Emmanuel + Shirley | Accra, Ghana - Traditional Engagement (Day 1)

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Greetings from Ghana! Ross and I are adjusting well to Africa with a week left to go. The trip has been amazing! So is the heat...it's been 95 degrees every day. Ladies, I can't tell you what this is doing to my hair! I've already had it done twice by some fantastic Ghanaian women. I was finished in under an hour and it only cost GH$10 (~$8 US dollars)...can I get an AMEN! Anyways, on to the wedding...

On Tuesday, Ross and I had the pleasure of shooting the Traditional Engagement of Emmanuel and Shirley. The engagement is the first of three events we will shoot for this wonderful couple. Here, we witnessed the two families coming together to agree upon the marriage between their children. When I say families, I mean the whole family of both the bride and groom. There were about 40-50 people in the house for the event while another 50 waited outside for the final approval (and the food!).

At the event, a processional with African drums and dancers presented the groom while the bride remained tucked away in the back of the house. The groom's family then offered gifts and money to the bride's family in hopes that they would offer their daughter for marriage. This was such an exciting event full of prayers, singing, well-wishes and an exceptional feast freshly prepared for the day. Check out the tilapia fish in the last image. The entire ceremony was spoken in their native tongue and we could clearly see that both families were truly happy and thankful for the union.

Here are some of the photos. More photos will be published in our upcoming book documenting weddings in Africa as well as around the world. We hope you enjoy!

As my husband says, we'll blog you later!

~ Dr. Mrs. KNIGHT











Ross Oscar Knight Ghana West Africa

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22 comments:

Mac said...

WOW Ross These colours are amazing.

Happy New Year To You And Brandi . Enjoy it and Keep Safe. :)

Anonymous said...

Inspiring! You know an artist needs his muse. I guess you and Mr. Knight's work will have to do until I can find something else better.

The images are off the chain. I want my first edition autographed book.

Happy New Year!

Take care, stay blessed, and keep smiling!

Cliff

David N. Beasley Jr. said...

Sweet photo's Ross. Awesome colors and moments caputured for this couple to remember for quite some time.

Happy New Year to you and Brandi Ross!

martine said...

Happy Happy New YEar! Loving the pictures! Both of you have a blessed new year...

Natarsha said...

BEAUTIFUL! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!! I can't wait to see to the book! I too want my autographed by the both of you!

SBrownART said...

Thank you for sharing this momentous affair with us! These pictures are so rich with culture! I can't wait to visit the motherland!

Happy New Year!

Michele

CiaThoughts said...

Radiant Colors! Beautiful! Amazing! Magnificent!
Happy New Year!
Can't wait for the book.
Thank you for sharing this most momentous and memorable trip of a lifetime!

-Marcia

Anonymous said...

Gosh, Gorgeous!

Xiomara said...

Happy New Year!! I LOVE IT!!! Simply!!

Unknown said...

~Happy New Year~
These images are amazing Brandi. I love how you two captured the engagement to tell a story. It's as if I was there celebrating in the ceremony. I hope you plan on ordering lots of books. I want mine autographed too.
May God continue to let his blessings rain.

~eRic

Shaunie said...

All of your pictures bring back fond memories from my trip to Ghana this summer! Especially the Cape Coast Castle pictures! My boyfriend is from Ghana and I absolutely enjoyed myself while I was there for 5 weeks. I hope you guys are having as much fun as I did!

Anonymous said...

Ross and Brandi, I am so proud of the both of you living your dreams. You are an inspiration to all of us and a reminder that our gifts will make way for us!

Have a great time....oooh and can you bring me some fabric???

Angel said...

Simply amazing.

Nee said...

The bride looks stunning!! & all of the colors are so amazing--Also, what a processional- drums, dancing, etc.!! My fave pic would have to be the young children singing..very powerful pic. Congrats to the newlyweds!

Ross and Brandi- Have a Happy New Year and a million and one blessings;)

Lady A said...

Beautiful!
I hope more pictures are coming!

Alisa said...

These are sooo beautiful. The couples, the colors, the culture, just everything :o) I am lovin' each and every post from Ghana.

Lisa M. McGainey said...

Live. Rich. Cultural. Amazing.

clo said...

I feel like I am there!!!!!! These are fantastic!

Chari said...

Beautiful.

The Black Planeteer said...

Your photography is absolutely amazing! I really enjoyed my visit around your site.

Cassandra Bromfield's Blogs said...

OOOOh and AAAAH