SAMANTHAS BRIDAL ISSUE 7

Issue 7 Kshs. 950/Tsh. 24,700/Ush. 16,150

EAST OR WEST HOME IS BEST Nadege and Jonathan flew backhome to share their day with friends and family at an eventful one week ceremony at the Tamarind Dhow

REVIVING COUNTRY LOVE Claire and Silas chose wheat as their theme and further complemented this by using country colours at their farm wedding in Eldoret

UNFORGETABLE Claudia and Philip celebrated their engagement at a phenominal revolving restaurant at the acclaimed Seattle needle station

A PRIVATE AFFAIR Lula and Barnie went through a tough office romance that proved worth it in the end.

and much more INSIDE

Simply Inspiring Real Weddings

more ideas… …more solutions

FIND IT ALL IN SAMANTHA’S BRIDAL

W

ith a dress that speaks to her herritage, a personal style or size, and accessories old, new, and borrowed, each bride finds a unique and beautiful way to make a special statement on her wedding day.

At the same time we are spreading the love with the brides companion ( ensure you get a copy). One might actually say that the brides companion, the latest product from Samantha’s Bridal was a labour of love. We have created it to accompany you through the planning process from the moment you are engaged to your wedding

Samantha’s Bridal has been covering real weddings, a mix of heart felt moments,

day. It is filled with very helpful information, worksheets, timelines, checklists,

exquisite gowns and jewellery, stylish hair and make up and jaw dropping décor

beautiful photographs to help you organise the many details that make up a wedding

; all capped off with one really terrific wedding reception party. Readers have

day.

become so fascinated with this fabulous affair that we have created the real wedding magazine that showcases real weddings and helps brides get inspiration to plan their own big day.

Enjoy!

Dr. Catherine Masitsa Rozsa

Fairy tales do come true

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Read bout the Victorian wedding in issue no. 5 still on sale.

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Contents 12

144

86

72

134

50

106

126

164

12. EAST OR WEST HOME IS BEST

86. HOME AWAY FROM HOME

134. BEYOND CHANCE

Nadege and Jonathan flew backhome to share their day

Suzan and Joseph met in London and found everlasting

Millie and John exchnaged their vows in an afternoon

with friends and family at an eventful one week ceremony

companionship

christian garden ceremony

50. REVIVING COUNTRY LOVE

106. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

144. UNFORGETABLE

Claire and Silas chose wheat as their theme and further

Agatha and Michael wrapped up their meeting, courtship

Claudia and Philip celebrated their engagement at a

complemented this by using country colours

and wedding in eight months

phenominal revolving restaurant at the acclaimed Seattle

72. PERFECT PAIR

126. MY KNIGHT IN SHINNING

Kamah had been in a dilemma until a golden chance

ARMOUR

164. A PRIVATE AFFAIR

presented itself and he poured out his feelings to Monje

Christine met Robert at a party and felt instant chemistry

Lula and Barnie went through a tough office romance that

needle station

proved worth it in the end.

CONGRATULATIONS - YOUR’E ENGAGED Planning the most important day of your life can be overwhelming, but with the help of this planner and organiser planning will be very exciting.

WHAT YOU WILL FIND INSIDE: 1. A VERY DETAILED WEDDING PLANNING CHECKLIST that lists everything you need to do or consider when planning your wedding and the best time frame in which to accomplish each activity.

2. BUDGET ANALYSIS A comprehensive and detailed budget analysis, listing all the expenses that are typically incurred in a wedding. This will enable you to have a clear indication of your total budget.

3. A DETAILED DESCRIPTION of each item in the budget including: Options, Things To Consider, Questions To Ask, Things To Beware Of, Tips To Save Money and Price Ranges.

4. WEDDING TIMELINES for your bridal party as well as your service providers. Use these timelines to keep everyone on schedule.

5. THE PINK PAGES have a comprehensive list of service providers but be sure to also get hold of the regular Samantha’s bridal wedding magazine available on news stands for an

updated list.

6. WEDDING TRADITIONS- we have gone an extra mile to explain to you the symbolic meaning and historical origin of some common wedding traditions and a list of “Do’s” and “Don’ts ” when planning your wedding.

7. SERVICE PROVIDERS COMPARISON CHARTS will prompt you to ask the right questions when interviewing each vendor. Write down the responses you receive, later objectively evaluate exactly what you will be getting for your money by comparing each answer..

Straplesss mermaid gown with beading embroidery lace, chapel train. Available in white and ivory. Malaika Brides Tel: 554399, 0721352511, 0735352511. Hair: Corrine Tel: 247892, 0721515927

A

s a ritual of the heart, marriage is an intimate aspect of two lives bound into one with ties of love, endurance and dreams. Every bride dreams of an unforgettable wedding and judging by our real brides’

testimonies, thoughtful planning and dedication to your ideas will flip your life long fantasies into splendid and authentic reality.

Christine was determined to have a dream colour scheme and went through turmoil of emotions to find the perfect venue when she said I do to Robert while Nadege and Jonathan put in all their energy and time to celebrate their twelve-year relationship in an eventful one-week ceremony that included a sumptuous reception dinner on a Dhow. Being wheat farmers, Claire and Silas opted for country colours to revive their love at their farm wedding. Philip and Claudia on the other hand rekindled their love after five years to tie the knot after Philip’s proposal during a magical holiday just like Joseph dazzled Suzan with a romantic dinner proposal. Lula went all the way to look like a princess in her wedding dress at her civil wedding with Barnie. Millie had butterflies and couldn’t help the what if ’s on the morning she wedded John in an easy afternoon garden setting and thanks to careful planning, Mercy and Samuel got the satisfaction of exchanging their vows in a paradise of flowers just like they wanted. We love weddings and have passionately thought out every detail of your wedding for you, so just like Agatha when she arrived like a queen to walk into the waiting arms of Jonathan, put your best foot forward and hold your head high as you let your dream for that special day lead you into the arms of the man of your dreams.

Christabel Ododa

CEO - Prof. Andras Rozsa Editor - Dr. Catherine Masitsa Rozsa Sub-Editor - Christabel Ododa Sales & Marketing - Collet Philipe Ltd Creative direction & Layout - Patrick Sikuku Assistant Design & Layout - Edward Nderi

Samantha’s bridal is published Bi-annually by BAUHAUS LTD Tel: 2734788, 2734840, 2729647, P.O. Box 10113-00100 Nairobi. E-mail: Collet@wananchi.com Editorial Remarks: The product and service information in this magazine was supplied by the suppliers. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of information provided and the reliability of the suppliers; The Publisher and it’s affiliated companies does not accept responsibility for the quality of goods and services, any damages and inconveniences that may arise. All Materials or adverts created by the Publisher are Copyright of Bauhaus Ltd and may not be recreated in part or in whole without prior consent of the publishers.

Nadege Dubois & Jonathan Seex Wedding Date: 9th July 2007 Ceremony: Holy Ghost Cathedral - Mombasa Reception: Tamarind Restaurant Mombasa Wedding Dinner: Tamarind Dhow Photos By: Sarah Penfold Story By: Christabel Ododa

Nadege and Jonathan celebrated their twelve-year relationship in an eventful one-week ceremony that saw the two lovebirds exchange their vows in an intimate Christian ceremony followed by a sumptuous reception dinner on the spectacular Tamarind Dhow. They toasted Dom Perignon 1999 and chartered a private plane the next day flying all their guests to the Mara for an after the ceremony safari.

“We wanted to share our special moment with family and close friends. That way we could go all the way and have a five star, first class event.” Says Nadege. True to her words, the newly weds went all the way to spoil their guests with numerous dinners and wedding gifts for the active seven day event in appreciation of their presence on the couple’s big day.

The Beginning: Their love story traces back to their common interest in the hospitality industry. Jonathan’s late father, Christopher Seex, attended Glion Hotel School in 1965 before coming back to Kenya. In 1973 Chris Seex and his Swedish wife Britt-Marie started the Tamarind Mombasa. That was to be followed by the equally successful restaurants the Nairobi Tamarind and the Carnivore. Growing up as a hotelier’s son, Jonathan decided to follow in his parent’s footsteps so thirty years later, he enrolled in the same renowned hotel school in Switzerland where he met Nadege and soon they were sharing more than the same lessons.

The Proposal: After school, they both moved to the States to work in Florida and then to North Carolina. It was in between two jobs that they decided it was time. Jonathan, however, says that had it not been for Nadege’s stubbornness, they would have been married a long time ago. A comment Nadege says is not true and blames their long courtship on demanding jobs that left them no time to plan. This changed, however, when Jonathan popped the big question that blew Nadege away. “It was on the 4th of July 2006, in North Carolina. “We were running a resort up there so we went out in a boat on the lake to watch the traditional Fourth of July fireworks. It was beautiful. Jonathan set up a table inside the

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East or West Home is Best

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boat with silverware and glassware, we ate lobster and there was

to welcome them at the airport. We used the Chairman of

a bottle of champagne. It was very nice, a beautiful proposal. By

Southern Cross Safaris, Mike Kirkland, (Southern Cross

this time we had known each other for eleven years so I said yes.”

Safaris Ltd, Tel: 040-475074/5/6 E-mail: info@

Nadege blushes.

southercrosssafaris.com, www.southerncrosssafaris.com), a close friend of my parents, as the incoming tour operator. He

Setting the date:

helped us organize transportation to and from the airport and

“We knew we were going to get married in 2007, I guess, but we

arranged for somebody to meet our guests at Nairobi airport.

were not sure if we were going to do it in France or Kenya but

Some of our French guests could not speak English so it was

by April we decided to have our wedding in Kenya, so we started

good to have someone who would meet them and guide them

getting organized.” They say.

to the domestic terminal at the airport and pick them up again from Mombasa airport.” Says Jonathan.

Planning: “It was just impossible to put a wedding together because my

Guest List:

family is in France and Jonathan’s is in Sweden and Kenya. In

Most of the guests flew in from France and Sweden, and some

the US we could only get ten days’ leave in a year and planning

came as far as from the States. To appreciate their effort, Jonathan

anything was very difficult so we decided to leave the United

and Nadege decided to have a plan that would not only bring their

States and start something new.” Says Nadege.

guests to their wedding, but would also serve as a short vacation, so they planned a one-week wedding. “We had one guest coming

They could not be in Kenya until one month before the wedding

from New York, two from Miami so they all had to go through

and the main challenge, they say, was the fact that they had to

London, London-Nairobi, Nairobi-Mombasa and that is one long

have a bilingual wedding owing to the fact that Nadege is French

flight.” Nadege says.

and Jonathan is Kenyan.

The couple’s invitation was such that the guests received an “Since we are both in the hotel industry, it was easy to turn

invitation to the wedding and another invitation to come to

ourselves into tour operators and we planned every detail

Kenya with a detailed itinerary with all the events for the entire

from finding flights for our guests to having someone present

week. Although they were travelling at different times and days,

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all the guests had checked in at the Tamarind Village by the

“I was fine until my mom and maid of honour helped me into

sixth of July. Tamarind Village, Tel: (0) 41-474-600/1/2,

my dress, then I started to get really nervous. It dawned on me

E-mail: village@tamarindmsa.co.ke, www.tamarind.co.ke

that there was no turning back, but my photographer Sarah Penfold cheered me up and all was well.” Nadege says. Sarah

Fashion:

Penfold Professional Photographer, Tel: 0722-535 575

French people love dancing and knowing this, the bride choose a simple, light flexible bridal gown. She was stunning in a Max

The bride rode to church in the company of her father and maid

Chaoul couture from Paris; she wore a beautiful flower headpiece

of honour to exchange the vows at the Holy Ghost Cathedral,

from Authentic Panama and comfortable Charles Jourdan shoes

Mombasa and just like in the French way, Jonathan and Nadege

and carried a bouquet of orchids for a complete look. The groom

kept it simple. “I had Sophie, my maid of honour serve as the

complemented his bride in a dark Lanvin de Paris suit matched

witness and Jonathan’s best man, Fredrik Hamberg, served as his

with a silver cravat.

witness. The décor was simple but elegant with eight centrepieces and wonderful singing by the Kongowea choir. We wanted

Wedding day:

an African choir for their lovely singing and to accentuate our

Even though they were staying in the same premises, the groom

wedding in Africa.” She adds.

did not see his bride on the morning of the wedding until she arrived in church. “I had a separate apartment with my maid of

The Ceremony:

honour and my mom. All the ladies had manicures, pedicures,

The wedding celebrations started already on Saturday 7 July

and massages at the Spa Uzuri in preparation for the day.” Says

when all the guests were treated to a welcome buffet style al

the bride. Jonathan was not left out either. As the bride was

fresco dinner at the Lido Bar at the Tamarind Village. The

getting ready with a professional make up done by Jonathan’s

second day was a moonlit rehearsal dinner at the Tamarind

sister, Joanna, the groom was getting a relaxing doze of a head,

restaurant in preparation for the next day – the wedding day.

neck and body massage.

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(Tamarind Mombasa, Tel: (0) 41-474-600/1/2,

Chilli Crab, lobster or ostrich for the main course. Dessert was

E-mail: info@tamarindmsa.co.ke, www.tamarind.co.ke.)

Tamarind’s traditional Coupe Bahari.

The couple exchanged their vows in a lively Christian ceremony held at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Mombasa. The bride and

Come wedding day, Jonathan and Nadege decided on a formal

groom treated their guests to an elaborate wedding dinner

meal aboard the dhow and treated their guests to Singapore

aboard the Tamarind Dhow and partied until the wee hours

seafood salads and Mini lobster mojo for starters, followed by

of the morning, grabbing just a few hours of sleep to wake up

Calvados, which in France is often drunk between the starter and

to a brunch as they nursed their hangovers on the fourth day.

the main course. In this case it was a Trou Normand consisting of

(Ocean Dhows

a Calvados 1944 brought to the wedding by the bride’s parents,

Tel: 041-474-600/1/2, E-mail: dhow@tamarindmsa.

served with an apple sorbet.

co.ke, www.tamarind.co.ke) For the main course a choice of Swahili seafood, grilled lobster, Menus:

beef fillet or king prawns were served. The wedding cake was

The welcome dinner was a casual, outdoor function with no place

typically French – a pièce montée. Filled with crème patissière

cards but the menu reflected the classics of the Tamarind. The

and glazed with caramel, hundreds of small profiteroles are

guests were treated to cocktail reception before proceeding to a

assembled into a two-foot tall cone that the bridal couple cut late

buffet style served meal. “We had a cold and hot seafood station

in the night.

where everything was displayed in a dug-out canoe and another for grilled shrimp and meat. Then of course a delicious dessert

The theme on the dhow depicted an Arabian night with gold

followed. After dinner they all danced around the pool and the

colours dominating the décor. A coffee lounge complete with

guests retired at their own time.” They say.

Hisha pipes, Arabian coffee and Miraa coffee sustained the guests during the night. “We decided on an exotic arrangement with no

The Rehearsal dinner at the Tamarind restaurant saw the guests

specific colour theme for the welcome dinner. For the rehearsal

start off with Prawn cocktail and avocado followed by Crab

dinner we had burgundy table overlays and flowers in white

moneybag, then a refreshing Tangerine sorbet before delving into

and yellow, and for the wedding dinner, cream and baby green

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dominated.” Nadege says of their choice of décor.

thanking him or her for taking the time to come and join us in our celebration. The package included short information on the

After a night of partying, brunch was served the next day at the

origin of kikoy.” Nadege says.

pool offering Tamarind’s famous Dawa, to relieve the bridal couple and their guests of hangovers. At all the dinners both

Jonathan says one of their greatest ideas was their place cards.

