AN EPIC AFRICAN WEDDING ….

I’ve delayed blogging this incredibly epic African wedding as I just know that my words cannot do this wedding justice (hopefully the photos do though !). This was truly an epic ‘African wedding’ and one which I will never ever forget. I am South African, and I was so excited to shoot this wedding as I love so many of the African traditions and I was really looking forward to the joyous vibrant energy that I knew this wedding would bring. I left South Africa in 2014 and I long for home so much, and miss it terribly. Once you have the African spirit your bones and blood, its hard to forget and I think about home a lot.

BRIDAL PREP AT THE FLEECE …

Tendai was getting ready at The Fleece Hotel In Cirencester which is a gorgeous listed building on the High Street. I wound my way up the narrow staircase and was greeted by the beaming faces of flower girls spilling out into the corridor! Tendai had so many people around her in the room that there was not enough space for everyone and the corridor was being used for hair prep. I just loved this and it was the moment that I knew this was going to be an extra special day. A highlight of the morning was when Tendai’s bridesmaids asked her if she had seen her shoes yet…well, Ernest had written the most beautiful ‘note’ underneath her shoes and it has to be one of the most sentimental and touching gestures I’ve photographed so far. It was also really nice to meet the Husband and wife team, Natalie and Elliot, from Blush Wedding Videos who were the videographers for the day and had driven all the way from Southampton for this wedding.

CRIPPS BARN WEDDING CEREMONY …

Ah Cripps Barn ….it’s a stunning venue just outside of Cirencester and a real pleasure to shoot at. The staff are fantastic and their organisation skills are second to none. The venue always takes my breath away when I arrive and I half expect to see Lady Guinevere and her Lancelot come walking down the aisle in the ceremony room! Cripps has a sort of mythical magical quality to it and it’s a truly spectacular venue. I arrived quite early as I love to photograph guests arriving and of course the groom waiting. On this particular wedding we were treated to the tongue in cheek humour of the dedicated MC for the day, Gordon, and he really did a fabulous job of chatting to the guests whilst we waited for the bride to arrive. I was announced in style too, which was really quite awesome and I wouldn’t mind more of that!

CRIPPS BARN BRIDE AND GROOM WEDDING PORTRAITS …

Cripps Barn offers numerous fabulous options for the formal group photos and the Bride and Groom portrait shots as it has stunning grounds within a very short walk as well as rolling fields if you are happy to walk just a tad further. A good tip for brides if you are getting married at Cripps Barn is to bring a pair of flats or wellies along with you, so if you are wanting to walk up the hill you wont be getting your Jimmy Choo’s stuck in the grass : )

RECEPTION AND SPEECHES AT CRIPPS BARN …

The ambiance in the reception is always so beautiful and inviting, no matter what the decor is , the room always feels like it’s full to the brim with excitement. Gordon, the MC, did an incredible job of announcing the speeches and getting the guests into the swing of things. I’ve never photographed a wedding with a dedicated MC before but he was so charming and funny and just added that extra touch of magic to the day. The speeches were incredibly emotional and i think there were many times during them that Natalie and I glanced at each other and we both had tears in our eyes. It was a truly memorable moment when the best man stood up and said such a heartfelt speech about why he loved his best friend so much and what an incredible man Ernest is. It really made us all well up, as often best man speeches are funny and a little naughty, but this one was sincere and heartfelt and moved the room to tears. Another epic highlight was the cake cutting! The cake was cut in front of everyone as per ‘normal’ but then the bride and groom dished up a piece for their new in-laws and knelt in front of them and presented theme the plate of cake. It was a beautiful moment and such a lovely African wedding tradition to witness. It was also nice to actually see the cake being enjoyed for once as often it is cut and then whisked away and I don’t really see it again.

THE BEST DANCING EVERRRRRR ………

Ernest did tell me that the dancing was going to be quite a ‘big deal’…however I did not expect such incredible moves! Man, everyone could dance! And the bride and groom’s first dance was totally epic…..fun, sultry and spicy to the max :) I loved it and the vibe and buzz on the dance floor was amazing.

A MENTION TO THE AMAZING SUPPLIERS WHO CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE DAY …

Cripps Barn: http://www.crippsbarn.com/
Blush wedding videos: http://www.blushweddingvideos.co.uk/
Pizza: http://bazfred.com/
Dress: http://www.davidsbridal.co.uk/
Hair stylist: http://www.instagram.com/ladyj400/
Makeup: http://www.instagram.com/makeupbymissevelyn/
Bridesmaids dresses: http://www.victorialou.co.uk/
Flowers: http://www.gowildflowers.com/
Grooms suit: Ted Baker
Cake: http://www.cakeandsugarcraftboutique.co.uk/
DJ: http://www.instagram.com/kjglider/

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A PHOTOGRAPHER TO SHOOT A TRADITIONAL AFRICAN WEDDING?

I’d give a limb to shoot another African wedding! It transported my soul to a piece of home for the day, and I’d love to experience that again. Please send me a message using my contact form and I will be in touch shortly.