In the Langata suburb of Nairobi, Kenya, there’s a stately manor house deep in a forest, its stonework exterior covered in climbing vines. Originally built in 1934, Giraffe Manor is part of The Safari Collection – a hotel group founded by Kenyan couple to immerse visitors in the beauty of Kenya’s landscape and wildlife.
The spot gets its name because Nubian giraffes (or Rothschild’s giraffes) often stride onto the manor house’s 12 acre clearing from their wildlife sanctuary in the surrounding forest and happily roam the property. A boutique hotel in an historic building? Giraffe encounters over breakfast? This spot is a total east African wildlife dream.
And today we get to bring you the FIRST EVER Giraffe Manor wedding!
Bride Monica + groom Nathan made history by tying the knot among the giraffes on the manor’s gorgeous grounds.
“The property had never opened its doors for a wedding,” shares Himanshu Patel, Founder of Epic Stories, the celebration’s photography company. “It took Monica nearly three years of gentle persuasion and careful planning to design a ceremony that respected the giraffes’ rhythms, creating a truly once-in-history event.”
SO many stunning style moments. A Vogue-worthy photo shoot around the property. A chic Safari with the destination celebration’s guests. Giraffes peeking into the pre-wedding breakfast through the windows!!
And that’s all before the actual wedding – a bloom-filled floral extravaganza planned with the help of AURA that balanced the jaw-dropping natural world of the venue’s location with an ornate + larger-than-life romantic vibe.
So excited to show you Monica + Nathan’s stunning safari celebration!
Among the Giraffes
“Because Giraffe Manor had never before hosted weddings, creating one meant building everything from scratch while ensuring the giraffes’ well-being remained the top priority,” Epic Stories recalls.
“Over three years, Monica + Nathan worked closely with the Manor to craft a respectful, elegant celebration, a true labor of love that culminated in a wedding unlike any other in the world.”
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate Monica’s gorgeous wedding makeup. The light rosy hues, the glowy cheekbones, the dramatic lash — we’re in love.
And how breathtaking is this sculptural, shimmery, pleated, mini dress by Guarav Gupta?!
Nathan’s crisp ivory suit was the work of Gaurav Gupta as well.
Before you ask: Yes, that is a real giraffe. 🤯
“Monica and Nathan’s love story traces back to Kyiv, where they first crossed paths just before the Ukraine-Russia war,” Epic Stories shares.
“Introduced by a mutual friend the year before, they finally found themselves on the same continent.”
“Since then, their journey together has been extraordinary, traveling across all seven continents and building businesses in Puerto Rico.”
Celebrating On Safari
For the wedding’s safari excursion, guests wore their white + khaki bush-ready best.
Nathan wore a chic, custom made black suit…
… and Monica wore an unbelievably gorgeous, golden feather adorned dress by Rose Room.
We’ve got a positively radiant collection of the 33 Best Gold Wedding Dresses Sure to Make You Sparkle that you need to see if you’re loving Monica’s shimmery safari look as much as we are.
The Morning Of
“The giraffes are not just bystanders but natural participants in the experience,” Epic Stories shares.
“From breakfast tables where they leaned through windows to afternoon teas where they strolled by for treats, the animals were woven into the fabric of the celebrations.”
“Every encounter was unforced, giving the guests unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime interactions.”
The Ceremony
How sweet is this — Nathan had his blue wedding suit from ISAIA inscribed with the wedding’s date and location.
You will not believe this next part of Monica + Nathan’s wedding day story: “Adding to the magic,” Epic Stories says, “one of the giraffes was due to give birth during the wedding week. For the first two days, no giraffes appeared – something that only happens when one has passed away or a calf is being born.”
“On the day of the wedding, the giraffes returned with the newborn and approached the couple, creating a breathtaking moment. The calf will now be named after either Monica or Nathan, a living tribute to their love story.”
THESE FLOWERS!! So lush! So romantic! So pink! “The design vision,” says Epic Stories, “was to let the Manor’s wild spirit and European elegance exist side by side.”
“The ceremony began with a string quartet playing Pachelbel’s Canon in D as the processional, a classical piece with deep family meaning, beloved by both Nathan’s father and grandfather.”
“It was a symbolic bridge across generations, ensuring their presence was felt in the most elegant, heartfelt way.”
Monica had her wedding veil embroidered to say “Stonedale April 8, 2024”, which was a thoughtful nod to Nathan’s family’s home in Pennsylvania and made her bridal look “both personal and timeless,” as Epic Stories puts it.
We love the pinks + whites of the wedding’s storybook romance decor aesthetic — this ornate mirrored wedding sign is a perfect example. It felt so at home in the venue’s historic architecture but also totally transportive in the Kenyan countryside.
“Rather than blending in, the décor added a new dimension,” Epic Stories says, “creating a moment that belonged wholly to Giraffe Manor, yet felt like a scene from another world.”
OK, we need to discuss Monica’s beyond-stunning embellished tulle-bottom mermaid wedding dress by Oksana Mukha. The classic silhouette is to-die-for!!
Take a peek at our roundup of the most beautiful blush + rose gold bridesmaid dresses to create a bridal party color palette as perfectly pink as Monica’s.
The Reception
“Kenya’s finest blooms, abundant and artfully arranged, spilled across tables under candlelight, while pastel couture drifted through ivy-clad walls,” Epic Stories remembers.
Behold: Monica’s BEAUTIFUL sheer, earth tone reception look by Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna. The bandwau top, the floor length skirt, the cape! We always love a bridal separates moment.
Congratulations, Monica + Nathan! We’re so glad you made history by getting married at the gorgeous Giraffe Manor! Here’s to more weddings with wildlife experiences that follow in your footsteps! GWS wishes you both (and the giraffes 🦒) all the best!
photographer: Epic Stories // venue: Giraffe Manor, Nairobi, Kenya // planner: AURA // photo shoot dress: Guarav Gupta // bridal safari dress: Rose Room // wedding dress: Oksana Mukha // reception dress: Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna // groom attire: Gaurav Gupta, ISAIA //
