Our Story
Whether you’ve heard the highlights or the whole saga, here’s a peek into our life
As he enters the next season of his life, Carl looks forward to building a home filled with love, laughter, adventure. He hopes to be the best husband to Nadine... and, hopefully have a few babies very soon.
The Groom
Carl Lourens Yssel is a passionate, familty oriented person, known for being the funniest person in the room.
Carl is a Pretoria boy, born on the 31st of January 1986 and was the first-born child of Charl and Joy. Family describe him as being the center of attention. Sometimes a little naughty, but could light up a room with his charm from a very young age.
He is often the life of the party, serving as a charismatic MC for countless loved ones' big days; though he's yet to be a best man, he is cherished as a best friend by everyone he knows.Â
Carl studied at Tuks, where he earned his BSc in Actuarial Sciences in 2007. He now co-owns a successful actuarial business with his partners, Jac and Evan.
Outside of work, Carl loves travelling, playing padel - which is a hobby Nadine inherited from him. And Most evenings you’ll find him in the kitchen, cooking up something exceptional.
One of the most meaningful chapters of Carl’s life began when he met his future wife, Nadine. From the very beginning, she brought out the very best in him — matching his energy, grounding his chaos, and becoming both his greatest supporter and favourite adventure partner. It’s clear to everyone around them that together they’ve built something truly special.Â
Nadine Kallides (almost Yssel) is a creative, loyal, warm person who cares deeply for the people around her
Born in Krugersdorp on 16 January 1999, Nadine arrived as a first blessing to Jacques and Miriam. Three years later, her brother Jaden joined her, and she quickly grew into her role as his devoted protector, and was often found fighting her cousins in defense of her brother
Nadine had a gentle way of observing life that just felt so sincere. She is truly a one-of-a-kind friend who sticks by your side through thick and thin, always there with a warm heart and a willingness to protect.
From the moment Carl walked into Nadine’s life, everything felt different. He brought a calm she didn’t know she needed, and a joy that made even the small, ordinary moments feel special. With him, she learned what it means to be truly seen. Carl didn’t just become part of Nadine’s life—he changed it for the better in every possible way.
Looking ahead, Nadine dreams of a life that’s full of meaning, adventure and quiet, everyday joy. She hopes to keep growing in her career, to build a warm and welcoming home with Carl, and to fill it with family, friends and lots of laughter. More than anything, she looks forward to walking into every new season hand in hand with him, trusting that whatever comes next, they’ll face it together.
The Bride
High school honestly wasn't her favorite place, so she decided early on to focus on the fun stuff, like making memories and sneaking out with friends way before she was actually allowed to. Once high school was in the rearview, she dove straight into the working world, poured her heart into her hustle, and hasn't stopped.
The First Swipe
Who would have guessed that a simple right swipe would lead us here? A lucky match on Tinder quickly snowballed into non-stop banter, holidays together and parenting two naughty Australian Shepherds. It was that rare spark—effortlessly cool yet cozy from day one—like we’d finally found our missing partner in crime.
