“Set in the pristine 75 000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Jamala Madikwe is the ideal place for that ultimate intimate safari experience – and now too, the ultimate luxury destination wedding experience! ”

A few of our most unique celebrations have started with couples who have simply fallen in love with a certain place in South Africa and over time, have created such special and sentimental memories around it that when the time came to get married, simply no other place would do! This was the case with Becky and Kevin and Jamala Madikwe, Royal Safari Lodge.

Jamala truly is a very special place. A lodge so luxurious that it only sleeps 10 people, it offers an intimate bush experience, where personal service and attention to detail are the cornerstones of every waking moment. The lodge successfully combines colonial style and African eccentricity in a delightful marriage of opposites. Set in the pristine 75 000 hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Jamala Madikwe is the ideal place for that ultimate safari experience – and now too, the ultimate luxury wedding experience!

Our team set out with the task to design a destination wedding where 80 guests – both local and international – would fall in love with Madikwe, and particular Jamala Royal Safari Lodge, for the same reasons Becky and Kevin had. With such a spectacular setting, the look and feel of the wedding had to follow suit. Already having printed their wedding invitations, Becky and Kevin had chosen the magnificent giraffe as the one design element they would look to carry through the day.

The ceremony took place in a clearing in the bush, about 2 hours before sunset – and the weather was spectacular! Guests arrived in open safari vehicles and were greeted to a clearing where 2 large, handmade white giraffes stood proudly as pole holders for the chuppah, and had been expertly covered in a mix of indigenous and exotic florals. With rangers standing on guard around the ceremony in case any wild animal decided it too wanted to witness the marriage, guests were able to look out onto a nearby watering hole surrounded by an exquisite expanse of lush landscape that was a kaleidoscope of green and yellow from recent rainfall.

After enjoying a pink and orange African sunset as well as a delicious “bread and spread” feast, guests were driven to Jamala, which had been transformed into a dazzling reception space. Two long tables, each seating 40 guests, created a striking layout from which our team designed a tablescape suitable for a Royal Safari Lodge. Lush bands of indigenous florals such as King Proteas, pink garden roses, pennygum and succulents in abundance filled the centre of each table and created the impression of flowers that simply never ended! Vintage safari lanterns and votive candles provided soft lighting on the tables, whilst an incredible cluster of antique chandeliers was suspended above the bridal table as an impressive focal feature. Not to be forgotten, charming miniature versions of the giraffes from the ceremony were added to the florals, and they also made a re-appearance on the seating plan in the form of laser cut tent cards. One giraffe from the ceremony was returned to the lodge and become the couple’s guest book for guests to sign and leave their personal messages on.

As the guests tucked into a sumptuous tailor made feast under an African sky littered with stars, many marveled at the sheer setting of this one of a kind celebration. And simply put, our teams mission was achieved. As like Becky and Kevin, Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge had left a lasting impression filled with only special memories and incredible moments for each and every single guest in attendance.

Images by Tyme Photography