The Ceremony

Here is the final set up for the ceremony. George's sister, Nancy, was in charge in the morning and saw to all the last minute details.



Around 11:30, the ceremony started. The bridal party lined up and marched down to Bryan Adam's “I'll Always Be Right There.”



Jackton (George's high school best friend) and Caro (George's sister)



Benard (a former workmate) and Nancy (George's sister)



Dave (George's brother) and Beatrice (George's cousin)




Andrew and Suzy (George's brother in law and sister)




Then George was walked down by his parents (Mr. and Mrs. Okech – I call them Mom and Dad)



Then Here Comes the Bride came on and I was escorted down by Charles and Emily, former high school teachers of George who became like parents to him. They were giving me away on behalf of my family at home. I was not overly emotional before this moment, but when I heard the music and started walking down the aisle, I was flooded with emotions and had to struggle to hold back tears. Once I got up there, I was fine again.






Abraham opened with a prayer. Here he is giving a short sermon, giving advice and telling how he knew us.



Here are the parents sitting in the front row.



As you can see there are many empty chairs. We planned for 75 and when I arrived, I thought, “oh no, no one came.” But, this is Africa and people run late, sometimes hours late. So by the end of the ceremony more people had arrived and by the time the food was ready, we had a full house.

After Abraham's opening, Charles and Emily gave me away, saying it was on behalf of my family at home and that they had received permission from my mom to do so.



Then we moved on to pledges, vows and rings.





After that he pronounced us husband and wife. We wanted our first act as husband and wife to be communion, so he led us in that while Matthew West's “When I Say I Do” played.



Then we had the closing prayer.



It was followed by “Now George, you may hug the bride.” Wait, did I hear that right? Hug? It was super awkward for a second as George and I looked at each other. Hug? What about a kiss? So, we hugged!



And then kissed!

Then Abraham introduced us for the first time as Mr and Mrs. George Orwa!

Woo hoo!!! We are married! We walked down the aisle to my favorite African song “Jambo” and headed to the orchard to take photos.