Bemni + Saron (wedding) – Kansas City (post 2 of 2)

by Megan September 26, 2018 in Bridal Portraits, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Colorado, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Ethiopian Wedding Kansas City, Ethiopian Wedding Photography, Kansas City Wedding, Kansas Wedding Photography, Travel
(Post 2 of 2) I didn’t know what to expect for that Sunday’s gathering (the day after the official wedding ceremony) for our Ethiopian wedding weekend. I’m glad I didn’t read too much up on it before this weekend because it was incredible to experience it all first hand and without “expectation” and to be told all about it by my newly married friends and to see the excitement in their eyes to share their culture with me. As you’ll see in the photos, the entire wedding party and guests were dressed in their traditional Ethiopian outfits called habesha kemis/libs. The kana is the black velvet cover the bride and groom wore. We took photos with just the bridal party downtown Kansas City to start off the afternoon, then we went to the dinner. Friends, I left in tears this night. Beyond being incredibly happy for my friend, experiencing these traditions and getting to know these close family members to my friend was such a gift. I was there to work, but I was given the gift of this experience and that’s priceless. Let me tell you what happens at this dinner. It’s not just a random gathering. On the […]

Bemni + Saron (wedding) – Kansas City – Post 1 of 2

by Megan September 24, 2018 in Bridal Portraits, Engagement Sessions, Portraits, Wedding Photography 0 comments tags: Colorado, Colorado Springs, Destination Weddings, Downtown, Ethiopian Kansas City, Ethiopian Wedding, Ethiopian Wedding Photographer, Kansas, Kansas City Wedding, Kansas Wedding Photography, Travel, Weddings
(Post 1 of 2) I was in Kansas City a few weekends ago photographing a wedding of my dear friend Bemni, who I know from our church in Colorado Springs. He met his bride, Saron, through a friend last year and the are both originally from Ethiopia. It was been 48 hours filled with new experiences and meeting some of the most friendly people I’ve ever had a chance to meet. Their hugs are so welcoming and immediately we’re friends. I’ve loved experiencing their culture and traditions — and of course, the 4 times I ate Ethiopian food. The best. There have been many moments that stood out to me this weekend but one of the Ethiopian traditions I particularly enjoyed was when the groom sees his bride for the first time (3 photos of it below). After the groom and bride get ready in different locations, the groom goes to the bride’s home. So many people came along – the cars just kept arriving and people kept coming in. The home was packed and no one cared. They were all there to celebrate. There was worship, singing and clapping and cheering. Then the groom arrives. The family tries to […]