Glory be to God friends, it has been a long while since I posted anything on the blog. A lot has happened, so much, but the bottom line is that we have seen the faithfulness of God. For those who follow me on Instagram you may have noticed that God blessed us with a new family member 🙂 Her name is Imani and she now about 3.5 months, and growing, finding favor before God & men. Hopefully, later on will get to share how this parenting roller-coaster is taking us. Also, we are just coming out of the crazy wedding season, so there has been absolutely no time to update the blog. The good thing is that we have lots of amazing love stories waiting in the wings to share with you guys. So, keep refreshing the blog and we will, God willing, be giving you your weekly dose of beautiful love stories.
1st up is Dorothy & Alvin’s love story. I had met them many months before their wedding when I did their engagement shoot. Their wedding was such a joy to shoot. I took some time to ask Dorothy how the love story came to be and this is what she had to say…
’Before I begin I would want to state that God has seen us through a lot. We didn’t walk through this journey alone. He was there with us even when we were about to give up and yes we had such moments when the long distance relationship was really painful and we were working on very low energy. God renewed our strength and kept us going. He is so amazing and we give Him all the glory and Honour.
Alvin and I met on 14th December 2012 (yes, I have the date memorised) through a hook up. My cousin, Suzy who was also the maid of honour, organised the whole thing. She told me she has a friend in the states who is very mature and was planning to come back to Kenya. I told her its cool just organise the whole thing. Alvin on the other hand said no. He had heard so much about Kenyan girls & he wasn’t willing to try (this is information I got to hear about later on).
Anyway, Suzy is not a quitter, so she pushed on and we met on the 14th December 2012. Alvin immediately changed his mind after he saw me 🙂 . He only had three weeks in Kenya before he left for the US. We therefore talked a lot and hanged out together quite a bit and before he left we decided to give long distance relationship a shot. we agreed If it didn’t work then it would be ok at least we would have tried.
Alvin left for the US and we continued to chat via, whatsapp, LINE, VIBER, skype, Gmail, Facebook messenger, name it. Yes, we were using all manner of applications to communicate 🙂 its so funny. I remember I would wake up at 4.30am to talk to him for 30mins before I start getting ready for work. Alvin would also have to stay up late waiting for my call. We did this for two and half years.! Dedication
In June 2013, we decided to go on holiday together. We went to Jamaica, a City called Montego Bay. We had not seen each other for 6 months.The 7 days were are at Montego Bay was the best time of our lives. We had so much fun and it is there that we decided we would work on building our relationship and Alvin would get a job in Kenya and move back.
Alvin applied for so many jobs but it was so funny he would get so many offers in the US and none in Kenya. It was so frustrating, finally, we agreed it was best if he came to Kenya to visit some of the recruiting firms. In December 2014, he visited a few recruitment firms and we also had our engagement/traditional ceremonies.
March 2015, Alvin got a job courtesy of the recruiting agency and he moved back to Kenya for good. As the say, the rest is history.’
And below is the amazing team of service providers that helped pull off this amazing wedding..
Ceremony :: Enashipai Resort & Spa
Reception ::Enashipai Resort & Spa
Photo-session :: Enashipai Resort & Spa
Bridal Gown :: Vera Wang
Evening Gown :: Angelsmile
Bridal Shoes :: Betsey Johnson, DSW
Groom’s Outfit :: Men’s Wearhouse
Maids’ Outfits :: Angelsmile
Make Up Artist :: Ace of Face & Hair
Hair :: Ace of Face & Hair
Cake :: Cake Art
Catering :: Enashipai Resort & Spa
Decor :: Evensis Limited
Entertainment :: Altimate Band
After Party DJ: DJ Kaydee
MC :: Walter Mong’are
Dorothy’s Vera Wang dress hangs in all its deserving glory
The bridal prep was taking place at the Enashipai Resort & Spa, one of my most favourite wedding destinations
Alvin & the guys hit the gym in the early hours. Trying to keep the jitters in check I see!
And afterwards a well deserved breakfast
All this while, the girls were getting their groove on
Dorothy was next up in line on the make-up chair
And when mum showed up, Waterworks!!!!!
Zales are the masters of diamonds, a girl’s best friend
Cheers to the newly weds
Almost done, bride for the day all dolled up
Time to get the guys suited up
Alvin looking the part, dapper’s the word
Alvin is a big fan of golfing, as always, it had to show up somewhere 🙂
A few rooms down the road, Dorothy was finally getting into her gown, with her girls in red helping out
Cuteness on cloud nine 🙂
How gorgeous is our bride of the day?
Some double-exposure fun
Always rewarding when the bride gets done early. Gives us ample time for portraits
Absolutely gorgeous bride Dorothy made
And in no time the golf carts were here to transport them to the lake side
Loved the set up!!! You can never go wrong with an all white wedding theme
Alvin & the guys looking all calm & composed 🙂
And then the procession started…happy, happy people
And finally, Dorothy was led down the grassy isle with both her parents
And mid-way down the aisle, Alvin met them to receive his beautiful bride
Alvin & his queen
Alvin gets the honours of unveiling his bride
Aaawww a blushing Dorothy 🙂
Best man duties
And with these rings they did wed
And finally it was signed. Now legally husband & wife
The hilarious MC, Walter Mong’are kept us in stitches & tears 🙂
Both parents got the chance of witnessing the sand ceremony and two family were joined to become one
And we had a fun recession..to a happy ever after
When the guys requested for this pic, I couldn’t say no 🙂
Loved this, the colour blended in so well!
Why shouldn’t we have some fun
We finished off at the lakeside, with the skies threatening to open
The girls bring on the fierce look
The entire crew, loads of fun & happiness
The umbrellas are not props, for those who are asking, yes…it was raining cats, rats & many dogs 🙂
Enashipai were kind enough to provide us with matching umbrellas 🙂
Post-storm pictures…my favourite time to shoot
We had some time to take some personal portraits before heading to the reception
I love me a good traditional ring shot, well done
It was time to get us some food, the rain was gone and it was time to dance
Tradition & culture is not something to be left out
It was time for some cake, favourite time of the day. As always Cake Art are the cake queens
After this it was time to party, fun all the way
And Walter had some gifts for the newly-weds, to help them kick start their new life
Time for the meet & greet
Finally, it was time for the last look shoot
And finally one last image from this beautiful couple. Dorothy & Alvin, it was such a joy being your photographer and I pray that God will bless you in the life you guys have embarked on. May He always be your mantle, shield & defender, your ever present help in time of your need
Lots of Love,
Ben Kiruthi