He proposed from his parents’ home

How did you meet?
Jackie: We met in 2012 at my cousin’s graduation party in Mbarara. Emma had come with my friend, and later we got talking and we shared contacts.
Emma: When we met, we did not fall in love right away but we kept in touch as friends.

When did you get close?
Jackie: We had been friends but not so close for some time but we became very close in 2013 when we met at a friend’s party in Entebbe.
Emma: Despite the fact that we used to communicate by phone, we were not that close until at the party.

What attracted you to each other?
Jackie: Emma has a strong sense of humour, love, he is smart and handsome. Also, I had always wanted a God-fearing man. He is also hard working, courageous and caring.
Emma: Jackie is reserved, smart, and friendly. Obviously she is very beautiful with a captivating smile. She is also intelligent and enterprising.

Did he propose to you?
Jackie: Yes, one day he asked me to escort him to his parents’ home in Mbarara. On arrival, he held my left hand, knelt, pulled out an engagement ring asking me if I would marry him. I was dumbfounded, I cried, hugged him and said yes.

How did you feel?
Jackie: I felt as if I was on another planet. I was extremely happy because he was straightforward.

For how long did you date?
Jackie: We did not date for long since we were friends for some good time.

Who was the maid of honour?
Jackie: Phiona Tusiime because she is our family friend.

Who was your best man?
Emma: Polly Tusiime because he is my brother and close friend.

When did you come up with a wedding date?
Jackie: After I had introduced him in December 2014. We decided to give it two years as we were preparing ourselves adequately. This helped us to plan and not work under pressure.
Emma: We agreed with our parents to give it two years so that we could get some time to set ourselves right. It worked for us because we wanted a colourful function which came to pass.

How did you draw your budget?
Emma: We looked at items that could fit in as well as cater for our guests.

How did you raise the money?
Jackie: It was mainly through friends, workmates and family. We then topped up with our own savings.

How did you zero down on the food?
Emma: The manager is my brother. He gave us three menus which we discussed in our meeting and settled for the finest.

How much did your suit cost?
Emma: I do not know because it was a surprise from a friend.

Did you involve a wedding planner?
Emma: No, we had trusted our friends and relatives to help us with everything.
What were you doing on your wedding eve?
Jackie: We were praying for our function to be successful. Also, our friends Juma Kanyike, Prossy Nyadoi Wesonga, Caroline Ikiriza and my parents stood by me to keep me relaxed.
Emma: I was home with my parents since they had travelled from far away. We were praying for the function to be colourful.

How did you book the artistes?
Emma: Mesach is my favourite musician and a friend. It took me less than a month to get to him allow perform for me. I approached him as a friend and paid him Shs2.5m.
Jackie Ssenyonjo, was a surprise artiste I brought for my wife. She likes Ssenyonjo and I paid Shs1m.

Were you disappointed in any way during the function? Jackie: No, because we had an effective committee chaired by Hassan Francis Singura.
Emma: No, just that I was very anxious about whether everything would go as expected.

What did you enjoy the most on that day?
Emma: Everyone and everything was on time and all service providers gave us the best. Our friends Jackie Senyonjo and Mesach Ssemakula entertained our guests.
Jackie: Seeing my beloved husband pull off dance strokes I had never seen and he was very happy. I also liked the encouraging speech by Uncle Barnabus Nyabongo not forgetting the decoration, cake, food, entertainment and Star Shooters team. Everything was on point.

Given chance to redo your wedding, what would you change?
Jackie: Nothing.

Where did you buy your wedding gown and maids’ dresses from?
Jackie: I hired my gown from Sisters’ Bridal Shop on Kampala Road at Shs 1.5m. My maids’ dresses were made by Suki Designs.

When did you start living together after the introduction?
Emma: We were always staying together and even after the introduction we stayed together because we had built a home and there was no need of separating.

Did you go for premarital counselling?
Jackie: Yes, we went for the Tuesday classes at Rubaga Cathedral for three months. We learnt for example, the fact that battles in marriage are better off fought on one’s knees in prayer than with human strength.
Emma: I learnt the core aspects of marriage such as communication, respect and love for each other and praying together. These need to be observed for a better marriage.
What is your advice to those planning on wedding?
Jackie: Marriage is beautiful; they should not be scared of it once God blesses you with the right partner.
Emma: Marriage is a gift from God and you can never force it.
What are some of the challenges you encountered?
Jackie: Everything went on smoothly.
Emma: Our strong and organised committee made it happen.