All posts by Samantha's Bridal Team

Desire to have a fun filled wedding? Here are the three C’s to look out for a good MC

July 8, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

Most couples do not understand the significance of having a great MC host their wedding. To cut costs, they either use their sanguine uncle or their best friend who most often than not ends up killing the vibe or being partisan in the wedding. The main role of a Master of Ceremonies is to “conduct” the entire event. A good MC should ensure that the program runs smoothly, runs on time and that all important people at the event are introduced in a complimentary, professional manner. As Kimaru Maina, an associate MC at Sisimsha Entertainment puts it, a couple should consider the three C’s, which are Competence, Character and Chemistry before signing up an MC.

Here is is a brief interview that we had on who he is and what being an MC is all about:

1. What do you love the most about working in the wedding industry?

I love what weddings represent. I believe my purpose on earth is to paint a picture of what God originally intended marriage for marriages: and what a better way to begin this painting than to be with couples as they begin their beautiful journey of marriage.

2. What is Sisimsha Entertainment known for?

Sisimsha entertainment is a team of fun lively yet professional MC.s. These are the qualities that most people love about us. The first job of an MC is to bring life to a wedding i.e make sure everyone at the wedding has the time of their life. The second half which is equally important, is to professionally manage the wedding i.e make sure the wedding runs on time while managing the program participants yet with utmost respect. We pride in being amongst the very few MC.s who simultaneously bring fun and efficiency at a wedding.

3. What inspires you?
Seeing a couple happy: I will continue being a wedding MC for so long as I see couples enjoying themselves as they begin their journey of marriage.

4. What are the current trends?

Interesting to note is how more and more couples desire to dance and to have everyone in their wedding join them in a dancing. While comedy was a great form of entertainment years back, dancing seems to be taking the center stage more and more.

5. What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Every wedding should be unique just as the wedding couple is unique. I therefore have to reinvent myself as an MC, to make sure I uniquely customize each wedding to meet the desire of the couple. It is not always an easy job, but it is for this reason that we work as a band of MC.s so we can continue to bring original funky ideas that spice up any wedding we entertain.

6. What is Sisimsha Entertainment’s focus this year?

For the years 2014 and 2015, Sisimsha Entertainment has embarked on raising the level of professionalism offered by MC in the wedding industry: to retire the uncles and cousins from having to work in their relative’s wedding. While we remain humbled by the level of confidence we have received in this industry, we desire that many more MC. in the market offer equally great standards of competence. In effect, this will raise the bar of professionalism in the art of being an MC in the wedding industry.

Tel: 0720813999

Email : kimarumaina@sisimsha.com

Wedding Tips

Civil Wedding Ceremony

May 9, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

Civil ceremonies may be the best option for couples that are unsure about their own religious convictions – or who simply prefer a small, simple and inexpensive ceremony. Also for couples who may choose to bypass the tension and potential family problems of an interfaith ceremony by having a civil ceremony. The officiant in a civil ceremony is a judge or other civic official legally qualified to perform a marriage.

Civil ceremony in the office of the Registrar of Marriages

Once the Legal notice of 21 days has been issued, the couple pays Kshs.1400 and book a date for the marriage. This should be up to 3 months in advance. The celebration must be between 10:00am and 4:00pm. Once celebrated, the officer issues a certificate of marriage and the parties are required to sign in duplicate and the signatures witnessed by at least two people. The couple retains one copy of the certificate and the other is sent to registrar of marriages. If you prefer to hold your ceremony in the civic official’s office, think twice about your wedding attire. You may not feel comfortable coming and going in a full-length gown. The dress code is a street-length dress or suit for the bride and a suit for the groom.

Civil Ceremony at Your Chosen Venue
Contrary to the stereotype (a barren scene in a judge’s chambers that takes all of twenty seconds), being “civil” does not necessarily mean boring, quick or small. If you like, you can have a civil ceremony with all the trimmings of a traditional church wedding granted. It won’t be in a religious setting, and no religious officials will be present, but you can summon a sense of power and drama. After all, your civic official isn’t tied to a chair in his office. Get him or her out of the office – and into a hotel ballroom, garden or on a dhow or anywhere else you feel like having your wedding.

