Isn’t she beautiful?

Who: Valentine Lihanda and James Olela

When: December 17, 2011

Where: Thomas Barnados Home, Lang’ata

Guests: 300

Budget: Sh600,000

Interview by: Ann Wanja

Eve Bridal: How did you meet?

Valentine: I met James during my sister’s wedding preparations back in 2008. He was a groomsman and the chair of the committee and I was a bridesmaid. The rest as they say, is history.

James: We met when we were having a brainstorming session for Valentine’s sister’s wedding.

EB: What attracted you to each other?

Valentine Lihanda and James Olela wedding [Photo: Courtesy]

Valentine: James has a great personality and sense of humour. He has put a smile on my face from the first time I met him. He is also charming and has a great heart. He is great company, so Ireally enjoyed our first date. We have cultivated a deep friendship and this amazing bond of love that we share. I love him so much.

James: She is beautiful, don’t you think so? Valentine is a remarkably loving person, a great speaker with a big heart; it became so hard not to fall in love with her. I love her company and over time, I decided that a lifetime of this is exactly what I needed.

EB: How did he propose?

Valentine: Well, it was a surprise. I had just gotten a new job and had complained to him of being tired. So he took me for a full body massage and after the session, he went down on his knee. I cried!

EB: Where did you get your gown and bridesmaids’ outfit?

Valentine: That was a real challenge. As for my gown, three weeks to the wedding I had none! I had been let down and I felt so stranded. I, however, met a good designer from Bivale Fashions who dedicated his time to creating the gown of my dreams from scratch and within a short duration. At the end of the day, I was so happy with the gown.

EB: Was it easy getting exactly what you wanted for the wedding?

Valentine: It wasn’t easy. As much as we started planning early, there were still a few things that we did at the last minute. I got my shoes on Friday evening!

James: It seemed so easy on paper, but in reality, we realised we had tonnes of things to do. It was at that point that we decided to bring order through planning. Early planning ensured that we worked within timelines on what we needed to get and when. However, my shirt and the best man’s shirt were picked a day to the wedding!

 

EB: What part did you love most about the planning process and the wedding day?

Valentine: I loved the fact we had a strong support system from family and friends. With our support system, we needed not to worry about anything. Our wedding co-ordinator ensured everything worked out as planned.

James: Part of the wedding day was sunny and then it started raining as we were making our way back to the reception venue. However, it did not stop us from having a blast.

EB: What was going through your mind the entire time?

Valentine: I was anxious, wondering if everything would work out as planned, but none of this crossed my mind on the wedding day.

James: I kept thinking, ‘this is deep, this is deep! Wow, the bride looks stunning’. Then again I had also to concentrate on the pastor’s message, which was inspirational.

EB: Honeymoon?

Valentine: We went to Egypt. It was a wonderful time; we totally enjoyed ourselves and got to relax after the hectic wedding preparations.