wedding party
courtney o'connor
Co-Maid of Honour
Gem’s big (little) sister - also known as 'Short Courts' - and her first taste of adventure. Courtney has always been the life of the party: the one who gets Gem out of trouble, but more often than not, the one right there getting into it with her - and somehow, they always make it out the other side together. She has the kindest, most open heart - the first to laugh, the first to cry, and the one Gem knows will always show up, no matter what. From the chaos to the quiet moments, Courtney has always been a constant. From handing over her ID for those early party days to always going the extra mile to look out for her, Courtney has been shaping Gem’s world (and her heart) from the very beginning.
murray southwood
Best Man
Liam’s best friend since their university days, Murray and Liam spent nearly every day together - living together, working at Hudsons Bar, and occasionally attending a varsity class while hustling their way through their early twenties side by side. Now grown up and living worlds apart, they still speak every day. Liam stood by Murray on his wedding day to the beautiful Kerryn and can’t wait for Murray to return the favour. Murray will also always get credit for playing matchmaker and bringing Liam and Gem together at a pre-drinks many years ago. After many years of tagging Castle Lite on socials, Muzzo and L are still working tirelessly to finally get the call from SAB for their always wanted Castle lite sponsorship!
tahren o'connor
Co-Maid of Honour
Gem’s baby sister, her mirror, her compass - Tazzy has been by her side from the very beginning. Gentle, witty, sharp, and endlessly caring, she has a way of keeping everyone in line… including Gem. Growing up, they shared a room (Tazzy was pink, Gem was purple) and somehow Tazzy was always the teacher, guiding Gem through life’s little details, from how to dress to doing her nails and styling her hair. She carries a quiet strength and a fierce love that reminds Gem every day that little sisters often teach you the most. Even now, they FaceTime almost daily - sometimes for hours, sometimes just sitting in silence in each other’s company - making the distance between Malta and Dubai feel a little smaller.
taylor reid
Groomsman
Taylor is one of Liam and Gem’s closest friends and has been there through it all - from the many parties to regular visits in Dubai. Liam and Taylor first hit it off in Cape Town, where Taylor quickly claimed the role of passenger princess and co-pilot, driving around the city in search of their next adventure. Through all the good times and countless laughs, they’ve built a friendship rooted in always having each other’s backs - one that will no doubt last until they’re old and grey. Taylor has not only been a great friend of Liams but Gem’s too. He’s shared countless hilarious moments with Gem, acting like the big brother she never asked for and keeping Gem away from steep hills at parties.
bella human
Bridesmaid
Gem’s best friend, her soul sister, her ride-or-die for twelve years. They met in school, and from the very first mischief they caused together, Gem knew Bella was irreplaceable. No matter the distance - or the countless stories that span their travels across Greece, Spain, and Dubai - they always find their way back to each other. And truly, nothing makes life more entertaining than watching Bella’s clumsy self fall down stairs, off tables, or out of a jeep. Bella sees Gem in a way no one else does - she knows her stories, her secrets, her heart. She’s the one Gem can always count on for laughter, loyalty, and a kind of love that never fades.
jake davies
Groomsman
Jake became part of Liam and Gem’s lives during their four years living in Malta. While they may not have known each other the longest, Jake and Liam quickly built a strong bond through their shared love of sport and their ability to constantly take the mick out of each other. Jake and Iz soon became a big part of life in Malta - with many weekends spent together over braai's (or BBQ's), plenty of glasses of rosé, and the occasional relaxed day helping look after their little man, Lawson. Even now that they live in different parts of the world, Jake and Liam still keep in touch with plenty of video calls. Their friendship might face its toughest test in the coming year though - as their usual Premier League debates could be slightly less fun now that Jake’s beloved Wolves have been relegated.
sarah brodie
Bridesmaid
Gem’s childhood best friend and sunshine queen. A surfer, nature lover, and proud self-proclaimed mermaid since the day they met in Mauritius, Sarah has always brought a sense of fun and freedom into Gem’s life. From roaming the streets of Hermanus to stealing her parents’ car and somehow driving the whole way with the handbrake up (sorry Jess), there has never been a dull moment. From growing up together to navigating life in Cape Town (and even surviving living together like real sisters) their friendship has been filled with laughter, chaos, and unforgettable memories. Sarah brings light, laughter, and a little bit of wild magic wherever she goes, and Gem’s life has always been brighter for it.
jordan mawby
Groomsman
Old Mawby! Jordan was always like a dad to Liam back in Cape Town, always keeping him in check. A friend every one needs, he grew close to Liam through their shared love of golf - both claiming low single-digit handicaps and trying to play as much as humanly possible. This has yet to stop, with Jords still visiting Liam in Dubai but this time the competition is slightly more one-sided! Jordan’s driven and disciplined nature has rubbed off on his friendship with Liam, always inspiring him to aim higher. A friendship that will continue to shape and benefit them both for years to come
jordan o'connor
Bridesmaid
Gem’s cousin and partner in chaos, Jords is the crazy, hilarious human who can make anyone laugh until they cry. From surprise visits in Mauritius during their teenage holidays to wild nights out in Cape Town, she has always shown up for Gem. Almost every time Gem's phone got stolen, Jords was there - driving her to the sketchiest spots to track it down without hesitation. Fiercely loyal and protective of her people, she’s the one who jumps in, takes charge, and turns any moment into an unforgettable story. Jords will dance until sunrise and laugh without limits. Life with her is wilder, louder, and infinitely brighter.
jason klokie
Groomsman
Jason and Liam’s friendship goes back 25 years, all starting in the small town of Mkuze. From around six or seven years old, they were side by side every afternoon after school - riding bicycles through the streets and running around with BB guns, slowly upgrading the adventures as they got older to quad bikes and pellet guns in their early teens. As the years went on, Jason often took on the role of the older brother, especially in Liam’s late teens when he introduced him to the nightlife of Durban - with Jason’s ID usually always in Liams possession. Although they haven’t seen each other in years, Jason and Liam have always shared a special bond - one that will stay strong no matter the time or distance.
richard gum
M.C
Rich and his fiancée Clem became great friends with Liam and Gem during their time living in Malta. Liam and Rich worked together and saw each other just about every day, with most days naturally ending in a near-compulsory “after graft draught”. Outside of work, Rich and Clem quickly became some of Liam and Gem’s closest friends, with weekends often spent together making the most of their time in Malta and creating some unforgettable memories. Rich is also no stranger to holding the mic - often the life of the party and a real crowd favourite - making him the perfect choice to help lead the celebrations as one of our MCs.
tristan glen
M.C
Glenno has been around Liam since school, but their friendship really kicked off just after matric when the two of them packed up Jill’s car and headed to Cape Town to start varsity and take on “adult life” together. While in Cape Town, Glen also became good friends with Gem, and the three have stayed close ever since. These days he even lives just down the road from Liam and Gem in Dubai, and is a regular at their braais and brunches. A friendship that Gem & Liam cherish dearly, built on plenty of laughs and a healthy dose of shithousery makes Glen the perfect person to help keep the good vibes (and a few jokes) flowing as one of our MCs.