You guys don't need me to tell you how much I love the African bushveld, it is my BEST THING. So of course I have a soft spot for couples who share that love, and as soon as I saw Melissa & Keenan's wedding I knew that they were just that sort of couple. Long-distance lovers who now live in beautiful Kwazulu Natal, they planned a game lodge fabulous wedding complete with a chic bush ceremony arch, zebra bridesmaid robes, and just about every variety of protea. It's super joyful and beautiful, and super South African, which makes it the perfect wedding to kick off our super SouthBound year! The phenomenal Fiona Clair was on-scene to capture these gorgeous pics.

Wedding Details Proudly South African Details
Beyond what has already been mentioned, we wanted our guests to have the quintessential South African bush experience! We made our wedding a weekend getaway to Zululand. My brother and sister-in-law hosted everyone for a bush braai around a waterhole the night before the wedding, which was fueled by many 'Black Labels'. The braai was complete with potjies, steak, boerewors, pap and sous, and Zulu dancing. For the ceremony, Bonamanzi's Zulu choir sang while everyone walked down the aisle as well as during our cocktail hour. As our wedding favour, we gave everyone Zulu telephone wire baskets made by weavers in Hluhluwe.
Every aspect about our day had a personal meaning to both of us. This included a message my dad wrote to me on a piece of one of his blue work shirts that was sewn into the inside of my dress. My bouquet included jewellery from my two biological grandmothers and step grandmother as they could not attend our wedding. I also included a pin from my mom, even though she was there celebrating with us. Another close family friend, who could not attend the wedding, is from California and is an elder in the Chumash Native American tribe. He made Keenan a deer antler knife as a welcome gift when Keenan first came to visit me in California, and we used this to cut our cake!
My brother, Will, wrote and officiated our ceremony, which was just amazing. He included personal anecdotes, meaningful readings, and advice. Keenan's brother delivered the most heartfelt reading of Wayne Visser's poem, "I am an African."
While growing up, I spent some time in French Polynesia, in the South Pacific, so we incorporated many Tahitian customs into our ceremony. We did a lei ceremony in which Keenan and I presented each other with leis (floral necklaces) made by two of my best friends. The flowers are all strung together to form an unbroken circle that represents your eternal commitment and devotion to one another. The beauty of each individual flower is not lost when it becomes a part of the lei, but is enhanced because of the strength of its bond. We also did the traditional Tahitian marriage ceremony in which both sets of parents wrap us in a quilt. This symbolizes the joining of the couple for life, and reminds them to always think of and consider each other as they are now one.

You can see more from this wedding on Fiona Clair's blog.

SERVICE PROVIDERS
Venue & catering: Bonamanzi Game Reserve | Photography: Fiona Clair Photography | Videography: The Shank Tank | Cake: Lana from Cupcake Couture | Flowers & décor: Function Flair/Wedding Flair | Stationery: Cut Out Design | Bride's dress: Olivelli Durban | Bride's accessories: David's Bridal and Shane Co. Jewellery | Hair & makeup: Kendyl McPherson from Nixon Makeup | Bridesmaids' dresses: David's Bridal | Groom's attire: Old Khaki and Men's Warehouse | Groomsmen attire: Old Khaki and Woolworths | DJ: David Yapp from Top Jocks | Bridal Robes: Tesia Dowling