John Musisi met Lilian at a shop

How did you meet?
John: I met Lilian at a shop where I had gone to buy some items. However, I had previously seen her at Lebanon Church, Mukono.
Lilian: John came to my shop to buy a bag and we chatted, then became friends.

How did you get close?
John: It was at a conference organised by Lebanon Church, I sat near her and requested to pay a visit to her place.

What attracted you to each other?
John: She is reserved and I also took time to understand her. When we met, I felt she would make a good wife. She had the qualities of my dream wife.
Lilian: His voice is very good because he used to sing in church and he was always smart.

Did he propose to you?
Lilian: Yes, since we used to meet frequently at conferences, one day, we sat next to each other and had a chat. He asked me if I liked children, and if i liked married people then i told him that those were my dreams and then he proposed to me.

How did you feel?
John: I felt good because I had got a woman of my dreams who is polite.
Lilian: I was the happiest since i wanted be to engaged.

For how long did you date?
John: For eight months and I felt ready for marriage.

Then how did you start talking of marriage?
John: It took me time to tell her about marriage because i wanted to find out if she had hidden something from me but after I gave her the option of marriage, she welcomed it.

When did you come up with a wedding date?
John: After getting closer, we made decisions though she was richer than me, she was self-employed and actually contributed much towards the wedding date.

How did you raise the money?
John: God had mercy and people contributed for me and I thank my relatives and friends.

Anything particular you considered while shopping for the day?
Lilian: We shopped according to the decoration of the party, I was very keen with the type of gown because I wanted a dress that could bring out my figure and I also wanted a lighter gown and nice gold rings.

Where did you shop for the rings?
Lilian: We shopped at Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza, Kampala.

What are they made of and how much did they cost?
Lilian The rings are made of gold and they each cost Shs100,000
What was the most expensive item?
John: The suit cost me Shs 300,000 from Pioneer Mall, Kampala.
Lilian: The gown, which we hired at Shs250,000 was from the same place

What went through your mind during the ceremony?
Lilian: It felt like a dream come true.
John: I was imagining what people were thinking of my party especially those who had previously invited me to theirs.

Did you go for premarital counselling?
John: Yes, Pastor Samuel Lwandasa at Lebanon Church. I learnt how to handle my wife and to overcome challenges in marriage and also to always solve issues in the bedroom than letting everybody know.
Lilian: How to treat my husband when angry, and to respect him.

What were you doing on your wedding eve?
John: I slept for a short time and woke up, I was so busy and pressure mounted because I was the one running everything, money was not enough. I had to devise means to fill the gaps after people had failed to honour their pledges.
Lilian: I went to the salon.

Were you disappointed in any way?
John: Yes, in people who did not honour their pledges. Some who had promised Shs 200,000 gave me Shs50,000. My budget was challenging since some items had not been cleared.

What did you enjoy most?
John: I liked my suit and Lilian’s gown because they looked good on us, and the many big gifts we received.
Lilian: I enjoyed walking with my husband especially at the reception. The music played at the reception was very good.

What would you do given a chance to re-wed?
John: I would make 60 per cent of my budget than relying on people and I would also improve on the food.
Lilian: I would improve on the decoration at the reception.

What were some of the challenges you encountered?
John: Bringing together friends was not easy as some of them did not turn up and also some people failed to fulfil their promises in time.
Lilian: getting people to attend meetings was really a challenge.

How do you advise those who plan to wed?
John: They should use the little money they have to legalise their marriages because money is never enough.
Lilian: Ladies, always be patient because one gets a better partner after being patient.

Did you go for honeymoon?
Lilian: Yes, but it is our secret.