A Special License is required if the civil wedding ceremony is to take place in a place other than the Registrar’s office. You should give a 21 day legal notice and a fee of Kshs.10,250 over and an above the Kshs.200 is payable. The registrar can travel to your chosen venue to conduct a civil ceremony. Confirm that the registrar is available on the day. The ceremony involves the signing of the certificate, which is a five-minute job. You can however incorporate vows of your choice provided the registrar approves them.

This type of civil ceremony can also be booked up to 3 months in advance. Civil ceremonies not held at marriage registrar’s chambers are usually held at the reception site, which tends to make things more convenient for all involved. It doesn’t make such sense to rent a hotel ballroom for the ceremony, and then move everyone for the reception.

Order of Service
This ceremony takes about 10 – 15 minutes. The exact content will be at the registrar’s discretion. Legally, a civil wedding can’t have vows, songs, poems or readings with religious references.

Once everyone’s seated and you and your groom are together at the front of the room, the registrar will welcome everyone and explain what will happen in the ceremony.

This might include:
“We are here today to witness the joining in matrimony of …………. and ……………… “. “……………. and ………………….., before you are joined in matrimony I have to remind you both of the solemn and binding
character of the vows you are about to make. Marriage according to the law of this country is the union of one man and one woman, voluntarily entered into for life, to the exclusion of all others. But more than this, marriage is also intended to provide the love and friendship, help and comfort, which each ought to have for the other, both in times of joy and the times of hardship.”

You and your groom then declare your intention to marry. This might include: “…………..will you hold your bride’s / groom’s hand. Will you take ……………..to be your lawful wedded wife / husband, to be loving, faithful and to be loyal to her / him in living your lives together?” Response: “I will”.

Marriage Vows
Legally required vows of marriage must be included in the ceremony. For example: “I do solemnly
declare that I know not of any lawful impediment why I …………may not be joined in matrimony to……………… I call upon these persons here present to witness that I …………………do take thee…………….to be my lawfully wedded wife / husband.”

Exchanging Rings
You can make personal vows to each other as well as legal ones. For example: “I give you this ring as
a symbol of my love, friendship and patience, to support and comfort you through good times and
troubled times.”

From the Experts, Style

A SPA experience for any bride

April 20, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

Our Director, Dr. Catherine Masitsa-Rosza had booked this appointment for us a week in advance – a day at the spa. High in spirits, at 10a.m we make our way to Total Woman Spa located on the first floor of Adam’s Arcade Shopping mall. We are greeted at the door by a lovely looking lass in white. As we venture inside the parlor with its blue painted walls and crisp white furniture: tables, chairs working tops, it’s an atmosphere of serenity and tranquility. Janet, the Spa owner greets us with a warm smile and warm conversation as and hands us over to her attendants and the pampering begins.

First, we are treated to a sugar scrub with mint, and its heaven! The skin-penetrating effect of mint and the sugar on the hands is really soothing. The sugar-based exfoliating treatment makes quick work of dull, dry skin and ragged cuticles to give even to the most mani-deprived hands a taste of soft, smooth, spa manicure perfection–in just one minute. Ask for it when you visit the spa sometime.

This was followed by the paraffin manicure, and no, there was no paraffin smelling chemicals involved. It is actually a beauty treatment for the hands that combines nail polishing and buffing with skin softening and moisturizing. While most standard manicures focus only on the fingernails where Manicurists rub lotion into the fingers or provide brief palm massages, to increase blood flow into the fingers, which can help nail enamel adhere; paraffin manicures involves the entire hand being dipped in paraffin wax (this is where it derives its name from) either before or after the nails are polished, in order to seal in softness and moisture. The wax is usually left on the skin for some time, usually between five minutes and half an hour. When it is removed, the skin will typically feel silky soft, and the hands are refreshed and revitalized. Paraffin Manicure focuses on the health of the whole hand and ultimate relaxation is usually the goal. The incorporation of the wax is typically considered a luxury, and this sort of manicure is usually among the more expensive offerings at salons and spas.

Oh did I mention the tea and biscuits, the whole time we were getting the manicure? It really is thoughtful service.

Our hands look dapper, we make our way to the pedicure station complete with an all-white leather Robotic Massage Chair, with a full back and seat massage remote controlled by, you guessed it, you! The jet massage tub is exhilarating as the warm foamy pedicure bath massages the feet and toes. The lovely ladies work on our feet scrubbing, exfoliating and all manner of pleasantries and the result –soft, radiant feet, red painted toes that your significant other can eat grapes from. *wink*wink. A treat that every bride-to-be must have. Better still add it to your monthly bucket list.

