Ann Wambui, 24, and Wilson Mutura, 26, a young Kenyan couple, took their wedding vows in a remarkable ceremony that cost less than $1 on Sunday, January 22.
Kenyan website eDAILY reports that the couple became an instant Internet sensation after photos of their very modest marriage surfaced online.
Without the usual bridal train, exclusive venue, or expensive decoration, all they could afford was a pair of rings to symbolise their vows.
They also didn’t bother with new outfits for the wedding as they were both dressed very simply in matching red T-shirts.
As the bride, Wambui paired her T-shirt with a knee-length denim skirt. She also wore a pair of black sandals and had her hair done in a simple but smart coiffure.
An elated Mutura was smartly dressed, combining his red top with plain trousers and a pair of running shoes.
Photo Credit: eDAILY
Photo Credit: eDAILY
The happy couple took their marriage vows at the Community Christian Worship Centre in the Kasarani area of Nairobi after Sunday service.
Pastor Jasper Ojwach, who led the couple in taking their matrimonial vows, told eDAILY in a chat that the couple chose to do their wedding this way because of their financial position.
“They did not just wake up on a Sunday and decide to be joined together. They have been in a relationship for three years now. I knew them when the guy joined our church, after he relocated to the city from Nyahururu.
“After some time, Mr. Mutura presented his wish to marry Ann. In the beginning, they never wanted to have that big wedding, and so they requested my counseling on that. They were to have their wedding in December 2016 that was organised by the church, but due to then-unforeseen circumstances, we had to postpone the wedding date.”
Pastor Ojwach said the wedding eventually cost less than $1 as Mutura could only come up with the KSh 100, which was used in buying the wedding rings.
Wilson works as a fruit vendor and is paid through commission, while Ann only recently relocated to the Nairobi from Nyahururu to be with her husband.
“They had already followed the processes before marriage, such as meeting parents of either family before tying the knot. I got in touch with the families of both Ann and Wilson.
“After that, I promised to preside over a simple wedding for them. It wasn’t supposed to be so simple as it turned out. It was supposed to involve [the] presence of [a] few things, such as the cake, bridesmaids, etc.
“The guy did whatever he could and asked me to officiate their wedding because they had already gotten the blessings of their parents.
“I took them through a series of counselling before letting them exchange their wedding vows. And now they are wedded. Interestingly, they had no best man or bridesmaid in plan, but two congregants stood up on the day of the wedding and offered to take up the two roles.”
Pastor Ojwach says he is pleased to have joined together a young couple in holy matrimony since they are obviously very much in love with each other.
