It took Rhoda and Roland ten venues before they found the place they would wed and celebrate their official union after twelve years together. Epic! Deciding on Gabbinbar Homestead, the wedding ceremony was comprised of traditions from the pair’s cultural backgrounds. “I descend from the Kinyankole tribe in Uganda and Roland is French Filipino. It was important to us that we paid homage to our families’ traditions and made sure that they were interwoven throughout the day,” says the bride. There to capture the loving couple on camera was HM directory vendor, Lover of Mine and boy are we glad!
THE VIBE “We wanted the day to be a reflection of our personal tastes. Bursts of colour accompanied by beautiful, intricate personal touches.”
THE VENUE “We viewed approximately 10 venues before we viewed Gabbinbar Homestead . It was the only venue we saw that met each of our individual criteria. Beautiful premises surrounded by nature, the facilities to host a ceremony and reception onsite, incredible food and a generous dance floor.”
THE DRESS “I was in the process of commissioning the creation of a figure-hugging custom designed couture gown when I found out that I would be six months pregnant walking down the aisle. Needless to say, my original dress of choice was abandoned. Four months out from my wedding I decided to start looking for a Boho inspired dress that would flatter my expanding baby bump. Whilst surfing wedding blogs I came across Maria Korovilas Bridal. I absolutely fell in love with my dress the moment I saw it and purchased it straight away.”
TALK ABOUT TRADITION… “At the wedding ceremony, in accordance with Kinyankole tradition, I was accompanied down the aisle by the female members of my family. Traditionally, as a final goodbye, the bride is delivered to her husband’s door by female relatives who have helped to guide her and mould her into the woman she has become. Our wedding processional was a traditional Kinyankole marriage song, played by African drummer Michael Kabamba. Throughout the ceremony we honoured Roland’s Filipino heritage by lighting a unity candle, exchanging unity coins and performing a wedding cord ceremony. At the reception, we were escorted to our reception by Latrice Kabamba who performed a Kinyankole inspired celebratory dance. In accordance with French tradition, all guests were gifted sugared almonds as bonbonnieres by the bride and groom.”
LITTLE LOL “One Great Aunt lit up the dance floor and got the party started – literally. Another Great Aunt used the event as an opportunity to recruit a new husband… Who needs Tinder?!”
A WORD OF ADVICE “Just remember that the day goes quickly. Choose to be present and to focus on experiencing all the love and joy that the day will have in store for you and your new life partner.”
This wedding was originally published in issue 21. If you’d like to check out more from this issue, limited copies are available via our online store.
And if you’re looking for extra inspiration for your big day, check out more real weddings by photographer, Lover of Mine, here.
CONTRIBUTING VENDORS Photographer Lover of Mine Event Planner & Floral Stylist Poppies for Willow Wedding Website Appy Couple Stationery Fossil Letterpress Menus Minted Ceremony, Reception & Catering Gabbinbar Homestead Cake Oh for Heaven’s Cake! Wedding Favours Delta Continental Foods (Sugared Almonds), GHBottles (Glass Test Tubes), Eckersley Art Store (Antique Gold Wax Seal) Signage Luminous Calligraphy Wedding Book Wildfire Engraving Services Entertainment MNB Entertainment Celebrant Paul Voge Rings John Crosbie Jewellers Transport Waratah Park Limousines THE BRIDE Bridal Gown Maria Korovilas Bridal Hair Piece Queenco Official Store Robes Silk and more via Etsy, Le Rose Shoes DelosArt Accessories Samantha Wills Makeup AbenaLove (the bride), Ellen Munro (bridesmaids) Bridesmaid Dresses Shona Joy, Saloni, For Love & Lemons, ASOS Premium THE GROOM Suit MJ Bale Shirt Gibson Suspenders JJ Suspenders Bow Tie Mama Banana Shoes Julius Marlow.