Our Wedding Day

After 6 months of intense planning, finally the day we had been planning, praying, hoping and patiently waiting for arrived. It had not been an easy road, there were many constraints that caused us to doubt the success of this day, many dark nights that left us looking up to heaven for solutions, many dark voices that for sure didn’t want the day to succeed, and indeed many toils and snares and yet Yahweh provided many kind hearts that were ready and on hand to help, they helped, they supported, they comforted, they encouraged, they gave their time, their money their resources and their all. We thank God for the people that He raised for such a time as this such people as our parents, our brothers, sisters, cousins, nephews, nieces, friends, church mates and neighbours, they really did a great job and ensured the success of our wedding.

The brides maids arrive in church

26^th November, 2011 marked our transition from bachelorhood and spinsterhood to holy matrimony. The day started as early as 04hours for us, the ladies were having the hair done as early as 04hrs and it was a busy morning for all of us. Much as we had tried to plan every detail to the letter, it didn’t turn out that way and people began to panic. Like the florist was expected to start decorating the cars at 06hrs but she only showed up at 08hrs and the service was scheduled to begin at 09hrs, it was two hrs of panicking and questioning and doubting and anger and many negative emotions flared but Yahweh still granted the grace and it was so sufficient.

The best men match to take their positions in church

Waiting in church for the bride, I began to wonder whether she was still coming, whether she had changed her mind for she was late. But at 10hrs, the cars ferrying the bridal party hooted and there was excitement in anticipating the marching in of the woman we were all waiting for. The bridal party matched in to Cece Winans “it wasn’t easy” and they looked so lovely with the ladies in their olive green knee high dresses punctuated by a lovely cream belt and ribbon and golden sandals and jewellery and the best men in their gray suits, white shirts adorned with jade green waist coats and ties and they just looked so beautiful, the flower girls were indeed looking like flowers in their knee high white dresses with long green belts and the page boys in black suits, white shirts and maroon ties, the setting was so lovely, so elegant and so blissful, it came out so well.

The bridal party matching in church for the Wedding blessing

The Bridal party took their places in front and immediately the instrumental “Here comes the Bride” was ringing in every corner of the church, the members of the audience got to their feet, the atmosphere was fully charged, my heart was beating, everyone wanted to see the bride long anticipated. In she came by the hand of her father, she look so radiant, so nervous and ever so beautiful, she was glowing, there were ululations as she walked down the aisle to me the waiting groom her eyes fastened on her bouquet obviously too nervous to look in peoples' faces, she was smiling, she was beautiful, it was a wonder, she looked like a dream. My heart was racing, it skipped several beats, my bride was coming, she was handed over to me and oh was she sweating. She was beautiful and she remains beautiful.

The men waiting for the Bride to walk in

The service progressed well and we were finally pronounced husband and wife. We wrote down our own vows and they sounded warming and comforting as they rung out from the both of us. I meant every bit of every word as I read out the following vows to her, “I, Obvious, take you Racheal, to be my wife, my partner in life and my one true love. I will cherish you and love you today, tomorrow and forever. I will trust you and honour you; I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully, through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come, I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep“

It was a solemn service, it was a beautiful day, and it was a beautiful beginning for the both of us. It was brighter than we had imagined it to be. 

After the service, we went for photos and then lunched at the matrons; we all got ready and headed to the Bridal shower venue. This bridal shower was unique in the sense that the first one hour of the shower, men were present and there was the cutting of the cake, it was beautiful, the bridal party graced the audience with their well rehearsed dance routines, the cakes were presented to the parents from both sides and then some cut to give to the guests.

The wedding line up pose for a picture

Obvious & Racheal Kamanga

The men were excused and the actual shower started. It was just as successful and Yahweh really spoke to people and they brought my bride many presents to help her start her new life and home.

Cutting of the cake with Mrs Mwanza the Matron

We both thank Yahweh Almighty that in our time of need, He never left our side, He stood by us, He encouraged us, he comforted us, He calmed our fears, He was our closest friend, Our Father indeed, He raised so many supporters and helpers for such a time as this and He provided for our every need that it was amazing how great His love is to us wards.  

Racheal arrives for her Bridal Shower

The groom bringing the fruit basket and flowers

We are now in our own home just the two of us and we thank Yahweh that He remains faithful through it all, May He forever be the third strand in our marriage as a cord of three strands is not easily broken. And my earnest prayer is that He may continue to bless our marriage and to grant us every grace to stay faithful and loving towards each other.

Exchanging of gifts

Mr & Mrs Kamanga