Woohoo, we’re back! Time for some afternoon e-session inspiration from Ruan Redelinghuys, who’s new to Cap Classique (welcome, Ruan!). He took this adorable engagement shoot of Athena and Andries on the beach in Stilbaai – the very place where the groom from this morning’s wedding proposed! Ah, Cape Town. Romance is everywhere.

Here’s a bit of background on the couple:

Andries and I met thirteen years ago in Stilbaai. My cousin and I were sitting on the pavement having taken the dog for a walk, and Andre – looking adorable with his Crystal Summer blonde hair – and his friend walked past. We started talking and became instant friends, soon realising that our parents knew one another. In the years that followed, Andries and I kept in contact as Stilbaai friends with the occasional summer romance, and after one summer we decided to try a long distance relationship with him in PE and me in Cape Town. It worked for 18 months before I got a job in PE – what a blessing!

A week before Women’s Day, Andries asked what I wanted to do for the holiday (which fell on a Tuesday). My suggestion was to go camping in Addo Elephant Park (not knowing that he’d already booked us a safari tent). I packed up all our camping gear while he was at work and met up with him – he was in a big hurry, but I thought it was because he wanted to go for a game drive before the park gates closed for the evening. When we got there and were given keys, I realised we were staying in the new extension, and was pleasantly surprised to find we were the only ones there! We picked the best tent, unpacked and Andries got the fire going. I was still in the dark about his intentions, as it was all ‘my idea’!

Later on, Andries surprised me with a lovely Greek picnic, with all the delicacies we had enjoyed on a trip to Greece the year before. Silly me, I STILL had no clue! We enjoyed the snacks while listening to the elephants wandering in the campsite, eating spekboom leaves. Out of the blue, Andries got down on one knee and asked me the big question. I was so surprised I couldn’t think straight! I started tearing up, when an intense sense of joy overwhelmed me. My answer: “Without a doubt, YES!!” He slipped the most beautiful ring on my finger. The stars, the moon, the campfire, Addo, Greek snacks and the love of my life – what more could a girl ask for? 

Afterwards, Andries told me how he sneaked the Greek picnic in in his spare tire so I would not get tipped-off. He also mentioned how he had to hide the ring in his clothes, hoping and praying that I would not find it. I have the most romantic finace EVER and I am the luckiest girl in the whole world. He is a blessing in my life! :)