Finally, we make our way to our private rooms each for a facial, massage and waxing. By the time we are done, its five o’clock, and we have to leave the pleasant indulgence.

Style, Wedding Ideas, Wedding Tips

5 Tips to consider when choosing an engagement ring

April 18, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

1.Practicality

Although the ring is removable, its shape and size will matter depending on the amount of handiwork she may be involved in. Remember the higher the positioning of the gemstone on the ring, the easier it is for it to get caught of clothes, surfaces etc thus a greater possibility of being knocked out. This goes to say you must put into thought your fiancee’s lifestyle, if she’s the real outdoorsy kind of girl, keep the gem positioned low, get a flashy rock for a fashionista and consider vintage for a girl with the same trait.

2.Ring Size
Don’t guess her size! The last thing you want is breaking her finger while you are down on one knee.Just for this one time, ignore your conscience and steal one of her rings to have it sized by a jeweler and while you’re in her jewelry box, forget the penal code on trespass and take a few cell-phone shots so you can remember what she likes.

3.Be selfish…

Just for today, she will most likely want the wedding bands to match her engagement ring. Dear loved one, remember your wedding band will also match hers. The only way to avoid having a band that gets people second guessing your orientation is treating the 4Cs with some futuristic seriousness! As fit as a fiddle? Just Customize Ask your jeweler if its possible. You may not exactly find what you are looking for or what she desires: go bespoke. Consider too you may not want to customize the ring just yet, but as the trends and century turns, it may be passed on in the family heirloom.

4.Oh Yeah…This could shoot a hole!

Yes it might, and understandably so. But you don’t have to take a loan to put a ring on it. I believe by now you are thinking marriage, and so both of you know just how far you can stretch your cheque books. Prove yourself worth her life despite the post recession report!

5.One More Thing ….
Be nice to her friends, the ones who can keep a secret. Find out what she loves, what she dreams about what she has always wanted. If need be, sketch your covert mission with them. You are now

Wedding Ideas

Amazing Lace Gowns

April 13, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

At Samantha’s bridal we always have our finger firmly on the pulse of developing trends as we seek to bring you the very best of weddings. we love this lace Pronovias gown show cased in Bacelona Spain.

Lace bridal gown is timeless style. Whether you choose an entire lace gown or even just some lace accents it will be romantic and popular. 2012/2013 saw a sharp rise in its use. The trend continues to gather pace and lace is now one of the most favored fabrics by bridal designers worldwide.

When lace first gained widespread popularity in the 16th century, it became a status symbol since lace was exceptionally costly. A person’s wealth and social standing could be easily determined by the amount of this lavish decoration he or she wore.

Once thought by many to be too old-fashioned and ultra-traditional, lace is one of the hottest things in bridal these days. This versatile textile simultaneously reveals and conceals and can be romantic or bold, classic or edgy, demure or sexy, formal or casual—all depending on how bridal designers choose to use it. Regardless of your style, there is a lace to suit your tastes. You just have to find the right lace for you.

From the Experts, Wedding Ideas

Bridesmaid Guide

April 12, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

She asked you to be in her wedding, and now you’re wondering what the job entails.

The good news is that you don’t have to be an etiquette guru or event diva to play this role perfectly. Being a bridesmaid is ultimately about love and friendship. Being there for the bride in body, mind and spirit. It’s about learning to laugh even when you are wearing the worst dress and shoes of your life. It’s about finding special ways to celebrate friendship, and provides perfect excuse to party with the girls. You simply need to be your most fun and supportive self and handle a few basic tasks to nail your job with poise and grace. These are the Golden rules that every fabulous bridesmaid should live by;

Be fabulous

Being fabulous is about being the best friend you can be, loyal, enthusiastic, fun, gorgeous, and true. This has very little to do with money but everything to do with attitude; that is feeling love and respect for the bride’ you if you don’t love and respect the bride, or you have doubts, think again about being on the line up. Imagine how you will feel after spending a lot of money, hosted parties, logged in hours of being supportive.

Say yes to her dress

The simplest strategy of dealing with a not so flattering bridesmaid dress is to graciously accept it. Wear whatever and pay whatever the bride wants for as long as it’s reasonable of course.

