We Saved Ksh500K for Our Wedding, then Changed Our Minds at the Last Minute

Ever since I was a little girl, I always dreamt of the perfect wedding day. The dress, the venue, the flowers—every detail was meticulously planned in my mind. So, when my college sweetheart finally popped the question, I was over the moon. We were both so excited to start planning our dream wedding together, making all those childhood fantasies a reality.

As we started diving into the wedding planning process, we quickly realized that our dream wedding came with a hefty price tag. The costs of the dowry, the venue, the gown, the service providers, and the dream honeymoon destinations added up to a staggering amount. 

We were determined to make it work. We started saving diligently, putting aside a portion of our income each month. We even considered taking out a loan to cover the expenses, believing that our dream wedding was worth the financial sacrifice. After all, some of our friends had taken up loans for their weddings, and seeing their beautiful ceremonies made us think it was a viable option for us as well.

However, as the wedding date drew nearer, we began to reevaluate our priorities. We realized that what truly mattered to us was not the extravagance of the wedding but the commitment we were making to each other. We wanted our wedding day to reflect our values and our relationship, rather than conforming to societal expectations. We wanted our focus to be on the love and the celebration of our union, rather than on the material aspects of the day.

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‍Changing Our Minds at the Last Minute

As the costs continued to mount, we found ourselves facing a tough decision. Just two months before our wedding date, we sat down and had a heart-to-heart conversation. The reality of starting our married life in debt weighed heavily on our minds. We had already saved Ksh500,000, but it was becoming clear that it wouldn't be enough to cover all our expenses without taking a loan. We were at a crossroads.

We knew we had to make a rational decision. We listed our priorities, fears, and long-term goals. It became evident that while a lavish wedding would be a wonderful day, it was just that—a single day. 

Our marriage, however, was meant to last a lifetime. We wanted to start that journey on stable financial ground, not burdened by loans. So, with some apprehension, we decided to change our plans and opt for a simpler, more intimate wedding.

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Being True To Ourselves

After much discussion and contemplation, we decided to forgo the extravagant wedding we had originally planned and instead opt for a simple church ceremony. This was not an easy decision. We wrestled with the fear of disappointing our families and friends and with the expectations we had set for ourselves. It took a lot of soul-searching to come to terms with the idea of a simpler celebration.

We wanted an intimate affair, surrounded by only our closest family and friends. We wanted our wedding day to be about the love and commitment we shared, rather than about the spectacle. We were fortunate enough to secure a small venue at our local church for the reception at no cost, which was a huge relief. 

I found a beautiful gown within our budget, costing only 25k. My fiancé's suit was a reasonable 13k. We decided to keep the food and refreshments simple yet delicious, spending a total of 80k. Our photographer, who was a close friend, charged us a modest 30k, and our rings cost us 20k.

For our honeymoon, we opted for a 5-day holiday in Nakuru, which fit comfortably within our 50k budget. And some miscellaneous amount of Ksh20k.

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What Really Matters‍

In the end, our decision to scale back our wedding and focus on what truly mattered to us was one of the best decisions we ever made. Our wedding day was perfect in its simplicity and intimacy. It was a true reflection of who we are as a couple and the love we share. We started our marriage life on a solid financial foundation, debt-free and secure. Most importantly, we learned that the most meaningful moments in life are often the simplest ones, filled with love, joy, and the presence of those we hold dear.

In total, we spent roughly Ksh240,000 on our wedding. The remaining Ksh260,000 was wisely invested in a combination of a Money Market Fund (MMF), Sacco deposits, and a high-interest savings account. 

This diversified investment strategy has set us on a path to a secure and prosperous future together. Our wedding day may not have been the fairytale extravaganza I had always dreamed of, but it was so much more than that. It was a celebration of love, commitment, and the beginning of our happily ever after.

Looking back, I am grateful we decided to stay true to ourselves. We now have beautiful memories of a day filled with genuine happiness and love, and we avoided starting our marriage with the burden of debt. 

Instead, we invested in our future, and that decision has brought us a sense of peace and security that is truly priceless. Our simple wedding taught us an invaluable lesson: that the essence of marriage lies not in the grandeur of the celebration, but in the strength and depth of the bond we share.

Every time we look at our wedding photos, we are reminded of the joy and love we felt on that day. Our journey began with the realization that our union was worth more than any grand celebration.

It was about us, our commitment, and the life we wanted to build together. Choosing a simple wedding allowed us to start that journey on solid ground, with our hearts full and our future bright.

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