Nashka & Christiaan’s love story is one of my Favorites to date.
For me, the weddings I document are all about the stories of how they came to be. I love capturing the end chapter: Weddings, however, the details of how two people from different parts of the world met, fell in love and ultimately promised their love to each other deepens my “why” I do what I do.
They both grew up on different sides of the world and didn’t find true love until they met each other. Nashka was introduced to Christiaan through her sister. Te-lieta called Nashke when she was living back in Mozambique and told her we have found the perfect “Boer seun” here in Australia for you. They both laughed at the crazy thought and didn’t make anything of it. After Nashka visited her sister, and met Christiaan for the first time face to face, the seed was planted and the roots started to grow.
Nashka has a daughter, Rouxvé and they are a two-man pack. Enduring, and tacking on all of life’s challenges has been difficult. Apart from Christiaan, Nashka’s love for her daughter is the powering driving force behind this dynamic woman. Every decision she made was for their safety and their futures.
This unwavering bond between Mother and daughter is evident in every image.
Even to the point where Nashke turned to her daughter looking straight into her eyes and asking her minutes before she walked down the aisle if she was ready for this life-changing decision. She assured her, that they were a team and if she wasn’t ready to take on the new surname as her own, they could still walk away. As you can imagine by this time tears were running down my cheeks as I documented this precious moment. They both took each other pinky fingers and made a promise that they were in this together.
Another strikingly emotional moment was when Christiaan was asked to read his vows to Nashke. He turned to Rouxvé(Nashka’s daughter) and started reading to her all the reasons why he wanted to marry her mother, and what he promised to commit to. He spoke calmly and with utter attention focused on Rouxvé. As a Mother, I can just imagine the overbearing emotion Nashke felt as she witnessed her prayers being answered. God has provided her with a partner who cares not only for her, but promised in front of all their wedding guests to always respect, care and protect her and her daughter.
At this point- Me: Ugly crying.
There were so many “ Ugly crying moments at this wedding”. Because every guest could see and feel the Thankfulness and appreciation both Nashka & Christiaan felt during the ceremony and the reception. Te-Lieta looked at Nashka during the pre-wedding session and took her by her shoulders and said to her: “Jy verdien ‘n man wat mooi na jou kyk, en God het hom vir jou gegee”. Translated: “You deserve a good husband that will look after you, and God has given you that”. Both teared up and gave the most beautiful hug of appreciation and relief.
In life, you aren’t assured what cards you will be dealt with. When your story unfolds into a love story and I bear witness to it all, I can’t help but feel unbelievably grateful for the opportunity to capture these moments.
Nashka & Christiaan, thankful that I had the privilege of documenting your story.
Love
Tanya
