I met Bernard through a mutual friend

When and how did you meet?
Benard: I met Kevin through a mutual friend who was my neighbour at Makerere University in 2008.

She had come to visit him and I dropped by. When Kevin and I had a chat, we realised we were both vying for leadership at our respective faculties, halls.

I contested for presidency at the Faculty of Economics and Management, and she was running for Culture minister in Complex Hall. We chose to campaign for each other and we both won. Through our friend, we started seeing each other more often.

Kevin: I was pursuing Education but I was Bernard’s silent campaigning agent. When he learnt I was Team Kasoma, he requested to know me and we got talking.

What struck you about each other?
Benard: Kevin is beautiful and aggressive. Above all, she is God- fearing and we are both Catholic.
Kevin: Bernard was smart at campus. He always wore a necktie. I loved his gentility, especially during campaigns.

When did the two of you eventually become close?
Benard: Immediately after university, she went to Denmark and left a void in my heart. We kept communicating for the two years. When she returned, we were closer and started planning our way forward.
Kevin: When he won the campaigns, on March 19, he suggested that we start dating. We became friends. By December the same year, we had become inseparable.

Did he propose to you?
Kevin: Yes, he proposed to me twice. In the African context, proposing is hard to classify but I was pregnant when he proposed in January, 2012. I gave birth in March and introduced him to my parents in December 15. He later proposed prior to the wedding.

How did Kevin react?
Bernard: She was excited. I remember her crying on the first proposal. The second time I proposed was a surprise. It was two years after our introduction. My cousin and I invited her for lunch and she understood I was serious about us.

Kevin: The first time Bernard proposed, I was excited. The other time was so shocking that I fell. He asked me out for lunch at Grand Imperial Hotel. While we had our meal, his cousin came from behind me with a bouquet. Bernard then went on his knee and asked me to marry him. Overwhelmed, I burst into uncontrollable tears. I slipped and fell off my seat.

When did you come up with the wedding date?
Bernard: I had secretly planned the wedding date two years back but gave myself time to plan. I had my wedding plan book. In this book, I estimated the required amount of money and the major requirements. I zeroed on August, 2016.
Kevin: After proposing, he told me to go to Rubaga Cathedral and check for a slot. I drove there immediately and found August 6, as the only free date. I booked the next day.

What was your budget and how did you raise the funds?
Bernard: That is private but while planning; I ensured to raise 50 per cent of the required amount such that our relatives and friends combined could contribute to the remaining half. I then engaged work mates, close families and friends who instead contributed 70 per cent. We therefore had surplus.
Kevin: Bernard has a wealth of friends. It was easy to raise the money. People pledged in millions. For instance, on our wedding launch, we raised Shs 35m; Shs5m cash and Shs30m in pledges.

Did you involve a planner?
Bernard: No, because we wanted to have an original wedding. I let Kevin draft a list of everything she required and the respective service providers.
A few friends such as Isaac Nsubuga and Caesar Nkumbi came in handy.
Kevin: I was my own wedding planner. I looked for and got in touch with all service providers. They were all good and prompt. In most cases, when the bride reaches out to the service providers, they do not disappoint.

What was the most expensive item?
Kevin: The most expensive items were my two changing dresses which I ordered from Dubai because I wanted unique outfits. I chose my designs and sent them. The changing dresses cost Shs3.2m and the wedding gown cost
Shs 2m.

How did you come up with the guest list?
Bernard: During meetings, we agreed that there would not be a guest list. We printed and issued out 700 cards. We had two types of cards; for corporate and for others.
Kevin: We only gave out cards to friends, relatives and workmates, plus those who supported us. Surprisingly, on the wedding, we had about 1,600 guests. Luckily, we had planned for more than 1,500.

What were you doing on your wedding eve?
Bernard: I relaxed at Hotel Africana poolside and had intervals in the sauna. Although there were a few pending things, my planners asked me to relax so that they would take care of the rest. Kevin: I went to the salon for a hair makeover, manicure and pedicure and also rehearsed with the maids.
Who was on your entourage?
Bernard: I had six groomsmen and two bestmen. The best men are both my childhood friends and reliable. It was tough for me to settle for one.
Kevin: I had a matron, two flower girls, two page boys and six bridesmaids.

How many vehicles did you use?
Bernard: We used five cars; a limousine which my wife and I used, and four Mercedes Benz Compressors.

Were you disappointed in any way during the function?
Bernard: No, except a week to the event, our tailor in charge of men’s wear had not worked on a single suit. We had to hire another one and ended up incurring double the original costs for suits.
Kevin: Everything went as planned.

Where were your functions?
Benard: At Rubaga Cathedral and later we went to Forest Park, Buloba for our reception. We are both Catholic and wedding in the cathedral is prestigious. Kevin had always wanted to walk down the cathedral’s long aisle, so her dream was fulfilled.
We also chose Forest Park for our reception because it is spacious with ample parking. Besides, coordination was easy. For instance, our dinner was prepared there.

What was going through your mind during the ceremony?
Bernard: I kept wondering whether all our guests had attended. I felt like finding out whether they were fine and everything was in order, (being the perfectionist that I am).
Kevin: Given my background, I could not believe I was the one in the spotlight.

What did you enjoy about the day?
Bernard: The fact that my dad attended the church function and reception. He had been ill for four years, battling high blood pressure and stroke, which also impaired his speech.
Kevin: Spicy Group entertained the guests. Our guest were happy.

How was premarital counselling?
Benard: We went to Rubaga Cathedral every Tuesday for four months. I learnt how to manage my family, and the importance of prayer, loving my wife and offering my body to her. I also learnt that we have to stick together forever.
Kevin: They groomed us on how to handle a husband and also maintain our culture. Generally, the classes were about the dos and don’ts in marriage.

Your advice to those planning to wed?
Bernard: Do what is in your means. As you plan, ensure that the biggest percentage is coming from you. If you get excess from contributions, well and good, but do not rely on others because it is your wedding.
Kevin: When you wait long, you never go wrong. Give ample time to plan. Do not rush.

The deal
Date: Aug 6, 2016
Groom: Benard Kasoma
Bride: Kevin Mbazira
Venue (Church): Rubaga Cathedral
Reception: Forest Resort Park, Buloba
Guests: 1600
Honeymoon: Dubai

cake

The cake was custom-made by Trinity Cakes in Masaka. Its flavours were marble, strawberry and vanilla and part of it was made in the couple’s names. It cost Shs 6.2m.

offertory

While planning a wedding, be sure of what the church would prefer to receive during offertory. It is one way to give back to the church. The Kasomas preferred to buy altar wine and hosts for Rubaga Cathedral.

the proposal

He invited Kevin to Grand Imperial Hotel for a lunch date and it turned out that, he had planned to propose again with a bouquet of flowers.

Ring
The Kasomas’ double gold rings were from one of the bestmen’s contributions. He bought them from UK at Shs 4m and they were delivered through DHL.

bridesmaids
For Kevin, turquoise is romantic and has a calming effect on the eye. The bridesmaids wore peplum dresses with thigh-high slits for the unique day. They brightened this with yellow bouquets.