French and English menus were available.

For the rehearsal dinner all the men had the carving of a baboon with the name of the guest and the ladies had a giraffe sitting on

Wedding favours:

the edge of the table with the name of the guest hanging from the

Jonathan and Nadege were not just thinking of themselves. They

mouth! Inspired by carvings the couple had seen at the coast, they

decided to give their guests a gift to take home as a memory of

drew the design and gave it to the craftsman together with the

each day. “We wanted to have a wedding of a lifetime, and we

guests’ names to have them carved on each place card.

wanted our guests to have a memory that would last for ever.

As a welcome gift we arranged for Kikoys - one colour for the

For the wedding dinner, they had had miniature dhows with the

girls and another for the boys. We neatly folded and placed them

name of each guest painted on it for place cards. “The mini-dhow

under each guest’s pillow in their rooms with a personal letter

had our names and the guest’s name on one side and the name of

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our Dhow (Nawalilkher) which means gateway to heaven) and the

straight into the bush where we found a pitched tent, a lit fire and

wedding date on the other.” Nadege says. In addition each guest

a magnificent table set up. There was an excellent buffet. After

received an Almond box with their initials carved on it, made by

a glorious dinner 20 Maasai stormed the dinner table, dancing

Akamba carvers.

and jumping. What an evening! After the Mara we flew to Wilson Airport and drove to the Nairobi National Park where we enjoyed

After the party:

a very nice picnic catered by the Carnivore Restaurant. We then

The following day they all set off to the Masai Mara. “It was

visited Daphne Sheldrick’s elephant orphanage and ended our

incredible, we chartered a private plane from Mombasa airport,

trip by visiting Giraffe Manor. We drove back to the Carnivore for

flew to Siana Springs and stayed there for four days. (Siana

the big farewell dinner after which all our guests were driven to the

Springs, Tel: 050-22553, E-mail: siana@africaonline.

airport to catch their flights back home.” They say. (Carnivore

co.ke)

Restaurant, Tel 020 - 605933/4, E-mail: reservations@ carnivore.co.ke, www.tamarind.co.ke)

During this time we enjoyed doing many activities like game drives and a balloon safari that was amazing. There was 19 of

In hindsight:

us travelling to the Mara and 14 did the balloon safari, so we

Jonathan and Nadege gives first hand advice: “You need to know

had one big balloon to ourselves. Siana Springs had surprises

what you want and the right people to do it with, more so if you

lined up for us. We had a bush dinner. We had just come back

are not able to be on the scene to plan your wedding”. It took

from the game drive and the Manager asked us to meet him

them three full months of planning for things to turn out just the

at seven o’clock, so we wondered what he was up to. He led us

way they wanted. It was not an easy task for them as they did not

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challenge for us was the fact that some of our guests could not speak English, so to turn the mass into a ceremony that everybody would understand, we had to translate whatever was being said in English into French and vice versa.” Jonathan says.

For the same reason, the wedding programme, the menus and invitations had to be in both languages, and a lot of time was spent on translation. “We also visited each apartment at the Tamarind Village before choosing the right ones for our guests.” He adds.

Some of our guests who arrived earlier were taken to Wasini Island, at Shimoni, for snorkelling. Some spent a day at the South Coast, others went deep sea fishing, or visited the Old Town and Fort Jesus, as well as the Bamburi Nature Trail.” Nadege Says.

The kitchen on the Dhow is quite limited and one of the challenges the Tamarind Mombasa had was to figure out how to prepare and serve the elaborate menu we had chosen for the wedding dinner.

To solve this problem the Tamarind team decided to re-fit their come to Kenya until one month before the wedding and it took a

second Dhow into a fully staffed floating kitchen. “It was quite

lot of emailing and telephone calls between France, Sweden and

a surprise for our guests when the other Dhow appeared almost

Kenya.

like a pirate ship out of the dark and moored next to the wedding Dhow just prior to serving dinner.”

“We focused on detail and quality. That is why we went through every single meal with the chef. We discussed how to serve and

They laugh at this memory.

present the food with the managers who were extremely helpful

“One of the highlights of the wedding dinner was just before

and enjoyed the challenge of meeting our very high expectations.

midnight when we were all dancing, the boat sailed back towards

We met with the decorator and all other suppliers, but the first

the Tamarind Village where we surprised our guests with a world

thing we did when we landed in Kenya was to visit the priest. The

class fire work display.” They say.

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Tamarind Village, Tel: (0) 41-474-600/1/2, E-mail: village@tamarindmsa.co.ke, www.tamarind.co.ke

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The bride and groom treated their guests to an elaborate wedding dinner aboard the Tamarind Dhow and partied until the wee hours of the morning, grabbing just a few hours of sleep to wake up to a brunch as they nursed their hangovers on the fourth day. After a night of partying, brunch was served the next day at the pool offering Tamarind’s famous Dawa, to relieve the bridal couple and their guests of hangovers.

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39 Copyright©Dan Messmer

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The guests enjoy a fare well dinner at Carnivore Restaurant, Tel 020 - 605933/4,

E-mail: reservations@carnivore.co.ke, www.tamarind.co.ke)

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Wedding Favours was one of the areas where the couple relly got creative. They gave away miniature dhow wedding dinner place cards with the name of each guest painted on it as favours. Each guest received an Almond box with their initials carved on it in addition

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The wedding dinner was not complete wthout Calvados, traditional French delicacy often drunk between the starter and the main course. In this case it was Trou Normand consisting of a Calvados 1944 brought to the wedding by the bride’s parents, served with an apple sorbet.

Tamarind’s famous Dawa, a concotion known to relieve hangovers.

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Reviving Country love Claire Tiren & Silas Tiren Wedding date: 25th August 2007 Ceremony& Reception: Moiben Farm, Eldoret Photos by: Artistic pictures

Claire and Silas solemnized their marriage in Church thirteen

Traditions:

years after their traditional wedding. The colourful ceremony saw

This aspect had been taken care of prior to the traditional marriage

five thousand guests join them in celebrating their love at their

ceremony. The Kalenjin traditions are pretty straightforward. The

Moiben farm in Eldoret. Being wheat farmers, it was natural that

first ceremony-“Kepartagei” saw introductions among Silas, his

they chose wheat as their theme and having the wedding at the

family and Claire’s family. “Koito” (engagement) followed there

farm blended perfectly. To further complement the day’s theme,

after and this involved dowry negotiations between the two families

they choose lime green and pale yellow (country colours) and had

before the Claire moved in with Silas as his wife according to the

beautiful lime green handmade invitation cards with a stalk of

“Keiyo Customary marriage”.

gold wheat delicately stuck onto each card.

Guest list: Beginning:

Despite the fact that they invited three thousand guests. About five

Claire and Silas say they were attracted to each other way before

thousand people turned up at Claire and Sila’s wedding. Mwende

they could comprehend what was going on between them. Besides,

of Handmade treasures Tel: 2015052,0722730339,07227

Claire was still in school and dating was out of question “We used

30369 designed them beautiful invites that most of the guests have

to ‘eye’ each other every other day for a long time especially when

kept as a souvenir. “They were wonderful, we had two sets of cards,

he would drive by my father’s shop.” Claire says.

which were equally nice in lime and yellow. The programmes, serviettes, thank you tokens, and evening party invitation cards

She then started noticing that Silas was driving by too many times

were all done by the same vendor.” They say.

than was logically necessary! After clearing high school, Claire went out with her sister, friends and cousins. They bumped into

Fashion:

each other, danced together and that marked the beginning of

She wore a three piece off the shoulder white gown with

their love story. “My sister was furious, but she was too late. We

beading and a long train from The Bridal Place Tel:

had already planned for our first date the next day.” She adds.

2714904,0723700948. She accessorized with a real pearls choker and matching earrings. She picked comfortable white wedges for

Proposal:

her wedding shoes. Her groom wore a black Italian suit matched

“We were taking a walk in the wheat field one evening in the

with a white shirt, accessorized with lime green cuff links and

month of August 2006 and that is when he said to me that our

black leather shoes from Ennumi Tel: 3873523,0722274464.

wedding was long overdue. Simply put, he said, “Claire, lets get

His lime green waistcoat was ordered through The Bridal Place

married!” We had lived together for about thirteen years and God

Tel: 2714904,0723700948. The groomsmen all wore black

has blessed us with three beautiful children but above all I said yes

Italian suits, lime waistcoats and lime cuff links also ordered from

because Silas is the love of my life”. Claire smiles.

Ennumi Tel: 3873523,0722274464

Setting the Dates:

Like the bridesmaids, Claire’s maid of honour Anita Kimwatan

“We had wanted to get married in December of the year he

wore a two-piece figure hugging dress in lime green. To differentiate

proposed but after careful considerations and consultations with

her from the maids, her skirt was fish shaped unlike the maids

family we realized we needed ample time to plan and organize

who wore A-line skirts all designed by Occasions ‘n Days Tel:

everything therefore we settled for 25 August 2007. We however

651839, 0722236904 They accessorized with lime green wedged

came to the realization that there is never enough time to plan a

shoes and each carried a bouquet of flowers.

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wedding so the earlier you can start the better.” They say.

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They had their two sons Erick Tiren and Kristian Tiren as the

according to plan. In her quest to be as radiant as possible on her

page boys and two flower girls - one of them their daughter-

big day however, Claire got a rude shock. “I decided to try a new

Michelle Tiren.

facial product a few weeks before the wedding thinking this would enhance my radiance and this backfired terribly – never try to

The mother and father of the bride dressed to blend in with their

do this. Coupled with the planning stress, my face erupted with

daughter’s colour scheme. Her dad wore a beige suit from Sir

pimples and rashes. I’m grateful though, to the beautician from

Henry’s Tel: and her mum beautifully complemented him in a

Lilano who did so well with my make up.” She says.

very light lime green fish skirt suit with a sash tied around her hips and a green hat from Malaika Brides Tel: 554399,0721352

Day before the Wedding:

511,0735352511. She accessorized with lime and white pearls.

In between running around to take care of final details, they had

Sila’s mum wore a beige skirt suit with brown shoes and a brown

the wedding rehearsals. The bride spent the night at her parent’s

handbag accessorized with a matching set of white pearl necklace

home with her maids and chatted away the night. They went to

and earrings from Malaika brides Tel: 554399,0721352511

bed at around three in the morning, a big mistake since they all

,0735352511

woke up late!

Parties:

Wedding Day:

Aside from her engagement party with friends and family when

“I was very nervous and I could not even hide it. Every body tried

her traditional customary bride price was paid, Claire got a

to calm me down. I was feeling very emotional and cried a lot. I

surprise treat three weeks to her wedding.

just wanted everything to be perfect. For that reason, I used my regular salonist, that way I was sure of getting my desired results.

“I had gone to the farm that day for a family wedding committee

Miraculously almost everything went as expected; except that we

meeting and it had rained so much that we got stuck on the way

delayed a lot at home therefore arrived way past the time we were

back to town for about three hours. All this time my friends were

expected.

waiting for me yet I was not aware. My husband was in on their plans and insisted we go out even after reaching home so late.

Ceremony:

I tried to explain that I was tired but he was so insistent that I

With three outriders leading the way, Claudia accompanied

decided to give up. I gave in and we left for the club where my

by her best maid and pageboys rode to the venue in a Black

friends had waited so patiently. Nothing could have prepared me

Range Rover HSE. They exchanged their church vows under a

for the immense joy I experienced that night. My bridesmaids in

croton tree, where they have built a permanent gazebo at their

absolute secrecy rounded up all my friends and I thank God for

Moiben farm in Eldoret. They used the standard Catholic vows

blessing my life with such wonderful people. We partied till dawn!”

officiated by Fr. Kemboi and Fr. Bett of the Eldoret Diocese.

Claire recalls.

All the guests were thereafter treated to dine and drink at the

“My dad organized a small party for me and my bridesmaids the

Tel:0722757553, 0722702353. Strawberry Café, Eldoret did

night before the wedding because we were all spending the night

a great job of feeding the five thousand guests. They crowned it

at home. He slaughtered a goat and a few chicken. It was fun

all with a fun-filled evening party. “My parents, maids and flower

though we got home quite late and quite exhausted.” She adds.

girls rode in beige Toyota VX’s. This was very unique because

elaborate reception as they enjoyed music by Kayamba Africa

in most weddings in this area small saloon cars are used, and the Planning:

idea of the outriders was one I loved – Thanks to my nephew

Claire and Silas had two committees to aid with the follow up

Alex Chepkonga and his buddies.” Claire says.

of the wedding details. “We value all our friends immensely and

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we wanted them to feel part and parcel of our union. The town

Honeymoon:

committee members were made up of close personal friends and

Claire and Silas are planning on spending some time together later

we also had family committees from both sides.” They say.

this year. Their eyes are set on the romantic island- Zanzibar.

Sticky situation:

Hindsight:

With the valued support of the committees, everything went on

All is well that ends well! Despite Claire’s anxiety, everything

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Kayamba Africa

Mr. Nicholas Biwott

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turned out just right and she attributes the day’s success to proper and early planning. This she says begins with knowing what you want, choosing your committee carefully and involving them in your plans all the way. “ The people around you can have some great ideas that can be of use. If you already have children like in our case, involve them in the planning – it’s a wonderful experience I had all the important people right there with me and that made our day so successful and more meaningful.” Claire says.

“Having a garden wedding was unique and many people appreciated it, involving our children was one of our greatest ideas and having both the reception and ceremony proved convenient and time saving. Using four wheel vehicles was definitely a good idea – the road is a murram road and it had been raining quite a lot and the best of all was spending the night at my home even though I have lived with my husband all this time. It was different and there was a traditional feel to it that made it quite romantic.”

She says.

Lastly she advises that you get several quotations from different service providers so that you can get a good deal without necessarily compromising on quality. If there is one thing she would do differently, that would be to have more personnel in the hair and beauty department as this contributed to the morning delay more so because she had many bridesmaids.

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Perfect Pair

Mercy Monje Chola & Samuel Kamau Ng’ang’a Wedding Date: 11th August, 2007 Ceremony& Reception: Botanical Gardens Story by: Christabel Ododa Photos: Digital Eye

Beginning:

last eight hours lasted us a whole twenty seven hours.” Kamah

As members of the same church, Monje and Kamah (as they

says. Stuck together for twenty-seven hours, Kamah did not let his

prefer to be called) knew each other casually in the year 1999

golden chance go to waste; he made his move. Five days later they

and she had no idea that he was throwing more than just friendly

came back to Nairobi and he hustled his way in.

glances at her. Being the pastor’s sister, Kamah was in a dilemma

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of how to express his feelings to Monje until a church trip to the

Proposal:

coast presented him the perfect opportunity to pour his heart out.

By the turning of the millennium, Kamah’s spears had landed

“The whole group was traveling by train to the coast, and it so

on target and it has been fire works all the way for the lovebirds.

happened that another train had derailed so a trip that was to

Having just cleared college at the time, both of them had free

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time on their hands and this did justice to their relationship and even when they had to be apart, out of sight did not mean out of mind. “We dated for three years but in between there was a time I left to Australia and she left for Germany. We communicated on e-mail daily and have stacks of email letters that we have moved in with into our new house.” Kamah says. It was mutual for them that marriage was inevitable. “We knew we would get married but we wanted to get jobs, plan ourselves and be in a position to plan and finance our wedding.” Monje says and in deed, Kamah confirmed this when he asked Monje for her hand in marriage six years down the line. “It was last year on May 10th and not on my birthday as I had thought. I had a toothache, which worsened and he had to take me to a dentist who had the tooth removed.” she says. “I had planned dinner to propose but when I heard she had to have the problematic tooth removed, I knew dinner plans were ruined and I had to think of plan B.” he says. “He was not allowed into the theatre room so I was a bit surprised to see him walk in after the doctor was through. I could not talk so I just lay there and watched him coming then he showed me the ring with diamonds and asked me to marry him.” She continues. “She could not talk so I handed her a piece of paper and pen and she wrote out Yes!” he recalls.

