I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up and was not happy – Ernest Hemingway.
We are so excited to show you the dreamy, safari-inspired and intimate shoot we did. It is for those drawn to the art of raw beauty and who love the warm-washed bushveld.
Why do we opt for this?
What started as a way to celebrate during a pandemic turned into experiencing unimaginable joy mixed with immense thankfulness. If Covid has taught us anything, it was to redefine what we deem important. Nowadays, we realise that true happiness is found in creating experiences that we share with others and not in how many things we acquire.
As wedding vendors and for many future brides and grooms, a lot regarding the perfect wedding has changed. An intimate safari wedding is an answer to hosting a private celebration and still having those special moments that will last a lifetime.
What Is an Intimate Safari Wedding?
An intimate safari wedding takes the complicated and simplifies it to the essence of what matters to you. Weddings are no longer only following traditional paths. Your wedding day is about you, your partner, and those nearest and dearest to you and removing the add-ons to make room for the unforgettable.
How did we celebrate intimately?
A secluded wedding celebration gives you the opportunity for closeness and authenticity without worrying about a venue, guest list or becoming absorbed in a myriad of details.
Rather than feeling stressed about hosting the biggest party you’ve ever organised, keep it simple and include those nearest and dearest to you. Be present, feel and comprehend that you’re getting married. Pause and embrace every moment in a nature-inspired setting surrounded by those you love most.
We echoed the decor of natural colours in the safari scape on the table settings and stationery by accentuating the main character, the bushveld. And attentive to bushveld textures and their perfect colour combinations, we explored depth and interest in our designs. Pampas grass and dried flowers make floral arrangements more manageable in warmer climates. And we also agree with our modern couples that eco-friendly and sustainable decor is a big yes!
I agree with Runaway Romance in saying that nature is our décor champion, and that responsible foraging is the way to go. Check out their article at https://www.runawayromance.com/how-to-forage-semi-decently/ and be inspired!
Our couple’s wedding outfits were relaxed and easy to move in, synonymous with the simplicity found on Safari.
The following venues come highly recommended:
Misava Safari Camp is a real gem. Small and intimate with a setting in the Klaserie Drift Private Game Reserve with boundless African plains spreading beside the meandering river. What better way for this adventurous couple to celebrate their life together than by embarking on a post-vow safari game drive with champagne and cake naturally part of the deal.
Chitwa Chitwa, with their uncomplicated yet spacious rooms, are divine! They house modern accommodations with decks and private plunge pools overlooking the magnificent bushveld. They cater to an array of preferences; my bride even went for a workout in their gym before the ceremony, and traditional dancing ends the exciting game drives.
Lion Sands takes pride in delivering on experience. They are situated on a private game reserve and are home to the southern hemisphere’s highest and most diverse concentration of wildlife. Accommodation includes six lodges with an assortment of stays and all-inclusive rates.
Return Africa is the ultimate African Safari at the Pafuri Tented Camp in Northern Kruger. They offer African escapes in various locations and are the ideal place to host your ceremony. Because they situate alongside the river, there are endless opportunities for fantastic animal sights, and you can hear the hippos nearby.
If you find inspiration in the intimacy of this safari wedding, then this might be just for you. As a photographer, I treasure part-taking in celebrations and capturing the instants of any intimate marriage.
Contact me by filling in this form here if the idea of a private ceremony surrounded by closest loved ones in the South African Bush appeals to your view of the perfect day, and let’s capture your memories.
Any intimate wedding celebration is incomplete without the support of the vendor’s skill. A mention and big thank you to them for the following:
Decor and Florals: DekInstyl | Bespoke Wedding Dress: Marlize Meeding | Christo’s Attire: Big and Tall, Woolworths & Cotton On | Stationery: Design Bar | Hair & Make-Up: Petro from Blush_Ed by Excellence | Cake: Tasty Treats by Theresa | Models: Kyla & Christo Lottering
