Kenya Wedding Photography: Safari Park Luxury
You know when marketing experts say, “Show more of what you want”…?
Well, I wouldn’t mind another destination wedding in Kenya!
The beauty, the culture, the adventure - Kenya offers everything for a wedding experience that’s anything but ordinary. So, why has it taken me almost two years to share some tales from this unforgettable trip? I’ll admit, trying to capture such an amazing experience in words was a bit overwhelming at first. But now we’re between seasons, I feel like it’s the perfect time to reflect on what was truly a dream wedding.
This blog is a bit longer than usual, but I’ve broken it up with photos to keep it digestible. If you’re planning a destination wedding and want a photographer who’s not just about capturing beautiful moments but also navigating the adventure with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Feel free to follow us on Instagram and send us a DM, or leave a comment below.
If you like what you see and you’re planning your own event either in the UK or somewhere across the globe then drop us a line 👌🏻
Travelling to Kenya for a Destination Wedding
If you’re looking for adventure, and something a little unusual then a Kenyan destination wedding might be the perfect choice!
Nairobi is the capital city and home to the biggest airport in the country, so it makes for a great spot to fly into and travel out from. Our bride’s family have a home in town, so we joined them for a henna party the day before travelling over to the national park for the full celebration some days later.
One thing that can be a little stressful for UK residents travelling out to Kenya, is transport and ensuring the safety and security of your guests while in the country. That isn’t to say it isn’t safe, just that there are different approaches toward normal road practices in the UK and in Kenya!
Fortunately, our couple organised transport for all their uk friends in a well packed minivan in order to get out to Lake Naivasha for the wedding itself. We were super grateful for the air conditioned transport, and the driver who weaved through traffic to get us there safe and sound.
Weddings at The Simba Lodge, Lake Naivasha
If you’re after a little slice of luxury, Simba Lodge delivers exactly that. For anyone considering wedding photography in Kenya - definitely check it out. The grounds are stunning and meticulously maintained, the wedding area bathed is a beautiful dappled light from the (I believe) Yellow Fever Trees throughout, and when the sun sets the area has a beautiful golden light that we just love.
Upon arrival, guests were welcomed with pre-wedding entertainment featuring jugglers and acrobats, all performing to the ever-present tune of Jambo Bwana - a soundtrack that seems to follow you everywhere in Kenya.
We love a multi-day wedding celebration, and this one was truly spectacular. Once everyone had settled in, it was time for the international cricket showdown between Kenya, India, and England.
I was pleased to put in a solid innings for India alongside the groom, holding our own against a fierce Kenyan bowling attack. So, if you’re planning your own pre-wedding cricket match, feel free to call me up to the team - I promise I won’t let you down!
A Sangeet Party Under the African Stars
After the cricket match, we headed back to our rooms, freshened up, and got ready for the Sangeet party. Held under the night sky just outside the venue, the celebration was nothing short of breathtaking. The team at Simba Lodge put together an unforgettable evening, with fantastic food, lively entertainment, and impeccable attention to detail.
One of the standout features was the stunning display of vintage chandeliers hanging from a nearby tree, casting a warm glow and creating the perfect backdrop for dancefloor photos.
Day Two: Pithi Ceremony & Pool Party Wedding Vibes
As dawn broke, with a few guests doubtless nursing sore heads from the night before, we woke to the sounds of industrious hands adorning the trees with delicate orange and white flowered streamers above the pithi stage.
The Pithi Ceremony
The Pithi is one of my favourite parts of any Hindu wedding.
It symbolises the cleansing and beautification of the bride and groom as they prepare for their wedding.
It always starts slow, builds to a messy chaos, and then ends with a beautiful moment as friends and family pledge their support and good wishes to the couple.
I think that what draws me to this moment is the deep sense of family - the coming together of two separate groups of people, the raw emotion of entrusting a child to another family unit, and the significance of that transition. There is always such a powerful, visceral energy that makes for incredible wedding photographs. It’s always a time when I feel we come alive, and are able to capture some magic on camera.
Western Pool Party
After the Pithi, everyone changed into more casual Western outfits and gathered around the pool for a relaxed cocktail party. Now, if you’ve followed us for a while, you may have seen some of these photos and thought, that looks like AI-generated nonsense—but I promise you, it’s absolutely real.
