What exactly is the "Out of Africa" theme? It's
similar to Safari, but more reserved — and definitely has its own
twist.
Specifically, "Out of Africa" is nineteenth century colonial —
the southern Africa of Karen Blixen (a.k.a. Isak Dinesen). Sure,
the lions might be prowling outside, but inside where Brits and
Danes lived, you'd see an equally ferocious idea of "keeping up civilization"
complete with wrought iron beds, wicker chairs, and the whitest
of white linen.
More on Decor
So in addition to decorating your hall with sweeping tropical ferns
and palms, you'll want to tuck in "Out of Africa" accents like giant
old binoculars, straw or seaweed pith helmets, canvas chairs (for
surveying one's grassy domain) and gramophones, for keeping up with
the musical times back home — or simply keeping one's favorites
close at hand. For wall decor, mix up a few grimacing African masks
with colonial posters of gentle naturalist watercolors and oils.
Other
authentic touches might include heavy, brassy furniture such as
blanket chests (fill with refreshments) and gun cabinets. Drape
mosquito netting around the tables, on a hoop to cascade down over
the cake table, and over decorative pith helmets. Display jodhpurs
and safari boots. And don't forget to add busts of admired statesmen,
scientists and artists — very nineteenth century colonial. Ideally,
your venue has chunky, dark wood trim and boasts a massive fireplace.
If possible, scatter animal
print or sisal rugs around the room. You'll also want plenty
of candles — mixed among them, consider this tiger
print candle lamp project made of wine glasses, not to mention
the gorgeously exotic peacock
and ostrich feather centerpiece idea.
Ask
willing guests to arrive in colonial costume or African bush attire.
More cautious guests can combine a conservative gown with a bold
African necklace. Hand out inexpensive
pith helmets to anyone who wants to play along.
As for table names, choose African animals (Cheetah,
Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Zebra, Rhinocerous, Addax, Mountain Gorilla,
Gazelle, Lemur, Chimpanzee, Monk Seal) or African destinations (Swaziland,
Mozambique, Comoros, Seychelles, Lesotho, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia,
Angola, Malawi).
Feasting, Sub-Saharan Style
For a spectacular Out of Africa spread, consider some of these masculine
grilled meats and Dutch-influenced sweets:
Entrees
Marinated ostrich carpaccio
French onion and ostrich steak soup
Braised Oxtails with mushrooms
Steak Tartar on ficelle
Grilled duck paillards
Sosaties:
South African kebabs
Mini braised beef short ribs
Lamb Tagine with artichokes
Salmon pate
Crocodile sirloin
Tamatie
Bredie (tomato and mutton stew)
Sweets
Deep-fried coconut bananas in berry sauce
South African melktert (milk tart)
Fried Koeksisters
Paul Kruger cake
Mosbolletjies
(sweet raisin buns leavened with grapes)
Boeremeisies
(aged apricots in brandy)
Orange
pudding with Greek yogurt
And don't forget to serve those truly excellent South African wines.
For Your Favor-ite Guests
For wedding favors, hand out something edible that's bound to be
appreciated: safari animal cookies in cellophane, or safari animal
chocolates.
Here is another touch. How about your garter be in the zebra print or another african inspired fabric. I am not having an african themed wedding, but still want to incorporate my heritage. Good Luck!!!!
Do you have cheetah place cards?
Heya, I’m from Africa too and having an african inspired wedding (not too much print though…) in Australia where I now live.
For favours, I thought of Amarula (south african liquer) decantered into little bottles for the men (I’m on the lookout for nips, but haven’t found any yet) - you should be able to get this at most boutique liquor stores - there is also a liquer called ‘wild’, and for the ladies, you can get bottle stoppers with little african animals on them (www.africantrails.co.za) or wooden bangles or beaded salad spoons. we are asking our guests for cash (as we pretty much have everything anyway) and donating 10% of it to the SAVE foundation in Zimbabwe - for rhinos and elephants etc.
For decorations, you can incorporate the safari feel with a tented marquee, I’m incorporating a lot of wood and stuff like coffee bean candles (my mum’s kenyan). I’m having twigs/branches as centrepieces and hanging little tealight lanterns off them. I know not typically african, but I didn’t want it to be too kitch. There will be african accents though. I have found some cheetah patterned ribbon (www.kardella.com) and I’m having cupcakes for desert with various animal patterns to differentiate them. A couple of ottomans with animal print scatter cushions. I keep thinking cane furniture - maybe a cane lounge/sette for a ‘chill out’ zone might look good. I’ve had to do a lot of scrounging around on the net, so majority will be imported for me, but depending on where you are getting married in Africa, african goodies will be at your fingertips!!
Good luck and all the best x
Have you had your wedding yet Gayle? I need help, I am getting married in Victoria falls, Zimbabwe. We are having an african theme, it is an outside wedding on the banks of the zambezi river. My fiance is Zimbabwean therefore we want an african theme, so far I have only bought zebraprint shoes to wear and we are having zebra print tie backs on the chairs, with mainly black and white theme, however we are looking for ideas to brighten it up, maybe blue as victoria falls waterfall is near by. Any ideas? it’s so hard to find anything! Attached are my shoes!
caroline, hi, i know the links below are not your colors but maybe they will give some ideas!!
* Brides - Are You Game? An out-of-this-world African safari party
* Lingerie (Zebra) Theme Bachelorette Party
* hot pink and zebra-inspired Girls Night theme ( thought you could put blue in place of pink, for the waterfall)
caroline, tint your centerpiece water a shade of blue to match the victoria fall waterfall, would look great against black and white theme, consider zebra print place cards, progams.
Caroline - I too am getting married in Vic Falls next September, as I am from Zimbabwe! Would love to be able to share ideas with someone and understand the difficulties of organising it from afar. Thanks to others for the links too, some great ideas there!
Hey, i’m the bridesmaid, my south african best friend is getting married next year. I know she would absolutely love your shoes! where abouts did u get them? x
Anyone got any idea for African themes, ideas for favors or decorations? Im going back to Africa where i grew up to get married and need some ideas…..my colours are green and gold
Hi Jacque,
I’m doing an African theme for my wedding because I just got back from Malawi. If I can get back before I get married (which I’m desperate to do!) what I was thinking of doing for favors are tiny little elephant carvings. I like this idea because elephants really never forget. So you could talk about how they represent your relationship, and how you will never forget all the people who came to support you. At the market in Lilongwe, you can get them for about 25 cents each depending on how small you want them!
Hope this helps!
Sarah