andrewandclarishca.com

3PM ● LACE ON TIMBER

THIS IS US

...OUR STORIES

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

It all started one happy Friday night at a Bible college function. Andrew was playing live music for the event and Clarishca attended the function as a guest. During the evening Andrew and Clarishca met through some of their mutual friends and this is where they took their very first photo together (See in gallery).

The following week Andrew & Clarishca started chatting via social media and somehow she misunderstood a picture of a dancing monkey he sent and thought he was asking her out the following friday night, not realising he was actually reffering to the past Friday night. So excitedly she replied to him saying, ‘’That’s a very good idea‘’.

Andrew saw the gap, took the opportunity and arranged a dinner for Friday night. There was no hope or intension from either to enter into a relationship as both had decided to take some time to be single and to enjoy life. The only intension was to hang out with someone new and to have fun. They met up at an Italian restaurant in Rivonia called Luca’s. From the word go, they hit it off, finding they had a lot in common and loving each other’s company. After dinner they decided to continue the night by going dancing and had so much fun they only went home at 4am!! The next day Andrew had a gig in Durban and Clarishca was off to work.

They really enjoyed each other's company so much, and so they started going out more regularly. Andrew took her to amazing places she’d never been before, and both sharing a love for music, introduced each other to amazing artists like Ed Sheeran and Xavier Rudd. If they made a movie of how they started out... Ed would definitely be the soundtrack... it was magical. After more than half a year of 'hanging out and having fun', they came to the realisation that they were in fact in a serious relationship and decided to make it official to the world. As both share a passion for travel and and adventure, the past 3 years have been filled with a number of river rafting expeditions, horse riding trips, holidays in Thailand, Mozambique & frequent trips to Cape Town.

The most recent trip to Cape Town was in December 2017, and as is their custom explored a whole bunch of wine farms. Towards the end of the holiday (on January the 3rd to be exact) Andrew surprised her with day trip to Riebeek Kasteel & Tulbach, visiting a couple of their favourite estates Kloovenburg and Allesverloren. They ended up in Tulbach at a boutique wine farm called Montpellier. it was the most beautiful farm they have ever been to. Unbeknown to Clarishca, Andrew had been planning all the way through while Clarishca just kept on freaking out about how amazingly perfect the place is.

The winemaker popped a bottle of bubbly and took them on a private tour of the wine cellar. It was a sweltering hot day of 40+ degrees, and so after exploring the farm they decided to go for a swim. As Clarishca was getting dressed and ready to go to take a walk to the vineyards, Andrew had a chat with the owner where they were they quickly discussed the final arrangements.

They then took a walk up to the chapel in the vineyards taking photos and filming the glorious surroundings the way they always do. As they got to the chapel, Clarishca noticed a table outside which was covered with a tablecloth. Looking confused, she stated that they must have left it there 'failing to clean up properly' from a previous wedding. Andrew lifted up the table cloth and unveiled a beautiful assorted platter with a bottle of champagne set up with rose petals everywhere. He asked her to stand for a photo facing the mountains where the sun was setting and with her back towards him waiting for him to set up his camera, she was taking photos of the view in the meantime with her phone. Luckily for Andrew she was distracted with her phone trying to clear up some memory space and he used the gap to set up his phone next to the tree on the ground and started to record. He then ran back to his main camera started the count down for the shot. All of a sudden Andrew runs up to her telling her to get ready to pose for the photo and going down on one knee he asked her... “Will you be my wife forever and ever and ever and be the mother of our children one day”.

She burst our crying, standing in shock saying: "Babe, babe, Oh my soul, babe, YES!!"... it was such a perfect moment!

Now, a few months later with their wedding approaching, they are excited to share their special day with their friends and family... the people they love and cherish the most.

As they share their vows they will promise to continue to put God first in their relationship and to serve Him together. The beginning of a new chapter in which by the grace, guidance and love of God, they will live a life of happiness, health and blessing.

