Someone recommended him as a good painter

TILL DEATH DO US PART.

When and how did you meet?
Daniel: I met Teddy in 2013 at her school in Kyengera. She had called me to paint her school and she had to send me the money by mobile money, so I took her contact. We kept on chatting and she would ask me about work. We were friends first until I realised she was a good mother from the way she handled children at her kindergarten.
Teddy: When I was starting my school, someone recommended Daniel as a good painter. He came and did a very good job. We exchanged contacts and would chat. I loved the way he talked to me but I kept it at that. We were just friends.

When did you become close?
Daniel: She understood me and I felt I would trust her. I talked to her about my finances in 2014. I took our friendship to another level in mid-2014.
Teddy: After a year, I could tell a lot about him. We became boy and girlfriend. I would sometimes lie to my parents that I was going to spend a weekend night at my friend’s and would go to Daniel. When he visited my parents in September 2015, I started spending weekends and holidays at his home and then my parents were aware.

What attracted you to each other?
Daniel: Describing her is hard. She is self-driven, loving and caring in that she can notice when I am not well. She is a replacement of my mother. She loved me the way I was. A dirty painter!
Teddy: I wanted a man who has family values. Daniel is humble, God-fearing, creative and friendly. He was indeed friendly in that before we became boy and girlfriend, he would counsel me because I was in a confusing relationship but he would encourage me.

How did you come up with the wedding date?
Daniel: Our sisters live in London and their children were to be our maids. We scheduled August because it is holiday time for the children and our sisters would witness our wedding.

When and how did he propose to you?
Teddy: Unlike in movies where one kneels saying, “Will you marry me?” In August 2014, Daniel asked me to go and see his mother. I was very nervous. I shopped for a long dress despite the fact that I had many already. I had to make first impressions. When we returned, he gave me an ultimatum that by the end of September, he must have visited my parents. Even when he was not direct, I know what he meant. It was a nice feeling. My heart leapt with joy.

What was your budget and how did you raise the funds?
Daniel: Shs 32 m. We had joint meetings at our home every Sunday for three months. Relatives and some friends contributed.

Did you involve a planner?
Teddy: No. we did not need one. I planned it myself since it is the business I used to do before I became the director of the kindergarten. It was a way of cutting costs.

How did you come up with the guest list?
Daniel: We agreed to invite our relatives first and then friends. We had cards for a few people, invited others verbally and the rest using text messages.

What were you doing on your wedding eve?
Daniel: I was ensuring that everything was in place. I did not want any more disappointments like the rings.
Teddy: I was resting since my introduction was on the previous day. In the evening I went to the salon to fix the foundation of my hair.

Were you disappointed in any way?
Daniel: We were not able to have our dream rings. They have to be sent back to London and a friend will bring them to us when he comes home.
Teddy: Nothing, besides the rings.

What was your happiest moment?
Daniel: Time we went out of church, I knew it was finished. She was now my wife! I always looked forward to that moment.
Teddy: When he put the ring on my finger, I could not believe it. I kept smiling throughout the service. I was excited by the enormous congregation that came to witness our wedding.

How did you cut the costs?
Daniel: We left out some items such as changing suit for men. From the church service, we only changed belts and bow ties. We wanted to have a mobile studio but it would make the budget exorbitant.
Teddy: It was about choosing the right service providers who would deliver the best. My reception décor cost Shs 4m but it looked superb. You can therefore have good services delivered at lower prices if you know your service providers.

Where did you buy her ring from?
Daniel: We did last minute shopping of the rings from Uganda Bookshop. We had ordered rings for $1000 online but they have been held at the airport by Uganda Revenue Authority that we have to pay Shs 1.9 m as tax for them.

Did you go for premarital counselling? What did you learn from it?
Daniel: I learnt never to start what I cannot finish. For example, if I started cooking, I should be able to cook the entire meal. I also know that I am not marrying an angel but we must remain strong in prayer.
Teddy: Communication is an important tool for problem-solving. We were taught how to control anger; for example if he annoys you, you first calm down then talk to him other than screaming at him in anger.

What is your advice to those planning to wed?
Daniel: Getting married is a nice feeling but a lifetime commitment. Be decided and know the person you are marrying. Be yourself and do not pretend to be what you are not. Let your partner know your real character.
Teddy: As girls, we always have a list of the must-have character traits in a husband to-be. Never get compromised to remove the first four character traits. Be organised, coordinate but also be aware of disappointments especially from people who pledge.

Do you believe in sex before marriage?
Teddy: I have no problem with that. It depends on the couple’s commitment. The counsellor said if you felt sex before marriage was a sin, even after marriage, the person feels disgusted and this would end up ruining your marriage.

Did you have unpaid bills after the wedding?
Daniel: We cleared all our bills except for the few things such as the broken glasses and bottles at the reception as well as the lost crates of soda and transportation of food since the car we had hired broke down.

Attire
Teddy ordered her wedding dress; the changing dress and the maids wear from ebay. For the groom’s wear, groomsman and grooms men, the couple had a particular fashion, bought the material and took to a tailor whose work they had seen before for their suits.