Andrew proposed on Facebook

When and where did you meet?
Brenda: I met Andrew during a Christian Youth Ministry retreat in Jinja in 2014.
Andrew: Brenda was with a group of Christian youth ministry in Kyambogo University where she studied Bachelor of Business Administration and she was one of the members preaching. Fortunately some of the members in her group were my villagemates and close friends.

At what age did you get married?.
Brenda: I’m 26 years but I was praying that God gives me an understanding husband and there was Andrew.
Andrew: I got married at 30 years. It was not easy because my relatives were wondering why I was still single.
I had to ignore their persistent complaints by telling them that, “there is time for everything.” As a Christian, I could not just pick somebody’s daughter to please my relatives until I found Brenda.

How did you propose to Brenda?
Andrew: I proposed through Facebook. We were chatting about life and in the course, I felt like popping the question. I first opened up to her about my intentions because I felt that she fitted the bill of my future partner.
I popped the question there. She paused for some minutes after which, she said yes. My heart raced with gladness but I could not do much there.

Brenda, how did you feel when Andrew proposed?
Brenda: It was a surprise although I did not expect it during our chat. I knew it would one day come to pass because Andrew had showed all signs of an interested party.
He is the type that knows what he wants from the word go.

How did you come up with the guest list?
Andrew: That was hard time for me because I had many people to consider. Thus, I got about 20 invitation cards printed then reached out to those who knew me by phone and using the media, especially radios in Busoga.
Brenda: I chose from my friends, church and family members.

How long did it take you to prepare for the wedding?
Brenda: It took us three weeks.
Andrew: (interjects) Close to one month because I wanted my wedding to be unique and open to Christians before God. All I prayed for was to be blessed with my wife before God.

Did you involve a planner?
Brenda: No, I did it together with my friends and relatives.

What were you doing on the eve of your wedding?
Andrew: I was moving around trying to ensure everything was in order.
Also, I was reaching out to my friends who had promised to stand with me. I slept in my house alone that night.
Brenda: I was with my friends up to 2am. This also included getting my hair styled.

Did you go for premarital counselling ?
Brenda: Yes, Busoga Diocese Bishop Paul Naimanhye was the main spiritual person who played the bigger role in this area and other church leaders who told us of our expectations and asked whether we were ready for marriage.
Andrew: The bishop, because of his tight schedule, delegated four spiritual elders who counselled us.
They said marriage is challenging and we should treat challenges with good faith and present them to God.

What was going through your mind on your wedding?
Andrew: I could not believe that I had been joined with Brenda in front of hundreds of people.
Brenda: I was overjoyed. On such days, I see some unsettled and nervous couples .
I was happy to see people smiling and waving at us.
What challenges did you face and what did you like during the preparations?
Brenda: Andrew is my confidante and he has been there in moments when pressure from my parents and relatives was too much. So, I managed to strike a balance between pressure and love.
Andrew: At one point, some members of the organising committee kept me out of touch, which made me think everything was going to fail. However, Brenda’s love was reassuring through all this.

How can one cut cost of wedding?
Andrew: Some people use the function to show off. Budget within your means. For me, the most important thing on that day was the wedding ring.
Brenda: Big budget figures scare people from attending the meetings.
You do not have to always hire the service providers. Use friends and relatives to provide services.
For example, transport, you can mobilise your friends’ cars at a discount without leaving you worried about the extra money spent or even debt.

Were you disappointed in any way?
Andrew: I had entertainers but MCs did not give them enough time to participate to make my day.
Brenda: The DJ did not follow my playlist yet I gave it to him early enough.

Where did the wedding take place?
Brenda: Christ’s Cathedral in Bugembe, Jinja.

What did you enjoy most?
Brenda: I liked the happiness and fulfillment of my childhood dream of being officially introduced and wedded in church.
Andrew: I enjoyed the company of more than 120 people who accompanied me and my parents did not complicate anything.

Did you go for premarital counselling ?
Brenda: We had premarital counselling with a number of people, including His Grace Paul Samson Naimanhye, the Bishop of Busoga Diocese, Rev Alfred Hashahya, Rev Vasco Jacob Wangoola and Makalaleri Gamusi, among others, who advised us to love each other earnestly, forgive and always plan together.
Andrew: Like she said, one more thing that I ought to love my wife.

What is your advice to those who are planning to marry?
Andrew: Couples should treat their marriage as a unique one from others; they should not compare or equate it with friends or neighbours, many marriages are breaking as a result of these comparisons.
Brenda: Find the right partner, someone you feel free with. The best way is to treat your partner as a brother/bestfriend beside him being your husband. This gives you a projection of a successful marriage.

Did you have any debts after the wedding?
No.

Photography

The couple opted to have the River Nile backdrop in their photo shoot because it is romantic and has a calming effect. Breaking away from the studio setting gave them liberty to pose outdoors. This too, is a memory created in the environs of the most popular tourist spot.

Bridesmaids

The bride’s entourage comprised matron Peruth Babirye Olowo, and bridesmaids; Phiby Mugimba, Eunice Najjembe, Susan Anyait and Kezia Namakula who are friends and part of the bride’s family. She opted for these because they were easy to deal with.

Groomsmen

Festus Mudumba, Patrick Barasa, Emmanuel Okori and Jessy Tirutya were on the groom’s entourage. Andrew chose them because they are his fellow church ministers who share his values. “They are people of noble character in their respective churches,” Andrew explained.

Ring

The couple bought their yellow gold rings at Shs 200,000 from William Street in Kampala

Attire
Andrew says they bought their attire from Quality Garments. The suit cost Shs 500,000 and the gown went for Shs 700,000

Cake
The couple enjoyed cake baked by Mrs Mugaya of Wanyange. The 12-tier delicacy went for Shs700,000.