In a world characterised by the allure of fairy-tale weddings, the First Lady's words delivered on August 31 at a Young Leaders Prayer Breakfast held in Kigali, are both timely and tender. She reminds us that a marriage is more than a moment of spectacle but the beginning of a lifelong journey grounded in purpose and shared growth. For many young couples in Rwanda, however, the dream of a perfect wedding has begun to overshadow the reality of a sustainable future together. We have come to see weddings as grand events, to be sponsored, borrowed, or crowdfunded, often well beyond what our pockets allow. Some couples take out loans to finance a day of glitz and glamour, only to bear the burden for years to come. But what does it say of a marriage that begins with such a burden? If the union’s foundations are built on financial strain and illusions, does that not sow deception from the very first day? When you start a life together with debt, you start it under the weight of risk, which is a recipe for a problematic union. Funds spent chasing a one-day fantasy leave less for the life you are about to create; the home you will build, the struggles you will weather, the dreams you will nurture. A wedding should herald the beginning of companionship and mutual strengthening, not echo the hollow ring of financial stress. It is a celebration, yes but one within your means. Let the love between you be the centerpiece, not the price tag. Let joy be measured not in extravagance, but in sincerity and memory. A wedding is the opening chapter, not the whole story. Let faith, mutual respect, and responsibility form the bedrock. Let conversation, sacrifice, and compromise pave the way forward. When a marriage is launched on honesty be it about expectations, capacity or future hopes, it stands a far better chance to flourish. So yes, celebrate. Dance. Bless each other with your vows. But let that celebration be an offering of love, not a price paid for acceptance, admiration, or societal pressure. Let your wedding be a reflection of your heart, not your credit card. And let your marriage be a reflection of your commitment, rooted in purpose, honesty, and hope.
