Michael Manley
Emma Brand
Michael Manley
Emma Brand
February 21, 2026
Our Love Story - God's Great Gift
Mike and Emma were both invited to a camping trip by their magnificent friend, Aaron Budke, on the 28th of March 2025. Not knowing what was about to happen, both of them almost didn't go to the camping trip, but disaster was averted and they met for the first time as Emma pulled the Nissan Hardbody Bakkie into the camp site. How could Michael not be intrigued? He braaied her food for her that evening to perfection. The following morning, they were the first ones out of the tents and shared about how they both serve on kid's ministry at church while putting the kettle on to boil. The spark was initiated and on the hike that Saturday morning they shared a long conversation. The spark was now a little flame. Over camp games, baboon attacks, river wading, rock walking (ask Michael what that is), the eye contact between Mike and Em let them know that they were both interested. The following day, they drove back to Stellies for church, where they sat next to each other and enjoyed worshipping the Lord. When they said goodbye that day, they shared a hug and Em said, "It was nice to meet you", to which they shared a knowing giggle, both recognising that this may be their last first dates. It was indeed VERY nice to meet you.
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Schedule
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Arrival
10:30 am - 11:00 am
South Africa
Dress code: Elegant Garden Party Men: Chinos, dress pants or smart jeans with a dress shirt (long or short sleeve). No tie needed. Women: Elegant daytime dresses or skirts, below the knee. Summery or formal styles welcome — please avoid short cocktail dresses. We will be on lawn, so please leave the stilettos at home.
Ceremony
11:00 am - 11:45 am
Cake & Refreshments
11:45 am - 1:00 pm
Reception & Lunch
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Registry
My Registry
Wedding Party
Shaun Pearce
Officiant
Shaun, you have played a tremendous role in my life, especially in discipling me into the man I am today. God has placed you and has used you in more ways than you can imagine to grow and build me. I am eternally grateful for the mentor and friend that you are in my life, and it is such a blessing that I get to be married to Em by you!
Ché Charles
Best Man
Aghh Ché! I cannot express how much our friendship means to me. You are such a brother in Christ and I love spending time with you! On one hand I honestly can't believe that we are even friends because of our differences in interests, and on the other I just praise God that we did become friends and have shared so many great laughs. I can't wait for what the future has in store for us, and to be able to share this day with you is nothing short of an incredible display of God's (irresistible) grace!
Daniel Brand
Groomsman
My future brother! Dan, I can't believe that the Lord has blessed me with a brother like you. You model what it means to be a Christ-centered man and it is so inspiring how you glorify God in every aspect of your life! I am so encouraged by how you balance life and value others so highly. I eagerly await the memories and laughs that our future families will share, and look forward to finally beating you at Catan...
Stefan Kotze
Groomsman
Bro I can't believe that I get to celebrate this day with you! You are such a Proverbs 17:17 brother and loyal friend. Doing life with you this past year has been such a joy, and it is so awesome that it's only just the start! You resemble a man after God's own heart, and you constantly push me to be a better disciple and image-bearer of Jesus. Thinking of the future memories and laughs that we get to share only brings me excitement, and I am so thankful for what the Lord has planned for us!
Antonio van Oudtshoorn
Groomsman
My bro since day 1. Man... It has been such a blessing to have you in my life!! Tonio you have been such a loyal and abiding friend, and the number of laughs and memories that we've shared is endless! Our friendship means so much to me, and I would not be the person that I am today without you. I'll never forget the late nights playing [insert shooter-game here], the tok-tok'ing at 11pm (and getting caught...), hide and seek, teasing Sophia/Nicci (or sometimes me..), launching fireworks/firecrackers from your apartment and laser-pointing at people walking on the beach. It has been the greatest joy being friends with you, and I praise God that he blessed us with it!!
Luke Dudley
Groomsman
Well well well... If it isn't the cultural, linguistic pioneer himself! Man, Luke, to this day I still reminisce on our laughs, chats, gaming sessions, McDonald's drives, training sessions, and trying to beat you at a 100m sprint at 1am in Academia (and losing... and then accidentally breaking your couch). Our friendship means so much to me, and it's one that I'm incredibly grateful to God for. You are such an inspiring leader, and it has been such an honour and blessing to call you my friend and brother. I am so excited that I get to celebrate this day with you!
Aaron Budke
Groomsman
My ROOMIE! Wow, it has been such a crazy ride AB! It is so surreal that we are here, and I am so grateful for our friendship. You are such a driven and inspiring man of God, and it has been such a blessing to have been flat mates for the past 2 years. The games nights, laughs, debates, road trips and braai's we've had will always be memories that I cherish, and I am so thankful that God has blessed me with our friendship. You are an incredibly loving and loyal friend, and you stick closer than a brother. Thank you. And P.S, thank you for inviting me on that camping trip... ;)
Tiffany Reynolds
Maid of Honor
My dearest buddy! You are the answer to many prayers. Our friendship is a great treasure to me. It is sweet and raw and upbuilding. It is marked by love as it is described in 1 Corinthians 13. You are a woman of Grace, Tiff! Thank you for many adventures and trips, as well as the simple coffees in our homes. You love me where I am at and also call me to more at exactly the same time. I miss your physical presence deeply but know you are there for me just the same. I love you, bud.
Christy Brand
Bridesmaid
My beloved little sister, watching you grow up has been one of the most precious things I have ever witnessed in my life. From a beautiful baby to a sassy toddler, a diligent child and now a wise, thoughtful, hilarious, kind young woman. Being your big sister is one of the most important things I get to do in life. I really enjoy talking to you and being ostrich (goofy) with you. Thank you for being excited with me, honest with me, and always hoping with me.
Nicci Manley
Bridesmaid
My soon-to-be sister, Nicci! Our friendship is still in its bud form, but I have no doubt it will bloom into something rich and beautiful. We have so much in common and I really look forward to enjoying some hobbies with you. You are inspiringly creative. Thank you for loving Michael the way you do and teaching him things only a sister can. Your support and encouragement of our relationship have been a great gift. The opening of our friendship story has been a joy! I am looking forward to writing the rest of the book with you.
Shani Brynard
Bridesmaid
Shani, your friendship has been a constant in my life; from grade 1, when you invited me to your petting zoo party, all the way up to this day when we get to celebrate our graduations and my engagement together. You have seen both the pretty and the ugly times in my life and have stuck with me through them all. For this, I am truly grateful to you. Our epic sleepovers, followed by breakfast picnics by the lake will always be a fond childhood memory. You feel like home and childhood in a person to me.
Gabby Collins
Bridesmaid
Gabs, when looking for pictures of us together, most of them were us sitting next to each other at events. I think this speaks to how much I enjoy your company and often find myself gravitating towards you in groups. I love how honest and incredibly funny you are. Funnily enough, some of my favourite memories with you are at our lower times: when you came and consoled me after mistakes and failures in the lab, or when we organised your flat for the renovations to happen. We are different in so many ways, but also wonderfully the same in other ways - and I love that about us! I really value you, Gabby. I am so glad I get to walk down the aisle with you.
Marguérite Ewert
Bridesmaid
Marguérite, you are such a precious friend to me. Dancing with you is a great joy. Dance class is more than just class with you there; it's also a time of sweet friendship and encouragement. Thank you for showing love to me in so many different ways. Your thoughtfulness and consistency bless me often. I always think of our car chats as time with a 'big sister'.