Weddings in Kigali

 Weddings in Kigali

To experience the regal nature of weddings, you should attend an introduction and wedding ceremony in Kigali. I had that privilege when my husband was a best man in December last year, 2024. 

It was just a week before I dyed my hair purple-there was no need to accentuate my lavender coloured mushanana at the time.

Again, meticulous streets, an air of fastidious and intentional living and the breath of industrious individuals, churning a new country for themselves.

Heaven Gardens: The name enhanced the painstaking care of the ceremony venue. The capital city of Rwanda is truly the gift that keeps on giving. On that delight Thursday morning, we left our apartment as early as 6:30am, straight to the venue whose name reflected its stature. 

With lavish apartments beside it, the gardens, about nine in total, were truly a testimony of all things that are possible with flowers and plants. The beauty of those gardens would cause anyone’s heart to skip a beat or two. So well adorned with well-trimmed hedges, colourful array of large and small flowers and plenty of trees. Even the hilly terrain would not stop a few guests and I from taking strolls as we leaned in at every inch of the we-inspiring view. 

To imagine that such floral care is possible in almost every country in the world. We should be able to see more masterful care like this. 

The introduction ceremony began at about 11:00 am, with a well decorated hall. The decorators and caterers were extremely polite and had clearly invested so much time into their work. What’s a kuhingira without dancing! What makes the dancing more magnificent is that it looks easy until you try it. One of the dancers tried about fifteen times, showing me how to gracefully twist my arms like a disjointed graceful swan. It’s not for everyone.

With all formalities out of the way, there was even more dancing. And I noticed that the groomsmen looked particularly debonair, in their traditional clothes that took a detailed amount of time to put together.

I have been to a fair share of  introduction ceremonies but never one with such an elaborate feast. Times have changed! With all the stories that Rwandans do not eat at festivities. We ate to our hearts’ content.

Immediately after that, the bridal team changed and we moved to a smaller room for the wedding service. It was straight to the point, conducted by a Kenyan-based pastor, which then ushered us into photographs and the reception, another extraordinary affair.

Touring Kigali, which is what I have done several times, is far different from attending a wedding. I am glad I did.

Bless.

Beverley Nambozo Nsengiyunva