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Toothache almost ruined our wedding
The Asabas and their wedding entourage after exchanging their wedding vows at St Francis Chapel, Makerere University. Courtesy photo
What you need to know:
- FROM THIS MOMENT. James Asaba, a research assistant at Shoreline Services, Bugolobi, wedded Deborah Twinomujuni, an economist at Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, at St Francis Chapel on August 6, 2016. The two first met at Makerere University in 2010. They told their story to Henry Mulindwa.
- James: I had bought a ring two months earlier and I was waiting for that special and surprise moment. I went down on my knees and asked her whether she would marry me.
When and how did you meet?
Deborah: We met in 2010 at Makerere University. I was a class representative and he had a problem with some course unit and they directed him to me for help.
James: We were at School of Economics (Year Two) Makerere and I needed help with Introduction to Mathematics for Economists.
When did you eventually become close?
James: In 2015 but I had earlier connected her to Ipsos Uganda for some research work.
Deborah: Yes, James connected me to my first place of work in 2012. I did research work for one month and left. However, we kept in touch as friends.
What was the first visit at James’ house like?
Deborah: He was excited and even made me a sumptuous meal.
James: It was a very wonderful day, I enjoyed the conversation we had on that day, we talked and discussed a lot.
Did he propose to you?
Deborah: Yes, on November 18, 2015 at around 10pm.
Tell us more about it.
Deborah: He invited me for dinner, went on his two knees in the presence of my two close friends and my elder sister and asked if I would marry him.
What was your reaction?
Deborah: I was nervous. I could not believe he was proposing that soon and eventually, I cried as he kept on his knees before I answered.
James, how did you do it?
James: I had bought a ring two months earlier and I was waiting for that special and surprise moment. I went down on my knees and asked her whether she would marry me.
She screamed and called some of her friends, thereafter she became nervous. It took her minutes of thinking through and she also cried. After about 15 minutes on my knees, she said yes and I put a ring on her finger. I was somehow nervous.
What attracted you to each other?
James: The first time I saw her, I liked her dimples, the next time I saw her, she smiled and I liked her smile. She is beautiful, intelligent, open-minded and kind.
Deborah: His patience because he tried getting closer to me for five years but he did not give up. He is handsome, caring and God-fearing.
What was your budget and how did you raise the funds?
James: About Shs18m. We started preparations early, we did everything together from the word go, we opened a joint account. God blessed us through our friends, workmates and family members who contributed to the cause.
Deborah: We opened the account after our engagement. We also got money through wedding meetings, workmates, friends and family members.
What was your colour theme?
Deborah: Blue and red. The two colours are romantic and vibrant.
Were you disappointed in any way on that day?
James: Yes, I got a toothache immediately after our introduction on July 30. The dentist extracted the tooth that night, my cheek was still swollen up to my wedding day. I was in pain but tried hard to stay strong.
Deborah: I always took things easy to avoid disappointments on my special day. However, the DJ did not play the songs which I selected.
Where did you get your attire from?
Deborah: I shopped for my gown from Unique Bridals near Radio One. I had my changing dress tailored.
James: My suits were tailored in Nakawa Market. The quality of material worked in my favour and I did not have to make any alterations.
What did you enjoy the most on that day?
James: When I opened Deborah’s veil, she looked more beautiful and fresh.
Deborah: I enjoyed Cinderella, the song that was played when I was entering church.
What was going through your mind during the wedding ceremony?
James: I felt so energised and thanked God for his faithfulness. I was quietly saying, “God, you have perfectly answered the desires of my heart.”
Deborah: I was happy because the day had finally come and it was beautiful. However, I was wondering about how my new life would be.
Did you go for premarital counselling?
James: Yes, we did at St. Francis Chapel, Makerere, Watoto Church Kyengera and at Kampala Bible Revelation Church Makerere. I learnt that marriage is a world of two friends (man and woman) and a place for learning and celebrating on a daily basis.
Deborah: I learnt that the Bible should be the guide for our marriage because marriage is God’s idea and a holy mystery. And, that it should be original.
Did you think of going for honeymoon as vital?
Deborah: Yes, but it was not a priority during the preparations.
James: Our goal was to cover our budget to zero balance. We discussed it one day after our wedding and agreed on where to go.
What is your advice to those intending to get married?
James: As a man do not think it is over and you should not stop treating your wife in a special way as it was while you were dating, love should be continuous. Jesus should always be the centre of your marriage, consult Him first on any matter and always pray and play together.
Deborah: Wisdom is a principle thing and we can only find it in the Bible. It has all the solutions to the challenges that might come their way.
Communication is key in a relationship, one should appreciate whenever another party does something good and patiently talk about the bad things and find a way forward together as a couple.
Did you have any debts after the wedding?
James: No. This is our big testimony. We covered our budget to zero balance, we only remained with balance for photography and videography services which we paid to UGA Events after doing a commendable job.
Deborah: We actually had enough money to take us through the first month in our marriage.
The highlights
Bridesmaids
Deborah chose Rachael Lule Nabagereka as matron and Annet Mukulu, Diana Natukunda , Ruth Mbabazi, Gift Mirembe as maids because they are her friends. Mbabazi is her young sister and she loves her so much.
Rings
The couple shopped for silver-plated rings which befitted such a day from Dana Jewellers, Kampala. They broke away from the gold rings tradition.
Cake
The 16-tier cake with blue and beige light petal adornments looked yummy. It was baked by Gracious Confectionary in Mengo.
Groomsmen
Clad in grey and navy blue suits, James Asaba chose his brothers and best friends to be on his entourage. The most outstanding quality about them is that they believe in him. They got the suits tailor-made in Nakawa Market.
Gifts
While you scout for gifts, bear in mind that couples that have been living together already do not require any of the traditional “setting up a home” type gifts. After, finding the perfect gift elegantly wrap it. You do not need expensive paper and beautiful ribbon to make a statement.
Trendy
selfies have become more and more common throughout the day. Weddings are not an exception. A lively and trendy entourage normally indulges in this. James’ groomsmen embraced the trend.
The deal
Date: August 6, 2016
Groom: James Asaba
Bride: Deborah Twinomujuni
Church: St Francis Chapel, Makerere University
Reception: Watoto Church Kyengera Gardens
Budget: 18m.
Guests: 400
