Set on the banks of the Zambezi River with Victoria Falls thundering in the distance, Simone and Jason’s four-day celebration in Zambia was the very definition of soulful luxury. Every element of the wedding was a seamless blend of cultural heritage, nature, and high design – from Shabbat blessings beneath the African sky to an intimate chuppah surrounded by water and lilac blooms. The couple’s vision was clear: to gather their loved ones in a place that felt alive with meaning, music, and magic, and to honor both their roots and their shared love for travel, culture, and connection. What followed was an extraordinary journey of design-led storytelling, where every moment – from welcome gifts of bespoke Zambian favors to barefoot dancing in the Boma – was carefully considered and artfully executed.
Our Love Story
The Day We Met
We first met in spring 2019 at a casual Sunday lunch in Bondi, both fresh out of long-term relationships and not looking for anything serious. While I quietly admired his warm and respectful nature, he didn’t think I was interested. Jason left Sydney the next day for surgery, and we didn’t reconnect for months. Eventually, through mutual friends, we crossed paths again and a flirty friendship began – you can probably guess the rest!
The Proposal
My proposal idea was to be as romantic as possible. Simone always mentioned how much she adores Italy, so I picked Rome, known as the “Eternal City.” I figured if she said yes, it would symbolize a long-lasting, eternal love between us. I didn’t want Simone to suspect anything, so I organized a date night. I took her to watch the opera before returning to our hotel the same evening for dinner. The proposal was on a private terrace at our favourite hotel in Rome, the Hotel de Russie.
The Engagement Ring
I leaned on a close family friend who has spent his life in the world of diamonds. Knowing little about engagement rings, I chose an oval natural diamond set on a diamond eternity band. The ring has since been redesigned by Simone and Olivia Bond – which doesn’t surprise me at all, haha!
Our Wedding
The Vision
We wanted to bring all our loved ones to a unique destination that reflected our shared values and joys – a marriage of all the things we admire most: nature, wildlife, culture, family, soul, music, amazing food, and of course, each other. Our four-day celebration began in the Boma, a traditional African gathering space transformed with vibrant décor, where guests enjoyed regional dishes, cultural performances, and live African music.
To honor Jason’s heritage, the evening opened with a meditative Shabbat service before the Ndlovu Youth Choir moved everyone with Circle of Life, setting the perfect tone for the days ahead; the night ended barefoot on the dancefloor to El Mukuka’s Afro-house set. The next day, guests boarded a restored 1920s steam locomotive for a nostalgic journey to Victoria Falls, blending the opulence of Mr. Wong’s in Sydney with the romance of the Eastern & Oriental Express.
Our Team of Vendors
Where do I even begin? We had an incredible team who pulled off a logistically complex, four-day celebration in Livingstone, Zambia. What once felt impossible came to life thanks to every single person involved. Many who started as strangers now hold a special place in our hearts. We’re endlessly grateful – my heart is still bursting with love and appreciation for everyone who made the best weekend of our lives possible. We absolutely adore them!
The Location
When it came to choosing a wedding destination, we considered everywhere from Sicily to Provence and across Australia, but nothing felt quite like us. Then Jason asked me where I’d choose to get married if there were no limitations – just somewhere that truly spoke to my soul. I told him: a private game reserve in Kenya. I imagined a remote villa I’d once heard about, where wild elephants roam nearby and dinners are enjoyed under the African stars. At that moment, we realized we were completely aligned. Jason instantly thought of a place close to his heart – a country where his mother was born – set on the Zambezi River in a national park near Victoria Falls, where native wildlife roam freely: the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia.
