Helena & Karl | Adventures in Kenya & a Fantastical Wedding in South-Estonia
The story of Karl and Helena is one of adventure, with its highs and lows, hardships and grand triumphs. Join along on a wondrous love story that takes you from deep Kenyan jungles, from elephants and giraffes to a fairytale forest in Estonian fall.
“Falling in love, beauty and pain. Young love and a happy ending...”
In the midst of all of this, witness the two young people and the tale of their love.
Falling in love, beauty and pain. Young love and a happy ending...
Wedding Photographer: Valdur Rosenvald | Rosenvald Photography
Videography: Helari Saaremäe
Host: Kristjan Nurme
Pastor: Leho Paldre
Venue: Aida peosaal
Church: Äksi kirik
Make-up: Kristel Raavik
Bride’s hair: Elo Õun
Flowers: Lisanna Unt
Decorator & florist: Helena Kilp & Lisanna Unt
Bride’s dress: Helena Kilp & Liia Kilp
Rings: City Gold
Cake: Õie Pritson
Catering: Maitseelamused
Band: Andrus Kasepuu & CO
Music at the ceremony: Geidi Kilp
“We’ve loved hiking ever since the start of our relationship”
“We’ve loved hiking ever since the start of our relationship. Our first adventure, where we took an impromptu trek through the riverside wilderness of Emajõe, traipsing barefoot through a creek, sadly, wasn’t captured in photos. Instead, I opened my phone that night to a text from the lady of my heart: “I’m totally gonna marry you one day”, to which I replied a laconic “Looking forward to it!”, my heart was thumping in my chest, I felt joy. Whadddup.”
“Way back when.”
“Way back when. That’s what we call the time period from December 9th, 2011, when on a snowy night at Aida bus stop, we first told each other how in love we were, to December 12th, 2012, when the world ended.
In the first few months, we were hardly able to speak to one another. What do you do with feelings so great they almost cause a short circuit in your brain… We’ve all been there, right? At least we were lucky enough to have our feelings be mutual.
It’s lovely to remember, but I can’t say I miss that time, it was tough.”
Reuniting and the army
“We pretended after our breakup, that the other person didn’t exist, which, come to think of it, might be a poor strategy to get over someone. We didn’t see each other for 14 months and then, in 2014, we both happened to be at the same conference. The reunion was honestly a true shock, so a week later we decided to meet. We talked for a few hours, at the end of which, I was in tears, sobbing to say: “I don’t want anyone else in my entire life!”, to which Karl took me in his arms and said: “What took you so long…”
Quite adorable, no? :D
Straight after reuniting, Karl left for mandatory military service. If the relationship can survive that, I think we can handle getting married, right?”
“If the relationship can survive that, we can handle getting married, right?”
“I found a few photos from 2010 when I was 15 and Karl 16. “No, I don’t like him.”
I don’t remember, why Karl caught me in his arms, but I remember pretending that I had a hard time struggling free. 9 years later, I don’t struggle anymore.”
“9 years later, I don’t struggle anymore.”
And indeed, they didn’t struggle anymore, except when trying to organize a wedding.
As a friend to both of them, I have more or less been cheering them on ever since the very beginning of their relationship. People get married every day and it’s a natural part of life. But, knowing the intricate story of Karl and Helena, the news of their matrimony brought me joy on a personal level, for their story, full of twists and turns, had finally reached it’s happily ever after. Or to be more precise: it’s happily ever beginning.
Karl’s last name is Rebane, meaning fox. And on an autumnal day in October, a marvelous new family of fox began.
