
Morgan's cousin and Luan's little sister, Elné brightens the world with her smile. Her kindness knows no bounds!
Ring Bearer
Luan Jack Masedi Du Plessis
Morgan's cousin is beloved by all who know him. He is sweet and playful, protective and kind. His third name, given to him by his caretakers in creche, means "Light," which perfectly embodies Luan's spirit. Luan calls Morgan his "sussie" - when he was much younger, all he wanted was a little sister, much to his parents' chagrin. Morgan nominated herself for the role, for their sakes. Luan's wish has since been fulfilled, and he is Elné's loving big brother.
Page Boy
Logan Grant Nortjé
The newest addition to the Nortjé family, Logan is Sammy and Nathan's son.
Flower Floof
CJ (Caroline Jenkins)
CJ and JT are twins of the same litter. They were rescued in China after they were found running around in the streets of Shenzhen. Initially, Morgan was only fostering CJ. However, during that time, Ryan came to visit her in China. CJ welcomed him by barking and growling at him from beneath the sofa - and Ryan immediately loved her cheeky spirit. Ryan dubbed her Caroline Jenkins (and JT became Julia Thornton). CJ's Jack Russell lineage shines through in her playfulness - she enjoys chasing balls and birds, and playing Tug-o'-War with her sister. She has a certain mannerism of seeming to walk on tiptoe, or of lying with her paws just so, which has earned her the nickname, "Voetjies."
Flower Floof
JT (Julia Thornton)
When the dog rescuer in China found CJ and JT running around in the streets, he offered their owner to take them and rehome them. The owner agreed to him taking JT, but not CJ. Morgan saw a picture of JT and immediately offered to take her in. He brought the tiny poopy to her in a satchel, and Morgan named her Jelly Tot. A week later, the owner changed her mind about CJ, and the girls were reunited under Morgan and Ryan's care (at which time Ryan also renamed her to Julia Thornton). JT is a cuddle-buddy and loves belly rubs. She will lick you to death, given half a chance. She simply loves love. She also really loves the sound of her own voice, and has two stages at home from which she croons to the neighbourhood every evening at sunset.
Best Boi
Pistachio
Stashy's is a sad story with a happy ending. He was rescued from a dog meat factory in China, moments before being slaughtered. Morgan was asked to foster him, but she ended up adopting him. At first, he was a very skittish doggo, and with only a few exceptions, would steer clear of all people. However, thanks to the love and care that Morgan and Ryan have lavished on him, he is now much more sociable and will hang around during social gatherings. He may even approach for a sniff and some head scratches. Stashy is the best behaved doggie in all the world, a real distinguished gentleman with the gentlest demeanour and the kindest eyes. He is greatly loved by all.