Setting dates: After seeing her work at Kamah’s brother’s wedding, the couple knew that come rain come sunshine, Catherine Nambisia of Classic Functions Tel: 0722519974, 0733554630 was the only one who was going to do their flowers. This was so crucial for the couple that their wedding date actually depended on Catherine’s availability! “My brother got married in April last year, they were in the UK and they used Samantha’s Bridal Magazine from point A-Z. That is how they got to use Classic functions as their florist and we were amazed at her work. We

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73

visited the Samantha’s Bridal Wedding Fair and met Catherine. Her stand was beautiful in pink, as a matter of fact; we duplicated her stand for the wedding day décor. We booked most of our suppliers at the Fair.” Kamah says.

“She had two days open in the month of August that was 4th and 11th. Coincidentally one of our friends was also wedding in the same month and wanted Classic Functions for décor so we tossed a coin and they got her for 4th while we got her for the 11th.” They say.

Fashion: “From the day he proposed, I begun looking for my dress. Nothing had caught my eye until I saw the perfect dress at the Samantha’s Bridal Wedding Fair and it was very difficult to be excited about it since Kamah was with me and I did not want him to know what I was going to wear before hand. Worse still, he liked it too and told me it was a good dress so I found every fault that could run through my head to condemn that dress. My colour scheme was pink and silver so the dress synchronized perfectly.” The bride says.

She walked down the aisle in an A-line strapless gown with a soft pink borderline from House of Brides Tel: 240540, 0723394511. The bodice is beaded in pearls and sequins echoed on the front and back of the skirt. Her groom complemented her in an executive navy blue suit matched with a white doublecuff wing collar-shirt, gold cuff links and a pink waistcoat and cravat with matching pocket chief from Ennumi Tel: 3873523, 0722274464 Traditions: Monje is Taita and Kamah being Kikuyu, was not prepared for the elaborate Taita wedding traditions. “The Taita have many traditions and my family has never experienced anything like that.

Monje is named after her auntie and for the entire wedding week, it was very important that this aunt stays pleased lest she changes her mind and calls our wedding off. We had several meetings and there was a lot of light hearted teasing, you know like I would arrive with my parents and our spokesmen would speak, and their spokesman would stand up to speak in serious Swahili accent completely ridiculing us.” Kamah laughs at this memory.

They had three visits, the first being a formal introductory meeting.

This was a parent’s only affair as both Monje and Kamah were

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out of the country. This was followed by dowry price negotiation, and the last and most important ceremony- ‘Keshea Harusi’ fell on the Friday preceding the wedding day.

This traditional wedding ceremony basically happens on the day before the wedding at the girl’s home. The bride to be packs her belongings and her husband to be comes to collect her belongings (or ‘Sanduku’ as is commonly known by the Taita) to officially transfer it into his home as a sign that he is marrying the bride.

The bride’s family display their pride in their girl by making the process as painfully slow as possible and the movement of the luggage packed with the bride’s belonging is accompanied by mocking bridal songs that can easily bruise the groom’s ego.

Normally the groom is expected to entice the women by way of giving out ‘kanga’ and money to speed up the process and make the girl’s family surrender her.

Day before the wedding: Monje had her traditional wedding ceremony on the eve of the Christian wedding. She spent her morning at the salon having her nails and hair done. “I had done my facials the Monday before and I got a chance to catch some sleep in the afternoon before the traditional ceremony. Some of my maids were landing in the morning so it was not easy to co-ordinate that they all go to the salon at once so each had their hair made at their own time.”

She says.

As opposed to the bride, the groom was a bunch of nerves.

He handled the last minute details plus he had to attend the traditional ceremony. “I was so tired because in between the last minute details, I had to get a permit to have the wedding then rush to her place for the ceremony, which took so long. Once I got home, I hit the bed immediately and it was a good thing that our ceremony was beginning at midday.” He says.

With the evening ceremony at her mom’s Monje did not want to risk the chance of her not getting enough sleep so she decided to spend the night at her sister’s. “I was so anxious, I couldn’t wait for my wedding day and there was no way I was going to show up for my wedding looking tired with bugs under my eye.” She says.

Wedding day: The bride was excited even the morning drizzle could not ruin her mood. “I spent at my sister’s but I had to be picked from my mom’s house. I was being picked up by nine o’clock so I got dressed and left for my mom’s. When I arrived, my mom insisted that I dress from her room since it has blessings. The groom’s men

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arrived on time to pick me up and after that everything else just

Hindsight:

fell into place.” She says.

“I am glad we used Samantha’s Bridal Weddings Magazine, the magazine was our complete planner, we were not stressed at all

Ceremony:

and did not have a committee, and it was our planner. 90 percent

She arrived just in time and walked down the aisle hand in hand

of our suppliers attended the wedding and made sure everything

with both parents. Samuel and Mercy exchanged their Christian

was okay so they were like our committee. I would advice though

vows in a midday garden wedding. The garden was all flowers

that if you are sure you want to get married, you have to know a

thanks to Classic Functions Tel: 0722519974, 0733554630.

year in advance. That way you start early and have enough lead

They crowned it all by cutting a black forest Cake by Valentine

time to plan. If you get Samantha’s magazine, planning will be

Cake House Tel: 0722794414. “We wanted a black forest cake

very easy. With a lead time of a year you have enough time to visit

and besides my wife is a good baker so when she interviewed

the different suppliers in different categories and also have time

Mathew, tasted his sample and said he was good, I was okay with

to pay slowly.

that. Goldwings Tel: 4446538,0722514880 provided our tents and we chose our wedding bands together from Rajshyn

Shop around to get the best deal. Involve married people in your

jewelers Tel: 229304, 3875610, 223160.

committee if you must have one since they have better advice than singles and lastly, let suppliers do their job, do not overly direct

Honeymoon:

them. For us the biggest fact was that prayer and committing that

They spent their first night at the Norfolk hotel before flying off to

day to God made it successful beyond our imagination.’ They

a romantic spot in Arusha.

advice.

Mother and Father of the bride

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Home away from home 84

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Suzan Nderitu & Joseph Maina Kiragu Wedding Date: 9th December 2006 Ceremony: St. Andrew’s PCEA Church Reception: KCB Karen Photos: Z.K Mehar

Beginning: They met in London through a close cousin who also happened to be a good friend to Joseph. “My cousin came to pick me up as usual at the train station (Fins bury Park) but this time with his friend as I came from Cambridge where I was studying at the time and that is where it all began.” Suzan recalls. “I hooked up with a friend of mine on a Saturday and we were meant to go for a party. But he told me that he needed to pick up his cousin at the train station. When we picked her up at the station I noticed she was very shy and for the whole evening she kept avoiding me.

Wherever I tried to strike a conversation she would excuse herself and disappear. I kind of thought she did not like me…but years later she admitted she liked me. We later met a few months later; this time the chemistry was unmistakable. We kissed and as they say, the rest is history!” Joseph adds.

Proposal: Joseph dazzled Suzan with a romantic dinner proposal. “Oh yes, he went down on one knee. He had it all planned. He popped the question as we were enjoying a meal together by presenting me with a wooden box. Inside the box was the most dazzling, beautiful white gold ring I had ever seen. I was lost for a minute and when I looked up he was down on one knee, very nervous I must add, with a beautiful engagement ring in hand and he asked me if I would marry him…that blew me away! I said yes and tears of joy filled our eyes.” Suzan says.

Fashion: She walked down the aisle in ivory, off the shoulder Alfred Angelo gown, and accessorized with a matching set of necklace and earrings, a chocker, tiara and veil. Joseph waited for his bride up the aisle in a light, comfortable black suit complete with a waistcoat and cravat, matched up with a white silk shirt. He polished up his look by having on Armani shoes.

The best man was elegant in a custom-made wool suit matched up with a white shirt and tie. The bridal party was made of five bridesmaids, five groomsmen, one Best man, one Best maid and two lovely flower girls. Suzan let the girls pick their dresses. “I was very flexible when it came to the design of the clothes as long as the colour scheme was the same. The colour scheme was ivory,

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champagne and gold. The maids wore gold A-Line dresses from

The following Saturday 2nd December, the brides family and

Malaika Brides Tel: 554399, 0721352511, 0735352511

relatives visited the groom’s home to acquaint themselves with the

and the flower girls looked angelic in beautiful ivory and gold

home to which their daughter was getting married off, ‘Itaara’ in

dresses.

Kikuyu and again the ceremony proceeded without a hitch and the bride’s parents approved of the home where their daughter

The bride’s mother wore a beautiful light green suit with matching

was getting married. The bride’s mother was particularly touched

jewellery and handbag. She had a custom made jacket to match.

by the fact that it was a Christian home and the family had strong

The bride’s father wore a striped grey suit, a white shirt and

Christian values.

matching tie bought in Rome, Italy. The groom’s mother on the other hand wore a beautiful pink outfit, a matching pink hat and

Parties:

a pair of white shoes. The groom’s father co-ordinated his look in

“We also had two pre- wedding parties in London to discuss the

a three-piece cream/yellow suit matched with cream shoes.

weddings & both families offered to help by raising funds for the wedding. We were very grateful for the generous gifts we received

Setting of the dates:

during the pre wedding party. We also had a hen night for the

Suzan and Joseph had guests arriving from Australia, UK and

bride and a very mellow stag night for the groom as it was done

South Africa so they had to choose a date convenient to as many

the Friday evening on the eve of the wedding.

as possible. “We had to change the initial date we had picked 16th Dec to 9th Dec, as our ideal venue KCB was not available

Ceremony:

on The 16th Dec. Unfortunately some people did arrive into the

The bride rode to church in her father’s treasured Gold S Class

country after the wedding, but we did save some cake for them!”

350 in the company of her best maid and sister. The groom

Suzan says.

arrived earlier in a Mercedes 200 and everyone in the bridal party was driven in a Mercedes Benz to church.

Guest list: This was a real challenge for Suzan and Joseph because the figures

“The transport manager, my uncle- Jeffery Regathi Gachagua

kept rocketing but eventually they settled down to 850 guests and

who is also Uhuru Kenyatta’s PA did a smashing job. All the cars

had about 900 guests turn up. “We also had the honour of having

were where they were supposed to be at exactly the right time. It

the VP – Moody Awori attend our wedding together with several

was very impressive no hiccups and everything was on schedule.”

other government officials like Hon. Wangari Mathai, Hon.

She says.

Mwangi Kiunjuri, Hon. Kabogo who landed in a helicopter on the day leaving guests stunned, Hon. PG Mureithi, Hon. Chris

Suzan says they knew right from the start that they wanted to

Murungaru, Hon. Jane Kihara and Hon. Toro not to forget the

create a cool, relaxed atmosphere on their day and that their

brides father Hon. Nderitu Gachagua, MP elect Mathira. ” She

theme would revolve around Champagne, Gold and Ivory

says.

colours. To further create a marvel out of their ceremony and reception venues, they had the venues florally decorated by

Traditions:

Lydia of Wedding and Floral Design Centre Tel: 4443921.

This part of the planning, they say was so much fun. “We had

“Lydia did a brilliant job with the flowers both at the church and

four traditional ceremonies between March and December 2006.

reception. She’s very thorough and passionate about her work. I

Our first meeting was on 4 March when the groom’s relatives

remember going through each and every detail with her step by

visited the bride’s parent to begin negotiations for dowry. This is

step and she was very attentive and creative!” Suzan comments.

th

commonly known in Kikuyu customs as ‘kuhanda ithigi’ On 29th April we visited the bride’s parents’ home to negotiate for dowry.

“We had committed close friends and family members and did

This was much fun for all parties as the brides parents were very

most of the work with the help of our wedding planner Patricia

considerate. They did make a request for a list of items (honey,

and her team from Wedding Essentials Tel: 0725-126930,

goats, coat for grandpa and keys for opening the front door).”

0722-742991, wessentials@gmail.com. We couldn’t have

Says the bride. On 25th November, the groom’s party visited the

done it without them they were very supportive and helpful. I

bride’s home again to deliver the dowry items. The items were

would advise everyone to work with them to make your special

received and the ceremony continued without a hitch.

just like you have always pictured it! They gave me first class

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service and communication was great considering I live in the

“Zanzibar is the perfect getaway retreat located on an Island.

UK.” She says.

The white sandy beach, rustling palm trees give you a unique atmosphere, it is a truly romantic paradise. The location and staff

Kayamba Roots Tel: 0722854918, 0722644070 and

are fantastic! We were totally pampered, just what we needed to

HomeBoyz Tel: 553943/52 ensured there was never a dull

relax after our wedding. We had a different dish every night for

moment. Digital Eye Tel: 0720784444 shot the video and the

the entire 7 days we were there Barbeque night, Indian night,

bride says he was very well organised. Calista Creations Tel:

Swahili nights and many other themed dinners.” They say.

07205444930 did a beautiful job with all the favours, invites and programs. They gave away thank you note tags in ivory, tied with

They spent most of their days just relaxing, getting pampered

a thin shiny gold chord as favours to the guests. “Z.K Mehar

with massages at the spa, or swimming. They had a private tour

Tel: 4443317, 0723846466, 0733615029 professionally did

guide who took them around the town for sight seeing.

the photographs and you need to see his work to know that it doesn’t get any better than that!” She marvels.

Hindsight: Asked about the secret of their success, Suzan and Joseph say

The out of town guests stayed mostly with the couple’s relatives

they started their planning earlier and began saving up soon

while others paid for their accommodation privately. Because they

after their engagement. They then hand picked the best well

live in the UK, about 95% of their gifts were mainly in monetary

reputed suppliers in the country and booked them nine months

form.

in advance.

Day before the wedding:

“I bought the Samantha’s Bridal Weddings Organizer

“I left the saloon around 10pm but somehow I couldn’t go to bed

& Keepsake to organise all the paperwork and keep track of

before making a last visit to the venue KCB Karen around 11pm

everything like receipts from suppliers, supplier tracker and so on.

so I dragged my best maid with me. I know it sounds crazy but

It was very helpful and gave us lots of ideas! I would really advise

I just needed to take a quick glance at the set up of the tents, as

the bride and groom to engage the services of a wedding planner

I knew this would be my last chance then I went straight to bed

as they have a wealth of information that will definitely improve

to catch my beauty sleep before my big day.” Says the bride. The

the organization of your big day and with some luck even save you

groom had his stag night this evening and managed to get away

some money! Wedding Essentials were a dedicated great team to

from his party to be in bed by 1am.

work with. I was constantly on email with them from the UK with Wedding Essentials at least exchanging 10 emails or more a day

Wedding day:

not to mention I called them at least once a week. I also travelled

The bride felt beautiful in her wedding dress and the groom was

home twice that year from the UK to ensure all was well with the

all relaxed and comfortable. It was a beautiful day, the sun was up,

plans. Some family members were not comfortable with the idea

everything went well without a single hitch, and they say despite

of a wedding planner! This was a paradigm shift from wedding

all the excellent planning and contingencies, lady luck and good

of yesteryears where relatives organised the whole wedding and

people chose to be on their side. “We both felt great. No nerves

basically the bride and groom are not in control of their own

or jitters, just relaxed, as we knew we had done our very best and

wedding! We wanted to be in full control and plan our dream

taken care of everything with our wedding planners. We trusted

wedding the way we always pictured it and just wanted everyone

and had faith in Wedding Essentials entirely and they surely did

else to sit back, relax and come to the wedding on the day to enjoy.

not disappoint us! Everything was spot on!

