What a celebration! Our day began around 9am, when we had to collect the bride. It is a Kenyan tradition that the women and the groomsmen (but not the groom) have to go to the bride’s house (or wherever she is getting ready) and convince her to come out for the wedding. In order to get her to come, you have to sing and dance. She can also make demands of you until she is satisfied (i.e. she will tell the group they are not singing loud enough or enthusiastically enough, she can also demand that specific items be brought to her). Several days before the wedding, the women also bring her and her family things. For example, for the bride’s sister, they bring a blanket because now that the bride will be leaving, the sister who is left will be cold and lonely without her so she needs the blanket to warm and comfort her.
When the bride is satisfied with the performance, she comes out in her wedding dress and we continue to the wedding ceremony location. The groomsmen come to this event to collect the bride for the groom and ensure that she actually comes to the wedding.
The wedding ceremony was essentially the same as in a U.S. church wedding, with some minor differences in, I guess execution rather than concept, which may be cultural, personal choice, or a combination:
• Processional
• Giving of the bride by the father
• Worship (singing)
• Message to the couple by the pastor
• Vows, exchange of rings, etc
• Recessional
The reception also has similarities and differences:
• Food served
• Cutting of the cake
• Speeches:
* From the parents (the groom’s parents spoke; and also the bride’s father – although traditionally in Kikuyu
weddings,the parents never speak at the wedding, they are just there to attend).
* The best man made a speech at the end (though the speeches are not really toasts in the same way we do…
there is no common beverage to toast with or anything. And also some of the speeches became quite long,
even by Kenyan standards!) &The bride and groom also spoke. They thanked everyone for coming, etc.
• Entrance of bride and groom. The bride and groom have a very big entrance following the wedding photos. All the
women gather around them and sing and dance with them while they enter (in this case from the parking lot, down the
walk, to thereception location). It probably took us 15-20 minutes for this process.
Another difference. Listen to this. Traditionally the wedding is for the GROOM, and he (and his family) are in charge of the wedding. The bride and her family just have to attend. Can you believe it!?! With the years and years American girls spend dreaming of their perfect wedding, having the groom responsible for the event may result in disaster. Some women may even fear that if the groom was in charge, the wedding may take place during half-time of some sporting event with Chex Mix and brauts for the “post-game show reception”. Wedding colors concurrent with the favored team. Vows and blessings related to the game’s progress and outcome. Ok, maybe it wouldn’t be that bad…haha. ☺
(Here we are leaving the Bride's house after successfully convincing her to come to the wedding - this man is playing a traditional Kikuyu instrument)
(Groom's parents in traditional Ugandan wedding attire. Kenya doesn't really have a traditional special occasion dress).
(Yosia & Nyambura - nicknames: Yos & Nyam)
(Tom & Rose, showing off her Ugandan wedding attire - though she is Kenyan).
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