Solomon set a wedding date before proposal

When did you meet?
Solomon: It was at a party in town in 2014. We exchanged contacts, became friends and here we are.
Rita: It was at a wedding party at some hotel.

So, when did the two of you become close?
Solomon: I think communication made us so close, we could make regular phone calls and send text messages. Along the way we felt different about each other.
Rita: We used not to meet because we were both busy with work but the phone calls and texts were covering the gap.

Solomon, when did you propose?
Solomon: I sent her a text message to mark June 23, 2018 but I did not give her details therein.
Rita: On receiving the message, I got curious and asked why. He told me it would be our wedding date. At first I thought it was a joke.
In October 2017, he came for kukyaala to visit my parents and that is when I treated him more seriously.

The date you set became the proposal?
Solomon: I did not want to beat about the bush or follow the template others use. I just set a wedding date.

What attracted you to each other?
Solomon: Rita is down to earth regardless of her family status. She is hardworking, beautiful, loving , God-fearing and she has a golden heart.
Rita: Solomon is jovial and loves people. He is reliable, friendly, caring and prayerful.

What was your budget?
Solomon: Shs50m and we both contributed 70 per cent from our savings and 30 per cent was raised by friends and our family.

What was the most expensive item?
Solomon: Reception fees which comprised venue (Hotel Africana), food, drinks, and music cost Shs 27m.
Rita: Decor cost Shs6m by Dream Functions Ltd in Entebbe.

Did you involve a wedding planner?
Solomon: No, but we worked together with friends and our family including Mr and Mrs David Baligeya, Mr and Mrs David Kyeyune, and the chairman organising committee Jonathan Karuhanga. They did a great job to make our day colourful.

What was your wedding eve like?
Rita: I was having my hair styled, alongside a pedicure and manicure with my entourage.
Solomon: I was putting the final touches to everything, such as finalising payment for the venue, coordinating the decor service providers with hotel management and the chairman organising committee. At least by wedding day we had cleared all service providers.

What was your colour theme?
Solomon: Navy blue and white. I love white shirts and for suits, navy blue is one of my favourite colours.
Rita: Royal blue for the bridesmaids dresses because it is my favourite colour and, for changing attire, I chose white because its one of my husband’s favourite colours.

Did you go for premarital counselling?
Solomon: Yes, we had four sessions by Rev Festo Kalungi and Rev Samuel Muwonge of St Paul’s Cathedral Namirembe. I learnt many things including how to handle conflicts in marriage, managing finances as a couple and communication.
Rita: We were told to be friends even in marriage, be patient with each other, tolerate as well as respect and learn from each other.

Where did shop for your attire?
Solomon: My suit was tailored by The Looks opposite American Embassy at Shs1.1m.
Rita: The gown was tailored by Olivia Nanfuka from NFKA-Sseguku at Shs2m.
I chose the shoes from Davids Bridals, the changing and maids dresses were made by Michael at City Centre Complex and then we got the rings from one of the shops at Sheraton Hotel Kampala.

What was the most exciting moment on your wedding?
Solomon: The ride which comprised Jaguars. The drivers were pleasant and made us feel like we were going to heaven.
Rita: Walking down the aisle accompanied by a special song.

Who comprised your entourage?
Solomon: Martin Mwesigwa Menya my best man is my cousin who also married this year in May. The groomsmen were Joshua Mukova, Jonah Mukova who are my cousins, Dan Mwanda my nephew and Robert Bugingo is my brother -in-law.
Rita : My matron was Esther Catherine Kato my childhood friend. Some people say that we resemble and call us twins.
Then bridesmaids were my younger sisters including Rachael Nabunya, Manuela Mulinde, Viola Nansamba and Joana Tendo.

Did you have any debts after the wedding?
Solomon : No, we started to plan for our wedding in October last year.

Were you disappointed during the wedding?
Solomon: I did not get any disappointment, everything was okay. All service providers met our expectations.
Rita : Not at all, everything went on as perfectly as we had planned.

Did you think of going for honeymoon as vital?
Solomon : It was vital but we have not yet gone. We think its not among our priorities at the moment.

What is your advice to those planning to wed?
Solomon: They should plan early and stop relying on others’ finances.
Before you set a wedding date, you must ensure that you have at least 50 per cent of the budget. Then involve the well-wishers, friends and family to top up.
Because once people are going to manage for you the budget, they will dictate what to put and what you should have but when you manage it well, I think its you to dictate what to have and what to leave.
Rita: Those planning to wed should plan early.
They should make sure that they get good service providers who are tasted.
Because when you have a wedding and you get a service provider who has not delivered, you may end up going to the hospital.
They should take everything easy not to stress themselves because of a wedding, when you get to a place and something has failed, just smile.