Luckily they came round to idea of wedding planners and after the wedding they had nothing but praises for Wedding Essentials

Honeymoon:

and we quote: “Professional’ service”. She says.

They got to Safari Park Hotel Tel: 3633212, 3633000 at 3am in the morning after the evening party and spent the first 2

“The fact that we knew exactly what we wanted made all the

nights at Safari Park Hotel in a honeymoon suite.

difference. We had very definite ideas about what we wanted for our big day. We spoke to all the suppliers in detail and discussed

They then flew Kenya Airways Tel: 3274747 to Zanzibar

with them what we wanted and sampled their work and checked

where they stayed at the Breezes Beach Club & Spa for a week.

their feedback with our wedding planners. Wedding Essentials

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supported and guided us all through but mostly we owe it all to the Almighty God who has blessed us so!

We saved time by compiling a list and budget of all we had done while Wedding Essentials helped get everything on track including handling the finances for the wedding as we found it easier to just have one source of contact handing all the finances and getting all the contracts signed up.

The fact that the atmosphere of our wedding was so lively and alive made all the difference for us. The brilliant weather just topped it all for us - bright clear skies, sunny no rain on that particular day!” Concludes the bride.

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Hon. P. J Mureithi Prof. Wangari Mathai

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Hon. Nderitu Gachagua (Father of the bride)

Hon. Moody Awori

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Love at first sight Agatha Mumbi Njero & Michael Kloss Wedding date: 6th October 2007 Ceremony&Reception: Karen Blixen Museum Story by: Christabel Ododa Photos by: Digital Eye

Unlike most of us who plan between a year and six months, Agatha and Mike wrapped up their meeting, courtship and marriage in eight months! Planning was as crazy as it could get and Agatha admits she was one stressed out bride and says her best advice is that you plan early. All is well that ends well though. She arrived like a princess in the Victorian horse drawn carriage to exchange marital vows with Michael in a Protestant Church, garden wedding ceremony. “ It was amazing, I rode in the carriage from Bomas to Karen Blixen and there were all these people by the roadside waving at me and taking pictures!” The bride re-calls.

Beginning: They met during Easter holidays in Jinja, Uganda, where Michael was working and Agatha had gone visiting friends and as fate would have it, they were staying at the same hotel. “We met at the hotel’s pool and socialized for three weeks before we flew back to Kenya together. I had just a day in Kenya and was off to Germany the next morning and I am sure she did not know that I would come back for her.” Michael says. “After Germany, my next contract was to go to Iran and there was a delay so I had three days to myself and decided to fly to Kenya and see her and I ended up meting her parents.” He adds.

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“I told mom and dad that a friend of mine was flying in and I needed to go and pick him up from the airport and as Michael does not know Kenya that well we had no where to go but home. This was easy because for my parents and even myself at that time it was all friendship and nothing more. He started going for lunch with my parents and they became friends and somehow our friendship began to slide into a relationship.”

Agatha says.

It was not all easy for Michael however for Agatha proved to be a difficult nut to crack. It did not matter that Michael had flown back purposefully to see her neither did it matter that her parents had developed a liking for him but they got closer by the day and then Michael had to fly to Iran where he stayed for six weeks! With the nature of Michael’s job, Agatha’s sceptism was quite understandable but this did not last for long. “We communicated everyday exchanging about thirty text messages, and a minimum of three to four telephone calls a day. I can say all my salary for the first month in Iran went into communication to try and know her a little bit and that was not easy because she is very reserved.” Michael remembers.

Proposal: Being the only way to stay in touch, Michel asked Agatha to marry him during one of their telephone conversations but Agatha did not take him seriously until after the six weeks in Iran Michael flew to Germany for a day and was back to Kenya armed with an engagement ring with which he officially proposed on one of the seventeen days he had in Kenya. “I thought he was crazy! I was so scared. I had not finished school and I felt I was too young to get married. I secretly told my mom and we talked about it until she was okay with it then I passed on the news to my dad.

We went to an Italian restaurant for dinner and he was so nervous he gave himself away. I was scared and things had happened too fast for me but he is a nice guy and it was okay.” She says.

“I was scared a bit with thoughts that she might say she is too young to get married and I understood that more so because I am slightly older than her. I had the ring in a small new handbag and I showed it to her and started to say something and it was incredible. It was not easy but the evening turned out fine.” Michael says.

Setting of the dates: Even they did not think they would be getting married this soon. “Most of the time I was busy so we knew we would be getting married but did not quite know the day. Actually we had imagined that would be the following year but I wanted to stay with her immediately and I learnt that I couldn’t because African traditions did not allow her to stay with me unless she was officially and legally my wife. That is what led to us choosing an earlier date, and 6th October proved most convenient.”

Michael says.

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Fashion:

Day before the wedding:

Agatha did not have her mind set on a particular choice of dress

There were no much traditions to be followed. After dowry

“I was easy, just walked into a bridal shop and tried a few and if I

payment and a pre wedding party, Agatha and Michael had a goat

liked it that was it. That is how I picked my dress from House of

eating party organized on the eve of the wedding. “That was the

brides. They showed me one of their Victorian dresses and I liked

same day I was picking my dress, I had not got a make up artist by

it and besides I did not have much time to try too many shops.

the day before and I had to call Samantha’s Bridal again who

For my maids I picked the colour and they chose their designs,

recommended Hassan Mbaruk Tel: 0722720247 and he did

which were ready made.” She says. She wore an Ivory two-piece

a good job on the day. I was with Michael and there was serious

A-line gown with organza overlay from House of Brides Tel:

traffic so we arrived late at the party. Michael had to drive his

240540, 0723394511. The gown is heavily decorated with

mom and sister back to the apartment where they were staying

equines and has a corseted back.

after the party so he was really exhausted. I was equally tired and spent the night at my mom’s house.” The bride says.

Planning: Agatha and Mike got married eight months after their initial

Wedding day:

meeting and because of this planning was hectic. “It was crazy, I

“Once at my room, I unpacked my attire and it was completely

was running up and down and I did not know what to do. I changed

creased but it was late in the night I did not have anywhere to press

my mind so many times a long the way. I have always had a crazy

it from. I came with it from Germany to Nigeria then to Kenya

idea since my childhood. I love the cartoon ‘The Flintstones’ so

and I had never unpacked it. I had to wake up very early on the

ever since I was a child I thought that on my wedding day my

wedding day and went round the whole neighborhood looking

groom would dress like Fred and I would be dressed like Wilmer

for a way to press my attire and besides I have never ironed a suit

and we would have a stone-age themed wedding. But I was so

before. Finally my mom helped me press it with a towel and it was

excited and did not have that much time on my hands and just

just fine.” The groom recalls with amusement. The bride too had

went with the flow of things. The colour scheme was baby pink

her fair share of drama on the morning of the wedding day! “My

and white and with no committee I had just my mom, dad and

tiara got lost! I had left it somewhere and a kid played with it and

myself to put together this wedding. I am the first to get married

dropped it under the bed. I was almost in tears and that pained

in the family and so this was new to all of us even my parents.”

Hassan-my make up artist since it would ruin my make up so he

She says.

did a good job at cooling me down before I finally got it. “ She laughs.

Most of the time we were in Nigeria so her mom and dad were sorting out things and we came back a week to the wedding. In

Ceremony:

that week we would hit the road by 8 am and the earliest we would

They exchanged vows at the Karen Blixen Museum Tel:

get back home not earlier than ten in the night. It was exhausting.”

882779 where they cut a tasty fruit cake from Valentine

Michael adds.

Cake House Tel: 0722794414.

0722757553, 0722702353

Kayamba Africa Tel:

entertained at the reception and

“I had a problem with whoever was meant to do my flowers before

Goldwings Tel: 4446538, 0722514880 provided the tents,

Catherine Nambisia of Classic Functions Tel: 0722519974,

tables and chairs plus seat covers. Classic Functions Tel:

0733554630 came in recommended by Samantha’s Bridal

0722519974, 0733554630 stepped up at short notice and

and saved my day. I kept asking this other florist for photos of

did the couple a super job of decorating the venue with lots of

her work but she dodged that fact telling me not to worry and I

fresh, beautiful flowers. For memories that will last, Digital Eye:

eventually forgot about the photos issue. In the last week when we

0720784444 covered their big day both on video and still photos.

came from Nigeria, Michael and I called her up for an interview

The ceremony ended with singing and dancing at the reception

and she sent her colleague who showed up so unprepared with

and the God’s announced their blessings for the couple by sending

receipt books as proof and that was after we had waited for him

down a heavy down pour just after their ceremony.

for about two hours before he showed up” Agatha recalls.

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My knight in shining armour Christine Atieno Ogolla & Robert Ondiba Nyanchoga Wedding date: 12th December 2006 Ceremony: Don Bosco Shrine, Upper Hill Reception: Karen Blixen Museum Story by: Christabel Ododa Photos by: Varken Studios

Beginning: Christine met Robert by chance three years prior to their marriage and it was love at first sight. “I had gone to visit my sister and just at the entrance to her court, I met a friend at the university who informed me of a party happening later that night. I was not seeing anyone at that time and my sister urged me to attend. Robert was at that party and I remember when I was introduced to him, I felt something stir in me.”

Christine recalls of their meeting.

As the party progressed, Christine realized that Robert was being overly concerned and accoding her extra attention. He asked for her number at the end of the party and called her the next morning. “I was excited, we talked for a while. I graduated a week later and he sent me a friendly gift.” She says.

A

week

after

her

graduation,

Christine was devastated by the loss of her dear mother and all her excitement waned out. Robert however remained a constant in her life, calling her everyday and being very supportive. Five months later they took a trip to together and he asked her to be his girlfriend.

Proposal: Robert teased Christine a lot when it came to asking for her hand in marriage. He led her on and on and on until Christine finally gave up and that is when he surprised her.

“We traveled for a long December

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holiday to Dar es Saalam and there were two romantic occasions

Robert and told him lets move the wedding. It was too much for

like when we had a candle lit dinner on a yatch that I actually

me because I actually use to really squeeze time to run around

thought he was going to propose but no. The holiday ended and

since I was working all the way in Nyeri. Then I remembered that

still there was no proposal. We came back; January came and

12th was a holiday and luckily it turned out that the museum holds

passed so I just decided to let go of my hopes of being proposed to.

weddings on holidays, so we literally cruised to Don Bosco to

Then he took me out to dinner at Pallacina and I was sure that

change the date to 12th. On reaching there, a worker told me they

was the day but we had our dinner and came back home without

do not host weddings on holidays and my world just collapsed.

a proposal. The following week on 29 , I was at his place. As we

I almost crumbled to the ground. I insisted on seeing the father

were preparing to go to church I noticed that he was not dressing

though and he said it was okay! So I called Robert and he was

up and this got me so annoyed since we were already running

okay with the date. I changed my booking at the church and ran

late. He was just seated down on the rag by the bedside telling me

back to Karen museum and paid. That was the toughest time

how I had been a nice girl. I was so annoyed so I told him I knew

of my planning and I went through too many mixed emotions in

I had been a nice girl but that was not the time. He insisted that I

a span of a very short time.” Christine says.

th

go over and sit on the bed! I thought it was rather odd but then I caught the seriousness in his voice and I went over. As I was going

Planning:

over I was telling him that you know sweetie, whatever it is you

Christine planned every detail of her wedding and for her the

want, now is just not the time then I saw a red box, I could not

experience was one of the best she has had. The pleasures of

believe it. I took off from the room and ran downstairs before I

planning though did not come without some stress. “I got most of

came back. I was so excited and jumpy I jumped into the bed and

my suppliers from Samantha’s Bridal organizer&keepsake

covered myself with the duvet, I felt mixed emotions you know

and Samantha’s Bridal Weddings Magazine and most of

because I had really wanted the proposal and it did not come and

them were so good they invited me to attend other weddings so I

I had totally forgotten about it and then here I was in a towel and

can see their work. My choice of colour proved challenging but I

shower cap! He knelt down on one knee and asked me to be his

was not about to budge on that. I wanted a colour in between rust

wife. I was so happy, I cried, I screamed, I forgot about being late

and burnt orange in taffeta and finding it was a nightmare. Even

to church, and we just stayed indoors the whole day and went

my maids’ attire designer, Occasions n’ Days Tel: 651839,

out to dinner later. I called friends and we went out to celebrate.”

0722236904 told me finding that fabric was going to be difficult.

Christine remembers with joy.

We both looked for it and after some time they informed me that they had the fabric. I then told my maids to start looking for the

Setting of the dates:

design and at least I had the fabric swatch to carry with me to

They spent a whole month celebrating and just enjoying the fact

other suppliers so they could synchronize. My florist, Catherine

that they were engaged and then come March, Christine and

of Classic Functions Tel: 0722519974, 0733554630 was

Robert began a planning journey filled with emotional whirlwind.

very nice. We explored different combinations together and ended

The first step was to book the Church and reception venue as the

up with roses, gerberas, anthuriams and other exotic flowers.

availability of the venue was the major determining factor when

Goldwings Tel: 4446538, 0722514880 provided my tents,

it came to setting of the wedding date.

they were milk white and Mr. Mburu was equally nice to work with.

“Don Bosco is a busy venue, in fact I by March all the Saturdays were booked. So we decided on the 15th a Friday, but I did not

Fashion:

want to schedule my wedding on a date that many people would

Finding her dream dress was an enjoyable task for Christine. She

not make it to attend. The other main thing was to make sure we

wore a strapless, white A-line gown with a ruched bodice and

found a date that tallied for both the church and reception. I did

a sweet heart neckline from Malaika Brides Tel: 554399,

not want a school neither did I want a field. We really looked and

0721352511, 0735352511. The gown has swarouski crystals at

was beginning to get frustrated. I went to Karen Blixen, the coffee

the bodice running down the centre seam “We started by looking

garden and they had a limit of 150 guests so that could not work

at contacts from Samantha’s Bridal Weddings Magazine

for us. They suggested the museum and all the Saturdays were

and I tried my first gown at Malaika Brides and my best maid and

free but someone had booked the 16th meaning they had access

I felt it was the one but I wanted to try other choices just so I could

to the venue on 15 , I was almost in tears. I sat down and called

know for sure that it was the one. I visited other bridal houses and

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realized that every time I tried a gown I would compare it with my

for the faithful, my other brother played the part of offering of the

first. I went back to Malaika Brides and booked my dress. Pully

gifts and the last one did the final thank you in church. There were

was very nice she took me through what suits my body shape. She

those close friends who could not be in the bridal party but I still

was not pushy and if something did not look good on me, she told

wanted to involve them so I made them the ushers and dressed

me the truth. She was very specific, my veil had the same stones

them up though subtly so that it would not look like there were two

that were on my gown, she was there all the way and because of

bridal parties. I chose a tutton with three colours in between- gold,

her I still feel personal about my gown.” She smiles.

a faint purple and a bit or rust. I made them hipsters and tops with beading. They accessorized with matching bead earrings and had

“The groomsmen wore charcoal grey suits from Burtons matched

a band or rose in the wedding colour scheme on the left arm and

with burnt orange waist coats and cravats. I wanted Robert to

a badge in rust and burnt orange.” Christine says.

complement me and since my attire was white and silver stones, opted for a charcoal grey suit with silverpin strips. He wore a silver

Ceremony:

wrap round cravat done by Occasions n’ Days Tel: 651839,

After putting in all her energy into planning, Christine could not

0722236904. I also had two angel boys dressed up plus cravats

wait for her big day to come to pass. She was excited and with her

but to set them apart from the main pageboys dressed in burnt

hair done right just like she wanted it by The salon Jawabu and

orange waistcoats and cravats.” She adds.

