My husband and I watched the movie “27 Dresses” and James Marsden’s character mentions that weddings are a billion dollar industry. That couldn’t be more true!
That was not the case for our wedding though. I was leaving for Abu Dhabi to work and my then-fiance and I decided to tie the knot before I left instead of the planned one a year after. We weren’t sure when I can actually come home for it so it sounded like the best plan.
We had two weeks until the date, and didn’t even have a marriage certificate yet. By some Divine Intervention we were able to secure that, and a beautiful church (Mt. Carmel – which is usually booked for weddings!). We arrived just before 4pm at the Church and it had been raining but it stopped when we got there. My sisters-in-law surprised me with my very own bouquet (I had insisted that we didn’t need flowers, but I’m so glad they did that!). We had our immediate family with us and at 4pm on October 6, 2008, we were wed. and I decided to tie the knot before I left instead of the planned one a year after. We weren’t sure when I can actually come home for it so it sounded like the best plan.
I had on a cream-colored suit, my husband a dark suit – yes, we were inspired by Carrie’s wedding to Big in “Sex and the City”. It was so solemn and so wonderful. We were all at the grand altar; our family at either side of us. Our wedding bands are silver ones that we got for Php 120 pesos each at the Silverworks kiosk at the Glorietta mall, engraved with our names and wedding date. We got to walk down the long aisle and out the church door to be greeted by our well-wishers. They showered us with rose petals too!
My in-laws took care of our wedding dinner at Cravings, a nearby restaurant that served awesome food. There was wine, and everybody talked and laughed and wept. There was even dancing! It was surreal and I had never felt more loved.
I guess we inspired some of our friends that I received a few requests for tips a few days after about how we did it! Of course, it was a big plus that we had very supportive families!
Who says a simple wedding can’t be perfect?
P.S. If you’re wondering about our camera crew, it was our beloved family. I then uploaded our photos over to Shutterfly and then got the finished product delivered to my sister in the US and she brought it home to us. I think the glossy book cost only around $30 and I got to pick the design, choose the layout and insert my own text.
