A Beautiful Botanical Wedding with a Sudanese Twist

Weddings are always a magical and joyous celebration of love. However, when it comes to cultural weddings, tradition, and heritage add a unique and enchanting touch to the festivities. And that’s exactly what Danyah and Craig’s Sudanese wedding at Kew Gardens was – a breathtaking combination of love, tradition, and cultural beauty that left everyone in awe.

Stunning Sudanese Wedding at Cambridge Mosque and Kew Gardens

Since Sudan is a predominantly Muslim country, two days prior to their big day at Kew Gardens in London, the couple held a traditional Islamic Nikah ceremony at Cambridge Mosque to pay homage to Danyah’s heritage.

The Cambridge Mosque is a stunning architectural masterpiece, it fuses Islamic and English architectural styles. The mosque’s architecture draws inspiration from the conventional Islamic courtyard structure but also features fan vaulting that is reminiscent of English Gothic churches. It features a golden dome which is also a nod to traditional Islamic architecture.

It is a truly one-of-a-kind building making it the perfect location for a traditional Nikah ceremony like Danyah and Craig’s.

The Perfect Backdrop for Danyah and Craig’s Vows

The culmination of Danyah and Craig’s Sudanese wedding was the exchange of their vows at the breathtaking Nash Conservatory in Kew Gardens. The ceremony was a true testament to their love for each other.

The Nash Conservatory is an architectural marvel featuring ironwork and expansive glass walls and ceiling. As Danyah and Craig exchanged their heartfelt vows, the sun shone through the strikingly designed windows, bathing them in a warm glow and creating a loving, inviting atmosphere.

Their love for each other was evident in every aspect of the ceremony, from the gentle way they held each other’s hands to the loving looks they exchanged throughout the vows. It was clear that they were meant to be together, and their families and friends couldn’t be happier for them. The conservatory provided an enchanting backdrop for the couple’s special moment. Danyah looked awe-striking in her white Pronovias dress which featured a vintage lace bodice and gorgeous flowing skirt, while Craig looked dapper in his elegant cream suit.

An Iconic Glasshouse for Stunning Wedding Portraits

Among the wide range of venues at Kew Gardens and endless photo opportunities, the newly married couple chose Temperate House for some stunning portraits. Click here to view more of my portrait work. Temperate House is an iconic glasshouse that houses over 1,500 species of plants, making it one of the world’s most extensive indoor plant collections.

It is the largest Victorian glasshouse globally. The structural design of Temperate House is awe-inspiring, with its wrought-iron arches, intricate latticework, and soaring glass roof.

A Botanical Wonderland

Following their portrait session, Danyah and Craig headed to the Princess of Wales Conservatory for cocktails with their guests. The conservatory is a remarkable piece of construction; it houses ten distinct climatic zones, with each exhibit showcasing exquisite plants and flowers from different parts of the world.

The conservatory also features a spectacular pond that provides an aquatic home.

Sudanese Traditions

During their reception at The Orangery, another incredible venue at the Kew Gardens, the couple made a grand entrance wearing traditional Sudanese dress. The groom, Craig, wore a traditional white Jalabia and walked in valiantly holding a sword, while Danyah wore a full-length, red, silk Toub.

The Sweetest Rituals

As they sat in front of a silver platter holding Sudanese perfumes, incense, jewellery, sweets, dates, and cups of milk, the guests greeted the couple with enthusiastic cheering and music, showering them with gifts and ointments. The fragrance of incense and perfume filled the night.

One of the sweetest traditions of a Sudanese wedding is the exchanging of dates and sweets seven times between the bride and groom. After the seventh exchange, the newlyweds then throw treats into the crowd as a gesture of the sweetness of their love. Fun Fact! A sweet accidentally hit me in the head at the last Sudanese wedding I captured, so I came more prepared this time! You can get to know me even more in my Biography!

Following that, the couple engaged in another beautiful traditional Sudanese act that involved sipping milk and spraying each other with it. This practice signifies the couple’s commitment to love, peace, and the purity of their union.

This tradition is a wonderful way of bringing together loved ones to celebrate the union of two individuals and mark the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. Danyah and Craig’s Sudanese wedding was a true testament to the richness and beauty of this tradition.

The festivities continued throughout the night with an infusion of music, dancing, and the pervading scent of exotic perfumes, immersing all the guests and participants in the beauty and richness of Sudanese traditions. 

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Photos+film:www.trilionproductions.com

Venue:www.kewgardens.venuecrew.com

Bridal dress:www.pronovias.com

Hair:@zabibahair

Makeup:@flawlesshalf

Car: www.ukweddingcars.com