An Invitation to a Wedding

Yes on Saturday July 23rd Ian and Mary invited Helen, Laura and me to Mary's cousin wedding in Usa River. Wow! We were all so excited.

Of course we had to shop for presents and wrapping paper at the market the Thursday before and decide what we would wear.

Incredibly, the previous week one of the teachers, Miss Stella had brought me a gift - a dress that she had had her tailor run up for me and jewellery to match! I was so surprised and pleased (but did wondered if and when I might wear it).

Well, here was my chance.

But my outfit was nothing compared to the dress Mary had for the occasion. She looked beautiful.

We didn't go to the church as apparently the ceremony is only attended by the closest family members. The time of the reception seemed to change quite regularly but we arrived about 10 minutes before the bride and groom at around 3.30pm.

The wedding party arrives in a motorcade the leading car being a ute containing the brass band and anyone else that couldn't fit in the cars. On this occasion it was the bridesmaids in royal blue and white outfits.

The colourful MC doubled as the band conductor. Although he was dresses as a Maasai I was told his KiSwahili accent was not Maasai.

Then we (and more than 500 others!) made our way into the hall where we were seated on rows of plastic chairs.

The hall was not decorated but the stage at one end had been in readiness for the bride and groom, the best man and his wife.

Can you see all the fresh flowers and coloured fairy lights that blinked on and off madly when ever the electricity was on or the generator was working?

There were chairs and tables at the front near the stage for the close relatives of the bride and groom. The wedding is arranged and all decisions made (including who is an appropriate best man) by a wedding committee. They also need to raise the money from family and friends to put the wedding on.

Once they were seated, we enjoyed some songs from a terrific gospel choir dressed in matching green shirts.

When the electricity or generator did fail, cutting off the microphones, lights and DJ, the band would just play (under the direction of the MC) until power was restored. Meanwhile everyone just sat quietly and waited.

In turn the bride and then the groom had to stand and firstly wave good bye to their families and then hold their hand up to say stop to any others who might want to be a potential new "boyfriend" or "girlfriend".

After that the cake was cut and the bride and groom fed small pieces of it on toothpicks to each other. Parts of the cake were then presented to the parents of the bride and groom.

Then the bride and groom each vigorously shook a bottle of champagne and then uncorked them to the great amusement of the guests. A small glass of champagne was presented by each to their respective in laws.

Then the highlight of the wedding feast - the goats- arrived.

While the goats were being carved the different groups of family and their friends were called out and invited to present their gifts to the bride and groom.

Our gifts were a set of glasses, a silver tray and a set of insulated containers.

Others were somewhat larger.

Yes that's part of a three piece lounge suite and there was also a wooden double bed carried in as well as solar panels and a TV. Basically everything for their new home. Those amongst the guests who were the poorest brought a spoon or a plastic cup.

While the gifts were being brought in, very loud music with strong African rhythms was played by the DJ and people danced through the hall with their presents rather than walked.

Then it was time to eat! It took almost an hour to get everyone served at the buffet. We waited until the end and missed out on the cake and the goat but did have plenty of rice and meat dishes and hot chips. Everyone also got a bottle of "soda" (coke, fanta or lemonade). There was water to wash your hands as you were expected to eat by hand but someone took pity on the four white people and produced spoons not too long after we had started eating.

Then it was time for the dancing.You can see how fast the music was by the fact that I couldn't get one photo with everyone in focus!

We left about 9pm. What a fabulous experience! It was also a great pleasure to meet so many of Mary's family who were all so gracious and welcoming.