When it came to pre-wedding celebrations, Brady and Thomas decided to break the mold with a refreshing twist on the traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties. As avid travelers, the couple knew that a destination trip would be the perfect way to bring their friends together and celebrate their love.

“Travel has always enabled us to tap into a sense of wonder, curiosity, and connection to both the world and other people through raw, shared experiences,” the couple says. “And we’ve witnessed how powerful the bonds of community are when people are allowed to be vulnerable together–pushed outside of comfort zones and embrace new experiences.”

Initially planned as a vacation for just Brady and Thomas, the idea quickly evolved into a unique experience that would include their closest friends. The result was a joint engagement celebration that not only brought their two worlds together but also created unforgettable memories for everyone involved.

“When we were living in Nairobi two years ago, our friends would constantly tell us they wanted to visit East Africa or tag along on one of our future trips,” Brady says. “So when we started planning for Namibia we would jokingly reply, ‘Well, come with us then!’ To our surprise, 41 people replied in earnest asking for more details.”

Namibia, a country known for its stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife, was the ideal location for their adventure. The group explored the breathtaking sand dunes of Sossusvlei and ventured into the eerie yet fascinating Deadvlei, a surreal clay pan filled with ancient dead trees.

Throughout the trip, the friends shared unforgettable moments, which were beautifully captured in pictures and video gifs.

“I’d worked with Vincent in the past and knew that not only would the collateral they produced be stunning, but (equally if not more important on a trip like this) that they would be a value-add to the group’s chemistry,” Thomas says. “If it wasn’t Vincent + Chie, we wouldn’t have done the shoot.”

After the main adventure, Brady and Thomas continued their journey on a romantic safari, where they experienced the wonders of Namibia’s wildlife up close.

Brady and Thomas’ joint engagement trip in Namibia was a testament to the power of shared experiences in strengthening relationships and creating lifelong memories. By stepping away from conventional pre-wedding celebrations, the couple set a beautiful example for others looking to create unique and meaningful events leading up to their big day.

“Being in front of the camera was certainly not something we were used to or immediately comfortable with (especially with 20+ of our friends watching!),” the couple says, “so we can’t stress the importance of finding a photographer that you feel comfortable around. And having one that is willing to hike the tallest sand dune in the world at the break of dawn is a nice perk.”