Barbershop Tel: 020 247892, she was ready to walk down the aisle. She was picked from her brother’s house and rode in

Christine says choosing her bridal party was an intimate affair

a white vintage car to church, where she walked down the aisle

and she believes that is the reason they were all so good to her. She

to jazz music. Friends and family witnessed them exchange their

had two flower girls one of whom was her sister’s daughter named

personalized vows before all the guests proceeded to Karen Blixen

after their mom. “She was one and a half years old and could

Museum for a fun filled reception.

barely match down the aisle but it was very important for me that she be there since my mom is deceased and she was representing

“Don Bosco is a bit bare on the outside and Classic functions

her. I felt like my mom was present at my wedding, a day she had

Tel: 0722519974, 0733554630 did an exciting thing. She

really wanted to be a part of.” She says.

had flowers right from the time I stepped out of the bridal car all the way up the stairs to the church door where there was the

“Aside from Robert, my maids were my life during my planning.

exotically done arch. When I walked into the church I was like oh

They ran around with me. They knew when and how to cool

my God, it was beautiful. I could not believe it, she surpassed my

me down. Although my best maid who was based in Mombasa

expectations.

made the effort to travel down on some of her weekends during planning just to be with us. She called me, cheered me up and

To personalize our wedding, we had a mixture of Luo and Kisii

was concerned about how far the plans had progressed and that

songs both at the church and at the reception and we used the

was very encouraging. They were so good to me, and so I did

words were from a card I had Robert earlier in the relationship as

not complicate things for them. I was very liberal when it came

our vows. We had them written out, gave them to the best man

to their dresses. I chose the fabric and let them come up with

and best maid so we alternated reciting the verses. Nicole, my

their designs and therefore each wore a design to complement

niece did a surprise poem for us and the service was very vibrant.”

their physique excellently stitched by Occasions n’ Days Tel:

She says. To further personalize, Christine and Robert engraved

651839, 0722236904. All my maids carried a bouquet apart

their toasting glasses and personalized their table napkins and

from my best maid and matron, who had a small bag each where

that was just but a tip on the ice bag whose masterpiece was the

they could put sweets for the kids in the party and touch up make

wedding cake. Together with Liz of Cake Art Tel: 4448244/

up. I also made them mini bouquets tied on the arm instead of

0733607232/ 0721474637, they created a life story in the form

the usual bouquets so that they do not get overwhelmed with my

of a tasty, rich fruit cake with lots of brandy and cherry.

dress and all that.

“It was different pieces signifying different things. Because our Since both my parents are deceased, I wanted all my siblings to

life as a married couple was beginning in church, the main cake

be part and parcel of the day. My firstborn brother and my elder

was an alter with two swans signifying purity. We had an open

sister walked me down the aisle, the second born did the prayers

bible with personalized readings and a love poem book complete

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with two robins to signify the love we share for each other. The

a cooking pot, cooking stick and a calabash for serving porridge

other piece was our homestead which we named ‘The Ondibas’

as the traditional Luo gifts to a married girl and according to the

and from it was the traditional cooking pot cooking with fish and

Kisii, my mother in law gave me khangas, a baby’s blanket and

Matoke to symbolize that the two tribes had joined in harmony

kitchen equipment as a welcome sign.

and also signified that all our guests were welcomed into our home.” Christine explains.

After the reception, I had to go and get welcomed home officially

by Robert’s mother in accordance with the Kisii traditions so we

The Ondiba’s did not want a reception full of speeches so after

had to leave Karen Blixen and go to observe this from Robert’s

being sent off with blessings from church, thy settled down for an

place since we could not go to their traditional homestead up

easy, fun reception made enjoyable by Kayamba Africa and

country. My mother in law danced round me, I have never gone

Homeboyz Tel: 020553943/52 who worked in sync to ensure

through something like that and I found it very exciting. What

all the guests were entertained at the reception.

happens is that she opens the gate and you hand her your flowers and a gift, then she gives you back a gift before you enter the house

“We danced for almost an hour before we sat down from the

together and dance for five minutes or so. She welcomes you to a

photo session as the reception was such fun. The climax was

meal and you are free to stay as long as you wish. That happened

when a click of Robert’s friends organized a small gig for us; it

at around 8pm and I still had dinner and evening party to go to so

was the famous ‘Nyadundo’ song and it had everyone on their

I went to change and off to the Panari Hotel for the dinner. We

feet. As friends they have a tradition of giving a ‘rungu’ (club) to

dined the Brazilian way at Al-pasha. The music was good and

any of the friends who get married to protect their territory so we

the Dj’s from Home Boyz Tel: 020553943/52 were very nice

received our ‘rungu’ and I found that really nice. I received ‘uteo’,

and easy to deal with. The evening party was at Zebra, capitol

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centre. It was packed with all our friends and we danced ourselves

that path you can actually see Cape Point from a birds eye view.

silly but first we had the garter toss and the bridal bouquet toss,

We also went to Christian Bosch garden, it is so green, and you

followed by our first dance and then the party was open for all.

can picnic or just take walks. The V&A waterfront is also nice it

We left at four and went to Holiday Inn where we spent our

has different species of fish. It was fun and I was so depressed

first two nights. It was nice, they made our stay very romantic.”

when we had to come back. After coming back I attended a bridal

Christine says.

shower sponsored by Samantha’s Bridal and I won a week’s holiday to the Mara courtesy of Sarova Panafric and that was

Honeymoon:

a nice way to finally end the honeymoon.” She recalls.

“We decided to have a local trip before we leave for the away honeymoon. We took a five days trip to sweet waters tented camp

Hindsight:

in Laikipia; it is a very romantic place. We came back and started

“I think brides should remember that as much as it is their day,

the long trip. We have gone for trips before but it was different as

it is the groom’s day too so don’t leave him out, invite him to be

husband and wife. It felt okay to do anything it felt so right. We

part and parcel.

went to South Africa and stayed in Sandton for seven days. and spent the rest ten days in Cape Town.

All in all have fun on your wedding day, it is not everyday that you get bonded with someone else in front of many people. You plan

There was so much to do in Cape Town, we went to the table

too much for one day and before you know you will be married

mountain, and the coloureds are very friendly. Cape Point is very

and the day will have gone so do not let your day go to waste by

romantic. It is the point where the Indian and the Pacific Ocean

bothering yourself with scrutinizing little things, just have fun.’

meet. The water is warm on the Indian Ocean side and cold on

She says.

the other side and that was fascinating. The beeches are very clean and the waters clear. There’s the historic light path, if you go up

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Beyond Chance Millie Muyoti and John Herbert Wedding Date: 31st March 2007 Ceremony & Reception: Safari Park Hotel Photos by: Erick Mutune

Beginning:

Proposal:

Millie and John first met in 1998 through work in Kenya and

John was living in the UK and his then bride to be in Kenya thus

dated casually for a while until John had to go back to the UK.

he took the first golden chance that came his way to pop the big

They re-united four years later to pick up the memories of their

question. “I happened to be going to Egypt in a work related trip

relationship oblivious of the fact that they were just about to

so he came over to see me. We got together on every free chance I

create better ones!

had and on one of such occasions; we got on camels and headed

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to view the Pyramids of Gaza. When we got to the site, he jumped

tail suit, ivory shirt matched with burnt orange and African print

off his camel and climbed onto mine, that is when he asked me to

cumber bands and burnt orange ties all from Rialto Fashions

marry him and of course I said yes! I have a picture of us on the

Tel: 248397, 0722635660, 0733892148

camel!” Millie says.

Setting of dates: Fashion:

“We wanted as many of our invited guests as possible to make

She wore an off the peg “Donna Hemmingsen” strapless gown

it. March 31st happened to be the weekend before Easter so we

made from organza and silk complete with an organza veil from

figured that majority of our guests would either be already on

Rialto Fashions Tel: 248397, 0722635660, 0733892148 “I

holiday or just on the verge of taking time off for Easter hence

had looked for a dress for a while with the help of my Girlfriend

we picked the date. We picked the date in August 2006 and let

Claire Randon but when I tried on my dress and looked in the

everyone know round about the same time. This way most of our

mirror, tears welled up my eyes and I knew it was the one! I got

guests had the date pencilled in at least 6 months in advance.”

my shoes from River Island. They were not traditional wedding

They say.

shoes as I could not find the shoe that I liked so I opted for ivory court shoes.” Says the bride. She accessorized with something old;

Traditions:

a pair of necklace and earrings that she acquired from before and

Millie says that her parents would not have it any other way and

carried a bouquet in orange roses with ivory pearls embedded in

she had to honour her heritage. “I am Luhya, upcountry is a little

the petals from House in Bloom Tel: 6752042, 311717/685

village called Madende in Nambale- Busia District. John and his party came upcountry the weekend before 31st March for the

He wore a traditional English morning Suit. Black morning coat

dowry negotiations cum pre-wedding party. It turned out to be

with tails matched with charcoal grey pinstriped pants. To retain

a very big ceremony of 350 guests and I have to admit it was

the colour scheme, he had on a burnt orange tie and pocket-

a ceremony that made me proud of my roots! I think I actually

kerchief matched with an ivory print waistcoat. Deigned by

enjoyed it more than I did the actual “wedding. We had a proper

Rialto Fashions Tel: 248397, 0722635660, 0733892148.

church service, the dowry negotiations followed by a lot of eating,

He had on black brogues from “Oliver Sweeney” on London’s

drinking, (traditional food & brew) traditional song and dance.”

king’s road.

She says.

“My maid of honour was Beverly Lusiola whom I have known

“Similar to the kikuyu tradition, I was “handed over” to my

since childhood has always been a really good friend. I was her

husband officially and with my trousseau, I walked out of my

maid of honour at her wedding 2years ago. Coincidentally, she

parent’s house after the ceremony on that night. I was instructed

was my parent’s flower girl as well 22 years ago! She had on a

not to look back, just get into the car and go…it was very emotional

lovely spaghetti strap burnt orange dress. As she lives in the UK

because it felt so final, as if I did not belong there anymore. My

she bought it over there. She choose it herself though she did

husband being British had never really experienced anything like

show it to me before she bought it hence we made the decision

it before and he totally loved it!” Millie adds.

together and she looked absolutely stunning!” Millie says.

Parties: The bridesmaids were lovely in burnt orange shimmer

Aside from the pre-wedding party upcountry, Millie had a hen’s

crushed taffeta designs from Rialto Fashions Tel: 248397,

night the Wednesday before the wedding. “ It was at Casablanca.

0722635660, 0733892148. They wore high neck, sleeveless tops

We had dinner and drinks. It was great fun and not too wild as

with a dark brown African print belt design matched with floor

you can imagine there were so many pending last minute things

length flowing skirts with the African print design at the bottom.

to do so I did not go overboard. John on the other hand had a

Each carried an Ivory bouquet and accessorized with the same

stag weekend in Mombassa with his mates the weekend before,

jewellery as the maid of honour’s and strappy heels in bronze. The

they had a great time and since our wedding was an afternoon

flower girls dressed in Ivory Satin dresses with organza netting and

affair, the evening party carried on at the Cat’s Club at Safari

burnt orange flower detail enhanced with burnt orange belts in

Park where they spent the night on the eve of the wedding.” The

the same fabric as the bridesmaid’s dresses. The pageboys two of

bride says.

who were John’s nephews and one Millie’s nephew all wore black

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Sticky situations:

which was very welcome as we are now starting a home in Kenya.

Planning a wedding always pauses a challenge, and Millie and

The gifts from the upcountry wedding were amazing though! We

John had to deal with a number of conflicting ideas and opinions.

got land from my parents, goats, sheep, chicken, blankets cash you

“It helped that we are a closely-knit family because in the end we

name it from everyone else! We were so touched!” Millie says.

all had one objective- to acknowledge and ensure that the day was special and that we were all there to witness the occasion.

Wedding eve:

This always kept us grounded and even though there were

“I had butterflies in my tummy man! My maid of honour had

the inevitable disagreements, we eventually always came to a

not arrived (from the UK) can you imagine! She was due in a

compromise.” They say.

week prior to the wedding but due to very unexpected last minute complications she was landing the morning of the wedding! So

Guest list:

you can imagine the “what ifs ” that were going through my mind!

“We did not experience any problems with this. John and I each

I stayed with my mum and aunties so it was a night full of laughter

had a list of thirty guests. We then had a UK list of about 50

and advise. They pampered me a lot and fed me before they finally

people and allowed my parents another 50. Most of the guests

sent me to bed at about 11.00pm. I could not sleep much though

RSVP’d which was key, as we had to have numbers for the hotel.

due to the excitement.” The bride recalls.

In the end we had about 220 guests which was ideal.” Millie says.

Wedding day: Millie and John exchanged their vows in an afternoon Anglican

Planning:

Church ceremony. “Because we had previously had a civil/

“I was in between UK and Kenya at the time hence did not have

registry ceremony about 3 years ago in England, we already had

time to set up a committee. My two sisters Cynthia and Yvonne

our engagement and wedding rings so we opted to use the same

were invaluable though. Cynthia especially was God-sent, she

ones.” They say.

hooked me up with most of the vendors, drove me everywhere, motivated me when I was stressed or down, we actually made

The bride however was jittery with worries of what ifs. “On the

most of the decisions together. My parent’s also played a

morning of my wedding, I was so preoccupied with everything

significant role as they guided and advised me throughout the

else that I almost forgot the whole reason for the day! I needed

whole process. Between the invaluable help of my parents, sisters

to know that the food would be fantastic, the service flawless,

and a couple of really good friends, we somehow managed to

the décor and music perfect whilst still looking like the “perfect

pull it off ! My brothers and cousins arrived from the UK the

bride”! Now that was difficult! Anyway, John called me about

week preceding the wedding, and to tell you the truth I do not

mid-morning, I suppose he sensed I would be in a state and we

know what I would have done without them! They did all the last

had a really nice chat. He calmed me down a lot and after that I

minute running around for me and took so much weight off my

did relax and make a mental decision to enjoy the day.” Says the

shoulders.” She says.

bride.

“Because we had had a big pre-wedding do up-country the

Honeymoon:

weekend before, we did not have very many guests from upcountry.

They spent their first night at the Safari Park Hotel’s honeymooner’s

The few that we had though, stayed with family and friends in

suite.

Nairobi. We only catered for the transport aspect and even then

“Having relocated back to Kenya, we were busy settling into a new

not for the entire up-country party. For the overseas guests, we

home and new jobs so we decided to postpone the honeymoon for

got an excellent deal from the safari park hotel so everyone stayed

a while.

there and paid for themselves.” They say.

