The lovely couple after being declared one.

After meeting Fanne in computer class right after high school, Justin asked her out, but Fanne was too shy and took off

Bride: Fanne Kerubo

Groom: Justin Mwambi

Venue: Fahari Gardens Hotel

No of guests: 450

Budget: Sh500,000

Date of Wedding: 12.12.12

Interview by Maureen Akinyi

Describe the first time you met.

Fanne: We met in a computer class right after high school. He asked me out, but I was too shy I took off. He never asked again, so we all went out and dated other people, yet remained close friends. Fate brought us back together.

What struck you about her to the point of proposing?

Justin: So many little things; her eyes, her smile, but what made me propose was really her heart. She has a ‘gi-nomous’ heart. She is the kind of person who would drop everything she is doing, no matter how important, to tend to you!

How did he propose?

Fanne: I was at home preparing a meal for him one evening as I knew he was working late. When he got home, he didn’t know how to make me leave the room so he could set it up, so he forcefully made me to go buy some more spices that are rare to find, so that he had time to set up the place. When I got back, he was down on his knees and the living room was magical.

How did she react?

Justin: Well she did the usual ‘chic thing’ shaking her hands in excitement. My wife talks a lot, but this was the first she was lost for words. The tears flowed freely and it was the most exciting day of our lives.

How long did the wedding process take?

Justin: It took us about nine and a half months.

What major challenges did you encounter?

Fanne: We had a lot of disagreements, especially when we were planning the dowry payment. It took us days of communicating and negotiating to reach a good deal. We also had trouble getting the supplies at a reasonable cost. We had picked a peak season for our wedding, and everything we could find was at its highest cost.

What was the most memorable part of the wedding ceremony?

Fanne: Justin could not wait to kiss his bride! He stripped off his jacket and to be in sync. I also threw off my veil! Then we danced and danced…

Did you go for pre-marital counselling, what lessons did you learn?

Fanne: We attended counselling for two months. We learnt that we are different because of how we are bred and what our parents’ marriages are like. We learnt that it will take us seven years in marriage to finally understand each other!

Where and how was the honeymoon?

Fanne: We had a simple honeymoon plan. It was over Christmas and many places were fully booked, so we had a romantic getaway.

We travelled to the shores of Lake Nakuru and enjoyed a beautiful and serene environment talking, whispering and gazing into each other’s eyes…

Why did you choose your colour scheme?

Fanne: I love earth colours and it was also my childhood dream to have a Western influenced wedding. Justin let me do the picking as long as I would not make him wear girlish colours!

Tell us the highs and lows of the whole process that culminated into the wedding ceremony?

Fanne: Low points were few. We got some disappointments from those we expected so much from, and there were delays from a few service providers.

Our highs were many. I enjoyed reading and looking up ideas, cake tasting and the mere excitement that we would finally be man and wife.

What would you advise love birds planning to wed soon?

Fanne: Enjoy the whole planning process as you will learn so much from it; even those fights help you understand each other more, and they help you take your marriage seriously!

What are some of the adjustments you have had to make now that you are married?

We now have to strike a balance and share our time with our in-laws, so I communicate more with Justin’s parents and he also does the same with mine. We also feel positively different now that it’s official. It’s more peaceful and calm having so many blessings from God, our family and friends. Being called the Mwambi’s feels awesome!