the week of the wedding...

This may look like a short-cut but a week before the wedding was when we did all the guest sheets and the missalettes. The layout of the guest sheets was designed by my brother who was also one of the emcees during the wedding. I printed everything while Irvin was cutting them based on our desired size. We didn’t have much time to make our own missalette especially that San Agustin is very strict with the readings and time as well. We just copied whatever they normally use. My brother just had to fix the cover layout so it’ll look nice. We went to SM to buy the ties for the male entourage. We even went to Tutuban to buy ribbons for the boxes. Some shawls were also bought from Arlene of La Herminia. It was my 1st time to see a pina silk shawl and they’re really nice especially the colored ones. We wrapped the gifts and souvenirs. Then, I went to Veluz’s house on Thursday, September 29th to see the whole package...final gown and accessories (pillows, brooches, etc.). Irvin was just outside always. Of course, I didn’t want him to see my gown.

A day before the wedding I checked in at Dusit Hotel Nikko. Irvin was with me and Ate Irmee (his sis-in-law) as well. After checking in, Irvin just accompanied us to the room and left. Kuya Lito (his brother) arrived later that day though. We even went to National Bookstore and made more copies of the missalette. Then, I had another trial with Jasmine…this time using pink tones. I showed Ney the new hairstyle (courtesy of Veluz) that I want. We didn’t have a lot of time then so he wasn’t really able to show me the look that I like. But he assured me it wouldn’t be a problem come wedding day. We finished around 7:30 PM and Jasmine was nice enough to just ask for P1k. She usually charged P2k for a trial. But when I was getting money from my wallet, I only had P700 cash. I was so humiliated that time. I didn’t know what to do. So I had to tell Jasmine that I don’t have enough cash. Well it didn’t become a problem. She said… ‘Don’t worry about it.’ I just had to give her the balance on the wedding day itself. Afterwards, I went to SM to get peso. To my surprise foreign exchange has already closed for the day. I didn’t have dinner yet and I was so hungry that time. And fast food chains don’t accept credit cards. Well I went to a Vietnamese restaurant inside Dusit and there was my P500 worth dinner. I asked my sister to accompany me but she had classes that night and so I was all alone. Up to that time, I didn’t feel any tension. I was fine. Really! I even put on acrylic nails and didn’t finish until a little past midnight. I slept well actually.

Then, I had my breakfast at the café at 7AM of my wedding day. Jeez I can’t swallow the food. I felt like there were butterflies in my stomach. But I knew I have to eat. I contacted my sister and asked her to come early with my niece. I spent almost 2 hours and a half in the café. Well a part of that was because I’ve waited for my sister to finish eating. I was also worried that time because it was raining. And it just won’t stop. Duh! I’m having a garden reception! Soon enough, we went back to the room. I took a bath and realized it’s already 10AM (call time for most suppliers) and I don’t see any suppliers yet. Then, there was Mimi, Karl and Marc at exactly 10:12AM…my early birds. Ney came next. He was already setting up my hair with his benders when Jasmine arrived. From this time on, I think everything went in a flash. I can barely remember all the details no matter what I do. We didn’t waste any time. Mimi and Karl started taking pictures of the wedding stuffs. Jasmine started with my make-up. I think that was 11 AM or a little past 11 when Buddy and Cathy arrived. Oh my! The flowers were gorgeous especially my bouquet. I specifically liked that! It was exactly what I wanted. Veluz and Niko came. Our coordinator got there a little later to pick up the stuffs that need to be brought to the church. Ate Irmee (poor Ate Irmee!) being 7 months pregnant had to go back and forth to bring food for us. Well Irvin went to buy it with her but still. All I’m saying is that there wasn’t any coordinator present to assist us…not even one. Anyway, as most of the brides say, you will really come to a point that you have to let go. You won’t like everything ruined just because of the small things. Jasmine also did the make up of 5 more people. Veluz helped me put on my gown. Jasmine did some retouching. And Ney spent so much time on my Mama’s hair. I felt really bad because Irvin’s mom was still waiting then. It’s already past 3 pm and we were still at the hotel. Veluz was carrying my train all the way from the time I left the room at Dusit. Irvin and his family who are supposed to be at the church before us were still there. They couldn’t leave because Mimi and Karl were still taking pictures of me at the lobby. In conclusion, I left the hotel earlier than my then groom. Everyone was worried. There was traffic everywhere. I was already at the church but my family was still on the way. Some of the wedding stuffs were with them. But God is so good that it wasn’t even drizzling at that time.

