{"id":19997,"date":"2021-12-06T15:18:50","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T12:18:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/?p=19997"},"modified":"2021-12-06T15:45:22","modified_gmt":"2021-12-06T12:45:22","slug":"i-married-her-on-my-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/?p=19997","title":{"rendered":"I married her on my birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By Godfrey Lugaaju<\/strong><br \/>\nBenjamin Kashilingi, a manager at Levels Lounge, Kamwokya and Julia Birungi, a businesswoman met in 2017 at Benjamin\u2019s workplace. At the time, Julia and her friends had a get-together and bridal shower at Benjamin\u2019s establishment. Benjamin cast a glance at Julia and did not waste any time. He asked for her contact and they struck a friendship.<br \/>\nJulia says Benjamin\u2019s kindness attracted her to him. He is always there for her and has taught her so many things about business. To Benjamin, Julia is strong-headed and independent.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The proposal<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Two-and-a-half years later, Benjamin proposed.<br \/>\n\u201cHe [Benjamin] asked my friend and wedding dress designer Anita Beryl to convince me that we had a meeting at Golden Tulip Hotel. When I reached there, there was Benjamin with a ring and my friends cheering us on. I was excited and surprised. He popped the question and we had dinner,\u201d Julia recalls.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The ceremonies<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-19999\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20211006-WA0040.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20211006-WA0040.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20211006-WA0040-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20211006-WA0040-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20211006-WA0040-750x500.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/strong><br \/>\nThe couple\u2019s introduction was on September 18, in Rukungiri.<br \/>\n\u201cWe invited a few friends and family members. It was small and intimate,\u201d Benjamin says.<\/p>\n<p>Initially, they had resolved to plan their wedding themselves but later on, during the second lockdown, they got a commercial wedding planner. They presented their budget and needs. Meanwhile, they booked their wedding date at All Saint\u2019s Cathedral, Kampala.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe did not have meetings apart from our parents who offered guidance on how to go about business. We drew a guest list of 150 people which included our entourage of four groomsmen, two bridesmaids, two flower girls, the best man, and matron,\u201d says Benjamin.<\/p>\n<p>They saved up for a year and financed their wedding. The couple held their wedding at Mestil Hotel and Residence in Nsambya on Benjamin\u2019s birthday.<br \/>\n\u201cIt was my dream wedding and everything I envisioned. From a husband, dress, d\u00e9cor, venue to guest list and schedule,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Memorable<\/strong><br \/>\nBenjamin says having his friends, groomsmen in the morning cheering him on and also seeing his wife in the morning after a long time was remarkable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI wanted something unique and classy. My wife likes decor stuff but I am glad she involved me in the planning and we were able to get something that worked for both of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For Julia, Benjamin seeing her in the morning was awesome. Also, their lively entrance to their reception nailed it.<br \/>\nShe cannot forget their pre-wedding photoshoot crafted by Timeless Weddings.<br \/>\n\u201cWe settled for Entebbe Golf Course, a space where we would be free and take memorable photos. The greenery too gave the best backdrop,\u201d she says adding that their honeymoon in Dubai was out of this world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>The services<\/strong><br \/>\nAnita Beryl made for Julia a white satin gown inspired by a Lebanese wedding outfit whose details were brought to life. For the changing dress, she wore a champagne crystal-fitting dress.<br \/>\n\u201cI had wanted a jumpsuit because I wear trousers a lot but Anita convinced me to do a dress and I am glad she did. The changing dress was perfect for our evening.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>A party is incomplete without cake.<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-20000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20210928-WA0018.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"900\" height=\"600\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20210928-WA0018.jpg 900w, https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20210928-WA0018-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20210928-WA0018-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/IMG-20210928-WA0018-750x500.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/strong><br \/>\nLush Treats baked a four-tier butterscotch cake with six extras. Julia says butterscotch is yummy and the cake was intended to match the decor.