Know the bride

No matter how many bridal line-ups you have been on, every bride is different from each other. And every bride will want different things from her bride’s maids. Use your knowledge of her personality to provide the kind of support she may need. Does

She has an obnoxious mother in-law? Be the interface when the woman gets bossy. Or is she worried about getting the perfect dress? Take her for dress fittings in different bridal gown houses. As a friend you have everything it takes to be a good Bridesmaid especially of you think a lot around on how you can help instead of just assuming that you know her well enough to read her mind.

Stay tech savvy

Just like any job, you must stay on top of technology trend and being a bride’s maid is not different. Check the Internet for bridal shower ideas; view different bridesmaids dress designs, look at different color combos and wedding ideas for the bride. It only takes a few minutes.

Have no expectations

Getting married is very overwhelming and sometimes brides become neurotic. Please don’t abandon her when she needs you most! Your emotional support and sense of humor are the keys to her sanity. She may not be able to show gratitude in the way you expect for example sending formal thank you notes, gifts etc. so have no expectations and you will not be disappointed.

Be a bond girl

Bond with the rest of the bridesmaids whether you already know then or not. You are all the brides dear friend sand it’s her desire that you get a long. Having a tight knit bridal party is every brides dream

Take direction

The wedding is a show, you are the cast and the bride is the director. And together you are going to put on fabulous show for all invited. This means you may have to sometimes keep your opinions to yourself most of the time no matter how knowledgeable you are on matters wedding, do not make assumptions

What the bride wants. It is not your wedding, just remember that. Take direction from the bride.

Be good to yourself

Don’t sacrifice anything to dear for the bride or you might be very resentful in the future, be realistic about your schedule if you don’t live near and cant make if for some of the parties leading up to the wedding let her know in advance. Don’t get caught in petty drama with other bridesmaids. Remember the big picture, you love the bride, she loves you and weddings are a celebration of love and friendship.

Photography By Ben Kiruthi

From the Experts, Relationship and Marriage Advice, The Love Guide

7 Tips to Keep the Flame Alive

April 11, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

1. Little Things that Mean the World

It’s the little things that count. Pull a chair every so often, complement each other, open the door, hold hands and skip into the sunset; just the simple things that make you smile subconsciously as they play back in your mind. No need to break the bank to plant a gentle kiss on your lover’s forehead.

2. Relieve a Burden

Take the kids to your mother’s house and have the house to yourselves for the weekend. Prepare a continental dinner together, light some candles, create a sensual ambiance with some slow, romantic ballads, play some games and just engage in reconnecting. Cuddling and drowning into each other’s deepest thoughts is truly wholesome.

3. Out and About

Pack a little bag and go for a drive to wherever the road takes you. Make a stop in the middle of nowhere and have a picnic in the wild while enjoying nature’s harmonies. Go for a walk in the park, rent bicycles and cycle together, hike a mountain or visit the museum. Whatever it is, it’s already special because you have each other.

4. Your Own Special Day

Valentine’s should not be the only day you express your love for each other. Pick a date besides an anniversary and make that your own monthly special-day celebration. Surprise each other with gifts, get away for the night or dress up and eat out. Treat this day like a country treats a national holiday and even have a name for it.

5. Fulfill your Promise

The broken plumbing system you’ve been promising to work on for the last month, the movie night you’ve been talking about having, the trip you’ve been planning on taking: do it already! There are so many things in life we plan to do but never get around them. Take the time to make good on your promises. It certainly goes a long way.

6. Bring Sexy Back

Ditch the Safaricom promotion t-shirt, the hosiery you use to wrap your hair and the fluffy, warm winter socks you wear to bed. Buy some lingerie, a nice pair of high heels and an aphrodisiac scent; get into character and make an unforgettable night out of it. Treat him to a sensual massage, do a strip tease and perform that sexy dance and make it all about him.

7. Blast from the Past

All the special little things you did together when you met should not automatically go away now that you have been together for a while. Pursuing your partner doesn’t stop just because you got them. Continue to do all the things that earned you that special price; a person to cherish and it will only get better.

Finally, always remember to say I LOVE YOU.

