So...This is going to be a bit of a long one.
Remember these two? Anna and Edwin, my sister and my now brother in law (hi bro!) sprung their engagement on me mid family walk last year and we got some cracking pics in the great british countryside. You can re-live it here if you like a bit of love in the fields ;)
The scenery when they next got in front of my lens was a little different.
These guys had friends from all over the world travel to celebrate with them from as far away as Australia and as close as Uganda. I flew out to Kenya with the rest of the family and around thirty of Anna's British friends in October to shoot and of course be a guest at their amazing Kenyan British fusion wedding.
We arrived in Nairobi a week before the ceremony and what a time we had, you can see some of the amazing animals we saw over on the Starwinkle blog but let's just say Timon and Pumba would have been proud.
The big day
It was up early the next day to set everything out and welcome the caterers Rusty Nail so they could get the pigs and chickens raised on Edwin's family farm, (you can't get more organic than that!) on the go for the big feast that night. And then of course it was time to get ready! Edwin headed up to the tents where the guests were staying to get ready with his brothers whilst we stayed down at the farm house with Anna for bridal prep. I was also joined by my second shooter for the day Eugene, find him on Instagram @gene.pics
Anna's dress, made by Galina Tatarinova was a beautiful mix of African fabric and traditional ivory and looked stunning as it trailed behind her. Anna and Edwin did things a little differently and we as a family met Edwin's family at the top of the aisle before Anna and Edwin walked down together to get married .
It was then up to a beauty spot overlooking Mount Kenya for sundowner cocktails and apart from a rogue buffalo it all went smoothly! I took this opportunity to sweep the happy couple away for half an hour and we were taken by a ranger up to the memorial with absolutely stunning views and of course wild elephants and giraffes to accompany us on our portrait shoot.
The Meru has a new member
Anna and Edwin were greeted back into the venue with traditional singing and dancing by the Kenyan Meru women.
It was amazing! Everybody singing at dancing as they made their way to the marquee for a marvellous buffet and speeches. Every member of the top table made a speech and then it was time to cut the cake made by the female members of each family. A tier was even flown in from Cheshire made by our Granny who sadly couldn't make it. I've never seen such an international cake. A brilliant cake speech was made by our Aunty Rhiannon and then it was on to the first dance serenaded by a live band 'The Itch Band' who sung Ben E King's 'Stand By Me'. The party didn't stop until gone two. What a wedding, an amazing time had by everyone no matter which continent they had come from.
I Just can't stop watching their video! watch it yourself below