Wedding Replay
Here goes our wedding day story (mench’s version :))…..
FEW HOURS BEFORE THE WEDDING
Just like in everything that we do, we started off taking it easy. We had leisurely breakfast with our friends, picture taking by the beach front, swimming at Anvaya’s pool complex. Then it started to get frantic. I got a call from our coordinator that the make-up team was already at our casita. I had to run to our room, quickly had the team settled and took an express shower (so much for the pampering that i was hoping for).
Not long after Felicity started fixing my hair, the photographers started coming in. Now there were at least 10 people all over the room doing different things at the same time.
Alfred Mendoza with his team mates Henry, Guido and Carlo were busy getting proper lighting, fixing wedding stuff to make them photograph-worthy. What’s good about their style is that they just hover around you, not asking you to do a particular pose. This made the preparations more relaxed and natural.
On the other hand, Cathy Cantada, Felicity and Stacy were weaving their magic on us. Felicity put up my hair first in what she calls “medusa hair” (which were just actually benders twisted into my hair). Initially, we agreed to just have my hair down but opted to put it up to suit the design of my dress (heavy neck detail so better to show it off). My hair is not long so Felicity was quite challenged on how to set it up sans hair extenders.
With my medusa hair still setting up, Cathy started work on the make up. I just love Cathy! She is so fun, bubbly, patient and really talented. Never a dull moment with her and her stories (hehehe, congratulations preggy Cathy). She started off moisturizing my face thoroughly with her feathery light touch (Cathy is very conscious about putting too much pressure on the face while she is doing make up, i swear, she has the lightest hands) before putting on make up. She used airbrush for the make-up. I highly recommend having airbrushed make up for weddings because it really lasts longer (with very minimal retouch that you can do yourself) and it looks natural and even (no cakey marks). It is also best suited for outdoor weddings.
After the make up, Felicity took over once again to finish up where she started with my hair. After she was done with it, i was truly amazed because she was able to create an illusion that i had long hair put up in an intricate bun. She finished off by inserting jewelled bobby pins into my hair.
At this time, it was already 30 mins before wedding was about to start and i had yet to get into my gown. And what a beautiful gown it was, thanks to Enan! The focal point was its low cut neckline adorned by jewels in the same colors as the bride’s maids’ dresses. Beadwork was intricate in front and at the back. Another interesting thing about the gown is that it transforms from a formal one with train and all to a fun beaded grass skirt for the reception. Having no more time to appreciate the dress, i quickly donned it (glad that it was not too complicated with corsets, tiny buttons, etc), checked my bag, had last minute photo op and literally rushed out the door to the waiting car.
Since it was our driver’s first time to drive a BMW (loaned by our very good friend and host Donny Reyes!), he had some difficulty getting acquainted with the mechanisms of the car. After around 5 minutes of tinkering around, we were finally off. But despite his uncertainty with the car, Mang Boy drove as fast as he could (safely of course) to the church. We arrived 30 mins late.
Upon arrival, i saw one of my bride’s maids, Vivien, rushing towards the car. It dawned on me that i still had her dress with me. They got caught in heavy traffic and got mixed up with directions so she had to just dress up in the church. hay, one of the many funny frantic stories about the wedding.
Anyway, I stayed in the car while our coordinator fixed the procession line outside the church. While sitting inside, i tried to get in touch with the feelings stirring inside me. It was a mix of anticipation, excitement and a little apprehension (what if i trip over and fall flat on my face). It was while mulling over this that i was asked to step out of the car. I felt my knees getting really wobbly as i was getting out (it must be the mixed feelings and the hunger- i never eat during events even at work so i guess i was a bit hungry at this point).
THE WEDDING
As i was preparing to walk down the aisle, i was trying to hold on to a single emotion but couldn’t because at this point butterflies were aflutter around my hungry tummy. Before i could even brace myself, i was already told to start walking. As soon as the doors opened, everything was a blur. I heard the beautiful rendition of U2’s “All I Want is You” sung in the unique Madrigal way. I saw a sea of faces of people i know and love. I tried to look straight but had to occasionally look down (maybe becasue i was trying to check my step, getting a bit shy or trying to not get too teary-eyed…. i’m not really sure anymore). I saw my parents, my mom trying desperately to control her tears.
Then i saw Gabby and his bright wide smile. It made me smile. He looked cool and comfy in his textured shirt made of special linen, cream pants and sandals. Then he made me laugh when he did not know where to position himself beside me (left or right?). That created quite a raucous among the crowd too… so much for solemnity (Gabby talaga!). After finally getting his bearings, he took me to his parents and finally took me to the altar.
The ceremony was everything we’ve dreamed of.
The songs during the mass were wonderfully sung from start to finish. Alfred Samonte (of the Madrigals), Gabs and I sat down numerous times to put together a repertoire of songs that best suited the flow and mood of the wedding-from church to cocktails to reception. I won’t forget how moved i felt when they were singing the Lord’s Prayer. Gabby’s lola was crying because of the beautiful songs. She felt that she was attending a concert :).
