Why Zambia is a Dream African Wedding & Honeymoon Destination

Zambia Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide – Love From Mwai – Exalt Africa – Joy Proctor Design – Stepan Vrzala – Exalt Africa – Bridal Musings 24

Exalt Africa founder, Mwai Yeboah, is on a mission to ‘Zambianize’ us all. That is to say, we’ve fallen madly (and soon you will, too) for Mwai’s native Zambia as Africa’s next best wedding & honeymoon destination.

Bridal Musings is already home to breathtaking Zambian wedding ideas like this Black Panther-inspired shoot, a rustic African boma wedding editorial & even a romantic African garden ceremony. Today’s African daydream encapsulates how Zambia gives couples a fulfilled, once-in-a-lifetime wedding & honeymoon experience.

I’m not just talking about your wedding day vows or luxe honeymoon suite. We’re here to inspire your entire wedding experience! Welcome guests to a sunset dance party floating down the river. Dine at your rustic garden reception – wedding crashing zebras included. Enjoy wedding week safaris & luxurious, private honeymoon chalets. Take a helicopter ride to relish in the wonder of Victoria Falls. Visit local schools & immerse yourself in Zambian culture. Enjoy sundowner cocktails & four-course dinners aboard the Royal Livingstone Express.

This isn’t just a wedding investment. This is a life-changing journey you can gift yourselves, your friends & family.

Brought to you again by designers Love From Mwai & Joy Proctor Design, photographed by Stepan Vrzala, and with tips & advice from Mwai Yeboah, enter the wild & blissful African daydream that is Zambia…

Royal Livingtone by Anantara – Zambia Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide – Love From Mwai – Exalt Africa – Joy Proctor Design – Stepan Vrzala – Exalt Africa – Bridal Musings 16

Photo by Stepan Vrzala via Bridal Musings

From Mwai Yeboah

“Africa is a place of unwavering pride and a rare brand of hospitality. We welcome, nourish, and embrace outsiders in a way few places on Earth are prepared to do. We openly share our culture with you, we constantly anticipate your needs, and we’re at your service in any way you need us. Our goal is always to host you and yours in a way that helps you feel seen, heard, and understood as you celebrate such a special time in your life.”

As seen in our African Wedding Week feature: Falling in Love with Africa for Your Destination Wedding

Victoria Falls, Zambia

Zambia plays host to the spellbinding Victoria Falls—an official natural wonder of the world and one of the largest waterfalls known to man (trust me: this is a true bucket-list sight everyone needs to see at least once in their life). Opt to tie the knot at the iconic Royal Livingstone Resort by Anantara in Zambia, and you’ll have the majestic mist of the falls quite literally at your back as you exchange vows—a sight locals refer to as the “smoke that thunders” (or “mosi-oa-tunya” in the native language).

Zambia Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide – Love From Mwai – Exalt Africa – Joy Proctor Design – Stepan Vrzala – Exalt Africa – Bridal Musings 17

Photo by Stepan Vrzala via Bridal Musings

Royal Livingstone Resort by Anantara

Politically stable, English-speaking, and rich with luxe accommodations—Zambia is my all-time favorite African country for hosting a destination wedding. If I had to choose just one venue in Zambia, it would be the iconic Royal Livingstone Resort, which beautifully blends exploration and adventure with opulence and luxury.

The Royal Livingstone offers world-class spa treatments, the finest amenities, and an array of stunning ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception spaces to choose from. My personal favorite is the open-air sundeck, where you have the striking sight of the rolling mist of Victoria Falls right at your back.

Zambia Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide – Love From Mwai – Exalt Africa – Joy Proctor Design – Stepan Vrzala – Exalt Africa – Bridal Musings 19

Photo by Stepan Vrzala via Bridal Musings

Nature-driven Wedding Design

Africa is home to an array of award-winning event designers—all of whom are highly seasoned when it comes to layering color, texture, and flora to create an event aesthetic that’s alive with depth and dimension. We often use the natural setting of your venue as our inspiration—and then work with skilled local artisans to develop textiles and additional decor elements that complete the natural surroundings without ever competing with them.

Another bonus is that family-style farm tables, fine china, luxury linens, towering vases and florals are all readily available at many of Africa’s high-end resorts, particularly in Zambia. If you’re dreaming of a destination wedding that’s inspired by nature—but then goes a step further and elevates the innate beauty of the outdoors with intentional, artisanal design additions, you’ll fall in love with Africa and her talented event designers.

Zambia Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide – Love From Mwai – Exalt Africa – Joy Proctor Design – Stepan Vrzala – Exalt Africa – Bridal Musings 22

Luxurious Experiences

Ok—so I’ve convinced you that Africa has the stunning settings for your destination wedding…but what about the enriching experiences? It turns out we have those, too. After all, the best destination weddings aren’t just about a one-time celebration but, rather, a days-long collection of restorative, adventurous, and memorable experiences for you and your guests. In Africa, you have the opportunity to experience everything from balancing spa treatments for your bridal party at our acclaimed resorts—to river safaris on the stunning Zambezi River, private helicopter rides over the mighty Victoria Falls, and afternoon tea on private verandas.

Sindabezi Safari – Zambia Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide – Love From Mwai – Exalt Africa – Joy Proctor Design – Stepan Vrzala – Exalt Africa – Bridal Musings 1

Photo by Stepan Vrzala via Bridal Musings

Favorite Zambian Experiences

A few of my favorite experiences to indulge in during your destination wedding weekend include:

The amazing spa treatments at The Royal Livingstone Resort by Anantara in Zambia.
A four-course dining experience aboard the Royal Livingstone Express, a fully-refurbished steam train that oozes old-world romance while delivering you right to the Victoria Falls Bridge.
A romantic farm-to-table dinner with your soon-to-be-spouse on your own private sandbar on Sindabezi Island (Psst…the location of the sandbar changes based on the time of year and tides, so this truly is a one-of-a-kind, impossible-to-recreate dining experience.)

Tongabezi Lodge

An award-winning eco-lodge in Zambia, Tongabezi has everything couples need for an intimate elopement or hidden-away honeymoon. It’s tucked away on the banks of the serene Zambezi River just a few miles upstream from the mighty Victoria Falls (one of the world’s natural wonders). With private chalets that sit right on the river and plenty of river activities and adventures to embark on, it’s not difficult to see why Tongabezi was named one of Conde Nast’s Top 20 Hotels in the World.

My favorite part? Proceeds from your stay directly benefit Tongabezi Trust School, a school founded by the Tongabezi Lodge to give local children access to life-changing education….so your elopement or honeymoon definitely has a deeper purpose when you opt to stay at this acclaimed resort.

Tongabezi Lodge – Zambia Honeymoon and Destination Wedding Guide – Love From Mwai – Exalt Africa – Joy Proctor Design – Stepan Vrzala – Exalt Africa – Bridal Musings 1

Photo by Stepan Vrzala via Bridal Musings

Giveaway!

Exalt Africa is giving away a dream Zambian vacation with stays at both Royal Livingstone by Anantara & Tongabezi Resort! For details & entry go to Exalt Africa’s Instagram account & enter before September 10, 2021.