Hindsight: Wedding list:

Apart from wishing she had started her planning earlier, Millie

The couple did not get any double gifts thanks to their registry

and John had the wedding of their dreams. “Having everything

with Nakumatt. “We got many Nakumatt vouchers, which worked

at the same venue worked really well for us and in terms of

out great as I was able to then pick whatever we really needed.

planning, setting a budget and trying to stick to it! Even though

We got a fair number of cash tokens from our overseas guests,

we did not succeed, at least it constantly kept us on toes. We had

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loads and loads of spreadsheets/checklists on the laptop, which

more. The overwhelming support by both our families (extended

we constantly updated, this worked as an excellent guide as we

as well!) and friends made our day a success and we are very

were able to keep track and tick off what had been done and

grateful for them. But most of all, I am so glad the day went just

follow up on pending issues.” They say. “Having all of my family,

as I had wanted it to. We said “I Do”, and pledged our love, I

my husband’s family and all our dear friend’s to share that day

would not have wanted it to be any different. Everything else was

with us made it complete. We would not have asked for anything

trivial.” Millie concludes.

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Unforgetable Claudia Wanjiru Mwangi & Philip Waithaka Kinuthia March 31st 2007 Ceremony & Reception: Botanical Gardens Photos by: Barbara Minishi

Beginning: Claudia and Waithaka dated back in 1997 for two years, and rekindled their love five years later in the evergreen city of Seattle.

Proposal: In the summer of 2005, Waithaka proposed, having spent a magical holiday in Miami. “While unpacking our bags I noticed him staring intensely and I had a feeling that he wanted to ask me something. I knew the answer was yes!” She says. They celebrated their engagement at a phenomenal revolving restaurant at the acclaimed Seattle Needle Station.

Setting of dates: Back home in Kenya, they set a date for their wedding. A year after their engagement, their plans were pleasantly postponed by the birth of their baby girl Wambui Waithaka.

They then celebrated their love in a Christian ceremony at an idyllic garden wedding a year later.

Traditions: The first visit-‘Kuhanda Ithigi’, saw introductions held at the bride’s home followed by ‘Ngurario’ - the traditional Kikuyu wedding ceremony. After their baby-girl was born, the bride, her parents and close relatives paid a visit to the Groom’s home for a welcome and familiarization party- ‘Kumenya Itaara’, which marked the end of the traditions and paved way for the wedding plans.

Parties: Claudia’s girlfriends planned a fourstep journey dubbed ‘The English Rose’ to accepting their friends’ newly

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Mr. and Mrs. Waithaka with their bundle of joy-Wambui acquired status and to celebrate their long-term friendship. The

in jeans and sexy tops. For the other dinner, we told her we were

first was a surprise tea party. “Claudia, like the English Rose, is

going to have a simple girls night in and she showed up in t-shirt

the epitome of the old and modern African woman, and for that

and cargo pants - everyone else was in a hot black dress!” adds

reason we wanted to have simple, low key parties, that we were

Eva.

sure she would enjoy. We showed up at her house with her favorite decadent chocolate cake.” Says Eva, one of the maids.

To crown it all, they are planning a grand finale, which will be a destination, sun drenched holiday in Zanzibar at a future

The second party was a dinner at the Moonflower restaurant that

convenient date!

brought together the bride’s friends, sisters and sisters in-law. The girls then went bar hopping and dancing - a trip down memory

Fashion:

lane. For the third step, they popped champagne in a bridesmaids

The bride was exquisite, in a simple, elegant hairstyle. She walked

only affair. Anna, one of bridesmaids, (an Executive Top Chef)

down the aisle in a custom made Ivory gown, accessorized with

cooked a sumptuous formal dinner for Claudia. “ They had

a matching set of pearl earrings and neckpiece from Rajshyn

put together a collage of amusing photos taken over ten years

Tel: 229304, 3875610. To complete her look, she carried a

of knowing each other, and presented it to Claudia. It was very

beautiful bouquet of orchids. “My dress was a combination of

touching and full of memories.” Claudia recalls. “We wanted her

three different designs, which my designer and I perfected to suit

to stand out at all her parties. For the first dinner, we led her to

my body type. My dress was the only thing about my wedding

believe that it was formal affair, only to show up and find everyone

that no one saw before the day.” Says the bride.

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The bridesmaids were equally gorgeous, in various shades of

queen cakes instead, of the traditional pre-cuts (she chose these to

antique gold dresses that co-coordinated with the day’s colour

surprise Waithaka because he really loves queen cakes). The invite

scheme. Waithaka and his men wore charcoal grey suits matched

was an ivory and brown “pull-out” design, decorated with gold

with off-white shirts and antique gold cravats to complement the

and brown Maasai discs, presented in a translucent envelope.

girls.

Eve of the wedding: Planning:

The bride spoilt herself with a manicure, pedicure, body scrub,

Claudia says she naturally has no passion for planning weddings,

facial, waxing and tweezing, in preparation for the wedding day.

and with just two months to put their wedding together, it made

“I had a professional come home and just have my beauty regime

perfect sense to hire the services of a planner. “I simply discussed

taken care of. I spent the night at my house and left in the morning

with her my desires and she took care of the logistics. I trusted

for my mom’s house to prepare for the big day.” She says.

her and I think that is very important for a bride to feel fully represented by her planner.” She says. Two committee meetings

Wedding day:

were held to help with timelines and to find an evening party

The day was clear and bright, despite the previous night’s heavy

venue. These meetings also helped to psyche up people for the

downpour and the bride could not have been happier. “When

wedding.

I saw myself with my veil on, the enormity of my commitment to Waithaka dawned on me” Claudia says. She walked down

The wedding theme reflected Claudia’s love of sunflowers. This

the petal-strewn aisle to Andrea Brocelli’s ‘Time to say goodbye’, in

was depicted in the marriage of yellows, browns and gold. To

the arm of her brother and mother. The beauty of the moment

further carry on the day’s theme, the bride worked with her baker

was accentuated by the floral arrangement against the verdant

to design a breathtaking three-tier cake with sunflower decorated

backdrop of the enchanting Botanical Gardens.

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Gift Registry: The couple was registered at Nakumatt Ukay Tel: 3740196, Inaara Tel: 4451314/24 and Woolworths Tel: 214203, to prevent duplication of gifts.

First Night: After a wedding dinner at Osteria Tel: 2723173, followed by an evening party at Kengeles (Lavington), the newly-weds proceeded for their first night at the Norfolk. They honeymooned at the exclusive Shompole Resort. “The drive was tedious but well worth it. It is intimate and beautiful. There are no doors or windows with a private plunge pool in every room. It was relaxing and I loved the game drives and the sundowners.”

Claudia says.

Hindsight: The bride says that the day superseded her expectation and the secret, she says, from her experience, is to be authentic. “Put your personalities into the wedding and have a wedding that people can identify with you. Do not fight with your spouse about the wedding because at the end of the day, the day is about celebrating your love. Concentrate on what makes you happy and not other peoples’ perceptions of what is good for you.” Claudia says.

She advises that you prioritize according to what you feel is important and for her, the bridal party and the catering is critical. “Most people coming to the wedding will want to see how the bride looks in her dress. Food is very sensitive and we wanted to make sure this was handled with utmost care.” She adds.

Last but not least, Claudia stresses, “Get a good wedding planner. It is important that the bride is relaxed on the day. Family and friends too should enjoy the day, as it is a celebration. The cost of a wedding planner will depend on the amount of work you are handing over to the planner and it does not necessarily have to be expensive. At the end of the day its not about the Wedding its about Marriage!” She concludes.

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Some of the traditions honoured by the couple was throwing of the bouquet by the bride and tossing of the garter by the groom

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A Private Affair Lula Njenga & Barnie Wamoto Wedding Date: June 30th 2007 Ceremony & Reception: Mamba Village Story: Cristabel Ododa Photos by: Freddy pix

Beginning:

160

Barnie and Lula dated for three years and being colleagues in

“Dating was really tuff, we had to keep it a secret and there was

the Hospitality industry, they had to pull every trick in the book

the constant fear of what if the management discovered that I

to ensure no one discovered that they were being more than just

was having a romantic relationship with my boss. We however

boss and colleague. “I joined the hotel on internship for three

managed for two years in fact our colleagues were so surprised

months then went on vacation to the United States but the Hotel

when we sent out the wedding invitation cards.” She says. She

promised to keep me my job, which they actually did. I noticed

however says that from experience, her advice would be that you

that he (Barnie) was very nice to me. He was well liked by all his

avoid office romance as much as possible. “It is so hard and can

staff and was basically like my care-taker at work.” Lula smiles.

either break or make the parties involved.” She adds.

Hospitality industry policies are so strict that they do not even

Proposal:

allow couples to work together. For this reason, nothing -crossed

Luckily for them, the end justified the means and the strain

Lula’s mind, not even when her then boss (Barnie) asked her out

proved worth it. Barnie asked Lula to marry him after a year and

to a date three months later into the job.

a half into the relationship. “We went out to dinner at Osteria

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Del Chianti. It was my birthday so I thought it was a birthday treat and was totally surprised when he popped the question. I did not sense it coming, in fact he was in meetings the whole day that day and I only saw him on my out, that is when he invited me to dinner so I went home and changed. I was 23 then and marriage was the last thing on my mind so I asked him to give me some time to think about it. He was understanding and gave me another year but I thought about it and made a decision to marry him.” She recalls.

Setting of dates: “I had about fifty relatives who live in the US and I wanted all of them to be present so I called them to find out what would be a convenient time for them and most of them were okay with June, since even the kids go for their three month summer holidays at that time. I therefore picked June 30th because I thought July would be very cold, August would rain and September was very far. After finding out that the kids were closing on June 25th for their summer Vacation, June 30th was favourable to all and that was it. My parents were traveling to the States and so they delivered my save the date cards to my expected guests abroad a year in advance.” Lula says.

Fashion: The minute she knew she was getting married, her first thoughts were that of herself looking like a princess in her wedding dress. She was determined to get her ideal dress and she went all the way. She wore a hand made

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gown with beading in purple on the back and around the hem

beautiful and bright.” She says.

with crystals for a sparkling effect.

Guest list: “I did not mind that I would wear it just once, I was ready to

Working on the guest list was the most difficult thing for Lula and

spend on my dress as long as it matched my dreams. My mum

Barnie. “My two grandmothers had lots of friends they wanted

and I went to Thailand nine months before my wedding. We were

in the list, my mom and dad too had more friends than we could

there for five days and I had four fittings before the wedding dress

accommodate. We had set a maximum of 300, moved to 400 but

was perfect.” She says.

ended up with 450. Our initial 300 cards had been ordered from abroad and we had to do some locally to fill in up for the increased

With a year ahead of her to plan, the bride had enough time to

numbers.” Lula says.

do her research. “I had a big scrap-book with the day’s colour scheme, my ideal dress, the cards design, the maids’ designs, the

Parties:

flowers, basically everything I needed for the wedding was in that

“My mom threw me a fun bridal shower two weeks to the wedding.

scrap book. I would stick papers of anything new I like on it.”

She invited fifty of her friends to my apartment and I had fifteen

She adds.

friends of my choice. Each of them was given a topic to discuss on sex, money, children and in-laws. I had many gifts and got valuable

Barnie and his groom’s men got their suits from Italy six months

first hand advice from my mom’s married friends.” Lula says. The

before the wedding.

groom too had a stag party the day before the wedding. “It was a disaster! The groomsmen partied until five in the morning so they

Traditions:

did not come to pick me up in time but Barnie and his best man

Customarily, the groom had to pay a formal introductory visit

retired to bed early at Jacaranda hotel Tel: 4448713/7.

to the bride’s home. “We had an informal luncheon for that in May 2006 then we were to have Ngurario but his uncles said they

Wedding eve:

too needed to meet whoever’s Ngurario they were being invited

The entire week before the wedding was an emotional rollercoaster

to. I therefore had to go for a formal introduction in Bungoma

for the bride. “I spent time during the last week packing my staff

where I met most of Barnie’s immediate and extended family.

and it dawned on me that I was actually leaving my mom’s house.

Two weeks later we had the Ngurario, which we combined with

I was getting married. It hit me so hard I used to just sit down and

Kuracia, the traditional Kikuyu wedding. We even got a certificate

cry. My wedding was a garden ceremony and I prayed every day

issued by the elders. After that, my whole family had to pay a

for God to give me sunshine. I spent the night at my mom’s house

visit to Barnie’s rural home so they can know where I was getting

and most of my relatives had flown in the previous day so this was

married off. We booked a bus over Easter and about 40 of us

the time to catch up over dinner.” Lula says.

traveled down to Bungoma. It was such fun. There was so much food, drink and traditional entertainers. Most of my relatives had

Wedding day:

never gone to Bungoma so we had such a blast.” She says.

“We woke up at 6.00 am and the sun was so up, I couldn’t have been happier. I dressed up from my bedroom and was very jovial

Planning:

until friends and family started flowing into my room with hugs.

Lula had to resign from her job at the Hotel with the wedding

They made me feel like I was leaving for good and that got me a

coming up due to the hospitality industry’s policies. “The week

bit emotional. My mom came to my rescue though when she told

after my resignation I traveled to get my dress and as much as

everyone that she had worked on my make up for so long that

dating was a struggle mainly due to the industry’s strict policy,

there was no way they were going to make me cry and ruin it so

it was worth it at the end of the day. I am very conservative and

she locked me up in her room.” She says.

at first I had wanted to have a traditional burgundy and Gold wedding but when I received a blue box of chocolate tied with

The ceremony was set to begin at eleven but that was not to be

a pink ribbon from a guest at the hotel before my resignation, I

since the groomsmen having gone overboard with their stag party,

knew those were going to be my wedding colours. The box was so

did not pick the bride at the scheduled time. “I was ready by ten

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and got really anxious when they did not show up on time. It was

Mombasa, it was a blast. We got five vans to pick us up from the

so frustrating I even thought my husband had changed his mind

train station to Leisure Lodge. We flew back after two days leaving

only for them to arrive at eleven thirty.” Lula recalls.

the rest there and spent the night at home. We were up by two am to go the airport for our big trip.” Lula says. They flew Egypt

Both the church ceremony and reception were at the same venue

Air to Cairo for three nights, and then went to Sharm El Sheikh

so the one-hour delay did not drag the schedule that much. “After

a resort on the red sea for four nights. Having booked directly,

church, we stood on the bridge and said hello to everyone who

they had an upper hand on what activities to engage in. “It is

was at the wedding as they crossed over to the reception grounds.

so beautiful and has clear waters. They have a market with nice

We then proceeded for photo-session as the guests had their

Egyptian stuff. We visited shopping malls, went bowling, watched

cocktail hour. One thing I remember was that the flowers were

movies and basically had so much fun. We stayed at three different

very beautiful! I almost cried when I arrived at the venue and

hotels managed by the Intercontinental group. Back to Cairo, we

when I walked down that aisle, I felt like I was in a little garden

visited the museums, pyramids, and saw much of the country. I

paradise out of this world. Catherine of Classic functions Tel:

was so depressed that the honeymoon was over. We spent our first

0722519974, 0733554630 did a wonderful job for us, I must

night back at Jacaranda Hotel.” She says.

say.” The bride says almost in tears.

Hindsight: Lula was walked down the aisle by her mom to exchange vows

Lula could not believe her part as the bride’s cast in the wedding

with her groom in a civil wedding. “My parents are divorced and

script had come to an end. “I suffered a bad post wedding

my mom remarried. So it was only fair to all parties that my mom

depression. Seeing wedding dresses at the mall drove me crazy,

walks me down the aisle. Besides I had just switched to a new job

I could not believe my wedding was over. It took two weeks to

and could not ask for immediate leave so I had to work until three

sink in. I do not know what I expected but somehow it ended too

days to the wedding. My mom ran around for me and literally

soon.” She says.

planned my wedding.” She says.

