Match made on social media:We stumbled on each other on facebook

BRIDE: Grace Mutuli

GROOM: Lawrence Matu

DATE: April 16, 2016

GUESTS: 700

VENUE: Mtwapa, Kilifi County

DATING

GRACE: Our love story began innocently in 2012 when I was searching for a high school friend named Matu and found a page of a man called Lawrence Matu. I reached out to him to see if there were any family relations. Lawrence replied that he wasn’t related, but in the spirit of social networking, we friended each other. Little did we know that it was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

LAWRENCE: We began by simple communication, “hellos” here and there and commenting on each others’ photos. Eventually we began chatting and Lawrence asked for my phone number. We expressed a willingness to meet over our phone conversations and we finally did.

THE PROPOSAL

LAWRENCE: When we finally met, I was swept off my feet and excited to be going out with such a beautiful lady. We met weekly for dates and eventually became inseparable. On Saturday, August 16, 2014 we spent a romantic weekend in South Coast, where I proposed and she said yes.

GRACE:I said yes because he treated me so well, spoilt me and respected me.

THE DRAMA

GRACE: My best friends and I had been searching for a local baker who could create my ideal wedding cake. I received quotes averaging Sh60,000 until we found a relatively new baker who offered to provide the cake for half the price. She was young and just beginning, but her pictures were beautiful. She was willing to be flexible and do what we wanted, and she provided samples of her cake.

I signed a contract that day and put down a Sh10,000 deposit. When my friends tried to contact the baker a month before the wedding to order a cake for the bridal shower, all of the phone numbers they had were off, and both the website and the store was gone.

All e-mails to the vendor went unanswered. I panicked and became really stressed but I managed to pull through and get another cake which turned out to be very tasty and beautiful. I’m still trying to follow through for a refund from the first baker; at least I still have the signed contract!

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

GRACE: Our wedding was beautiful. We danced, sang and made merry. I’m grateful.

LAWRENCE: When she became my legal wife I was ecstatic. That moment when we exchanged vows and kissed will forever be etched in my memory as one of my most important and treasured. I’m now a married man!

HONEYMOON

GRACE: We went to Cape Town, South Africa and had the best time of our lives!

ADVICE

GRACE: Whatever deals and transactions you make while planning your wedding, please remember to sign contracts and keep the receipts. Getting duped by your wedding planners and suppliers really takes you back to square one. We wouldn’t wish that on anyone.

WORDS: Nancy Nzau

PHOTOS: Courtesy