These Inspirational Travellers Married in Africa

Along time, our elders taught us marriage is a thing that settles us to somewhere with the one we love, right? Does that mean, where you got married is the place you are going to stay? Absolutely not!

You know we are in February and this is the most intense month for love. While we were making plans for February, we decided to let you know about some unusual African wedding ceremony stories. With all love, we prepared a couple of traveller stories to inspire you.

How about getting married in Africa in the most traditional way it can be like all the traveller couples? As you already know, Africans are still the most successful ones to keep and to cherish their tradition, in all ways. Their music, dance, drums, food, clothes… If one of you is to make your ceremony unforgettable, you should get married in Africa. Just like these world travellers; travellers by nature or travellers because of work or traveller couples who found each other on their way. In all ways, Africa is still the one with tales.

Find your own dreamy ceremony story through these amazing ones, and we’ll be waiting for you at the finish line to book your next adventure.

Here are some of the traveller couples who got married in Africa:

Gabriella and Timothy / Maasai Way

Gabriella and Timothy were engaged for 7 years. After four years of engagement, they have decided to say ‘yes’ in 7 different ways and they have planned their journey for the last 3 years. Now, they are married four times. The first ceremony was in Tokyo, it was only a 30-minute-ceremony to start their journey quickly with Gabriella’s aunt and cousin. After Tokyo, they continued to Bali (Indonesia), Patan (Nepal), Chennai (India) and to the fifth ceremony, were held in Kenya.

Photo Credit: thenewsminute.com

They got in touch with a Maasai to make the ceremony, so after they got married in Chennai, they travelled to Kenya. They followed every traditional step for their ‘promise’ in Maasai way. After a quick ceremony in Kenya, they have planned their next ceremony in the sky. They went to Prague, for a hot air balloon ceremony.

Gabriella said: “We could have done an American wedding. But it wasn’t something that resonated with us. We wanted to do something that was interesting. We thought, why don’t we travel and make that our wedding”

 Such a good idea Gabriella!

2people1life / Alex & Lisa – Xhosa Way

Photo credit: 2people1life.com 

Blog Name: 2people1life

Alex and Lisa have been married for over 8 years and they knew each other from childhood. 4 years ago, when they were having fun with their friends, they’ve decided to get married over and over across the countries and let people know about other traditions. Their aim is to let people decide how they’re going to marry, in which way or where. One of their weddings is held in Eastern Cape, South Africa.

  

When Alex and Lisa decided to marry in South Africa, they were going to celebrate their 37th ceremony. After their 36th wedding in Khayelitsha, they have decided to marry in Xhosa way, majority community was Xhosa in South Africa.

The wedding was held in a local hotel, they were very nervous because they didn’t know what to expect from a 4* hotel with a golf court for a traditional wedding, but the experience was unique.

After they have arrived at the hotel, they have taken to their room and one of the hotel employees who is a tribe member of Xhosa visits them in their room to dress them and paint the brides face. As time passes, they started to hear some joyful music; other tribe members singing, dancing and clapping outside for the arrival of the pastor. Everyone was ready so tribe members got them to The Kraal. The Kraal is a place where men animals are kept. They are making the ceremony at the kraal cause a man’s power is measured with his animals and he has to protect them.

At the end of the day, the ceremony was full of joy, singing, eating; just like a feast. Lisa was curious about sitting apart from Alex for the ceremony. They’ve been told that it’s very important to stay apart at the ceremony as a tradition to make babies at the end of the day. That keeps the excitement alive all day long.

Alex and Lisa have married in Africa over 10 times; yet, they are still seeking for traditional ceremonies.

Christian Parkinson & Kutlwano Parkinson – Soweto Way

Photo Credit: news.bbc.co.uk

Blog Name: İmageJunkies

Christian is a filmmaker and journalist who has worked for BBC for many years. He met Kutlwano in 2009 and since 2009 he knew she was the one to get married, to spend the life with.

He says: “When I realised that I’d finally met the woman I wanted to marry, I knew I had to do things the African way – and hopefully earn the respect of Kutlwano’s family.”

Christian followed every step to make it right to Kutlwano, her family and her traditions. He followed every step very carefully, cause he wanted to let her family he will love and cherish Kutlwano for the rest of his life.

First, Parkinson Family writes a letter to Kutlwano’s father to let them know Parkinson family intended to pay a visit. This letter has to be in Sesotho language (local). Then, they set the date for the union; and they have carried through every step Kutlwano’s tradition needed. After everything is settled and got the consent of Kutlwano’s father, 12 weeks later, Christian goes back to Soweto to get Kutlwano with traditional music, drinks and dances; when the ceremony went through.

Finding love while travelling, what a beautiful love story. And here is our last traveller couple:

Acrobat Couple Cheetah Platt & Rhian Woodyard:

“A lot of people say you should travel with the person you’re going to marry. We get to learn about each other every day more and more, I love that it’s brought us closer.” says the bride.

As being two acrobats, not having a normal desktop job, Cheetah and Rhian decided to marry in the way of what they do best; acrobatic marriage.

They love their job, have fun while working; so they made their ceremony even better. They have planned the journey for three months and started from where they live LA to Spain up to Australia. They haven’t finished their journey yet, if it all goes according to the plan, they’ll be married in 11 countries over 6 continents.

Photo Credit: boredpanda.com 

Despite these beautiful stories, you may still want to write your own. Just let your love read about those kinds of stories not intentionally but accidentally, and let love take over ?

That’s the end of our list of travellers that married in Africa for now. Why not sign up for our weekly newsletter and be the first to take advantage of fast-selling fares to your favourite destinations? Click here to never miss the best travel deals.

Have something to say...