Veluz went in the bridal car as soon my Mama stepped out. She was such an angel. Niko was always on the go too. He was like a boy scout always ready with things. He had hair wax, hair gel, scissors, etc. Veluz had to cut the excess/unwanted hair strands sticking out. She was fixing my veil. She was really making sure I looked perfect. I saw some friends who came closer to the bridal car just to say hi. I saw some people whom I haven’t seen in years. There was a mixture of emotions. Finally, it was time for our processional march. I was supposed to have a closed door entrance but our coordinator told me the church staff said we’re running out of time. I couldn’t even remember what song was played during the entourage’s march. Then, the singer from the Bernie Pasamba group started singing the song ‘You’re Still You’. I thought I will cry. I was nervous yes but I was all smiles. I was having goose-bumps but I was fine. All the butterflies in my stomach that morning were suddenly gone. I felt like a star. All eyes were on me. There were a lot of cameras. There were those people whom I want to witness a very important day in my life. And much to my surprise, it was Msgr. Melchor David, a family friend priest, who was at the altar to celebrate the mass. Previously, my father asked me if I want him to conduct the ceremony for us. I wanted to of course but we thought of just using the SAC priest since it was part of the package. It made it more meaningful considering the fact that it was Msgr. David who blessed our marriage. Thanks to my sister who has been very helpful. She was always fixing my train. She was always ready to assist with whatever I needed.

The ceremony was finished. We had some more pictorials at the Ruins while the guests were settling in their seats. Buddy had prepared a picture AVP for the guests to watch while waiting for us. I’m not sure what time the photo shoot was finished but Mama has been complaining as to why it took us a long time before showing up at the reception. My sister delivered the welcome remarks and there we were, a very happy couple seeing all those people to celebrate with us. I was just kind of disappointed upon looking at the unoccupied tables. Prior to the wedding, I asked the coordinator for the list of the RSVP. And knowing Filipinos, most of us do not really adhere to this RSVP thing. I did the confirmation myself to every single one of them. I would say we got a 95% confirmed guests. So we paid Skyline. But sad to say, a lot of them didn’t show up. What can we do! Again, I had to let go. I didn’t want the event to suffer. The food was good. We made an excellent choice in the food selection. Yes I did eat! I was so hungry. We had the table hopping while the guests were still eating. That was the time that we got to talk to them even just for a short while. Marlon, Irvin’s best friend and best man then delivered the toast speech. My Papa even had an unexpected speech. He was relating the story of me telling him at the age of 4 how I can literally divide my body when it was time for me to go back to my grandparents’. By the way, I grew up and stayed with my grandparents till 12 years old. I was really controlling my tears. But Mimi and Karl still captured that moment… me biting my lips so as not to cry. Mama, on the other hand, presented her gift to us. It was a prayer printed on a paper with our picture on the background. She read the prayer. It was a nice and touching one. Irvin’s parents didn’t say much other than congratulations and thank you. My best friend Caryl from college and Irvin’s friend Andrew also said a few words. We had the traditional cake cutting. Alex’s cake was beautiful. It was truly eye-catching. And it tasted really good. His wife was there since he didn’t make it. We also had the cake served to the guests. Then we had the wine toasting. We had our 1st dance as a couple. The program sequencing was not really done properly. We didn’t even do the money dance anymore as a lot of people have already left at that time. We gave our thank you speech and said good night. All the left-over food was wrapped. We were interviewed by Buddy afterwards. He basically just asked about how we feel about the whole event. He also asked some things about the preparation especially that I was an overseas bride. And finally, Irvin’s family dropped us at Dusit before they went home. What happened next? Well, we opened all the gifts we got and we were so busy counting the money we received. :)