in love in lamu.
lusungu + jason :: married! lamu island, kenya.
kipungani is a secluded, remote area of lamu island located on the southwest side, and separated from the mainland by a peaceful, mangrove lined bay. the beach is an endless stretch of white sand, speckled with palm trees and strewn with delicate sand dollars, facing out onto the indian ocean. traversing the 15 miles from either of the two main settlements on the island, lamu town or shela village, takes approximately 3 hours on foot, 1.5 hours by dhow (sail boat) or 25 minutes by speedboat.
for lu + jason’s wedding, guests flew in from nairobi and landed on the manda airstrip, just across the channel from lamu island, and traveled by speedboat to kizingoni beach. kipungani is a very small village, and kizingoni beach is a collection of privately owned, stunning swahili houses, with a full staff to accomodate guests and arrange meals, activities and excursions, as well as plan events + weddings.
guests flew in from all over the world to spend the week exploring the island with lusungu + jason — sailing, snorkeling, and soaking up swahili traditions. there were sumptuous swahili style meals, trips to lamu town, manda toto and the takwa ruins, a sunset dhow cruise, and even a henna ceremony for the ladies! lamu is simply a fantastic destination and an incredible setting for a wedding celebration! lu + jason absolutely love lamu, and it’s easy to see why…
having been in shela for the three preceding weeks, i jumped on a speedboat and joined the wedding party on the tuesday before the wedding. i loved being part of the week’s festivites and spending time getting to know lu + jason’s family + friends. i’m not sure i’ve ever encountered such a diverse, talented and truly brilliant group of people in one place before! it was a fascinating mix of international journalists, teachers, artists, UN workers, and authors…in fact, jason *just* published his book Dancing with Monsters — which details the political, social, and moral issues of the Congo, and is being hailed as an “impressively controlled account of the devastating Congo war.” incredible!
the wedding ceremony took place on the afternoon of november 27th at the mary mother of jesus catholic church in lamu town — followed by a brief stop in shela village for portraits, and back to kipungani by speedboat for a beach ceremony at sunset. following a series of wonderful speeches, poems, an even a song written by one of their good friends, guests reveled in a bonfire on the beach, dinner by candlelight, and dancing under the stars.
lusungu + jason :: CONGRATS! or more appropriately, in swahili, HONGERA! i adore you both and will cherish the memories of your wedding celebration always.
enjoy!
blonde photo :: have more fun! 
Stunning! The way you capture love makes me want to get married!
thanks!! woo!
officially my favorite wedding of yours ever!
thank you astrid! i love it too — so gorgeous — so much emotion — and so awesome to have a destination wedding in a place that means so much to the couple — ideal!!
MAN!!! I can just feel the energy and love! so so wonderful! I adore those bridesmaids dresses!
oh! fun fact :: one of the bride’s best friends is an *amazingly* talented designer and custom made the dresses!! http://solome.webs.com/
even cooler!!!
unbelievably beautiful and moving. i can’t stop looking…
:) :) :)
what an adorable couple!!!!! and an absolutely gorgeous wedding!!!
thank t!! miss you! x
You outdid yourself hi-may. And I don’t even know how that’s possible…
:)
Jaime,
You are becoming an artist. These images are simply breath taking. I cannot imagine the wonderful gift it must be to have you as one’s wedding photographer in one of the most gorgeous places in the world. Simply stunning. Congratulations!
– Jamie Rose
Director of Momenta Workshops
http://www.MomentaWorkshops.com | jamie@momentaworkshops.com
oh jamie rose — thank you!! what an amazing compliment!
Wow!! Amazing. The images are incredible, and you really get a sense of how magical the day was. The bride and groom are stunning.
thank you! it was incredibly magical :)
Wow Jaime, I just finally got home and got a chance to look at this! It’s amazing. You really helped make our week special and we will always have these wonderful pictures to remind us of each day. Jason and i finally ordered our pictures too, I can’t wait to start framing these. You are the best. xoxo
aw lu — it was my pleasure! :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE, HIMAY!! and now. you get to go back :) have fun!
Absolutely beautiful pictures, amiga. Those pictures on the beach at night with the silk tent and candles on the sand took my breath away…. You continuously amaze me:)
WOW! Jamie these are EPIC. What goregous pictures. You caputre the BEST moments!
So beautiful! I especially love that last shot…steamy!!! =)
Wow! Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! You captured so many wonderful expressions. Love it!
Jamie these are just gorgeous! You did a beautiful job and I just love everything about this wedding!
Your wedding photography is breathtaking.
LOOOOVE this wedding post! Just gorgeous!!
Pure awesomnicity.
these are amazing…
they scream happy….
I adore that last profile shot…gorg!
i’m in love.
Looks like such a beautiful wedding. I could shed a tear.
Jessie.
jason stearns? i was just told to read “dancing with monsters” for a possible trip to DR congo in september. nice coincidence! jaime, i’m running out of adjectives to describe your work– you are truly gifted.
You inspire me.
wow!!! great place and amazing pictures!!!
I’m from Kenya and visited Lamu for the first time a couple of years ago. After seeing your photos I think I must get married there, and I am hoping you will come back:) These are the best wedding pictures I have seen in a long time, simply outstanding!
Yet again stunning photos