This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
On average, a Kenyan wedding costs around 3.5 million shillings, with the bridal gown taking up a significant portion of the budget. However, some well-to-do women have opted for simpler, non-conventional dresses, proving that you don't need a Cinderella gown to make your wedding day magical.
President Kenyatta's daughter-in-law Fiona Achola, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Wambui Kamiru Collymore, and Wahu Kagwi are among the women who have chosen to go against the norm. Fiona Achola, for instance, wore traditional Kikuyu bridal-wear for her wedding to Jomo, while Anne Waiguru opted for the same attire for her wedding to Kamotho this month.
Wambui Kamiru Collymore, the wife of the late Safaricom CEO Bob Collymore, stunned many with her unconventional dress when she wed. Despite having the means to afford a traditional white gown, she chose a simpler design that turned heads. Wahu Kagwi, on the other hand, chose a traditional theme for her big day, with brass accessories complementing her dress.
These women have shown that a wedding can be just as beautiful and memorable without the need for a traditional white gown.
