I went to an African wedding in Africa...

This weekend was a new experience for me and my husband. We went to Polokwane for a African wedding. I had to be there at 8 o clock because I brought the bride her wedding clothes, jewelery and shoes. ( We bought it all in Pretoria) months before) She wanted to keep her dress a secret until the very end. I couldn’t see her until she came out of the room at 10.15. All the bridesmaids and bestmen – yes 16 men and 14 ladies- were dancing and singing in front of her parents house with the groom, waiting on her appearance. They then got into the wedding car to the church. There all the antourage first entered the church and then the groom with his best friend and last the bride entered the church. They sing and dance the whole time. Then when everybody is seated the seremony starts with representitives from his and her family. Afther the church service we went to the park to take some pictures. There where about 3 photographers and each wanted his own way…. We left to go back home. They went back for the traditional seremony.
Then on Saturday we had the service here in Centurion at the tent church. They arrived at 10h30 and the Bridesmaids and bestmen from the church did the ‘Step in’ into the church followed by the couple. Then the congregation danced and sang before the ceremony started. They signed the register and we left for the reception. We waited for some time because they had to change dress for the reception. They really looked very nice and there the cake was cut….not just cut.
They top part was handed over to the family of the groom by the bride. Then the middle part of the cake was given to the brides sister (for her family side) by the groom then the bottom part was cut by the couple and shared. The rest of the cake was then the dessert for the rest of the guests.
It is rarely that you can take a picture of the couple alone, when the guests see you taking pictures they also want to take part. It is part of there culture to share in everything. Making a photographers job a lot more complicated….
It’s over now and I had some close calls, the heat got to me and I nearly fainted. My husband came to the rescue with some water and later energy drinks to help me recover. He also drove me to and from the seremony and back home. He is such a darling!
Will I do it again?? Thanks but no thanks!

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Tags:

african, culture, tradition and wedding