To Have and To Hold

I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I believe that it is a union institutionalized and blessed by God from the beginning of the world (remember Adam and Eve?). That does not mean I enjoy attending weddings, however. Actually, it is not so much the wedding ceremonies itself as much as it is having to dress up and all the formalities involved.

On second thought, perhaps it is partly the program proper, too. Most weddings are a bore (to M.E. at least). All traditional and stuff. It is just not my cup of coconut juice (I do not like drinking tea or even coffee.)

So far, in my thirty-something years, I did enjoy attending one particular wedding (not to say that I did not enjoy the other previous weddings I attended; just that this one was truly enjoyable for me in spite of certain circumstances which I am about to relate . . .). And this is regardless of the fact that I went alone and knew no one else there–save for the bride (Neva) and groom (Dan) (who were, of course, too busy getting married); the official videographer (a friend of mine, Shierdan Pamintuan, was also busy); and a friend who, for some reason still unknown to me, apparently does not want to be friends with me anymore (proven by the fact that I was ignored and avoided all evening).

I was slightly late for wedding ceremony. I missed out on seeing Neva walk down the aisle. (Wish I had gotten there earlier.) But I did see them saying their "I dos" and everything else after that. Having come late, I decided to sit in a pew at the back of the church. A few minutes after I sat down, along came several other late-comers, all unfamiliar people to me but, all important and/or significant enough to Dan and Neva (I am guessing they were since they were at the wedding, too).

After the church wedding at Santuario de San Jose (where two of my youngest sisters also had their elementary graduations), I headed alone to the Crowne Plaza Galleria for the wedding reception.

At first I found myself sitting all by my lonesome at table number 24. It was my fault for failing to send Neva an RSVP earlier (I only texted her that I was coming to the wedding that morning, at around 10 A.M.).

A little later, I was transferred to table number 23. There I found myself sitting with a table-full of perfect strangers, our only common link being Dan and Neva. In spite of that (being with strangers–which is not really much of a problem with me anyway), I found myself having a great time watching all the goings-on.

It was great seeing everything unfold quite so perfectly–having known how much effort Dan and Neva have put into their wedding preparations. I have been updated with the details of that thanks to Neva’s Multiply account as well as Dan and Neva’s wedding website.

I had a great time just watching things happen–everyone seemed just like Dan and Neva, serious and comical both at the same time. The videographer’s (Shierdan) onsite AVP was perfect, matching Dan’s choice of music ("Panalangin" by the Apo Hiking Society). (Click THIS to view Dan and Neva’s videographer onsite AVP!) Even better was the photographer’s (Mimi and Karl) onsite AVP. Neva’s chosen song, "I’m Yours" by Jason Mraz, was a fit down to the T (of the word "perfect")! In fact, I liked the song so much that I researched Mimi and Karl’s website for their cellphone number and texted just to ask for the song title that very evening. (Click THIS to view Dan and Neva’s photographer onsite AVP!) I knew Dan and Neva were "busy" and most probably exhausted by then and should not be disturbed just for something as trivial as a song title. Not on their wedding night anyway. Nor on the morning after that.

There was a post-wedding party after the reception but, I did not stay for that anymore. Before going down to the parking area to pick up the car I was driving, I stopped by the Fotoloco booth outside the reception hall and had a few pictures taken (of course, alone). It would have been fun with somebody else. It was a tad awkward making funny faces when I was just by myself and a few others were lined up behind me to have their pictures taken, too.

Dan and Neva’s wedding changed my attitude towards attending weddings. Not that I am looking forward to attending more weddings in the future, unless I have to, or unless I actually know the person getting married (I have been to weddings where I knew neither bride nor groom–to accompany my mom).

I have realized that weddings could be both memorable, sacred, and fun all at the same time given the proper ingredients. 

Now I am looking forward to attending Dan and Neva’s renewal of vows (whenever that may be). Haha. I hope I will still be invited then. And I do hope I will still be around to accept the invitation. 

Note: This wedding happened February 2, 2008–one month ago this coming Sunday.