Destination Wedding Photographer
Immerse yourself in culture and traditions – Ethiopian wedding in Addis
Location: Ethiopian Skylight Hotel
Emotions, music and culture in perfect harmony
Are you dreaming of a wedding abroad? I met Kurat and Micki at their civil wedding in the Hochzeitsturm in Darmstadt . The likeable Eritrean-Ethiopian couple told me about their plans to celebrate a big traditional wedding abroad with the whole family and relatives in Ethiopia. As a wedding photographer for destination weddings, I am very happy to accompany my couples to where they want to celebrate the best day of their lives. So I had the opportunity to accompany the two, was able to immerse myself in the cultural traditions, exciting customs and the joy of life.
The wedding took place in the capital Addis Ababa over a total of three days.
TAG 1
Family celebration
On the Thursday before the actual big wedding, which is usually on Saturdays, the families are brought together. There is a lot of delicious food and dancing until late in the evening.
TAG 2
The wedding celebration
Then the moment arrives. The grand wedding at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, the place to be in the capital. But before it starts, it is customary for the groom to pick up the bride from her parents' home. To enter the house, he needs the support of his family, because both families "fight" against each other at the entrance gate with music and dance, for or against the entry of the new family member. What follows is great rhythmic drumming and chanting, which paves the way for the groom to the bride. In the house, she waits together with the bridesmaids.
Approximately 400 guests are invited to the celebration at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel, and they spend most of the evening off their chairs, dancing like there's no tomorrow.
TAG 3
Traditional Wedding
On the following Monday, a small group of about 80 guests celebrate traditionally in Ethiopian clothes. The friends who traveled from Germany also dress accordingly in traditional garments. The best men and women dance into the room, clearing the way for the bridal couple. When Kurat and Micki enter the room dancing, nobody stays in their seats. Everyone stands up and sways to the sounds of the band, which is playing a traditional wedding song. There is traditional Ethiopian coffee and lots of delicious food again. The highlight is when the two of them sneak away unnoticed to then present themselves in Eritrean wedding dresses. Nobody expected that. The mood is now definitely at a boiling point, especially the guests who traveled from Eritrea are happy about this gesture.
"Marco accompanied us at our destination wedding and captured a lot of wonderful memories. We couldn't have imagined a better photographer.
Three wedding celebrations in the middle of Addis Ababa couldn't have been captured better! In addition to the photos, we were especially impressed by his relaxed, open and friendly manner."
Kurat & Micki
Would you also like to get married abroad? I would be happy to accompany you to where you would like to say "I do."