He bought me lunch for a whole year...then this!

BRIDE: Beatrice Njoki

GROOM: Maxwell Joshua Agwanda

GUESTS: 350

VENUE: Kenya Institute of Special Education (KISE) Grounds in Kasarani

DATE: May 21, 2016

BUDGET: Sh400,000

FIRST DATE

BEATRICE: We met in in 2011 at a wedding somewhere on Waiyaki Way. By the time we went for the evening party, we made a pact to meet again. He asked if he could buy me lunch every day for a whole year and luckily for me he managed to keep his promise. By the end of that year, the relationship was official. Our very first date as a ‘couple’ was at Concours De Elegance at Ngong Race Course.

THE PROPOSAL

MAXWELL: After a trip out of Nairobi three years into our relationship, I came back with a huge surprise for her – an engagement ring. That night I went down on my knee and popped the big question over dinner and she said Yes!

BEATRICE: The proposal came as a huge surprise for me. At first I thought I was dreaming. After a few minutes, I realized it was real.

THE DRAMA

MAXWELL: Drama will never cease to be part of any relationship good or bad. In any case it makes the relationship stronger as long as you learn to deal with it the right way - seeking God’s guidance in every situation that we were going through.

BEATRICE: Hailing from different communities with different cultural backgrounds, traditions and beliefs, we were keen to learn and understand each other’s traditions and customs. This helped us avoid any drama in our wedding.

WITH HINDSIGHT

MAXWELL: We learnt that patience pays. Every individual is different, hence dating and the reality of every relationship needs a lot of grace.

BEATRICE: Pre-marital counseling is extremely important to every couple. It gives you advance information on how to navigate marriage. The bottom line is; Let God reign supreme in your marriage.

MAXWELL: It is also important to work with what you have in terms of money, since any amount can do. Simplicity always works. It’s never that serious!