Childhood love blossoms

How did you get to know each other?
Ivan: I first met Edgar in Primary Three but we later met at university in 2011. A mutual friend with whom we attended the same primary school then introduced me to Edgar and we became friends. Edgar was appointed the chairperson of chapel wardens because of her love for God. The fact that I was a warden, and leader of the Western Uganda students’ fellowship group, it gave us chance to bond since she was a member.
Edgar: After so many years, we still became better friends.

When did you start developing feelings for her?
Ivan: In 2012, I told her how I felt but she took it for a joke. However, I approached her again after a month, around June but she left me in suspense.

Edgar, what was your reaction?
Edgar: I asked him to give me time to think about it. I wanted to know him better. However, I thought his first attempt was a joke, not until he persisted. His consistency made me believe him.
Ivan: Since I used to walk Edgar to her hostel, I would remind her almost daily.

Then what happened?
Ivan: On September 25, 2012, we were in the Common Room and she accepted my proposal. That marked the beginning of our love life.
What attracted you to each other?
Ivan: Edgar is God-fearing, humble, faithful and beautiful.
Edgar: Since I’m reserved, I wanted someone outspoken. Ivan is caring, understanding, encouraging and a devout Christian.

For how long did you date?
Ivan: Six years. There were challenges but we hang on God.

What kind of challenges were they?
Ivan: Friends talked behind our backs. Some approached Edgar telling her to opt out of our relationship. I thank God that she believed in me.
Edgar: When we started working, Ivan became too busy and I would miss seeing him when I wanted to.

When did you start planning for the big day?
Ivan: In March, and it was not only the wedding but also the introduction which happened a week before the wedding.

How did you come up with the wedding date?
Ivan: Many factors determined setting the date such as, family, friends and ourselves. We had to harmonise our work schedules, with our siblings’ school calendars and we considered convenience of our friends.

Were there any reception challenges?
Ivan: The number of guests shot from 500 to 700 but we were able to provide for them since we planned for extra chairs and plates. We had bought our own food and paid for labour which cost us Shs8m.
What was your wedding budget?
Ivan: It was initially Shs43m but the actual wedding cost Shs22m.

How did you manage to do it?
Ivan: As we approached the D-day, we realised that the money was not enough so we altered some things that were not essential as well as reducing the amount allocated to certain items. For instance, the decoration fee was reduced from Shs8m to Shs3.5m. The cars which cost Shs3m were replaced by friends’ cars (Mercedes Benz Kompressor), I fuelled at Shs400,000. We struck off salon for men and opted to have our hair cut the previous day. Then, we got a place where we could dress from. This cost Shs80,000.

Most couples prefer gold rings, why did you settle for silver?
Ivan: We both love silver because it looks nice, it is easy to clean and does not fade. I spent Shs600, 000 on each ring.

What was your attire like?
Ivan: A black suit which cost me Shs400,000. Other accessories such as the bow tie, shoes, and shirt cost Shs300,000.

How did you did choose your entourage?
Ivan: I needed a friend who could walk with me through the new journey and Caleb Tugume Twinamasiko fitted the bill. For groomsmen, I chose four of my long-time friends.

Edgar, tell us about your attire.
Edgar: I hired a mermaid snow white gown at Shs700,000 because it matched my body type. I had a cream changing dress tailored at Shs400,00 and two pairs of shoes; white wedges and black high heels.

What criteria did you use to pick your maid of honour?
Edgar: I looked for a close and trustworthy mutual friend Desire Ruth Ochom.

Then, the cake. What was it made of?
Ivan: Blessing Amanya Goodman baked a 20-tier fruit cake at Shs2m.
Edgar: The centre piece had three different fruit flavours, then the pieces to give away were chocolate. It looked nice and it was tasty.

What excited you the most on your wedding day?
Ivan: Our first dance because I had never seen my wife dancing.
Edgar: Finding my husband waiting to receive me at church was exciting. It also took away my worries of him not turning up. I liked that my parents smiled throughout the function.

Were you disappointed in any way?
Ivan: To a small extent because some of my friends did not turn up for the wedding.
Edgar: No, all went well.

What put you on tension on that day?
Ivan: The weather because we had an outdoor wedding. God blest us with a litght drizzle. I was also worried about people not fulfilling their promise to give us cars but they all turned up.
Edgar: Nothing.

What was your colour theme?
Edgar: Claret (wine red) and cream. This blended with my changing dress and the bridesmaids’ outfits.

Where did you go for honeymoon and what interested you the most?
Ivan: We went to Mombasa for a week. I enjoyed being with my wife away from the usual places. We visited Fort Jesus, among other places.
Edgar: The rides we had using different means of transport was so exciting. I loved the food and the time we spent at the coast.

How vital was premarital counselling?
Ivan: It is as important as one’s education certificates. Love alone is not enough for a successful marriage but things such as being patient and learning my partner. And, that our marriage is baseless without Jesus. I think counselling should always be done for any marriage to be successful.
Edgar: The counsellor emphasised that we need good communication, financial management skills and the need to understand the biblical perspective of marriage. We ought to handle marriage with care.
What advice would you give someone who is planning to get married soon?
Ivan: Try to understand each other’s personality, trust the Lord and everything will be all right.
Edgar: Regulate the issue of perfectionism to avoid stress, be flexible and cut on your expectations to avoid heart break or disappointments.
What would you do better given a chance to re-wed?
Ivan: I would change the time for church. Our church ceremony took place at 11am and reception at 3pm, this could have inconvenienced many given the time lapse. If I were to wed again, I would schedule church at 2pm then reception at 3pm.
Edgar: I would not change anything.