TV Show

Watch Daddy Owens wedding

April 8, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

The most awaited wedding of the month, watch Daddy Owen the King of Kapungala tying the knot to his long time fiancee Faridah Wambui on Wednesday at 8pm on KTN.

Wedding Ideas

Pope Francis relaxes church rules on divorce

April 8, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

Pope Francis delivering a message at the end Easter mass at the Vatican on March 27

Pope Francis today made public the conclusions of his two synods about family, in a document eagerly awaited by 1.3 billion Roman Catholics. The Papal document has been prepared for perfection for two years after holding two council meetings called synods. The 256 document termed as an Apostolic Exhortation entitled ‘The Joy of Love’ paves way for new integration into the Roman Catholic church for divorced Catholics but does little to soften the church strict views on hot topics like gay marriage, abortion and contraception.

He called for the Roman Catholic Church to be more welcoming and less judgmental, and he seemingly signaled a pastoral path for divorced and remarried Catholics to receive holy communion. Observing the diversity and complexity of a global church, Francis effectively pushes decision making to bishops and priests, stating that a different country or region can seek solutions better suited to its culture and sensitive to its traditions and local needs.On the other hand Francis also made clear the vision he wants local bishops and priests to follow: as a church that greets families with empathy and comfort rather than with unbending rules and rigid codes of conduct. And he dedicates much of one chapter to discussing the manner in which priests can exercise in helping people who do not meet the church’s ideal of marriage. He calls for priests to welcome single parents, gay people and unmarried straight couples who are living together, even as he declares that same-sex unions should not be equated with marriage.

“A pastor cannot feel that it is enough to simply apply moral laws to those living in ‘irregular’ situations, as if they were stones to throw at people’s lives,” he wrote in the document.

He further admitted that the church has made mistakes in alienating families and dedicates many passages to describing the pressures brought on families by poverty, migration, drug abuse and violence.

BBCs correspondent Caroline Wyatt, says the lengthy document shows exactly where Pope Francis stands as he steps into the minefield of Catholic teaching on the family.

Real Weddings

Kiunas’ daughter Vanessa weds Robert

April 7, 2016 Samantha's Bridal Team Leave a comment

Vanessa met Robert at a time when she wanted to concentrate on her education; they met at a hotel where they were both working as students abroad. For 9 months Vanessa and Robert were just friends and after the second anniversary he proposed to her. Vanessa told her dad Bishop Allan Kiuna about Robert “Vanessa had kept me abreast of what was happening between her and Robert and she would be telling me about how he is a great guy, we would spend hour asking her questions making sure that he really values the things she values, the way he treats her, the way she treats his mum, you can tell a guy by how she treats her mum and the more we talked the more I got to like the guy even if I had not met him. ”

Before Robert proposed to Vanessa he called her dad Bishop Allan Kiuna and asked for permission to propose to her daughter, Bishop Allan Kiuna could not refuse because of the humble approach Robert used.

Vanessa had a plan of having the wedding in Zanzibar with only 80 guests maximum until she got engaged and the reality dawned her, she was the first born and she would want to impress her parents. As Rev. Kathy puts it they would have wanted a guest list of 150 people but that was family alone, so they stretched little bit to 450 people to accommodate both family and friends.

Rev. Kathy was taking everything by herself; she didn’t have a planner until the Samantha’s Bridal came into the picture and proposed to her the usefulness of having a wedding worksheet which can be found inside Samantha’s Bridal Magazine. (Below is a sample of the budget worksheet get the actual worksheet in the Samantha’s Bridal Magazine which is available at our offices)

She knew the dress that she wanted and the designer. Her dress was worth every penny as she wanted it to be timeless and elegant; a dress that even her daughter would wear later. The silky dress was made of lace. She loved the emerald and green theme and because she didn’t want color mixes in her reception party all the invited guest were required to wear black and white.

The night before the wedding her mum cried she couldn’t believe that the day is finally here, her baby is actually getting married. Her mum was reflecting on how her baby was born and put in an incubator, suffering from jaundice.

The wedding was taking place at their residential home, they felt they had a beautiful home and compound and they were at liberty to host the wedding any way they want it with no restriction from any one. Everything was set by wedding eve and everyone relaxed. Rev. Kathy Kiuna said that mums should take part and get involved in their daughter’s wedding in terms of planning as this makes them feel loved and cared for.

The cake had a mixture of vanilla, red velvet and fruit cake.