<\/p>\n<p>The ambiance Fenon Events created did not disappoint. Soft light, the platform, sound, screen and set up of the event complimented the decor.<br \/>\nI-Candy did the d\u00e9cor. Julia and Benjamin had wanted a clean, royal and elegant-looking space.<br \/>\n\u201cI had wanted black but did not know how she would incorporate it but she put it on the ceiling and everything tied up together to give us our perfect blend.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For entertainment, the couple, says the presence of their friends Rajiv Ruparelia and Gideon Kirumira who were in the entourage plus performances from friends Micheal Kitanda, Bebe Cool and Chameleone made their day.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Challenges<\/strong><br \/>\nBenjamin cannot forget the delay in the funds they had anticipated.<br \/>\n\u201cPayments trickled in against time but I am glad the service providers were understanding and patient with me. I finally cleared everything,\u201d Benjamin says.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Advice<\/strong><br \/>\nBenjamin says people who wish to wed, ought to save as much as possible since nowadays people\u2019s contributions cannot sustain the wedding because things are pricey.<br \/>\nHe shares that it is good to get a partner who has the same taste as you because it reduces friction between the couple while planning.<br \/>\n\u201cWith the current economic situation, it is unfair to burden people with your wedding. So I would advise that you save and invite people to come to celebrate with you,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tips<\/strong><br \/>\nBenjamin says marriage is a partnership and a prayerful partner comes a long way.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Quick notes<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Date:<\/strong> 25\/09\/ 2021<br \/>\n<strong>Groom:<\/strong> Benjamin Kashilingi<br \/>\n<strong>Bride:<\/strong> Julia Birungi<br \/>\n<strong>Venue:<\/strong> Mestil Hotel and Residence, Nsambya<br \/>\n<strong>Suit:<\/strong> Larry Casual<br \/>\n<strong>Gown:<\/strong> Anita Beryl<br \/>\n<strong>Cake:<\/strong> Lush Treats<br \/>\n<strong>Rings:<\/strong> From a jewellery store in Nairobi<br \/>\n<strong>Number of Guests:<\/strong> 150<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Godfrey Lugaaju Benjamin Kashilingi, a manager at Levels Lounge, Kamwokya and Julia Birungi, a businesswoman met in 2017 at Benjamin\u2019s workplace. At the time, Julia and her friends had a get-together and bridal shower at Benjamin\u2019s establishment. Benjamin cast a glance at Julia and did not waste any time. He asked for her contact [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":19998,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":{"source_name":"","source_url":"","via_name":"","via_url":"","override_template":"0","override":[{"template":"1","single_blog_custom":"","parallax":"1","fullscreen":"1","layout":"right-sidebar","sidebar":"default-sidebar","second_sidebar":"default-sidebar","sticky_sidebar":"1","share_position":"top","share_float_style":"share-monocrhome","show_share_counter":"1","show_view_counter":"1","show_featured":"1","show_post_meta":"1","show_post_author":"1","show_post_author_image":"1","show_post_date":"1","post_date_format":"default","post_date_format_custom":"Y\/m\/d","show_post_category":"1","show_post_reading_time":"0","post_reading_time_wpm":"300","show_zoom_button":"0","zoom_button_out_step":"2","zoom_button_in_step":"3","show_post_tag":"1","show_prev_next_post":"1","show_popup_post":"1","number_popup_post":"1","show_author_box":"0","show_post_related":"0","show_inline_post_related":"0"}],"override_image_size":"0","image_override":[{"single_post_thumbnail_size":"crop-500","single_post_gallery_size":"crop-500"}],"trending_post":"0","trending_post_position":"meta","trending_post_label":"Trending","sponsored_post":"0","sponsored_post_label":"Sponsored by","sponsored_post_name":"","sponsored_post_url":"","sponsored_post_logo_enable":"0","sponsored_post_logo":"","sponsored_post_desc":""},"jnews_primary_category":{"id":""},"footnotes":""},"categories":[524],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[1784],"class_list":["post-19997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-stories"],"authors":[{"term_id":1784,"user_id":1,"is_guest":0,"slug":"weddingadmin","display_name":"weddingadmin","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/cd3996c46efafdc40969010bfd78c8e4dda9d99318e7dd6403983ea0dadbcfce?s=96&d=mm&r=g","author_category":"","first_name":"","last_name":"","user_url":"","job_title":"","description":""}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19997"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19997\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20003,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19997\/revisions\/20003"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/19998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19997"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mywedding.co.ug\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fppma_author&post=19997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}