Getting hitched- African style!

Weddings are in the air! We have been to two weddings in the last few weeks and soon we will be attending my (Jodie) sister's wedding in Brisbane. Three weddings in six weeks! Three very different weddings! The first wedding, featured in this blog post, was a true African wedding. If you've never been to one, then you have not lived-lol. On this day we gathered to celebrate the union of long term Ghanain crew member, Alfred to his fiancee, a local hospital day worker, Edwina. It was a real love story and that was evident in the lengthy service (three hours). It was loud, it was joyful and it was HOT! A real highlight was listening to the choir sing "Happy Day" during the signing of the register which is done behind closed doors and special guests and family members are called out in groups to sign it. There was dancing, there were offerings (three) and there was passion! All in all a wonderful African wedding!

Jess and friend Grace walking to the front of the church to make an offering.

Alfred and Edwina holding the special offering bags.

Is this a picture of joy or what? African's love to twirl and swing their hankies around to express joy.

Seating was a little cramped but Andrew reckons there was still more leg room than on an Ethiopian Airlines flight!

Jess feeling the love!

Gorgeous!

The wedding reception for this wedding and the one we attended this past Saturday were held at the Team House grounds in the Swiss Embassy. It is a lovely spot in the heart of Freetown, away from the hustle and bustle. We ate traditional African fare-fish, pork, jollif rice, vegetables and salad. Simple but tasty.

The "mini me" bridal party.

Here we are all dressed up! I am wearing my African dress that a local tailor made for me. All the guys were requested to wear their whites if they had them. Both weddings were wonderful and very special in their own way. But there is one more wedding we are looking forward to very much! Leanne and Aaron-can't wait!!