Wow! The wedding was more beautiful than I could have ever dreamt of. Wedding for a queen! When I arrived in Uganda I was still going around with the team I can with and planned to do everything they were doing. One day we went out to go digging in some gardens and I was told to stay in the shade and not to do a thing. They didn't want me to get scratched, bruised, or burnt. Haha. They later told me that in their culture, the bride is usually not seen a week before the wedding. She is supposed to stay in a dark room, in her bed, resting. The most she will do is lift her arms for someone to rub oil on her! (: Aleto and Brenda gave me dance lessons. Told me that I will be the center of attention and everyone will be watching to see how I dance. This white girl found it hard to dance the way they do. I'm just not that coordinated! haha.
Thursday night was the wedding Kasiki (usually the night
before the wedding). The Kasiki is held at the grooms home. It's 1 big dance
party that lasts all night long! We arrived to music you could hear a mile down
the road. Earlier that day, they killed and skinned a goat for the Kasiki
feast. You could see it cooking on the grill in the corner of the yard. I had
to go around to every person to greet, introduce myself, and thank them for
coming. Of course, there was a bride and groom dance to start the party off. Glad
it was a dark but I danced! (:
Friday they allowed me to take a nap (bride needs rest)
and then they took me to a local "Salon" (Saloon - is how they say
it) to get my nails done and get the african dirt off my feet. Was told that if
I got dirt on my feet again, they would hurt me.
Saturday was the wedding! Got up at 5am to get to the
Salon by 6 so they could do my hair and all my girls. Learned that 6am means
7:30 African time. Wedding was supposed to start at 10am. At 11am we were still
in the salon and I was getting worried. LATE!! But someone came in to reasure
me that they are supposed to wait on me and I am not to rush 1 bit and to take
my time. The cars arrived at 11:30 to pick us up and take us to The Source of
the Nile Gardens. I figured that the groom and grooms men would already be
there but no. Our car pulls into a gas station and pulls up right next to the
groom and his car. All the girls in my car (including me) started screaming at
Ivan to turn around and for the driver to drive away. I quickly laid down in
the car as flat as I could with my dress. Sheesh. We finally move on without him
seeing me. We arrive at 12noon and everyone is waiting. 2 hours late for my
wedding but they tell me I am not late and I am right on time. (: The place was
beautiful. Cool breeze, sun was out, plenty of shade, and the nile river right
next to us. 20 min later, I walked down the isle in my daddy's arm to meet my
Ivan. He looked so handsome standing there waiting for me. We said, I do! I
felt like a celebrity. Cameras all up in our faces all day long. counted 15
cameras at one time. Danced back up the isle and took lots of pictures. The
decorations, tents, flowers, food, and hours of entertainment was amazing!
Tribal dancers, Sonrise Childrens Choir, more dancers, singers, and speeches.
After the cake cutting, he took cake to my family to
serve them and I took cake to his family to serve them. I met his grandmother
(87 years old) through this. Then we went and served each other cake and
Mountain Dew (: Made our speeches and
danced some more. We had over 800 people at the wedding. I am so glad I was
able to share it with my parents, sister, best friend, new family, and team. Many
came from Canada and the UK to join us for the wedding too. All the Aunties,
Church members, Mirembe girls, and Sonrise children/babies were all there.
So thankful for my wonderful husband, siblings, and his team of friend who planned this
beautiful wedding. I love you all!