Father Steven shared with us that marriage has to be fun and exciting but has also be taken with utmost regard because it is a serious matter and responsibility. He capped off by saying that “God is not a party-pooper” and that He is one with us in making sure that we enjoy each other in this marriage.
Father Steven also allowed us to do our personal vows. Everyone laughed as i took out my cellphone and read my vows from there. I remember waking up one morning, a few days before the wedding, suddenly feeling the urgency to write the vows i have put off writing for the longest time. While Gabby was loudly snoring by my side, i frantically typed away, pouring my heart out and hoping he won’t wake up before i finished the vows. Here it goes:
My darling Gabby, everyday with you is a joy. Everyday is blessing. You are my one true love, the source of my strength, my funny and playful bundle of inspiration inspiration. You are my bestfriend, my partner in crime with me in every new adventure in this life journey. Everytime i ask you- “what will i do without you? ” you tell me “a lot darling, since you have your own mind” but with you i feel whole and inspired to be the best that i can be. With all these in my heart i promise to be with you always, always.
I commit to a lifelong journey with you no matter what. I promise to be with you in all the seasons of our lives. I promise to take care of you, to cherish every moment with you and to stand by you as your wife forever. I love you Gabs.
As i was saying it i could feel my voice breaking with all the emotions running through me. I felt my heart going out to the Gabby who makes me laugh, drives me crazy, supports me in anything and loves me dearly and completely. I could feel a veil of silence laying over the crowd, with occasional sniffs. It was only after the wedding that friends and loved ones confirmed that they got teary eyed during the vows. Even the Madrigals were not spared from the emotions.
When it was time for Gabs to read his vows, he took out a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. His vow was short and sweet, with metaphors that included his favorite thing in the world-books! Later, i asked him when he wrote it. He admitted sheepishly that only a few hours before he had to leave for the church. Hmmm, typical!
For the wedding ceremony, we didn’t have any veil, cord or arrhae ceremony. Why? Because we just felt that it was something that we can do away without, true to our personality of paring down only to those that felt important and significant. We just had our rings blessed (rings that we didn’t have time to get cleaned and polished anymore :)).
As we settled back to our seats after signing the contract, a beautiful feeling of contentment settled in me. I was thankful for this wonderful wedding, the family and friends who came all the way just to see us but most of all for this funny man beside me, who was brought to my life by a God who knew exactly how my life should come into play. This feeling was with me all throughout the rest of the ceremony. It was particularly poignant as i was sitting quietly during communion, praying with all my heart and my being, thanking the Lord for all the blessings, for all the love that has filled our lives. This was even heightened by the beautiful melody enveloping the church.
Then it was time for the kiss. As Gabs and I are pretty playful fellows, we asked the Madrigals to sing “Kiss The Girl” from The Little Mermaid. It elicited quite a few amused laughs.
During the pictorial, songs shifted from older familiar songs to more modern ones to cater to the diverse bunch of guests that we had. Then for the recessional, we walked out to the joyous sounds of “Seasons of Love”. Outside the church, guests waited for us to emerge. They held paper cones (which i painstakingly prepared for several nights) filled with flower petals which they showered on us as we stepped out. (By the way, we also saw a bunch of rude Korean tourists who tried to gate crash on our wedding, good thing our friends were stern enough to tell them off.)
We stopped at the church’s facade, all poised for the bouquet toss. Single girls gathered and i tossed.. and missed. I did it again and my roomie got it (well, not really, it actually fell on her feet so it was really meant for her!).
It was at this point that i got to really appreciate the pretty dresses of the 3 brides maids (we didn’t have secondary sponsors), in their rich jewel tones - violet, deep green and raspberry- and intricate beadwork. The dresses really enhanced the girls’ figures. I also saw how it complemented the earthy tones of our grooms men in their lighweight Springfield shirts (that i bought in Bangkok). Our ninangs were also pretty in their aqua dresses (we just provided the fabric and told them about the tone and mood of the wedding), with the ninong’s natural hues blending perfectly with the gowns. We bought the ninong’s shirts off the rack at Firma (thanks to Enan for the suggestion). The little ones were very cute too with Bianca in her royal blue dress and Yoachim in his comfortable linen combo (again from Bangkok).
We then boarded the car (with the “Just Married” sign) and drove to our reception at Anvaya Cove. It took 30 mins to get to the resort community. We were so happy to see that the signs saying “This Way to Dizon-Viduya Wedding” were set up to aid our guests. As soon as we got there, we immediately started with the photo shoot.
AT THE COCKTAILS
While we were busy with the shoot, the guests were treated to cocktail food and drinks served at the beach front. The cocktail area was delineated with torches. Parasols and day beds were set-up so guests could just kick off their shoes, lounge, relax and enjoy music from a live reggae and chill group. The timing was perfect- the sun was about to set, casting a beautiful hue that’s just perfect for photographs. Our guests happily clicked away, taking in the views of the amazing cove.
They were also treated to an exhibit of our “Moroccan-inspired” pre-nup photos. These were taken at our good friend Pao’s house. Gabs and i gamely donned costumes (i was a belly dancer and he was a sheik) and happily indulged our photographer friend Alfred. The photos were framed in rich velvet in our moroccan colors.
(to be continued)