Glam wedding: Great day despite glitch over cake

FIRST DATE

INNOCENT: We met in 2009 at Mbagathi SDA church. I was a very reserved guy from the village, while she was the talkative type. With time, we became good friends. Being a student at University of Nairobi by then, I would pass by after my evening classes to secretly check on her and her younger sister (Clary). At the time it didn’t cross my mind that we had a lot in common.

VANCEY: In 2010, I lost my phone and felt depressed about it. He surprised me by getting me a new phone the following day.

INNOCENT: With time our friendship grew. At some point she became jealous after she overheard me telling my friend that I had found a new woman —unaware that she was the one I meant.

VANCEY: I was heartbroken when he informed me of his intention to leave for the US to study medicine. In 2011 December he returned and made a surprise visit to my home only to learn that I had moved from Highrise Estate in Nairobi to Ongata Rongai.

We however managed to meet in church before he again left for the US. We kept in touch more frequently this time round, and before long he asked me to be his lover. Our first date was at Panari Hotel on December 6, 2012.

He booked it prior to arrival in Kenya. I wouldn’t trade that memory for anything in the world. I looked straight into his eyes and realized how much he loves me. At that moment, I felt special.

This long distance relationship was not easy to sustain but we managed to make things work. However, mid 2014 we had major argument; I was so hurt and ready to call it a quits. Efforts to try and reach me on phone or even through family and friends were futile. With time we managed to resolve our issues.

THE PROPOSAL

INNOCENT: A day before I was scheduled to leave for the US, I decided to take our friends out to the Nairobi National Museum and the Snake Park. It didn’t cross her mind that that evening was going to be one of our most memorable. After touring the museum, we had a meal at Chicken Garden Restaurant. When we were done, I began to complement her. Smiling waiters and waitresses suddenly converged on our table with cameras on the ready. I got down on one knee and asked her to marry me. The diamond ring fit her perfectly. Her answer was a big yes.

THE DRAMA

VANCEY: It wasn’t easy planning the wedding without him. But with the help of family, friends and service providers, I managed.

INNOCENT: The Saturday evening before our wedding day, the car hire company we had contracted telephoned to inform us that the bride’s bridal car had been involved in an accident. The company refunded the deposit we paid for 12 cars, but the next day 20 vehicles were donated by friends.

After church service, there was plenty food at the reception but there was no cake. The lady we had contracted to make the cake could not be reached until 4 pm, when my aunt and a family friend decided to buy a cake from the nearest shopping mall. It took them about 30 minutes to prepare and deliver the cake.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

INNOCENT: I couldn’t hold back the tears as we exchanged out wedding vows and I kissed the bride. A musician, Brax, dedicated a song to us at the reception.

HONEYMOON

VANCEY: We went to Seychelles.

ADVICE TO COUPLES

INNOCENT: Start planning and saving for the wedding early because the wedding committee is meant to just boost what you have. Work with what you have because there is life after the wedding.