BRIDE: Janet Jebiwot Rotich
GROOM: Jonathan Tito Murage
GUESTS: 500
CEREMONY/ RECEPTION: Ridgeways Park
BUDGET: Sh3million
FIRST DATE
Janet: It was Sunday June 22, 2011, at around 6pm when I visited a local kiosk. It was on my way back that I met Tito – whom I though was really handsome – chatting away with my neighbour who happened to be a friend from high school. I said hello and my neighbour introduced me to him.
He offered to walk me to our gate where I gave him a lingering glance, which I hoped conveyed how smitten I was already. Since that day, he would frequent our neighbourhood where we would meet and talk. After playing hard to get for a while, I eventually gave him a chance, as it was what I wanted deep inside.
Tito: I was visiting a friend in South B when he introduced me to Janet. I remember she had bought some carrots, yoghurt and lemons. Talking to her revealed how well-mannered and honest she was, and I was hooked. The more I got to know her, the more I fell in love with her.
THE PROPOSAL
Tito: I pointed out that since we started dating, we had never had any official photo shoot. I, therefore, suggested we should have one done and that my sister had recommended a good photographer. However, since the said photographer would be engaged in a wedding at Sopa Lodge in Naivasha on the said day, we would have to travel to Naivasha.
Janet: On arrival, he informed me that due to the strenuous day the photographer had, he would not make it for our photo shoot, but he would be there first thing the next morning – November 30, 2013 - to attend to us. We, therefore, needed to find a place to spend the night.
Tito: We went to Enashipai Resort and Spa, where I booked her a spa session – I knew she liked spa treatments.
Janet: After the spa session, which I enjoyed immensely, we had dinner before he suggested we have dessert, an idea I was not up to since I was stuffed. After he insisted that the white chocolate was the chef’s special dessert for couples, I caved in. With the chocolate melting so fast, I had to take it speedily before I found the ring in the middle of it. It was a splendid surprise especially since we had even talked about having children together and had seen myself with him in the future.
THE DRAMA
Janet: Our biggest challenge was scouting for a venue. My vision for the wedding was on a private garden with well manicured lawns. So my first choice was Safari Park but included in the booking of their gardens was the wedding cake. We had to look for an alternative as we already had our fermented cake made in April. Fifteen venues later, we scored our ideal grounds and while at it, we found the tent guys clearing out and we liked what we saw. We ended up hiring the same tents for our wedding.
I changed my mind about the wedding gown two weeks to the wedding, to one that would be an unusual choice for most brides. My initial pick was a princess-like gown, which for some reason I did not resonate with. I remembered Indian fashion designer, Shenu whom I had met at Samantha’s Bridal and I asked her to make me a gown. She took three days to make it and three more days to ship it. I was very impressed by the results. While most of my friends like the out-of-the-box idea of a gown, most did not like it. They asked why I could not go for a white gown as is the custom of brides. The beauty of it is, we didn’t care what people thought. It was our union, not theirs.
WITH HINDSIGHT
Tito: Do not be an extremist when it comes to your wedding. You should emphasise on the marriage and not the wedding. Premarital classes can be quite the eyeopener. Through the classes we learnt how to work through different situations. We enjoyed the classes so much that we never missed even one.
Janet: My advice to couples would be to do their wedding within their budget no matter how small. Do not depend on people to chip in for your wedding. I advise strongly against borrowing to finance the wedding. Be open minded. You may want to have your wedding during the off peak season. Then you can be sure the vendors will deliver, the venues will be available and you will get services for cheaper.
PHOTOS: BEN & GATHONI KIRUTHI
TEXT: ROSE KWAMBOKA
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