WELL-KNOWN NBC FM producer DJ Maldini (Daniel Ashipala) is on cloud nine after tying the knot with his long-term girlfriend Anna Maria Vaino on Friday.
The wedding ceremony took place at Onakazizi Elcin Church in the Oshikoto region, and was attended by 230 close friends and relatives.
The party comprised 19 groomsmen and 12 bridesmaids in navy blue and blush pink, with décor by Remind Trading Enterprise.
DJ Maldini says they started preparing for taking the plunge two years ago.
“More people were asking to be part of the bridesmaids and groomsmen, but we unfortunately could not allow that, as it would have been too many. Hosting our wedding during the Covid-19 pandemic meant following strict rules.”
The couple met in June 2010 on social media, and found themselves in a relationship four months later.
“When we met I was staying at Oshakati and she in Windhoek. Having a long-distance relationship is not easy. It was difficult for me as I had to travel to see her,” he says.
The DJ says he knew Vaino was the woman for him, because she was like no one he had ever met before. He particularly values her impeccable manners, he says.
“We came a long way and there was no need for me to not ask her to spend the rest of her life with me. I knew what I wanted and she was just the one for me from the start. Being with someone for 10 years is a long time,” he says.
Vaino says after dating DJ Maldini for four years she knew he was the one for her.
“When we started dating he would sometimes call me his wife. I like the way he respects me. He will call me and text me a lot. He does things that makes me feel loved,” she says.
Although many couples have postponed their weddings due to the pandemic, DJ Maldini says they were reluctant to change the date they had set.
“The state of emergency regulations did not prohibit people from marrying, so we went for it. As a couple we did not care a lot about having a party. Our main aim was not to make other people happy,” he says.
The couple were faced with several challenges in hosting the wedding.
Travel restrictions meant it was difficult to get hold of certain items they wanted from outside the country.
“We needed to change some of our plans. At the end we were happy, because we found what we liked locally. We also used local designers such as Usuta Couture, ST Key Fashions, Rauha Designs and Taí Exclusive to make the outfits.”
