We are so excited to finally share the details of our wedding and the place where we've chosen to begin this next chapter of our lives together. We know many of you may be wondering, why Kenya? Why so far from home? Why here? The answer begins long before we ever met. 

In 2019, each of us traveled separately to South Africa. At the time, we didn't know one another yet, but those journeys would go on to shape us in ways we couldn't have imagined. We each fell in love with the people, the culture, the landscape, and the spirit of the land. There was a deep warmth and energy we both carried home with us. We each returned changed and, in many ways, those experiences helped lead us to each other, to the life we've built together, and to the way we now move through the world.

One of the South African philosophies that deeply resonated with both of us was the concept of Ubuntu, a belief often expressed as "I am because we are." At its core, Ubuntu is about our shared humanity and the idea that we are shaped and made whole through our connection to one another.  That philosophy has become an important thread in our life together. It reflects the kind of partnership we've set out to build, the kind of community we hope to nurture, and the way we want people to feel when they gather with us. 

When we began talking about our wedding, we knew we wanted it to be more than a celebration. We wanted to create an experience that felt intentional and deeply reflective of who we are, something meaningful and unforgettable, something that might move the people we love in the same way travel has moved us. We went back and forth many times, fully understanding the time, effort, and resources it takes to travel far from home. We never took that lightly. But every time we come back to what felt most true to us, our hearts landed in the same place. There is something impossible to fully explain about being on safari. It is not just something you experience, it's something you feel at the very essence of your core. The vastness of the sky. The stillness of the earth. The humbling reminder of how small we are within something so much greater. The awe of witnessing animals in their natural habitat, moving freely and powerfully across the land. It changes you.

Just as importantly, we chose Cottar's 1920's Camp because we care deeply about intentionality and sustainability in the way we travel and the places we support. Cottar's is a family-run camp with a long-standing commitment to conservation, community partnership, and responsible tourism. They work in close relationship with the local Maasai community, leasing land directly from Maasai landowners so that tourism revenue supports families and helps preserve the ecosystem for future generations. Their model protects wildlife habitat, creates meaningful local employment, and ensures that the benefits of travel are shared with the people who have stewarded this land for generations. Choosing a place like Cottar's felt deeply aligned with the values we hope to build our life around — respect for the people, connection to place, and leaving things better than we found them.

We know this celebration asks more of you than a traditional wedding might, and we want you to know how much that means to us. Your presence would be the greatest gift. To stand beside us in a place that has shaped us so profoundly would be an honor we'll never forget. 

We cannot wait to celebrate with you!