May the Fourth. A year ago, Pepe and I tied the knot.
He was (mentally) prepared for a big wedding; they have a big family. I was not. And he knew the bigger the celebration, the higher the probability that I might become a runaway bride. Heaven forbid.
We wanted to do most of the planning and execution ourselves. So we could keep our spends at a minimum, and to put to use all the experience we’ve accumulated planning events for the brands we worked for. Sayang naman ang naipon na skills, ‘diba?
We wanted an intimate ceremony by the water. It was going to be in Solitude Acacia Resort, with our immediate family and dearest friends — the dive resort’s first wedding since it (re)opened.
It took us a little over 2 months to plan and book everything. We started planning Jan 8th and we were done by March 16th. We called on our families, friends, and colleagues to be our suppliers. We made invitations, customized the menu, had our clothes made, created an Instagram filter, everything! All was set.
But Covid-19 had its own calendar to keep.
As soon as lockdown was announced we rescheduled. We moved everything to Dec 12 2021. And that was that. Bahala na si Batman. 12–12 para madaling tandaan, parang Lazada sale lang.
But Pepe insisted that we keep the original May 4 date. Our anniversary. Para daw we can keep the date in our marriage certificate. Hala siya. Sige!
With our family’s help, we managed to put together an intimate church wedding at Our Lady of Beautiful Love Parish. Diego and Niña administered the Covid tests. We couldn’t book a place for preps (Covid protocols), so we used the church’s function room—instead of its normal gloom from wakes, that day it served glam.
We had about 20++ people present: our family, some friends/entourage, the church’s staff, and our suppliers. Our suppliers (if we can even call them that) were our friends, too! Jorenz made me pretty, Beni and Alesi of Treehouse Story made sure we had a video and a livestream feed, Maria and Mommy Joy were the mass lector and commentator, while Rox, who is also my MoH, was running up and down the aisle, taking photos.
My mom, in true Disney Princess fashion, made her presence felt — the wind danced with my veil right before my walk. And I had my brother by my side as I walked down the aisle. Pepe cried. The ceremony was heartfelt, with Father Gringo’s homily incorporating lyrical snippets of Ebe Dancel’s Bawat Daan song—our favorite.
It was charming. It had moments worthy of its own blooper reel.
It was our little, pandemic-defying wedding. It was ours.
But Pepe knew, this man knew, that as wonderful as May 4 was, I needed to celebrate this milestone with my family, too — my tribe, the people who in the absence of my blood, held my hand and my spirit over the years.
If anything, he hoped that physically being around them could help me out of the crawlspace I had built in my head. And so, with much hesitation from the bride, we marched forward with the Dec 12 celebration.
We invited our family and friends again. And asked if our suppliers/friends could make it. Everyone kept their 12–12 date blocked for us, a blessing we are beyond grateful for. ❤
Getting to 12–12 was a whirlwind.
We were redoing invitations, getting Covid tests, asking people to get tested, adjusting room assignments, checking RSVPs—everything seemed to reset twice over.
But we made it. Finally, we were going to get our little ceremony by the water, next to the ancient acacia tree. It was charming. It had moments worthy of its own blooper reel. Father, sino po si Faith? And it was ours.
Rox wore two hats as my MoH and photographer; Jason and his team came to capture the day on video; Lucien, Chin, and Margaux helped Pepe as the day’s coordinators; Jules was our host; Mario and Mic shared their music; Jomel made the cake; JDO picked the most beautiful fireworks to cap the night; and Cherry sang beautifully for us.
We danced, laughed, and for a split second, forgot that we were still passengers on a crazy virus rollercoaster.
We toasted to the loved ones we lost, cheered for the relationships we continue to root & fight for, and prayed with all our might, for what is yet to come.
It was indeed another little, pandemic-defying wedding. And it was ours.
We are beyond grateful for the family and friends that made both those days possible. ❤ And looking back now, those two dates, May the Fourth, and the 12th of the 12th, were exactly what we, what I, needed.
Two weddings and a virus. Whodathunk?!
Happy anniversary, Yobo. Thank heavens I have you. May the Force be with you, with us, always.
LOCATION: May: Our Lady of Beautiful Love Parish. Parañaque | December: Solitude Acacia Resort. Anilao, Batangas
THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE:
MUA: Jorence De Limos and team | @moveslikejorenz on Instagram | The one who made me extra pretty for both dates!
Bride’s Gown: Atelier Rachelle | @atelier.rachelle on Instagram | Rocky and Ate Aida magicked my gown into reality.
Bride’s Flowers (May & Dec): Bella Flora PH | @bellafloraph on Instagram | It was Rocky’s first time making a bouquet with succulents, and it was gorgeous!
Grooms Barong Suit: Piña: Tesoro | Tailoring: Exclusively His
Rings: Tesera | Pepe worked with them for my engagement ring, so we asked them to make our wedding rings, too.
Bride’s Necklace: Art In Jewels | Carly made sure I had something blue.
Entourage Flowers (May & December): Bungkos Dried Art ❤
Photography: Roxanne Nebres, assisted by Kim Nunez (May)
Video (May): Treehouse Story | Beni, Alesi, & Denise, super thank you!
Video (Dec): Jason Magbanua | Jasoooon!!! ❤ Salamat!
Decor (Dec): AA Rustic Events | Angela and her team were great.
Chairs (Dec): Rent Now | The best chair supplier, ever!
Fireworks: Dragon Fireworks | Thank you JDO! And thank you Atty Marge!
OTD Coordinators: May: Mom, Maria, Niña, Pau | Dec: Pepe, Lucien, Margaux, Chin | You guys. ❤ ❤❤
Host: Jules | ❤ ❤❤
Cake: Miel Cake Design | Oh Joms, thank you so much for doing this for us.
Music: Polyphonic Vision | Mario and Mic, all our love. ❤
Lights and Sounds (Dec): RMV Lights and Sounds | Ry, salamat!
Band: Cherry Malaya Band | @cherrymalayaofficial on Instagram | Oh Cherry, thank you.
SPECIAL THANKS to:
- Alfie, Pern, and the whole team of Solitude Acacia ❤
- Eloisa, Sir Dong, and the whole family at Casa Escondida ❤
- Mommy Joy for lending me her earrings for my something borrowed. ❤
