Beginning:
Gus was doing his masters degree in history and Janet pursuing her bachelor’s degree in biology in Pennsylvania and that’s how they met at the library! “We had no courses together and didn’t even take classes in the same building the only place we could have met is in the library. I studied and worked at the library’s café and I noticed that while he was in the library studying, he would buy endless cups of coffee just to keep talking to me.” Janet says.
The proposal:
After 1 year, Gus took Janet totally by surprise! “I was returning home from work and when I opened the door to the apartment, and found Gus on one knee I was completely surprised. He says that he was planning on waiting a little longer to have a better setting for the proposal, but he was too excited and just wanted to pop the question.” Janet recalls. But it wasn’t until four years later that they decided to get to “I was returning home from work and when I opened the door to the apartment, and found Gus on one knee I was completely surprised.”
SPECIAL TOUCH:
“Gus and I made and printed our own stationery at home i.e. wedding invitations, menu cards, programs. My wedding and engagement ring were bought at two separate jewellery stores in the US. The engagement ring is white gold and has a clear diamond, so we knew we wanted a wedding band that was white gold, but I didn’t want any jewels on the wedding ring.
WEDDING DAY:
“When I woke up I was very nervous but excited. I didn’t really eat anything for breakfast, although my cousin had cooked mandazis, tea, and sausages. But as the day went by, I started relaxing and enjoying each moment. I felt beautiful and was ready to be made one with my husband.” She smiles.
CEREMONY:
Janet and Gus exchanged their vows in a protestant wedding ceremony. “We had a garden wedding with a modern twist, so the colours were yellow and grey. We wanted a bright colour so we picked yellow. And we wanted a contrasting colour that fits very well with yellow, so we picked grey.
Fashion:
The bride literally stumbled upon her dress! “I was actually looking for an ivory or off-white, mermaid, strapless dress, with lace. I always thought such dresses looked pretty, so it was an obvious choice for me but somehow, all the dresses that fit that description were either not within my budget or did not look that good. I live in Pennsylvania, and had actually given up on finding a gown close to where I live, so decided to put all my effort in finding bridesmaids dresses. During one of those shopping sessions, my bridesmaid and I walked into a Demetrios Brides store in New Jersey, and I decided to try on wedding gowns. After trying on 6 or so, I tried on my gown, which was nothing like what I was looking for and fell in love with it.” Janet says. the aisle. “We had known each other for 1 and a half years and even though I said yes, I thought I was still too young therefore we got hitched 4 years after getting engaged.
GIFT REGISTRY:
“We asked our guests to give us monetary gifts, as we were going back to the states after the wedding. So we had several doubled gifts” Janet jokes.
HONEYMOON:
“Nairobi Serena Hotel gave us the honeymoon suite, which comes with champagne, a fruit basket, souvenirs, rose petals spread throughout the room, and late check in. We then went to South Coast Diani Beach for 3 days. Gus had never been to the Coast of Kenya, and I wanted to show him and have him experience the hot, deep blue Indian Ocean (water in the Atlantic Ocean is cold and brown), the white sandy beach, the Swahili culture and the history. I have a friend who owns a villa at Diani Beach, that isn’t too far from the beach, so I booked the villa directly with her, no agent involved.
ANET’S CONTACT BOOK
Flowers and decorations: Elite tents.
Church Entertainment, Patricia Kihoro Reception and evening party Entertainment, Xplode Move
Venue: Karen Country Lodge
Video and Photography: Studio Shutter speed Evening Party Venue – Mamba Village Bridesmaids’ dresses, David’s Bridal
Gown: David’s Bridal
