I was just smitten by the intern

Flavia and Peter cut the ribbon at the bridal arch at the reception.

What you need to know:

I DO CHERISH. Peter Mukwana, the Managing Director of Skymark Consulting Limited, and Flavia Nakamatte Mukwana, the project manager of Finance Trust Bank, wed at Makerere Full gospel Church. They shared their story with Esther Oluka.

How did you meet?
Peter: Flavia joined Save Consulting Limited in 2009 as the projects officer. I had been at the company since 2001 where I was one of the directors. So, I was one of the people she reported to. I must admit that from the very first day she came to work, I was smitten. I liked her, and the feelings towards her grew gradually.
Flavia: I felt the same way as Peter. I also had feelings for him but I did not want to jump into a relationship straight away. I was in a bad relationship at the time with another man and I was focusing on ending it before eventually moving on.

When did you eventually date?
Flavia: It was around 2010 when I ended the relationship and this was about the same time when Peter and I started being very open to each other. As time passed, we grew very close and started dating officially, the same year. We had our introduction on October 12, 2011 before officially holding our wedding on 22, the same month and year.

After you came up with this final date of the wedding, how did you decide to finance it?
Peter: From our own savings. We never arranged any wedding meetings because we did not want to bother anyone to contribute to our function.
Flavia: Also, we had planned for it from March. So, by the time it reached October, we were ready.

Didn’t you encounter any challenges as you planned for the ceremony by yourselves?
Peter: Not at all since we had enough money to cater for the different wedding expenses including service providers.

Break down the costs of your wear
Flavia: The bridal shoes: The low heeled silvered shoes were bought at Shs250,000.
The bride’s changing dress: The turquoise and white coloured dress was bought from His Grace boutique at Kamu Kamu plaza at Shs700,000.
Gown: The gown from today’s bridals was hired at Shs500,000.

Which part of the wedding did you enjoy the most?
Peter: It was during the time of opening the veil. Flavia’s face looked very beautiful at that particular moment.
Flavia: It was during the exchange of the vows in church since that was when I was pronounced as Peter’s wife.

And then what was your worst moment?
Peter: The time someone was sent to our reception to deliver Flavia’s passport. She had to attend a conference in Lima, Peru that same day.
I was quite sad because we had to leave the reception early at about 7pm so that she could catch her flight at 10pm.
Flavia: I just kept wishing that both of my parents were alive, they would have witnessed one of the best moments in my life.

How big was each of your entourage?
Peter: I only had a best man and page boy.
Flavia: I had my maid of honour and four bridesmaids.

Is there anything that you wished didn’t happen during your wedding day?
Flavia: I wish I had not flown out of the country for a work conference on my wedding day.
Peter: I wished she had not travelled on that particular day. It was what even prevented us from having a honeymoon soon after the wedding.

Flavia, did you break down at one point while being driven to the airport to catch your flight?
I tried to be really strong on the way but as I was bidding farewell to my husband at the airport, I broke down. That moment was very emotional for me.

Do you feel that most of today’s introduction and wedding ceremonies are extravagant?
Peter: I think so. Some people have started using those kinds of events to show off how much money they have. I think that day should be for showing your wife love and enjoying the moment.
Flavia: I agree with Peter. There is a couple that I even heard that invested Shs1.5billion on a wedding. Can you imagine? Only on a wedding?

If you had another opportunity to redo your wedding, what would you do differently?
Peter: I would get a perfectly fitting trendy suit. I felt that the one I wore for my wedding was loose and wasn’t that trendy.
Flavia: I would not fly out of the country on my wedding day for whatever reason. Even if it were work-related.

Any advice for anyone out there planning to wed...
Peter: Yes, I do. Never plan your function on the basis that you will use the money that you will get from people’s contributions.
Making people contribute towards your wedding is just disturbing them. Plan and organise something that is within and not beyond your means.
Flavia: I agree with Peter. Organise a wedding that is within your means. Do not force people to contribute to your wedding.