Deborah was a virgin

When and where you meet?
Henry: I met Deborah seven years ago; she was still a student at Seroma Christian High School. Being a colleague’s friend, it gave us chance to interact. After six months, we became intimate.
Deborah: It was during my Senior Four in 2006 at Seroma Christian High School, he had come to visit a friend.

Tell us about the proposal.
Henry: We had a strong mutual feeling that we would get married when we started dating. By the way, I can’t recall how many times I asked her to be my wife though she always smiled about it. I did not go for the usual way of kneeling to propose. You can’t believe we even started planning for our family two years after meeting, because I had spotted unique qualities in her.

Deborah, how did you react to his proposal?
I was convinced after the several interactions we had. I realised he was the right man, so it took me no time to accept.

When did you come up with the wedding idea?
Henry: in 2012, when she was in second year at university.

When and where was your wedding?
Henry: It was on June 8, 2013 at All Saints Cathedral, Nakasero.

Whose idea was it?
Henry: We come from different religious backgrounds (Pentecostal and Anglican) and because my in-laws were coming from far (Iganga). We settled for All Saints Cathedral because it was the most convenient.

What about the reception?
Henry: Munyonyo Spring Gardens because it was the only place that would accommodate the number of guests we had and allow us bring in our own food and drinks. It is also easy to access.
Did you like the venue?
Deborah: Yes, it was an open place with lush greenery. This blended well with the decorations.

How many guests did you have?
Henry: We had more than 800 guests but we had planned for 750. Luckily, we had enough food because even those who came late ate to their fill.
How big was your cake?
Henry: It had 15 tiers and cost Shs1.5m.

And the cars?
Henry: We had four. Three silver Mercedes Benzes and a Noah. Two of the cars were offered by friends. Then the other two Mercedes Benzes cost us Shs400,000.
We had initially wanted to use limousines but they were very expensive.

What about decoration?
Henry: It cost Shs2.5m and was done by a relative.

What was your theme colour?
Deborah: Blue and pink. I wanted to fit in the “romantic season” because most weddings on TV I watched comprised blue and pink.

Henry, were you comfortable with the colours she chose?
I didn’t mind. A wedding is a woman’s thing. However, I was happy that we had blue because it is my favourite colour.

Tell us about the most interesting moment on that day.
Henry: When she said “i do”. I had waited for such a long time.
Deborah: The time my in-laws came for me in the morning. It indicated that the long awaited moment had come.

Any disappointments on the D-day?
Henry : The cake. The person we paid didn’t do a good job yet we paid a lot of money. The tiers were not well-decorated and most tiers did not have a base. We realised it at the time we were giving them out.
Then, the music that kept going on and off plus poor public address system.
Deborah: The cake, the tiers did not have a base and others were hidden under the table. I got irritated but could not do anything- it was too late.

What was your fear before and on the D-day?
Henry: Deborah’s parents’ acceptance since she had just left school.
Deborah: It was about my first intimacy experience. The thought of it kept torturing me. I kept wondering what was going to happen.

What were the challenges during the preparations?
Henry: I was only challenged during the introduction ceremony. All focus was on me unlike the wedding that was to happen a month later. For the wedding, many people generously contributed. However, with the help of the family everything was done because I only had Shs3m.
Deborah: Apart from moving around and choosing what I would use, everything was fine because my father was fully involved and willing to do anything for me at any time.

How long did it take to prepare for both functions?
Henry: Four months.
Where did you go for honeymoon?
Henry: It was at Ssese Island Beach Hotel but, we first stayed at Buziga Country Resort for two days.

What was your best experience?
Henry : I had waited for Deborah for seven years. This was time to explore intimately. Then the walks we took around the place. We also met another couple we had attended premarital counselling sessions with.
Deborah: Despite my fears, I later had an awesome and first intimacy experience. I also enjoyed listening to birds sing, the scenery and breeze from the lake.

How much did it cost you?
Henry: Both the introduction and wedding cost about Shs28m.
Where did you get the gown from?
Deborah: I hired it from Tem Fashion Wear along Luwum Street at Shs800,000. It was among the gowns showcased at a previous bridal fashion expo.

The changing dress and shoes?
Deborah: I had two, red and blue, one at Shs400,000 and the other Shs350,000 and I wanted to look different. I wore two pairs of shoes, one cost Shs120,000 and the other Shs80,000.

How much did the suit cost ?
Henry: The suit cost Shs450,000, shirt Shs50,000, tie Shs20,000 and shoes at Shs250,000. The best man spent the same amount.

Why didn’t you have groom’s men like it is with other grooms?
Henry: I wanted to cut costs and also never wanted to strain people.
Did you go for premarital counselling ?
Henry: Yes, I got to know a lot that I would never have learnt from elsewhere.
Deborah: It helped me learn much since I was new in the field.
Advice to people planning to wed?
Henry: Do things within your means. A wedding is about committing your lives to God.
Deborah: Mr right is not the one with cars, houses and lots of money but the one you love and understand.