Planning her wedding however, was the most enjoyable task she “Barnie and I belong to different religions so we chose to have

ever engaged herself in and she has some advise for you.

a civil wedding. We had a representative from the AG’s office officiate our marriage. Dr. Chris Hart gave an interesting speech

“As I had said, I had just switched jobs so I thought it was wiser

on marriage and Caroline Nderitu recited us a poem before we

to have a longer honeymoon so decided to work until three days

exchanged the vows.” She adds.

to the wedding. That left me with very little time to jam-pack everything and it was difficult. I would advise brides to take more

The newly weds danced to Tindikti for the recession and had

time before the wedding. I had to rely on my mum and maid’s

Kayamba Africa Tel: 0722757553, 0722702353 among

and if you do not have close people who can help you, please get

other entertainers entertaining at the reception. After seven pm

a wedding planner. Get your clothes early enough, it saves you a

the guests all moved into the Mamba restaurant for an evening

lot of grief. Have you hair and make-up done at home. You end

party with entertainment by Home Boyz Tel: 553943/52

up wasting a lot of time going to the salon on the wedding day.

to crown it all. They hired additional tents, chairs, covers and

Save up, because sometimes the budget can really fly up and most

tiebacks in matching colours from Goldwings Tel: 4446538

importantly, hire experienced suppliers. It is also necessary that you visit the venue and at least know what will be placed where.

Honeymoon:

Last but not least, you need patience, everybody wants to have

After their first night at House of Waine, the couple settled to open

a say, so listen but know that you do not have to take the advice.

their mountain of gifts purchased for them from Pallacina Tel:

Stick to your gun and do not let your families manipulate you

2728826/9333, Inaara Tel: 4451314/24 and Nakumatt.

however difficult dealing with the typical ‘where is my card’ calls

They spent their second night at Holiday Inn. “The next day

can be.” She says.

my whole family from my mom’s side took a trip by train to

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Catherine Nambisia of Classic Functions pose with the couple.

She did the floral decor

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Venues

Wedding Services Directory

WINDSOR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB

FLORIENTA

SKY BLUE GARDENS

WINDSOR GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB P.O. Box 45587 00100 NBI Tel: 020 85623000 Fax: 020 8560160/1 Email: marketing@africaonline.co.ke www.windsorgolfresort.com

FLORIENTA Rosslyn Lone Tree Estate Tel: 0722 526499 Email: florienta@excite.com P.O. Box 48854 Nairobi, 00100

SKYBLUE GARDENS P.O. Box 24485- NBI Tel: 0722 141713/0733 984957 Off Masai west road, Hardy Karen

NAIROBI ARBORETUM

SAFARI PARK HOTEL

KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM

For bookings, Call 2725493,2725471

SAFARI PARK HOTEL P.O. Box 45038 NBI Tel: 020 3633000,3633219, 8562222 Fax: 020 8561584 Email: sales@safariparkhotel.co.ke www.safaripark-hotel.com

KAREN BLIXEN MUSEUM Tel: 020-882130/8 Fax: 020-882508 (M): 0722848043/0733616206 E-mail:info@blixencoffeegarden.co.ke Website: www. Blixencoffeegarden.co.ke

Wedding Services Directory

Venues

SAROVA STANLEY

KAREN BLIXEN COFFEE GARDEN

JACARANDA HOTEL

THE SAROVA STANLEY P.O.Box 30680-00100 Nbi Tel: 020 228830/316377, Fax: 020 229388 E-mail: reservations@the stanley.Sarova.co.ke Kenyatta Avenue

KAREN BLIXEN COFFEE GARDEN Tel: 020-882130/8 Fax: 020-882508 (M): 0722848043/0733616206 E-mail:info@blixencoffeegarden.co.ke Website: www. Blixencoffeegarden.co.ke

JACARANDA HOTEL P.O.Box 14287-00800 Nbi Tel: 020 4448713/5 Opp. Sarit Centre Westlands

FORT JESUS MUSEUM

TAMARIND DHOW

MARULA MANOR

NATIONAL MUSEUMS OF KENYA P.O. Box 40658 NBI Tel: 020 3742131/4

THE TAMARIND DHOW Tel: 041 474600 Email: dhow@tamarindmsa.co.ke Mombasa

OCCASIONS AT FLOWER BOX P.O. Box 44480 Nairobi Tel: 3000485, 0721 566551 Email: flowerboxfield@yahoo.com

Cakes

Wedding Services Directory

WONDROUS CAKES

CAKE COUTURE

KATE’S WEDDING COLLECTION

WONDOROUS CAKES P.O Box 67785-00200 NBI Tel: 020 788391 (M) 0722767967 Email: anne@wondrouscakeske.com www.wondrouscakeske.com Visions Place next to Uchumi Buruburu or Bandari Plaza, Woodvale Groove, Ground Floor.

CAKE COUTURE P.O. Box 228-00606 Nbi Tel: 3562351, 0722514816 E-mail: pnmagero@yahoo.com

KATE’S WEDDING COLLECTION P.O. Box 12542-00100 Nbi Tel: 552323/ 0733703565 Fax: 020-552309 Email: sweetland@wananchi.com Odyssey Plaza, South ‘B’

ELEGANT WEDDINGS & EVENT PLANNERS

VALENTINE CAKE HOUSE

THE METROPOLITAN COMPANY

ELEGANT WEDDINGS & EVENT PLANNERS Southgate centre, South B Mezz. Flr. Suite 6 Cell: 0722610892 Email: elegantwedds@yahoo.com

VALENTINE CAKE HOUSE Tel: 020-248939 (M): 0722-794414/0722-777357 E-mail: valentinecakes@yahoo.com Old Mutual Building, 4th Floor, Suite 435. Kimathi Street Nairobi.

METZ CAKES & PASTRIES Madona Hse, Ground Floor, Westlands Road, Off Mpaka Rd, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya Cell: +254 721 482 228 or +254 733 851 996

Wedding Services Directory

Cakes

SWEET INSPIRATIONS

THE BRIDES LINE AESTHETIC ENDS

CAKE ART

SWEET INSPIRATIONS Tel: 2728883,2010400,0722686750 Email: swtinspirations@gmail.com

THE BRIDESLINE AESTHETIC ENDS Santack Estate Opp. Telkom telecare Centre, Ngong Rd. Tel: 0724233096, 0722840443

CAKE ART Tel: 4448244/ 0733607232/ 0721474637 P.O. Box 72206-00200 Nbi Email: cakeart@nbi.ispkenya.com Riverside Drive, Metropolitan Estate

MARIA’S KITCHEN

GAL BRIDAL

THE CAKE DECORATING CENTRE

MARIA’S KITCHEN M: 0721 743 620 E: mariaskitchen2006@yahoo.com

GAL BRIDAL CENTER @Enka-rasha, Fashions, Kenyatta Avenue P.O. Box 41367-00100 Nbi Tel: 243993, 0722801578

MUDI ENTERPRISES P.O. Box 8643 -00100 Nbi Tel: 020 2726615 (M): 0721 949214/0722 348702 Golf Course phase1 Hse no 174

Designers

Wedding Services Directory

FOREVER 18 FASHION HOUSE

OCCASIONS ‘N DAYS BRIDAL

MIHATCHI DESIGNERS & CONSULTANTS

FOREVER 18 FASHION HOUSE Jamia Shopping Mall, 1st Flr. Shop No.F43 P.O Box 5708-00100 Nbi. Tel: 2015723,0725777700, 0733121607 Email: forever18fashionhouse@yahoo.co.uk

OCCASIONS N’ DAYS P.O.Box 16517- 00100 Tel: 020 651839 (M): 0722 236904/ 0733 610478 Email: fashion@ondfashion.com South B Shopping centre south gate

MIHATCHI DESIGNERS & CONSULTANTS China Centre, 2nd Floor, Ngong Road, Tel: 020 2738033 Cell: 0722 411759 P.O. Box 13327-00100 Nairobi Email: catherine@mihatchi.com

BEKINAS BRIDAL SELECTION

YAKA YEKE

JOHARI

BEKINAS BRIDAL SELECTION Marmanet Hse Opp. Our Lady Queen of Piece Catholic Church, South B. Tel: 3538903, 0733496393, 0733892337 Email: bekinasbridal@hotmail.com

YAKA YEKE DESIGNS P.O. Box 11938 – 00100 NRB Tel: 020 3872384 / 0722771199 Email: nina@yakayeke.com Arwings Kodhek Rd, wood ave junction

JOHARI P.O. Box 76227 – 00508 Tel: 020 – 2713804/ 0722951616 Email: Deborah@joharidesign.com Ground floor Titan Complex Chaka road (hurlingham)

Wedding Services Directory

RIALTO FASHIONS

RIALTO FASHIONS P.O. Box 41998 – 00100 NBI Tel: 020 248397 (M) 0722 635660/ 0733 892148 Tel/Fax: 020 223337 Email: rialto@nbnet.co.ke

BEZALEL

BEZALEL HOUSE OF CREATION P.O Box 19006- 0051 NBI Tel: 020 2731629/ 609129 (M): 0722415468 Email: bezalel_creations@yahoo.com Apartment 4B, Unipen Flats, Hurlingham shopping centre, Argwings Kodhek Rd.

Designers

JOSSY DESIGNERS

JOSSY DESIGNERS P.O Box 4169-00100 NBI Tel: 3746389 Email: Jossydesigns@yahoo.com Ngara Rd, Nellea Plaza, 1st Flr Suite 8, Opp Total Petrol Station

ESSENTIAL FASHIONS

AFRICAN HERITAGE

SAMWA

ESSENTIAL FASHIONS P.O. Box 15031 – 00509 Nrb Tel: 020 4440764/ 4450771 (M): 0722 983785/0735 778616 Email: essentialfashion@yahoo.com Jimkan Hse basement, Woodvale Groove Westlands

AFRICAN HERITAGE DESIGN COMPANY Tel: 020 890528/ 891997 Fax: 020 890528 Email: ahdco@wananchi.com (Available in all African heritage galleries)

SAMWA P.O.Box 57768-NBI Tel: 020-652187 (M): 0722815377 South B Shopping Centre, Mukoma rd Oddysey Plaza 1st Floor

Bridal Boutique

Wedding Services Directory

GAL BRIDAL

MALAIKA BRIDES

NEXT BOUTIQUE

GAL BRIDAL CENTER @Enka-rasha, Fashions, Kenyatta Avenue P.O. Box 41367-00100 Nbi Tel: 243993, 0722801578

MALAIKA BRIDES P.O Box 21774 – 00505 Nbi Tel: 020 554399 (M) 0721 352511/0735 352511 Fax: 020 554697 Email: malaikabrides1@yahoo.co.uk Capital Centre, Mombasa Rd

NEXT BOUTIQUE P.O. BOX 39877 – 00600 NBI Tel: 020 4443780/ 4440986 Fax: 020 4443780 Mpaka Road, Westlands (next to post office)

THE BRIDAL PLACE

CITY WALK

HOUSE OF BRIDES

THE BRIDAL PLACE P.O. Box 76396- 00508 NBI Tel: 020 2714904 (M): 0723700948 Email: bridalplace2000@yahoo.com Titan Complex, Ground Floor, Chaka Rd.

CITY WALK The Mall Westlands / The Village Market / The Stanley / Cross Road-Karen / The Junction Tel: 0726 644 414 Email: info@citywalk.co.ke

HOUSE OF BRIDES P.O Box 44480 – 00100 Nbi Tel: 240540, (M): 0723394511 Hamilton House, Kaunda Street

Wedding Services Directory

Men’s Wear

RIALTO FASHIONS

EURO COLLECTIONS

ENNUMI

RIALTO FASHIONS P.O. Box 41998 – 00100 NBI Tel: 020 248397 (M) 0722 635660/ 0733 892148 Tel/Fax: 020 223337 Email: rialto@nbnet.co.ke

EURO COLLECTIONS Mpaka Road Westlands, Tel: +254 20 4453595/727 Capitol Centre, Mombasa Road. Unit 5, Tel: 254 20 651 008 Fax: 254 20 553 342 Embassy House, Harambee Avenue. Shop No. E-2 Tel: 254 20 316 196

ENNUMI Natu Court, Ring Road Kilimani P.O. Box 7559 GPO 00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 3873523, Cell: 0722 274464

AFRICAN HERITAGE

MIHATCHI DESIGNERS & CONSULTANTS

YAKA YEKE DESIGNS

AFRICAN HERITAGE DESIGN COMPANY Tel: 020 890528/ 891997 Fax: 020 890528 Email: ahdco@wananchi.com (Available in all African heritage galleries)

MIHATCHI DESIGNERS & CONSULTANTS China Centre, 2nd Floor, Ngong Road, Tel: 020 2738033 Cell: 0722 411759 P.O. Box 13327-00100 Nairobi Email: catherine@mihatchi.com

YAKA YEKE DESIGNS P.O. Box 11938 – 00100 NRB Tel: 020 3872384 / 0722771199 Email: nina@yakayeke.com Arwings Kodhek Rd, wood ave junction

Wedding Services Directory

Event Organisers/Planners/Tents/Marquees BENI EVENTS & DECOR

WEDDING ESSENTIALS

WEDDINGS & EVENTS BY KUI

BENI EVENTS & DÉCOR P.O. Box 74961 – 00200 Tel:020 606603/ 0721552080/0735776166 Email: benievents@yahoo.co.uk Hima gardens house 8

WEDDING ESSENTIALS Tel: 020 277285, 2093623 Cell: 0725 126930 Website: www.wessntials.com

WEDDING & EVENTS BY KUI P.O Box 24081 – 00502 NBI Tel: 0723 688590/ 0722718306 Email: kobole@yahoo.com

SAMDOVE KENYA LIMITED

HOUSE IN BLOOM

SUPER SIX COMPANY LIMITED

SAMDOVE (K) LTD P.O Box 5739 - 00200 Nbi Tel/Fax: 020 2734857 (M) 0722551889 Kiambere Rd, Upper Hill near World Bank Offices.

HOUSE IN BLOOM Box 66357 Nbi Tel: 311685/311717/6752042 (M): 0722859568/ 703536 Email: Julie@houseinbloom.com Twiga Towers, Muranga rd opp meridian hotel

SUPERSIX COMPANY LIMITED ACCOSA Hse. Opp. Dental School-Ralph Bunche rd. Off Valley rd.

P.O. Box 56321-00200 Nbi Tel: 2734759, 2062066 Email: supersixcoltd@yahoo.com

Wedding Services Directory

Event Organisers/Party Rental Equipment/Tents/Marquees

KENYA EVENT MANAGERS

GOLDWINGS EVENTS

ROYAL REALM

KENYA EVENTS MANAGERS Box 53736- 00200 NBI Tel: 020 -3878215/ 577733 (M): 0722874888, 0722779522 Telefax: 020-3877733 Email: eventsmanagers@justin.co.ke eventmangers@wananchi.com Oleodume rd, off ngong rd opp. Jamhuri exchange

GOLDWINGS INVESTMENTS P.O Box 16852-00620 NBI Tel: 4446538/ 0722514880/ 4449210 Fax: (020) 444 9210 Email: goldwingskenya@yahoo.com 1st Floor, Office Park, Riverside Drive.

