SHOCKING -MEET THE OXFORD STUDENT WHO GOT MARRIED TO HERSELF
Oxford student who was sick of being asked when she was getting married decides to tie the knot with HERSELF (but admits her Ugandan parents were ‘a bit confused’)
A single woman who grew tired of being asked when she was getting married has made the extraordinary decision to tie the knot to herself.
Oxford student Lulu Jemimah, 32, was fed-up of her family lecturing her on the importance of settling down with the right man.
But marriage is the last thing on her mind as she studies a masters in creative writing at the prestigious university.
So, in a bid to get her parents off her back, she decided to stage a mock wedding and sent formal invites out to her nearest and dearest.
She hired a dress, walked through the venue to the traditional wedding march and even gave a speech to her guests explaining the lack of a groom
Lulu previously worked as a freelance journalist and a communications consultant for the International Organisation for Migration. She is currently studying at Oxford University
Lulu admits her Ugandan parents are baffled by her decision – but said she feels it was the perfect commitment to herself and her studies.
The entire day cost just £2 – for her taxi to the pub venue – as she managed to get the rest of her big day for free or as gifts from friends.
Proud singleton Lulu said: ‘I have a strong passion in life and I am committed to achieving my goals at becoming an academic.
‘But all my family wanted to ask me was when I planned to get married – which is very important back in Uganda – followed by when I would be having children and starting a family.
‘My father wrote my wedding speech when I turned 16. Every birthday my mother prayed for me and in recent years this has included a plea for a good husband.
Oxford student Lulu Jemimah, 32, was fed-up of her family lecturing her on the importance of settling down with the right man.
But marriage is the last thing on her mind as she studies a masters in creative writing at the prestigious university.
So, in a bid to get her parents off her back, she decided to stage a mock wedding and sent formal invites out to her nearest and dearest.
She hired a dress, walked through the venue to the traditional wedding march and even gave a speech to her guests explaining the lack of a groom
Lulu previously worked as a freelance journalist and a communications consultant for the International Organisation for Migration. She is currently studying at Oxford University
Lulu admits her Ugandan parents are baffled by her decision – but said she feels it was the perfect commitment to herself and her studies.
The entire day cost just £2 – for her taxi to the pub venue – as she managed to get the rest of her big day for free or as gifts from friends.
Proud singleton Lulu said: ‘I have a strong passion in life and I am committed to achieving my goals at becoming an academic.
‘But all my family wanted to ask me was when I planned to get married – which is very important back in Uganda – followed by when I would be having children and starting a family.
‘My father wrote my wedding speech when I turned 16. Every birthday my mother prayed for me and in recent years this has included a plea for a good husband.
Oxford student Lulu is currently crowdfunding to help pay for her tuition. She explained: ‘I constantly tried to look for scholarships, grants and [have] even contacted embassies and government bodies’
A friend did Lulu’s makeup in the loos at the venue, and the bar owner – also a friend – played the wedding march as she exited the toilets and walked into the venue.
‘I then spent a few minutes talking to friends and awkwardly explaining that there was no groom – most of them knew by this point,’ she said.
Another friend played the roll of the vicar as Lulu staged a mock exchanging of vows with herself in front of around 30 guests.
‘I was extremely happy,’ she said. ‘So many friends showed up, as well as international and local journalists, film directors and feminist entrepreneurs.
‘Marriage is an expression of love and commitment, however for many people back home, it is still considered the only way to guarantee a woman’s financial security.’
‘I had worried about coming off as stupid but to have such a strong intellectual group of friends behind the idea, that was all the validation I needed for the choices I have made.’
Her parents didn’t attend the big day but she did go and see her mother to explain her choice.
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