As I reflect on our incredible journey to Ethiopia, I’m reminded of the joyous celebration that brought together two wonderful friends, Gideon and Selome. Zee and I had the privilege of attending their wedding, which was a truly unforgettable experience.
From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the warmth and hospitality of their families, not to mention the non-stop revelry – clapping, laughing, eating, drinking, and dancing throughout the festivities. The traditional Ethiopian dance, with its infectious shoulder shimmying and shaking, was a particular highlight.
One memory that stands out is when Gideon and his groomsmen made their way to Selome’s family home to ‘fetch’ her from her bridesmaids, as per Ethiopian custom. It was an unforgettable display of energy, song, and celebration.
The serene garden setting, a rare gem in bustling Addis Ababa, provided the perfect backdrop for this fairytale-like wedding. The colour palette – white, green, gold, and glacier – was fresh and crisp, complemented by Selome’s stunning strapless gown with beaded bodice and thigh-high split. Her ‘something blue’ Badgley Mischka heels and pearl-adorned updo only added to her beauty.
Gideon, meanwhile, looked dashing in his classic black suit, accompanied by a proud and happy smile that lit up the entire scene. The talented Nabil Shash Photography captured every moment with perfection.
The Inspiration
To achieve our vision of a simple yet elegant and chic wedding, we opted for an intimate setting – a tented celebration held within the picturesque grounds of an old villa. Our color palette featured soothing Glacier hues alongside warm gold tones, perfectly capturing the essence of understated sophistication.
The Flowers
For our wedding decorations, we opted for a single, yet striking, floral choice: carnations in two distinct shades of green. The bouquet stood out with its use of deeper green carnations, while our buttonholes and centerpieces featured lighter green blooms. By maintaining a consistent floral theme throughout the arrangements, we were able to create a cohesive look that tied everything together.
The Photography & Videography
Our wedding celebration was fortunate enough to have Nabil Shash, our talented photographer and friend from Toronto, capturing the special moments of our day. With an intuitive understanding of what we were looking for, he effortlessly captured the essence of our wedding without being intrusive. Meanwhile, Yonas, our videographer, brought a unique perspective to the project. As a professional with extensive experience in commercials and feature films, he was able to craft a cinematic video that went beyond the typical wedding film. His expertise allowed us to have a feature-film like production, rather than a standard wedding video.
The Ceremony
In place of traditional readings, we opted for an even more intimate experience by having our ceremony officiated by the Groom’s uncle, who kindly stepped in when the originally scheduled priest was unable to attend. With only five minutes’ notice to craft our vows and discuss them with the Groom’s uncle, this impromptu arrangement ended up being a lovely touch that made the ceremony feel even more special and personal.
The Décor & Details
We transformed our special day into a warm and inviting atmosphere by crafting together with our loved ones. The decorations featured a medley of paper lanterns, off-white canvas draping, and understated table settings – all personally put together by us, our friends, and family. This hands-on approach made the entire process more meaningful, despite being time-consuming. Our crowning DIY achievement was creating gold napkin rings and table number holders that added a touch of elegance to the setting.
As gestures of appreciation, we gifted the ladies with heel stoppers (thanks to the tent’s field location) and heart-shaped mint candies for the gentlemen. To delight our little guests, we prepared goodie bags filled with coloring books, bubbles, stamps, glow-in-the-dark rings, and paper place mats featuring wedding-themed designs that they could color on, inspired by Bridal Musings’ post on having children at your wedding.
The Attire
I chose to wear a one-of-a-kind dress crafted by YeFikir Design, in which I had a hand in the design process. The fabric used was authentic Ethiopian material, which added an extra layer of cultural significance to my overall look. To give it some extra flair, I embellished the top with crystal beads that caught the light beautifully. In contrast, the groom opted for a custom-made Indochino Suit that showcased his personal style.On the bridesmaids’ front, they wore stunning Glacier-colored long dresses from Bill Levkoff, complete with nude shoes and eye-catching peach and gold earrings that added a touch of elegance to their overall ensemble. The groomsmen, meanwhile, stuck to timeless classics – black suits paired with crisp white shirts and slim black ties that exuded sophistication.
The Refreshments
The groom took charge of crafting the perfect signature cocktail, blending dry vermouth, gin, freshly squeezed OJ, and tonic water with a hint of basil. Meanwhile, champagne flowed freely during cocktail hour, setting the tone for an evening of merriment. As guests savored each bite of the exquisite three-course sit-down dinner, they were treated to a culinary journey featuring a diverse array of dishes. And as the night wore on, the open bar remained a constant source of delight. But the pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the wedding cake and dessert buffet, a masterpiece created by Belgian chef Ken Willockx of Le Grand Reve.
The Music
The evening’s soundtrack featured a dynamic jazz quartet, which set the tone for the ceremony and cocktail hour. As the celebration transitioned to the reception, a full band took the stage, bringing an infectious energy to the proceedings. The newlyweds’ first dance was made all the more special by their shared choice of ‘All of Me’ by John Legend, a romantic and intimate selection that perfectly captured the love and joy of the occasion.
Unique Details
Unlike the traditional Ethiopian weddings that often feature a stiff formal atmosphere and rigid protocols, our special day took on a much more laid-back tone. Gone were the stuffy expectations, replaced instead by an infectious energy and genuine warmth that brought everyone together.
Favourite Moments
The wedding celebration was a whirlwind of excitement and joy, with our ring exchange ceremony being just the beginning. As the sun set, we took to the dance floor for a romantic first dance under the twinkling lights. But the real magic happened after dark, when the music kept going until 4 am and we finally had to intervene to bring the DJ to a halt.
Advice For Other Couples
When seeking online inspiration for their special day, couples often turn to popular wedding platforms like The Knot, Pinterest, and Bridal Musings. However, it’s not uncommon for budgets to quickly spiral out of control as they strive to stay within their initial budget constraints.On the other hand, there’s nothing quite like the joy and beauty that comes with planning a unique celebration, whether it’s an intimate garden wedding or a vibrant cultural fusion, such as the Ethiopian wedding shared by Selome and Gideon. We’re thrilled to have had the opportunity to feature this special couple on our blog, and we hope their story will inspire others to think outside the box when it comes to planning their own big day.As always, we love hearing from our readers and would be delighted to hear your thoughts on multicultural wedding inspiration in the comments below.