Weddings. Who doesn’t love them? You swoon, you cry, you laugh and oftentimes it’s all three at once. While some would prefer a summer wedding or even a wonderful winter one, fall weddings are also truly magical. Schools are closed, the weather is balmy and pleasant; the air crisp…doesn’t that sound lovely? Well, Kenya is bountiful when it comes to beautiful wedding destinations so get your Pinterest board out and let’s see which Kenyan stay works its dreamy charms on you.
Talk about a wild romance amidst the savannah. House in The Wild is the one (pun intended)! It's not hard to see why this boutique lodge is utterly gorgeous: the bush breakfasts after a morning game drive, the chance to go on a sunrise balloon safari and the view of the Mara River right on the vast lawns all add to its beauty. With 8 rooms, House in The Wild is ideal for a small and intimate group and a lovely safari wedding destination. They also have a variety of villas in case you might have a larger gathering. If you want to make a statement, get the oohs and the aahs, get your planner out and set the date. And if you’re lucky, grazing zebras and giraffes may be the perfect photobombs! Trust us, your guests will be talking about it for years to come.
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…it's giving, ‘I-am-the-wedding-venue-of-your-dreams’. Arijiju offers you dramatic landscapes that set the stage for a wedding straight out of a fairy tale. It gives off a mesmerizing and dreamy vibe and is one way of getting you that “I do”. Arijiu’s medieval alleyways make for an unforgettable walk down the aisle and its cliffside location gazes out into the rolling hills; a picturesque setting for a picturesque wedding. The ambience and views send you right into a glorious sunset-filled reception with the warm yellow lights that fill the grounds, encouraging you to dance under the stars, in the open air.
Umm yes! Yes I do…vouch for Sirikoi house. Can we just start with its magical views? Described as an eco-chic African home, Sirikoi gives you both luxury and a cosy feel to your wedding; the kind of venue that will make you believe in happily ever afters. Get to experience a helicopter ride over Mt.Kenya or take in the views of wildlife around the lodge throughout the day. You cannot go wrong with having your ceremony at Sirikoi which is surrounded by 68,000 acres of wilderness of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy; a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a wedding venue daydream brought to life.
Shrouded in wild flowers and the melody of the birds, Mukima House has romance in its very air. A large lake sits in front of the house with row boats to boot and many a wedding has taken place on these beautiful 300 acre grounds; under the lovely olive grove trees. Mukima can also double up as a honeymoon destination so you can wake up on your first married morning taking in a beautiful sunrise which showers the sky and surrounds Mount Kenya and Lolldaiga Hills in golden hues of orange, pink and soft blues. You can even go horse riding later on, so why not get the best of both worlds? The only gatecrashers you might encounter would be the small herd of impala, bushbuck and reedbuck breeding on the farm.
Lastly, of course, a beach wedding destination. There's nowhere better to coax the hopeless romantic right out of you than Sirai Beach. One word: stunning. Sirai Beach house is nestled along Kenya's dazzling coast, overlooking the Indian Ocean from a cliff top in Kilifi. With a helipad within the grounds, the house can arrange helicopter transfers directly to your door or you can charter their private aircraft for a comfortable and speedy trip. Sink your toes in the sand and take in the ocean’s gentle waves as they offer the perfect musical addition to your love story. If your wedding persona is to go for a warm and calming feel, Sirai Beach will definitely woo you.
EXTRA, EXTRA…
If you want to ditch the conventional beach and garden, Nairobi isn't just a concrete jungle; sometimes it doubles up as a lovely lowkey wedding retreat where urban elegance meets culinary bliss. I know, you're probably thinking “whoa that’s a wild card you've thrown in there” but if you’re seeking a ceremony without loads of months of planning, try it. You can literally pop in to the AG’s office, get your ‘I dos’ on and have a little intimate lunch or dinner in one of the chic locations with skyline views, a true hidden gem.
So then...where are you going to throw your bouquet?