A Royal Wedding at Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village, Rwanda

As a wedding photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to capture ceremonies in some truly stunning places across North Wales and beyond. But nothing—and I mean nothing—quite prepared me for the wedding I attended in Rwanda earlier this year.

After a long and unforgettable trek in Volcanoes National Park, where Kev and I had the privilege of seeing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat (see the blog: Chasing Giants: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter with the Mountain Gorillas of Rwanda), we began our journey back towards the town of Kinigi. The drive was beautiful, with the roads lined by locals walking to school, work, or the market — a reminder of the strong sense of community and daily life here. From Kinigi, we continued on to Iby’Iwacu Cultural Village.

Here (at Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village), visitors are invited to experience Rwandan traditions first-hand, from archery (a humbling reminder that I should stick to cameras rather than arrows) to sampling the legendary 14% banana beer. After a day of hiking through the jungle, I can confirm it was both delicious and… effective.

The highlight of the afternoon, however, was an unexpected twist in my career: I found myself crowned King of the Village. My loyal friend Kev was swiftly promoted to the role of my Advisor. And as every good king knows, choosing a wife for your advisor is a matter of great responsibility. With little time to hesitate, I did my duty, and Kev soon found himself swept into a traditional Rwandan wedding ceremony—whether he was ready or not.

The ceremony itself was beautiful—full of song, dance, and laughter, with all the grandeur you’d expect from a royal celebration. Thankfully, I had my camera with me (a king must always be prepared), so I was able to capture the “big day” in all its glory. Kev, to his credit, embraced his new marital status with good humour, though I suspect he may not have expected to return from Rwanda with a wife! (Nor would his wife back at home!)

The experience at Iby’Iwacu was more than just entertainment; it was a chance to immerse ourselves in Rwandan customs and traditions. From learning about traditional medicines to enjoying vibrant drumming and dancing, it was a joyful celebration of culture and community. Incidentally, "Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village, Currently called Gorilla Guardians Village is located near to Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. The people living in Iby'Iwacu Cultural Village used to survive in the park by hunting and gathering fruits. Since they were relocated, they now live in the surrounding villages, including Iby'Iwacu. The people at the centre are former hunters and poachers who have reformed to become cultural performers, craftsmen, and engage in other tourist activities" (https://www.africangorilla.com/information/ibyiwacu-cultural-village/).

I’ve photographed many weddings, but few involved gorillas in the morning, banana beer at 14%, or me personally appointing the groom. It’s safe to say this was one for the books—a wedding fit for a king.

And while this mock ceremony in Rwanda was all in good fun, it reminded me of something special — that I had the privilege of photographing Kev’s real wedding many years ago at the beautiful Pentre Mawr Country House in North Wales, to his beautiful wife, Ellie. It was every bit as joyful (though perhaps with slightly less banana beer involved).

 A wonderful reminder that whether it’s a royal mock wedding in Rwanda or a heartfelt celebration back home, it’s always the people, the laughter, and the love that make the day unforgettable.