WORDS by ANNIE WATERER and BRIDE, AMBER MILAM PEKEL | IMAGES by MIA COLLIS PHOTOGRAPHY and SUPPORTING PHOTOGRAPHER JEREMY GOSS
Inspired by their shared wanderlust, Chicago couple Amber and David decided to celebrate their marriage on a first-time African safari to Kenya.
Captivating bride, Amber, tells us why she and her fiancé chose this wonderfully adventurous path and how the wedding came to be at the remote and beautiful ol Donyo Lodge in the Chyulu Hills.
Eloping to Kenya
David and I share a common wanderlust and find ourselves roaming around the world at every possible turn. When we decided to get married, we very much wanted to make the day a celebration of our love and our commitment and not about all the typical trappings that come with having a big extended wedding. Since we love to travel and had wanted to go on safari in Africa, we decided: why not bundle the two up and elope?
Kenya was a perfect choice for a first-time African safari. The colours, the animals and the people had all been rumoured to be extraordinary… and the rumours turned out to be not only true but in no way could fully capture the sweeping magnificence of an African sky at sunset or the veritable garden of Eden at a watering hole during the dry season.
ol Donyo was the place we had to get married…
We spent a few days at ol Donyo prior to the “big day” and absolutely loved every minute. I could comment at length about the pool cottages, the ‘star beds’, the food or the views – but none of that in comparison to the people. Everyone – from our game driver (Konee) to master of horses (Annie) to visiting master hotelier/manager (Yohan) – was simply a pleasure to be with and would likely be friends of ours in our day-to-day life at home in Chicago.
The day before our wedding, we flew to the Mara and to the lodgings we had booked. Very quickly we decided that what we really wanted was not what was in front of us, but what we had left behind. We wanted to go back to ol Donyo and get married under the giant acacia tree in the bush. We hired a chartered flight, rerouted our photographer (the masterful Mia Collis) and were back at ol Donyo 18 hours later. They were thrilled we had returned! We simply felt like ol Donyo was the place we had to get married, it felt right, it felt a bit like home… and we were absolutely right.
The big day
After an early breakfast, Amber and David spent the morning visiting a traditional Maasai village and learning about this amazing people’s nomadic way of life and traditions. Upon returning to the lodge, they were treated to massages in the privacy of their room and a light lunch, after which David said his goodbyes and moved to a different room to start preparing for the big day ahead.
Dapper in suit and tie, David left the lodge first and headed out to “Miti Kiroho” (The Spiritual Tree), an enormous and iconic Acacia tortilis that looks out across the plains to the El Mau hills (“the twins”). Out on the road, David was met by a group of Maasai morani (warriors) lining the road, standing tall and proud with spears in hand. These young men escorted him to Miti Kiroho, dancing and whooping as they went.
Waiting at the tree were the four Maasai elders who would perform the blessing, as well as a group of women. After introductions were made, David enjoyed a cold Tusker with the elders and settled in to wait for the bride!
Amber left the lodge a short while after David and was driven the opposite way to an area just over the hill from Miti Kiroho, which screened her from view. Here she met the horses! It came as a complete surprise to her that she’d be making her entrance on horseback, and she was absolutely thrilled. Once Amber’s horse, Mwezi (Swahili for Moon), had got used to the idea of Amber’s flower crown (he was a little alarmed by it at first), she was led over the hill by another Maasai moran called Sonkoi, riding Mawingu (Swahili for Cloud).
At the tree, the warriors formed an aisle and the women waited a short way away for Amber. Once she was off her horse the singing could begin! They led her down the aisle singing a marriage celebration song in the unique, rhythmic chant so characteristic of the Maasai.
The women delivered Amber to David for the Maasai blessing to begin, with Konee (their Maasai guide) as best man and ring bearer, and the warriors and elders under the tree.
Whilst they were seated, the women and the morani drew to one side and continued to sing and dance throughout the blessing. 
The pouring of milk in the hands of David and Amber by the elders was a wish and a sign of plenty, both of food and the birth of healthy children. The grass that was used to spray this same milk over their heads is a sign of prosperity, happiness and harmony – all this is signified by the rainy season when all is alive and plentiful! Good pastures in the future, and good fortune.
The elders gifted Amber and David with Maasai names – Amber “narrinyu” (the one that went away and came back again) and David “olomunyak” (the lucky man). The women then came forward and presented Amber with the traditional wedding disc necklaces, and David with the beaded band of the warriors.
Then the party began! The sun set with plenty of dancing, singing, whooping, drinking and eating. The Maasai people love to dance, with the men traditionally performing an impressive jumping ‘dance’ to prove their strength, stamina and attractiveness to the women.
‘As the sun set, we danced around the fire under our tree… pure joy!’ said Amber. ‘It was a perfect day, filled with love and friendship… so beautiful. I wouldn’t have changed a single thing.’
ol Donyo Lodge
Situated between Tsavo East and Amboseli National Parks, ol Donyo Lodge is one of East Africa’s premier safari destinations. With views out over the plains to Kilimanjaro in the distance, the lodge is set on the Mbirikani Group Ranch, owned by 4000 Maasai and leased by Great Plains Conservation.
During Amber and David’s stay, they experienced a bush walk with legendary Walingulu tracker Kani, game drives, a walk through the lava tubes (tunnels formed by a flowing river of lava through a surrounding hardened crust), a novice horse ride to a surprise bush breakfast and some incredible sunsets over the savanna.
Location: ol Donyo Lodge
Photography: Mia Collis Photography (supporting photographer: Jeremy Goss)
