Brides have different reasons for an unforgettable wedding. Mine will always be my ever-flowing gratitude to all our loved ones who showed up—and even to those who wanted to but couldn't. I've said this a million times and one, but time is gold. Truly, it's the best gift you've given Marc and me.
I still remember that it only started to sink in three days prior when we picked up our best man, Baron, at the airport (kind of), and the first order of business was his first real Cebu lechon experience. When Mommy Claire and Daddy Hans arrived two days before the wedding. When my maid of honor, my ate, wouldn't stop badgering me about fixing my aged nail extensions. When Tita Yev and Tita Jappy lovingly coerced me (kind of) to finalize the program flow (they needed my mom's help convincing me about the program I didn't want at all but thankful I had).
The night before, it still felt like preparation for some party—definitely didn’t feel like it was for my wedding. When the whole household was preparing to stay at the hotel. When we checked in. When we had dinner with family. When we visited Tito Romeo and Tita Aida (and Nikko and Abby) in their hotel room to thank them for coming. When we had to say goodbye before spending the night apart. When Marc and Ba had to meet Prince and Kara (and Baby Pio). When I visited Tiara and Ruddi to thank them for coming and picking up my wedding dress. When Tiara, Ate, and I hung out in my serviced apartment. When I was by myself and prepared for bed. When I watched Gilmore Girls on my tablet until I fell asleep at 2 a.m.
On the wedding day, it started sinking in when my best friend/third maid of honor, Shim-b, knocked on my hotel room door at 5 a.m. When the florist delivered my bouquet at 6 a.m. When the glam team started setting up. When Tiara had to take care of the daddy-daughter song. When my dad had to drive Shim-b and me to Aces to get measured for my contacts. When I got back to a full-house hotel room with nearly all of the people closest to my heart. When my best friend/second maid of honor, Dawn, hugged me so tight after handing me an iced coffee to cover our teary eyes. No words—just eyes speaking. When my mom was all glammed up—the most beautiful mother of the bride.
When Tita Gaga, one of my wedding coordinators (they were all so perfect!) assured me I had time to get ready before glam. While I was showering, Shim-b was shaving my legs to save me time. When I bantered with my glam team (they slightly bashed me for not wanting a "get ready" shoot with my bride tribe). When I had to take a shot (or three) of my then-preferred drink. When I panicked with Feby that the rider might not make it to the hotel to deliver her bag.
Three hours before the wedding, it finally started sinking in—damn, I am getting married. When my Ate, helped me get dressed. When Dawn helped me wear my shoes. When my mom helped me put on my train. When my glam team put on my veil. When my dad saw me in all my wedding glory for the first time. When we took a few bride tribe photos (are 7 photos a lot?).
One hour before the wedding, we had to head to the church. I couldn’t tell if I was smiling, shaking, or both. It started sinking in when my dad parked outside the hotel lobby to drive me to the church (my dad driving has always been my only choice—a dream). When I sat in the passenger seat. When we parked in front of the church. When we took a family photo in the car as a family of four. When we waited to be called. When I was the only one left in the car. When I was called.
When we were all at the church. When I was telling my coordinator, "OMG, Ate, I'm getting married." When she pep-talked me, "Yes, you are—and enjoy it." When I marched. When I noticed every single person looking at me. When I saw my dad and mom tear up while waiting for me. When we walked to Marc. When he greeted my parents. When we shared a peck on the cheek. When we walked to the altar. When we said our "I dos." When we signed our papers. When we took photos with everyone in groups. When I saw Belle after so many years.
We were married, but it still hadn’t fully sunk in. Not while we were heading to the cafĂ© for a quick routine-type-of-photoshoot. Not while Marc was driving us to the reception. Not while Kuya Lloyd handed me fries. Not while taking family pictures. Not while walking to the private room for touch-ups. Not while walking into the venue. Not even when everyone was welcoming us as the newly married couple.
Not even when I danced with Daddy Hans and then Tito Ramon. Not even during the daddy-daughter dance, with my cousin Jr. singing my requested cover of "I See the Light." Not even while listening to everyone’s speeches (my heart was so full that it required some ugly crying to decompress). Not even when Marc and I said our vows. Not even when we were taking photos with my close college friends who I hadn't seen in so long (they guessed that I'd be the mia-type after graduation) until the wedding. Not even until Marc was driving the family back to the hotel.
Not even during the afterparty (we chose a laidback get-together at the hotel). Even then, I still felt like I was on cloud nine. Even when we came back to the hotel. Even when Dawn was calling room attendants to clean the leftover getting-ready chaos. Even when Dawn, Shim-b, and I were struggling to take off my contacts in the shower (yes, we had to refer to an online tutorial). Even when we were debriefing in the bathroom while I showered they removed their own makeup. Even when Joveen returned to the hotel—a step ahead in his second outfit for the night.
Even when everybody was talking in small groups. Even when everybody was talking with everybody. In recent years, I purposely kept my circle small, so having almost everyone there was truly a gem for a memory. At that moment, I felt the right thing to do was to feel how loved I was—and to love all of them back in return. I remember being so full of love that I knew I had to cherish all of it for all my life.
I realized marriage is felt when it’s just the two of you in a room—recognizing each other’s demons and loving them in spite of it. It’s felt when the other shows up, even when they have their own share of chaos, too. It’s felt when they share everything they can—past, present, and future.
Our wedding day has been immortalized through photos. Everything was perfect as is and I'd do it the same way over and again (Marc says he agrees). The best part? My heart will get to relive it forever.
P.S. I don't know how long these photos will be stored on Rainbowfish's cloud but here's a link to the full collection: The Wedding of Cae and Marc.
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