THE ROYAL REALM P.O. Box 21677 – 00500 NBI Tel: 020 3876332 (M) 0721 745280/ 0733 286253 Email: trr@kramis.com Website: www.realmservices.com Santack Estate, Hse No: 2176 Ngong rd opp Telkom Telecare centre

OCCASIONS AT FLOWER BOX

EXCLOOSIVE LTD

CHAIRMANIA

OCCASIONS AT FLOWER BOX P.O. Box 44480 Nairobi Tel: 3000485, 0721 566551 Email: flowerboxfield@yahoo.com

EXCLOOSIVE LTD Box 11080-00400 Nbi Tel: 3872597/ 3870035/ 3874976 Email: excloosive@level1.co.ke Lavington/ Atheru Rd opp. Amboseli

CHAIRMANIA P.O Box 5485-00506 NBI Tel: 551346/ 557480/ 550391 (M): 0722519790, 0733731866 Fax: 020-550391 Email: chairmania@wananchi.com Chepkorio Rd, off Lusaka Rd

Vediographers

Wedding Services Directory

CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

STUDIO NAIKO

Z. MEHAR

CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES Tel: 224588, 220729 (M): 0733 604102 Fax: 212075 Email: photoplaza@yahoo.com Anniversary Towers. Ground Floor, University Way.

STUDIO NAIKO Adams Arcade Ngong Road P.O. Box 12251-00100 GPO Nairobi Cell: 0733 749210, 0720 747803 Email: naiko25@hanmail.net

ONCE UPON A LIFETIME P.O. Box 13652 – 00800 NBI Tel: 020 4443317 (M) 0723846466 (M) 0734626896/0734761765/0733615029 Email: mehar@iconnect.co.ke

TRANSFER MAGIC LABS

DIGITAL EYE

REELTIME PRODUCTIONS

TRANSFER MAGIC LABS P.O. Box 7450 – 00200 NBI Tel: 020 316491/ 0735757529 Email: tml@mynairobi.com View park towers 1st floor university way

DIGITAL EYE Tel: 0720784444 Email: dennisnganga@hotmail.com

REELTIME PRODUCTIONS Email: mail.reeltime@gmail.com Tel: 254 020 2019786

Wedding Services Directory

Florists

CLASSIC FUNCTIONS

FLORAL INTERIORS

HOUSE IN BLOOM

CLASSIC FUNCTIONS P.O. Box 2881 Ngara NBI Telefax: 020 253132 (M): 0722519974/ 0733554630 E-mail: classicfunctions@yahoo.com

FLORAL INTERIORS P.O. Box 4584 – 00100 Nbi Tel: 020 551350 Vumira Hse. Grnd Flr, south B Email: floralinteriors@swiftkenya.com OR info@ floralinteriors.co.ke

HOUSE IN BLOOM Box 66357 Nbi Tel: 311685/311717/6752042 (M): 0722859568/ 703536 Email: Julie@houseinbloom.com Twiga Towers, Muranga rd opp meridian hotel

CHAIRMANIA

CAROL LEES

WEDDING & FLORAL DESIGN CENTRE

CHAIRMANIA P.O.Box 5485-00506 Nbi Tel: 020 551346/557480/550391 M: 0722519790 0733 731866 Fax: 020 550391 E-mail: chairmania@wananchi.com Chepkorio Rd. off Lusaka Rd

For details and price list, Please email oneof@africaonline.co.ke

THE WEDDING & FLORAL DESIGN CENTRE P.O Box 129- 00606 NAIROBI Tel: 4443921, 4451611 Email: weddcentre@wananchi.com www.weddingfloralcentre.com New rehema hse, rhapta rd

Caterers

Wedding Services Directory

THE SAROVA STANLEY

UTALII HOTEL

JACARANDA HOTEL

THE SAROVA STANLEY P.O.Box 30680-00100 Nbi Tel: 020 228830/316377, Fax: 020229388 E-mail: reservations@thestanley.sarova.co.ke Kenyatta Avenue

UTALII HOTEL P.O Box 31052 NBI Tel: 8563540-46/8561987 Fax: 8560514 Email: utaliihotel@utalii.co.ke Thika Road

JACARANDA HOTELS P.O.Box 14287-00800 Nbi Tel: 020 4448713/5 Opp. Sarit Centre Westlands

MARIA’S KITCHEN

WILHAZ CATERERS

SAFARI PARK HOTEL

MARIA’S KITCHEN M: 0721 743 620 E: mariaskitchen2006@yahoo.com

WILHAZ CATERERS Langata Shopping Centre Suite Opp. Carnivore Restaurant P.O. Box 9449-00200 NBI Cell: 0721729900

SAFARI PARK HOTEL P.O. Box 45038 NBI Tel: 020 3633000,3633219, 8562222 Fax: 020 8561584 Email: sales@safariparkhotel.co.ke www.safaripark-hotel.com

Wedding Services Directory

AMAZONIA PARTY (K) LTD

AMAZONIA PARTY(K) LTD Panari Sky Center, Ist Flr-Msa rd.

P.O Box 76561-00508 NBI Tel: 3566133, 0721842733,0734225280 Fax: 820601 Email: amazoniaparty@yahoo.com

PAMPA CHURRASCARIA

PAMPA CHURRASCARIA P.O. Box 76561-00508, Nairobi Kenya CELL: +254 724 739128 EMAIL: reservation-nbi@ pampagrillkenya.com, finance@pampagrillkenya.com Website: www.pampagrillkenya.com

VIRGINIA CATERING COLLEGE

VIRGINIA S CATERING COLLEGE Brookside drive off Lower Kabete rd or Juja rd Eastleigh P.O.Box 39137-00623 Nbi Tel: 4444980, 6766912 Fax: 4447071 Email: vscollege@excite.com

PERKY SU CAFE

PERY SU CAFE P.O. Box 16772 – 00620 NBI Tel: 020 828067 Fax: 020 828068 Parkside towers Mombasa rd

Caterers

CARNIVORE

CARNIVORE GARDENS Box 56685-00200 Nbi Tel: 020 605933-7 Email: weddings@carnivore.co.ke Langata Rd Nairobi

AMAICA RESTAURANT

AMAICA RESTAURANT China Centre, Ngong Road, 3rd Floor Tel: 020 4765288 Email: amaica@wescom.com

Wedding Services Directory

Wedding Gift List Service INAARA

WOOLWORTHS

NAKUMATT HOLDINGS

INAARA Westlands centre, Mpaka rd P.O.Box 13775-00800 Nbi Tel: 4451314/24 Fax: 4451304 Email: info@inaara.biz www.inaara.biz

WOOLWORTHS-VILLAGE MARKET Tel: 0207120450 Village Market

NAKUMATT HOLDINGS P.O. Box 78355 – 00507 Nbi Tel: 020 650137/79/ 551809-11/13 Email: Nakumatt@nakumatt.biz Mombasa Rd (Available in all Nakumatt stores countrywide)

INDOORS EAST AFRICA

HOUSE OF TREASURES

PALACINA

INDOORS EAST AFRICA LTD P.O.Box 49713 – 00100 NBI Tel: 020 4451417 (M) 0722 763451 Fax: 020 4451418 ABC Place ground floor (near the play ground)

HOUSE OF TREASURES P.O Box 986 – 00502 Karen Tel: 020 883224 Fax: 020 883223 Email: info@treasures.co.ke www.treasureskenya.com 70 Dagoretti road Karen

PALACINA INTERIORS P.O. Box 34187 NBI Tel: 020 2729333/394/485 Fax: 020 2723513 355/2 Dennis Pritt road

Wedding Services Directory

Wedding Gift List Service /Wedding Stationery

LG

EVES BAYON

Want to

Advertise!

Tel: 2734788, 2734840, 2729647 P.O. Box 10113-00100 Nairobi E-mail: Collet@wananchi.com Website: www.samanthasbridal.co.ke

HOT POINT APPLIANCES P.O Box 402-00600 NBI Tel: 254 20 3747022 Fax: 254 20 3751194 Email: info@hotpoint.co.ke Lower Ground, Sarit Center, Westlands.

CALISTA

CALISTA CREATIONS P.O. Box 2740 – 00100 Nairobi Tel: 0720 544930 Email: calistacreations@yahoo.com

EVES BAYON 2nd Floor, Yaya centre, Hurlingham P.O. Box 25608, Nairobi Kenya Tel: 254 2 571596 Cell: 254 722 521394 Fax: 254 2 571492 Email: evesbayou@facelift.co.ke

HAND MADE TREASURES

HANDMADE TREASURES Twiga Towers, Opp Meridian Hotel, Off Moi Avenue 6th Flr, P.O. Box 5454-00100, Nairobi Kenya Tel: 254 20 2015052, 0722 730 339, 0722 730 369 Email: annekyalo@yahoo.com

BENI EVENTS & DECOR

BENI EVENTS & DÉCOR P.O. Box 74961 – 00200 Tel:020 606603/ 0721552080/0735776166 Email: benievents@yahoo.co.uk Hima gardens house 8

Wedding Services Directory

First Night /Honeymoons/Destination Weddings THE PALACE OF THE LOST CITY

LEOPARD BEACH RESORT & SPA

TURTLE BAY BEACH CLUB

Bookings through Bunson Travel

LEOPARD BEACH RESORT & SPA Tel: +254 40 320 2721/3202110/11/12 Fax: +254 40 320 3424 Email:admin@leopardbeachresort.com or reservations@leopardbeachresort.com

Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa 3rd Floor Unga House Muthithi Road, Westlands Tel: 0722509998, 3742657, 3742628 Fax: 3742647 Email: salesnrb@dianireef.com

TWIGA TOURS

THE MADA HOTELS

HOLIDAY BAZAAR LIMITED

TWIGA TOURS Ground Flr Sarit Centre Tel: 3749475/7, 3750563/9 Cell: 0734-689442, 0724-789442 Email: shazmin@twiga-tours.com

MADA HOTELS Central Reservations Tel: (254-20) 221439, 218321 Fax: (254-20) 332170 Email: sales@madahotels.com

HOLIDAY BAZAAR LIMITED 268, Ring Road, Parklands Tel: 254 20 375 3333 Fax: 254 20 374 9103 Cell: 254 722 354 333, 733 616 445 Web: http://www.holidaybazaar.com

Wedding Services Directory

Honeymoons/Destination Weddings

SAROVA SHABA

SAROVA WHITESANDS

DIANI REEF BEACH RESORT & SPA

SAROVA SHABA LODGE Tel: 164 30638 Email: reservations@sarova.co.ke

SAROVA WHITESANDS Tel: 041 485926/7/8/9/ Fax: 041 485652 Email: reservations@whitesands.sarova.co.ke Mombasa

DIANI REEF BEACH RESORT & SPA 3rd Floor Unga House, Muthithi Road, Westlands Tel: 0722509998, 0734330031, 3742657, 3742628 Fax: 3742647 Email: salesnrb@dianireef.com

SAROVA MARA CAMP

SAMSONITE

INDIAN OCEAN

SAROVA MARA CAMP Tel: 050 22194/22386/ Fax: 050 22371 Email: reservations@sarova.co.ke MASAI MARA

Available in all Nakumatt Stores countrywide

Bookings through JACARANDA GROUP OF HOTELS P.O.Box 14287-00800 Nbi Tel: 020 4448713/5 Opp. Sarit Centre Westlands

Wedding Services Directory

Honeymoons/Destination Weddings NYALI BEACH

THE PALMS ZANZIBAR

LEISURE LODGE BEACH & GOLF RESORT

NYALI BEACH P.O. Box 90581, Mombasa, Kenya Tel: 254 41 471551/474640 Fax: 254 41 471987/472877 Email: sales@nyalibeach.co.ke

THE PALMS ZANZIBAR P.O.Box 1298 Zanzibar Tel: +255 748 203092/ 747 437007 Fax: +255 748 203093 Email: info@palms-zanzibar.com Website: www.palms-zanzibar.com

LEISURE LODGE BEACH & GOLF RESORT P.O.Box 84383 Mombasa Tel: 040 3202620/3202011/4/3203624 Fax: 040 3202046 Email: reservations@leisurelodgeresort.com Website: www.leisurelodgeresort.com

RAJSHYN JEWELLERS

PAN AFRICAN JEWELERS LTD

ZAVERIS LTD

RAJYSHN JEWELLERS P.O. Box 47206 – 00100 NBI Email rajshyn@yahoo.com Tel: 020 223160 Fax: 020 216298 Nacico chambers, Moi Ave/mondlane street

PAN AFRICAN JEWELLERS LTD The Mall, 2nd Floor, Westlands P.O. Box 48530, Nairobi Tel: 020-4440743, Fax: 020-4441848

ZAVERIS LTD P.O Box 13695, NBI Telefax: 4442434 Email: zaveris@hotmail.com Jimkan Hse, Ground Floor, Woodvale Grove, Westlands

Jewellery/Accessories

Wedding Services Directory

Entertainment

KAYAMBA AFRICA

KAYAMBA ROOTS

Contact: 0722757553,0722702353

Contact: 0722854918, 0722644070, 0722215846

HOMEBOYZ ENTERTAINMENT LTD

CHRIS BITOK

Contact: 0722757553,0722702353

Contact: Tel 4343749, 0721738188

THE STREAM STONES BAND

SUZZANE GACHUKIA

Contact: 0734660030

Contact: 0722516808

Transport

Wedding Services Directory

THE ROYAL AFFAIR

HIRE A LIMOUSINE

EURO COLLECTIONS

For bookings call 0722 480068

For bookings, viewings or further info, call 0722 504510 or 0722 150058

EURO COLLECTIONS Mpaka Road Westlands, Tel: +254 20 4453595/727 Capitol Centre, Mombasa Road. Unit 5, Tel: 254 20 651 008 Fax: 254 20 553 342 Embassy House, Harambee Avenue. Shop No. E-2 Tel: 254 20 316 196

EVENT MASTERS

SAROVA MARA BALOON SAFARI

Want to

Advertise!

Tel: 2734788, 2734840, 2729647 P.O. Box 10113-00100 Nairobi E-mail: Collet@wananchi.com Website: www.samanthasbridal.co.ke

Revlon Plaza, Tubman Road 1st & 2nd Flr P.O. Box 3071 (00506) Nyayo, Nairobi Tel: 020-215508, 217203 Mobile: 0722-516322, 0722-680088

SAROVA MARA BALOON SAFARI Tel: 050 22194/22386/ Fax: 050 22371 Email: reservations@sarova.co.ke MASAI MARA

Wedding Services Directory

Hair & Beauty

SALON JAWABU & BARBER SHOP

RHODA’S BEAUTY SPA

ABBYSINIA HAIR SALON

SALON JAWABU & BARBER SHOP P.O. Box 28190-00200 Tel: 020 247892 Kenya Cinema 2nd & 3rd floor

RHODA’S BEAUTY SPA Chaka Court next to Villa Salama, Arwings Kodhek rd, Hurlingham P.O. Box 10909-00100 Nbi Tel: 2733367, 0721536167,0733706194

ABYSSINIA HAIR SALON 1st Flr. Timau Plaza, Hurlingham Tel: 020 3866140 (M): 0722345138 Email: abyssiniasalon@hotmail.com www.abyssinia.com

BEAUTY SHOP

BLACK OPAL

SENSATIONS

THE BEAUTY SHOP P.O. Box 76201 – 00508 NBI Tel: 020 2712178/3865711 Email: robeston@wananchionline.com Yaya Center 2nd flr

BLACK OPAL Hilton Hotel Building Tel: 020 226966 The Mall, Westlands Tel: 020 4449603 Fax: 020 210377 P.O. Box 58788-00200, Nairobi Kenya Email: lyntons@swiftkenya.com

Available in all Nakumatt Stores countrywide

PERSONAL NOTES

198

Tel: 2734788, 2734840, 2729647 • P.O. Box 10113-00100 Nairobi • E-mail: Collet@wananchi.com • Website: www.samanthasbridal.co.ke