She said yes on a boat

BRIDE: Jenipher Mkawagenyi

GROOM: Fredrick Oluoch

DATE: November 14, 2015

GUESTS: 400

CEREMONY: Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Kongowea, Mombasa

RECEPTION: SOS Nyali Ground, Mombasa

BUDGET: Sh700,000

FIRST DATE

It took place at Taita Rocks Hotel in Wundanyi on February 14, 2006 after one year of getting to know each other. We had a walk to Vuria hills followed thereafter with dinner on top of the hill incorporated with a glass of red wine and gifts of saturated chocolate bars.

FREDRICK: I remember she was wearing blue jeans and a red top.

JENIPHER: Fred planned the date and chose the place because it’s a place we frequent when working in that county. It was superb considering it was on Valentine ‘s Day and we were showered with a black forest cake and sweet red wine.

THE PROPOSAL

JENIPHER: It was on February 14, 2015 at the Tamarind dhow boat diner in Mombasa. The band at the Tamarind Dhow played a song for us and also surprised us with a cake where the ring was placed.

Fredrick: I organised for dinner at the Tamarind Dhow boat and placed an order for a black forest cake which happens to be her favourite and hid the ring inside the cake. I also requested the band on board to propose a song for us so when we were called to dance I took the opportunity and popped the question, ‘Will you marry me?’ She said yes with certainty of love breaking into tears as her face glowed with joy, happiness and love. She did not see it coming considering it was a couple’s dinner that night.

THE DRAMA

The planning was tedious considering the wedding took place in Mombasa and we reside in Nairobi. We had to change the wedding date due to double booking. We also had to factor in additional budget for upcountry transport from Tanzania. To make matters worse, the transport manager travelled on the D-day to Nairobi without informing us.

But at least majority of the service providers delivered except for the decor person who failed to provide a Swahili carpet and brooms for the reception. The décor also at the church venue wasn’t to our standards. The cake provider also failed to display cupcakes on the table as required.

We went for a Coastarian theme in fuchsia and royal purple colours. Other elements we played with were through leso’s and madafus (coconuts) as part of the décor and Bango for entertainment. The band actually composed a song for us.

WITH HINDSIGHT

We learnt that service providers don’t keep their promises. Have a written agreement instead of verbal and sign it in advance as a sign of commitment. Then the friends you expect to help happen to fail you so you have to factor that in.

MEMORABLE MOMENTS

We had so many. From performing the coastal tradition of sanduku on Friday night with the assistance of Simba Ropa (Coastarian drumbeats) band and the mini kitchen party with lots of Taarabu music. Solemnising our union through exchange of vows and expressing our love with our first meal and sharing it with our guests.

HONEYMOON

We went to three destinations. North Coast, South Coast and Malindi.

WORDS: Esther Muchene

PHOTOS: Courtesy