The grounds at The Simba Lodge are fenced for protection from larger wildlife like hippos, but a friendly group of zebras often wanders in and out.
When I spotted them off to one side during the pool party, I circled around to the far side of the pool, positioning myself behind them in the hope of capturing something special. As they moved towards the water and dipped their heads to drink, I knew I had something magical in front of me. I hit the shutter a few times before they moved on, and just like that, the moment was captured.
Wedding Ceremony at Simba Lodge, Lake Naivasha
With the cleansing ceremony complete (and a little partying into the night), Priyal and Ricky were just about ready for their main wedding ceremony. Once again, the incredible team at Simba Lodge had seamlessly stripped everything down overnight and set it all back up, transforming the space for the final ceremony.
Ricky made a grand entrance, arriving with his Baraat procession atop a tuk-tuk, surrounded by friends and family, and shooting banknotes from a money gun. Let no one ever say he’s shy or restrained!
Hindu Wedding Ceremony Decorations and Setup
Guests were seated either side of an aisle made from vintage rugs, with everything decorated in traditional red. More flowers cascaded from the mandap, creating a vibrant and beautiful setting. The priest, who had been flown in from the UK, is one we’ve had the pleasure of working with a few times now. I really appreciate his modern approach to Hindu weddings - he ensures that guests remain engaged by explaining the rituals, the symbolism, and what’s happening at every stage, along with a few jokes, smattered in here and there to keep things light.
If you’d like to get in touch with him, his details can be found at the bottom of this blog.
Safari Wedding Portraits
Look, there’s no easy way to say this, but I’m pretty sure we’ll never beat zebras at a wedding.
…Unless someone can arrange for giraffes.
That being said, they do have a way of stealing the spotlight! So, we made sure to organise a few shots without the zebras in the foreground or background, just so Priyal and Ricky could take centre stage. We always prefer to keep our couples’ portraits authentic, relaxed, and fun - so walking between the trees and capturing a mix of both Hindu and Western outfits was absolutely perfect.
Wedding Reception at Simba Lodge
We’d already had one party on arrival and another after the pithi… but three is the magic number! Once again, with lights twinkling in the trees and the dancefloor glowing, we gathered for speeches, cake cutting, and a flash-mob Bollywood dance party to kick things off.
I could go on and on about this wedding, but sometimes it’s best to let the pictures do the talking. All I’ll say is that the last image in this set was taken well past midnight - I think closer to 3am! Scroll down through to the end and take it all in. What a journey!
Post Wedding Safari
After the wedding, we said our goodbyes and headed off to the Masai Mara for a much-needed end-of-season holiday at the Mara Serena Safari Lodge in the national park. I won’t fill this blog with pictures of all the incredible wildlife we saw, but if you’d like to see some, leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to share them soon.
If you’re planning an adventurous destination wedding in Kenya, or or any other country in Africa, then we’d love to hear from you. We’ve had the privilege of working around the world, capturing our signature style of relaxed and authentic coverage for couples of all backgrounds.
And if you happen to need a safari driver, well, we can now truly say, ‘We know a guy!’
Suppliers
Bride
Sangeet outfit : @MANIKJASSAL
Sangeet jewellery : @sachdeva.ritika
Wedding outfit : @AnitaDongre from @BIBILDN
Wedding jewellery : @heritage_jewels
Reception outfit : @MANIKJASSAL
Groom
Vidhi outfit : @payalsinghal from @Bibiman
Wedding outfit : @qbikofficial from @Bibiman
Reception suit : @greshamblake
Bands : @deejayraahi_kenya, @parseen_official
Venue : @simbalodges
Planner & decor : @jade.co.ke
Videographer : @ngoma_films
Cake : @frost_cakery
Bar mixologists : @dmkl_dantemixologistskenyaltd
Stationary : @rawinvites
Mehndi : @ptlnimi
If this blog has inspired you and you’re planning your own wedding—wherever it may be—we’d love to hear from you. We specialise in relaxed, authentic coverage and would be honoured to document your day.
If you’re planning your own wedding in Kenya, and you’re in need of some relaxed and authentic wedding photography coverage then get in touch and let’s discuss how we can make your wedding one to remember.
Big Love
A&A