CLARISHCA DE BRUIN

Clarishca was born in Johannesburg along with her twin sister Almiché on the 23rd of July 1993 to parents, Anton & Connie De Bruin. She has fond memories of a family holiday to Australia in 1999, this is probably where her passion for travelling was birthed.

Clarishca spent her early years growing up in Alberton in the south of Johannesburg until moving to Boksburg at the age of 8. She and her sister attended primary school at Elspark Laerskool and then went on to high school at Hoërskool Oosterlig. As being someone who likes to be involved, her goal was to take part in as many activities as she possibly could and enjoyed playing Netball and competing in athletics. Clarishca's passion lent more towards the creative and artistic side and competed in various Eisteddfod's winning a number of distinctions and awards in drawing, painting, singing & dancing.

She also excelled and achieved recognition in writing, entrepreneurship and leadership.

After school she and her sister decided to move into their own apartment, and started her part time studies in Architectural Technology and a course in MDDOP (Multi-disciplinary Drawing Office Practice).

In 2013 she started working for her dad's Ceiling & Board manufacturing company, Supertec. This is where she currently works in the administration of the production of all the product.

Her true passion still lies in the creative field, and those who know her recognise her keen eye for photography and design. This is where she hopes to pursue a future career.

When asked to list her favourite things, she confessed a huge love for country and afrikaans music, an obsession with Disney movies and a rather large fondness of good wine and spicy food. However, first and foremost is her love for travelling and in the near future hopes to add many more destinations to her list of which she has already ticked off Australia, China, Thailand, Mozambique & loads of local towns and attractions in South Africa.

3 things that sum up Clarishca, according to Andrew:

1. Beautiful... both inside & out. (those eyes!!!)

2. Extremely funny... in a rather odd and crazy way.

3. Loyal and dedicated... to me & supporting my dreams, and to her faith in God.

ANDREW WILLIAMS

Andrew was born in Welkom in the Freestate to British parents Peter & Christine Williams. His dad was working on the mines as an engineer until they decided to move back to England a couple of years later. Andrew spent the early years of his childhood in Wem, England. However, anticipating a brighter future for Andrew (5 yrs old) and older sister Sarah (9 yrs old), in a much sunnier South Africa, the Williams family departed the United Kingdom for good.

The plan was to originally build a life in Port Elizabeth, but at the last minute his Dad was offered a job in Johannesburg with Atlas Aircraft (Denel). A year later Andrew started grade 1 at Bonaero Park Primary, and a year after that was amongst the first intake of pupils at Impala Park Primary (Summerfields Primary school).

Peter was a keen sportsman excelling in soccer , cricket & golf, and Christine played Hockey & golf, so obviously the apple was bound to fall not too far from the tree. Andrew spent most of his childhood on various sportsfields, representing schools and playing club level soccer, cricket, rugby and swimming. He also competed at provincial level in the South African Karate Championships.

At the age of 11, Andrew made a life changing decision when unknowingly to his family, decided to audition for the world renowned Drakensberg Boys' Choir School. This turned out to be the beginning of a musical journey that literally shaped his future and led to a lifetime of performing on stages all over South Africa, Europe & the USA. In the 2000's he formed a band called ONE80, achieving several #1 hits on the major radio stations including 5FM & 94.7. The band headlined most of the large festivals often sharing stages with the Springbok Nude Girls, Tweak, Wonderboom, Tree63 and all the popular bands of the time.

After the success of ONE80, Andrew played a key role in the formation of a band called The Plain Truth, who has gone on to release a number of albums and live DVD's, receiving many awards including a sought after South African Music Award.

In 2014, after working for a number of years in full time ministry, Andrew decided to start his own production company called Aremedia and after a successful first 3 years, looks forward to a beautiful and bright future with the soon to be Clarishca Williams.

3 things that sum up Andrew, according to Clarishca:

1. Always kind and loving towards people and animals.

2. Generous, always loves giving.

3. Extremely talented!

THE QUESTION

...IT WAS JUST PERFECT