Document text
Our wedding budget
Gusaba, gukwa and the wedding day in Rwanda — what it costs, what we save each month, who has pledged
Couple: [NAMES OF THE COUPLE]
Wedding: [DATE AND PLACE]
Guests: [GUESTS]
Budget
Item Qty Price each Total Who pays
Food and drinks for guests [GUESTS] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Invitation and pledge cards [GUESTS] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Gusaba (introduction and request ceremony) 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Bride’s family (host)
Inkwano (bride price — cows or cash) 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Groom’s family
Venue, tent and chairs 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Imishanana and traditional attire 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Wedding gown, suit and make-up 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Church or mosque ceremony 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Civil marriage at the sector office 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Photo and video 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
MC, DJ and intore dancers 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Decoration and flowers 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Wedding cake 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Wedding cars 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Rings 1 RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] Couple
Total RWF [TOTAL]
We put aside: RWF [AMOUNT] a month, from [FIRST DATE] to [LAST DATE] — [NUMBER] instalments.
Savings plan
Date Instalment Saved by then Done
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
[DATE] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] ☐
Timeline
When What to do
12 months before Agree the date and the budget; form the wedding committee (komite y’ubukwe) with family and friends
9 months before Gufata irembo: the families meet; book the venue, photographer, MC and intore troupe
6 months before Families agree the inkwano and the gusaba programme; order imishanana and the gown
3 months before Print invitation and pledge cards; committee meetings to collect pledges
At least 23 days before Apply for the civil marriage on Irembo (MINALOC service); choose the sector office
Wedding week Civil marriage (Thursday, free; another day RWF 50,000); gusaba and gukwa; church and reception
Wedding committee — pledges
Name Pledged Paid Balance
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
[NAME] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT] RWF [AMOUNT]
Civil marriage — what to know
Only the civil monogamous marriage before the civil registrar is recognised by law; it takes place where one of you lives (Law 32/2016, Art. 166).
Gusaba and gukwa may come before the civil marriage; the validity of the marriage does not depend on paying the inkwano (Art. 167).
Minimum age 21 (Art. 168). Apply on Irembo at least 23 days before the date; Thursday is the free day, another day costs RWF 50,000 (Irembo, 21/10/2026).
Check fees and documents with your sector office — check at the start of the year.
Before the civil marriage
☐ National ID cards of both
☐ Civil status in NIDA: single, divorced or widowed
☐ Irembo application at least 23 days before
☐ Two witnesses with ID
☐ Date and sector office confirmed
All amounts are yours: the figures are examples, not average prices. Monthly instalments from today to the month before the wedding, rounded up to whole francs; the last one balances. Not financial advice.