NOT YOUR DREAM WEDDING

Image credit: www.freepik.com

I've attended quite a number of weddings―some a bit more memorable than the others for the parade of beautiful people and couture, glitzy amenities, even ritzy and unique venues.

But this one wedding stands out, for its simplicity: 

Family members and a few friends sat almost shoulder to shoulder in a small venue good for around 35 pax, max. Since everyone knew each other, lively chatter and laughter abounded.

(Bride's Lola and Tita "ganged up" on me to try the venue's popular halo-halo as we waited for the bride. It was sooo good I thought I wouldn't have any more appetite for the lechon and the chicharon. I was so wrong. And yes to chicharon! Told you, this was no ordinary wedding.)

Bride, arm in arm with teary-eyed dad, marched in a glitter-free but nonetheless elegant gown. Nothing could outshine her radiance anyway.

An intimate wedding: Best man Carl pokes fun at the new couple.

Her groom stood tall―and may I say lovely―in his white shirt and khaki pants.

She had instead a man of honor, her brother who happens to be her best buddy; so bakit nga naman hindi man of honor?

Bride's Lolo Benjie officiated and delivered what I believe is one of the most heart-warming wedding talks ever.

Bride and groom's wedding vows misted our eyes. 

The bride I write about is Carla, one of my former Marketing students. She's one of the few who made it a point to regularly keep in touch and invite this ancient soul for coffee and counsel―be it about writing or living or loving.

Carla writes a regular column for the Manila Times―her recent piece being about her wedding with Anthony.

"Our wedding, just like life, was flawed and imperfect and yet we adored every minute of it. My husband and I understood that this was real life and we weren’t blinded by the preparations.

"We were reminded of what marriage is about and who should always take center stage: God and by taking away all the frills, we unintentionally made the day about Him.

"Today, as we look back on that special day, we are filled with awe at God’s grace and how He brought together two people from opposite ends of the world in the most unconventional way to show that truly with Him, nothing is impossible."

No frills, no beauty-salon looks, no bling-me-ons. A gentle reminder of what matters most in our materialistic world.   

Carla and Anthony, you've started spot on. May these words from Ecclesiases 4:9-12 resonate in your relationship:  

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

May Jesus be your major strand.