When Olga moved and was introduced to a group of young ladies who were also in transition, she had no idea that she’d be meeting two ladies who were the nieces of her future husband. After becoming close with them and hanging out at their house, she was informally introduced to Eddy, who was also known as Kanku, a name that stands for the younger twin in the Luba clan. He was always in action around the house though so Olga and Eddy’s first formal meeting actually involved a colleague and a case of mistaken identity…
Wedding Date: August 8, 2015
Wedding Location: Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
First Dance Song: “I Believe In You” by Joe
Favorite Item on the Menu: My wedding cake, of course, and the salmon by Chef James
Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!
Our first actual contact with each other came from a dinner with a colleague of mine who was also Eddy’s buddy. As we ordered drinks, my colleague picked up a phone call from his buddies and invited them to join us. My colleague introduced me to Eddy and I recognized him immediately but was in shock because I knew that his name was Kanku. A few days later, my colleague called to say that Eddy wanted my digits. I then went on to explain that Eddy was a scam since I knew him as my friend’s Uncle under the name Kanku. He cracked up and said to me, “Olga, his name is Eddy and Kanku. Kanku stands for the younger twin in the Luba name.” I felt bad for being so judgemental and started asking what he did for a living and what type of guy he was… A few weeks later, I ran into Eddy and he asked for my number and I gave him my number.
The night we went out to eat, as Eddy spoke to me about his life, I remember thinking to myself, there is really more to this guy than I thought. I gave him the “I only want to be your friend” speech and mentioned that I was moving in a couple of months and did not want to get into a relationship. Eddy never gives up. One day, Eddy sat me down and told me that he was going to marry me. I personally never thought of marriage so I said to Eddy with so much conviction (I still remember that day), “I will never marry you.” After another month of back and forth, I eventually agreed to give it a shot but told Eddy to never mention the word marriage again and I insisted that I would be moving in a couple of months and was not willing to do a long distance relationship. The months following that conversation turned into the evolution of a great friendship.
One day, before his trip to Dubai, a trip he had begged me to go with him on, he told me, “I am going to see your parents at the end of the month to ask for your hand in marriage.” I have never been so upset in my whole life, I told him that he could go without me and I did not appreciate the fact that he did not consult me. I called my sister to complain and expected her to tell me what I wanted to hear. My sister gave me the reality check and said, “He is a great guy, I don’t get what you are fussing about. What are you so afraid of?”
I took the time that Eddy was in Dubai to reflect and for the first time, I realized the value of the gift that God had sent me. His original proposal was meant to be in Dubai but since I had turned down that trip, Eddy proposed the day after he returned. It was certainly one of the most memorable days of my life and I am thankful to God for it.
Wedding Style
My wedding dress says a lot about me and the type of person that I am. For me what was important was not the label but the feeling that I experienced when I put on the dress. My favorite accessories were the shoes. I am a shoenista which should say it all.
Culture
We had three ceremonies, the courthouse, the traditional wedding with a small intimate ceremony for the dowry and the religious wedding.
Memories
My favorite memory of the wedding I have to say was walking down the aisle with my dad. Before he handed me over to Eddy, he said a few words that melted my heart and it was then that I realized that this was it. He then gave me the forehead kiss.
Help a bride-to-be out!
Enjoy the preparation but concentrate on the day after the ceremony.
Vendors:
Photographer: Andre van Niekerk, Vivid Blue Photography
Videographer: 25 Weddings
Reception Venue: Beatrice Hotel
Wedding Dress: Allure by Sweet Elegance
Cake: Cake by Whales
Decor: Dekors
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