It’s been a while since I last updated my blog- as wedding season came into full swing the gap continued to widen and widen, it was only a few days ago that my couple were celebrating their ANNIVERSARY that I thought “I should really get back to blogging..”
So here goes, an destination wedding photography assignment in Egypt last summer- Arab Wedding Photography being THE most AMAZING experience and opportunity I have had as a photographer.

I was sitting at home editing some wedding photos in between Dr.Who when I receive a text from the lovely Neesha (who’s Newcastle Indian Wedding I photographed earlier in the year) that her engaged friends Sara and Obie were impressed by how discretely I worked at her wedding and would be interested in a shoot after they come back from their wedding in Egypt- I joked that they should take me to Egypt with them and not for a second imagined I’d receive a call from Sara a few days later proposing just that!

My BROTHER was getting married in Bangladesh a few days before Sara’s wedding (which I also photographed!) and I was in the middle of booking my flights so I wasn’t sure if everything could be managed within the timeframe leaving room for delays etc to make it to Egypt so we decided to meet up the very next day before I flew out on holiday (I’m a jet setter I’ll have you know!).

When I met Sara it was unusual to say the least.. she was in her scrubs, having just come out of performing surgery, sat in the middle of the coffee shop in the hospital during her break! Slightly uneasy to start, I soon forgot about our environment as soon as she started excitedly describing about her amazing plans for the BIG day!

Firstly, there was going to be TWO wedding dresses- the venue had a secret wall and after dinner the couple would get into their second outfit and the partition would open up to reveal the suprise before they do their SECOND first dance (yes I know what you’re thinking!!!!!!). I was blown away by all the plans and knew this would be a memorable experience even before setting foot.

I wanted to tell all my friends that I was photographing an Arabic wedding in Egypt but had to keep it a secret- Obie didn’t know Sara had booked me as she wanted this to be a surprise for him as he really wanted a creative photographer!!! When I landed in Egypt we all met up in that evening at the Marriott in Cairo where Obie was just shocked when he realised what was happening, afterward we all went out to Khan el Khalili to hang out.

This was the most amazing wedding ever. Sara’s makeup was done by celebrity makeup artist Alaa Eltonsy and she looked amazing- in fact a lot of my instagram and facebook followers say she looks like a Kardashian, the wedding planner at the hotel and indeed all the staff were so friendly and excited in helping me during the day as I took the couple around the venue for photos (which I was told never really happens in Egypt), the guests were from all over the world whether it was Cyprus, Australia, Iraq, Dubai, Syria or the UK and they all knew me as the guy flown in from the UK- I felt like a celebrity!!! haha!!

Best of all when I left Bangladesh a few days earlier when people asked about my short stay, my mum replied “oh he’s just flying off to Egypt to photograph a wedding” all casually with a big proud mothers grin- such a great feeling.

I could talk for ages about this wonderful wedding, the people, the food (that deserves its own post- well done Mr chef), the culture and joy but will stop here so you can enjoy the images.

So much has happened in one year, I really pray for peace in Egypt as the people are genuinely lovely, have such rich culture and are such wonderful hosts- everyone should get married (or at least visit) there, I cannot wait to be back!
Thank you for the opportunity and friendship Sara and Obie.
Mabrook