On Getting Married

***Picture taken by Heather from
www.shadowcatcherimagery.com

The first time I thought of Vince as husband-material was when I was at a nursing home and saw an old couple holding hands, sitting on a couch with their walkers in front of them. My friendship/relationship with Vince was at its infancy, then. Him being in New Jersey and me in San Diego, I didn't think much of how long we're going to last or how far we're going with our friendship. But seeing that old couple, holding hands even when their frail bodies fail them, I couldn't help thinking of Vince and me down the road... Holding hands and still in love.

So six years and months later, on July 15, 2006, Vince and I vowed to love each other through sickness and health, to be each other's strength and inspiration in joys and sorrow, and to hold hands as we grow old. Our wedding day was not a perfect day, as life is not always going to be perfect. The day didn't come without any mishaps. There were funny ones, and un-funny ones. Here are the highlights (and low):

1. My hair and make-up were not the same as when I had my trial, and I didn't like the way I looked. The hairstylist had to re-do my hair because she didn't do it the way I asked her to do, which made me panic because I didn't want to be late.

2. My face was too shiny from the make-up. I hope our talented photographers and videographers can do something so that I don't look like I have spotlight shining on my face.

3. The bridal party bus that brought Vince and the rest of the wedding party to church was late. And even though we planned for things like this, the ceremony still started late.

4. My dress got a stain from the limo's steps, before the ceremony started. I wouldn't have cared if it was after the ceremony.

5. The church wedding coordinator proudly told me she would provide the lighters for the candle. I learned after watching my cousin's video that she provided barbecue lighters. Ai-yai-yai!! My mother-in-law and sister-in-law who lighted each side of our unity candles said they looked like they were carrying guns. My candle sponsor, Lea, cleverly hid the lighter underneath her shawl. I was mad, but couldn't help laughing at the sight of these elegantly-dressed ladies carrying gun lighters.

But of course, there were sweet moments to cherish:

1. I love the fact that Vince's niece Nicole and nephew, Bryan, played for the ceremony. First, we didn't have to spend for ceremony musicians and most importantly, they really made our ceremony even more special. I cried as I walked down the aisle with my brother, hearing Nicole play a different version of what I am used to of Canon in D. It reminded me how blessed I was, and that although my mom and dad were not there, they would surely be happy for me.

Nicole also composed a song that she and her brother played during the lighting of the Unity Candle. I also thought it was hilarious hearing Bryan play Star Wars in his violin for the recessional... a perfect salute to his geek uncle.

2. My cousins, nieces and friends looked gorgeous in their red dresses.

3. Vince and I had fun dancing. We are so glad that we took dance lessons. We only learned two step-variations of waltz because we started lessons a bit late, but it was cool that we chose an almost unknown music (except to Harry Potter fans) for our first dance.

4. Our family and friends who came from near and far to share and witness the most important event in our life.

5. My brother danced! I never saw him dance before this. And he looked like he had fun.

6. The food was delicious, as what our guests said. Vince and I were so busy that the food was already cold when we got to it.

7. Vince and I spending the rest of the night on the balcony of our suite, eating chocolates and sipping bottled water(we are non-drinkers, so the champagne given by the hotel was left unopened) Sitting on the balcony chairs, we watched the beautiful San Diego skyline and read aloud wedding cards that were given to us.

To end my story, I want to say that our wedding day was filled with emotions, happiness and excitement. I don't want to say that it's the happiest day of my life, because I don't want to think that it's all going downhill from here. In fact, as Robert Browning said, "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be, " I believe that there will be happier and memorable moments ahead of us.

***Our photographers Heather and Skip( of Shadowcatcher Imagery, our most favorite vendors along with Norma, our videographer from NR3 Videos) told our wedding story more beautifully than I probably could. Here is the link: http://shadowcatcherimagery.blogspot.com/2006/07/in-elegant-fairytale-like-ceremony.html

A week Before the Big Day

****Since I arrived to San Diego a week ago, I have been busy running around trying to finish wedding details. I need to finish off the seating arrangements, make the out-of-town bags, the ceremony schedule and more. The programs that are yet to be finished are sitting in a basket. My lovely nieces, who are my bridesmaids, have been helping me all along. Aileen and Annette were dutiful workers who never complained of what I asked them to do. Yesterday, we finished boxing the favors in an hour and a half. They must have thought, "Auntie has gone bridezilla!", when I asked them to make sure the ribbons are in the middle of the boxes. Later on, I let go of my perfectionist nature. Inside, I really want to redo all those boxes, which ribbons are not perfectly applied. But at this point, I have no energy nor time to do that. Who is going to notice? (maybe my friends Notch and Lea will, but they are so OC they will notice every minute detail, anyway.) Besides, our wedding is not about the favors nor the programs. In a week, I am going to marry my bestfriend for almost six years. And as long as I am married to Vince at the end of the day, nothing else matters.

****Maybe it's because I haven't been sleeping long enough, but I haven't had any wedding nightmares. They say brides get wedding nightmares when the wedding comes close. My dear friend, Ate B, who is almost like my mother, told me that she's had a dream about my wedding. I don't remember the details of the dream. I find it funny that she had to have the dreams for me.

****I can't wait for Vince to be here. His flight arrives tonight at 6pm. My brother will pick him up at the airport because tonight is my wedding shower. The shower is supposed to be just a bridal shower, but it just might end up being a joint shower. We'll see.