REAL WEDDINGS
RAHIEL + GIDEON JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA SEPTEMBER 3, 2018 P H O TOG R A P H E D B Y X a v i e r S a e r
Text by Samuel Naumick
W
hile visiting Johannesburg in 2017, Rahiel spotted
started crying and screaming at the top of my lungs out
an African print boutique in the Braamfontein
of shock...no matter how ready I thought I was - nothing
area. Brief ly stopping in she perused the shelves before
prepared me for that breathtaking moment.”
continuing on her way - a seemingly trivial moment that would come to shape the rest of her life. When a few
Like Gideon, Rahiel knew he was “the one” from the
months later, Rahiel was in need of tailoring services
beginning. Being a Christian Minister and seminary
she remembered the boutique shop. After returning, the
graduate, it was important to Rahiel that her husband
owner began making custom clothing for her, and it was
share her passion for faith, and Gideon’s biblical knowledge
during her third visit to the shop when she noticed a “tall,
was impressive. Gideon possessed all the qualities Rahiel
dark and handsome Zambian man” who took her breath
desired in a partner, and even some she hadn’t realized she
away. Gideon, a fashion designer himself, was the youngest
wanted until meeting him. In her words, “as I learned more
brother of the shop owner. The connection between Rahiel
about him and his life story, I came to believe that God had
and Gideon was immediate, and within a few weeks they
been preparing us for one another our entire lives.”
were going on their f irst date. In Rahiel’s words, “it was def initely love at f irst sight.”
Their beautiful Pan-African wedding in Johannesburg honored all sides of their cultural histories while directly
For Gideon, he knew he wanted to marry Rahiel from the
incorporating their Eritrean, Zambian, Black American
f irst date, asking her that evening if her mother would
and South African heritages - all expressed through music,
consent to her “marrying someone who was not Eritrean.”
attire and overall wedding day aesthetics. The wedding
It wasn’t long before they were discussing engagement
weekend began with Rahiel’s Zambian initiation into
ring choices and attending pre-engagement counseling, so
marriage; an all-women gathering led by the Zambian
Rahiel was well aware of a proposal on the horizon - but
elder women of Gideon’s family. During the wedding
when it would occur she had no idea. After Christmas and
ceremony Rahiel was gorgeous in an off-the-shoulder,
New Years passed without a proposal she was even more
rose-gold couture wedding dress with a deep v-neckline and
caught off guard when it f inally took place. On the fourth
mermaid silhouette, incorporating her Eritrean culture in a
of January, while having dinner with a friend at an outdoor
traditional “Albaso” hairstyle, as well as jewelry and henna
restaurant in Johannesburg, Rahiel noticed her friend
art. Being a fashion designer, Gideon designed his own
starring over her shoulder. When Rahiel turned to see what
suite; a soft tweed black and gold-infused suit trimmed
was capturing their attention she saw Gideon, kneeling
with brocade silk. He also designed the bridesmaids’ South
down with a ring in hand. Gideon’s best friend was also
African Xhosa inspired dresses with Cleopatra inspired
present recording the moment as Gideon asked Rahiel for
beaded accessories, and the groomsmen’s African print
her hand in marriage. In Rahiel’s words, “I immediately
accessories.