“Hi. Do you already have a wedding coordinator?” asked the nice lady in blue.
“Umm… I don’t have a wedding coordinator yet.” I answered, trying to pull an Abalos-Atienza-Defensor-Razon stunt at the bridal fair.
“Oh. So when is your wedding?”
“Err… what services fall in your package? I mean, I don’t have the time and energy and patience to compare menus, look for photographers—all that hoopla. I would just want to walk down that aisle, exchange I do’s, get that kiss from my groom and live happily ever after.”
“I see. You may want to avail of our full coordination package. It starts from a year or six months before your wedding. We will be the one to search for suppliers, provide you concepts for your wedding—color motif, theme—and coordinate everything—schedules for shoots, pre wedding parties.”
“How much would that cost?”
“It ranges from 60,000 to 100,000.”
“Okay, I will avail of that package. Actually, my parents and siblings are willing to shell out 500 grand for wedding coordination services.”
“500 grand? Really?” asked the surprised nice lady in blue.
“I’m not kidding. But aside from the caterer, florist, photographer, stylist, couturier and musicians, you would also have to find my groom. He’s still somewhere out there. ”
Maniacal laughter.
“Why are you laughing?” asked Sarah.
Mitch, the wedding coordinator and Sarah were done discussing. I snapped out of my Murakami-Pahlaniuk universe and got back to my role as bride’s maid on duty.
“Umm… I don’t have a wedding coordinator yet.” I answered, trying to pull an Abalos-Atienza-Defensor-Razon stunt at the bridal fair.
“Oh. So when is your wedding?”
“Err… what services fall in your package? I mean, I don’t have the time and energy and patience to compare menus, look for photographers—all that hoopla. I would just want to walk down that aisle, exchange I do’s, get that kiss from my groom and live happily ever after.”
“I see. You may want to avail of our full coordination package. It starts from a year or six months before your wedding. We will be the one to search for suppliers, provide you concepts for your wedding—color motif, theme—and coordinate everything—schedules for shoots, pre wedding parties.”
“How much would that cost?”
“It ranges from 60,000 to 100,000.”
“Okay, I will avail of that package. Actually, my parents and siblings are willing to shell out 500 grand for wedding coordination services.”
“500 grand? Really?” asked the surprised nice lady in blue.
“I’m not kidding. But aside from the caterer, florist, photographer, stylist, couturier and musicians, you would also have to find my groom. He’s still somewhere out there. ”
Maniacal laughter.
“Why are you laughing?” asked Sarah.
Mitch, the wedding coordinator and Sarah were done discussing. I snapped out of my Murakami-Pahlaniuk universe and got back to my role as bride’s maid on duty.
“Wala lang. I just thought of something really funny,” I explained, half embarrassed, half apologetic for spacing out in the middle of the discussions with the wedding coordinator.
"I'll be passing on this wedding folio to you," Sarah said. A bit excitedly. Oh, she is in love all right-- and people who are in love are optimistic. And happy.
I smiled sheepishly and thought of my dating relationship. Err... my lack of a meaningful, promising dating relationship.
Three rounds of the venue and several fliers, brochures and business cards after, I’m no longer surprised at why getting married in this country has become a multi-million peso industry.
By the time we got out of the bridal fair venue, Megamall had a gazillion people. I found it hard to
breathe.
Tintin joined us and we transferred to Shang rila for coffee and to think through some options.
As we walked from Mega to Shang, my thoughts, like the buses in Edsa, were racing with abandon in my head. When will I get married? Where will I get married? Who will I marry and why is he taking sooooo looooong to find me?
I remembered the story of Lynette Lewis. You see, she wanted to get married at 22, but didn't end up getting married until she was 42. So while all her friends were getting married and having kids-- she remained single for 20 more years-- confined to being a bridesmaid/ maid of honor and to just having godchildren.
God taught Lynette so many things in that long-- very long period of waiting. One-- that life has its seasons. Two-- that each of life's season has its gifts. Three-- that we should celebrate whatever season we are in. Four-- that God knows the desires of our hearts and that He is faithful.
When I was 22, I planned to get married by the time I was 26. If I got married in 2006, would I have remained married by 2008?
I am not too sure. Things happen for a reason. God is also teaching me a coupla things.
I will be on bride's maid duty for eight more months. Sarah and Sundy's big day is on October.
As we settled in our booth at the Dome cafe, I looked at the bride-to-be, my good friend and thought, well, God is faithful-- I will celebrate my season and Sarah's season.
team bride: bride's maids: me and tintin. bride to be: sarah (in green)
No comments:
Post a Comment