Waking up that morning knowing that the love of my life will finally be my husband by day's end. Having the most fun with my siblings before my suppliers arrived. Lots of laughing and singing and goofing around. Seeing my dream wedding photographers arrive to cover my wedding. Lots of cats at the prep site. Kate Spade shoes. Personalized Bible from my best friend. Lacquer box with coins from the countries we visited as arrhae. Perfect makeup. Efficient coordinators. Ceramic ring holder from Paloma's Nest with our "motto." Gorgeous bouquets. Beautiful beaded wedding cord lovingly made by my mother-in-law. My mama zipping me up. My sister putting on my shoes. Friendly suppliers making me feel at ease. Family pictorials at the gazebo.
Arriving at my dream church. Realizing that our prayers for perfect weather on our wedding day was granted. The coordinator telling me that "It's time." Standing in front of closed chapel doors. Doors opening in front of me. A. Barrios-Mangore's Julia Florida, the very first song Abet serenaded me with, on solo guitar as my bridal march. Everyone looking at me. Walking down the aisle. Seeing my groom waiting for me at the altar. My parents giving me away to my love. Fr. Allen, the best priest ever (who used an iPad). Metallic purple misallettes. The most beautiful and personalized ceremony ever (complete with pictures Fr. Allen grabbed from our FB accounts flashed on the iPad). Fr. Allen playing up the UP vs. UST rivalry. Lots of tears. Lots of laughter. Vows. Forgetting the vows I had memorized the week before. Lovely live church music thanks to Abet's friends. Rings. Being pronounced man and wife. Contract signing. Pictorials. Seeing my dearest friends. Seeing guests from Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Surigao, Davao, US, and even faraway Germany. Picture taking all over the Caleruega grounds with my brand-new husband. Kissing. Lots and lots and lots of kissing.
Arriving at the reception venue and finding out that the caterer made the very simple hall we rented more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. Elegant table settings. Kit-Kat escort cards. Purple M&Ms as favors. A wishing tree instead of a guestbook. Live jazz music. A double bass, something I've always wanted for my wedding. Being served food by the waiters before we went out to meet our guests. A purple signature alcoholic drink named "Purple Sonata." The best food I ever ate at a wedding. Guests coming up to our table for pictorials. Photo booth fun. A very simple cake from Becky's Kitchen. My brother Momon's speech. My sister's maid-of-honor speech. My brother-in-law's best man toast. Playing a cello+guitar duet instead of having a first dance. My sister playing Beatles on the guitar. My brother playing Bach on cello. My dad singing "Time After Time," a song he taught me when I was a child. My mother-in-law's speech. My dad's speech, the BEST father-of-the-bride speech of all time. Seeing Abet cry for the very first time, thanks to my dad's speech. Thanking our guests. More tears. More kissing. Lots of hugs and well-wishes.
Yes, it's already been a year, but I can still remember everything like it was just yesterday. I'll probably forget the details as the years go by, but I'll never, ever forget how happy and loved I felt that day.
