With just 100 days to go, the preparation starts in full scale, it's our time to carry out the final arrangements. People who will closely be involved were to be met, all necessary steps were to be organized, and documentations and requirements for the wedding were to be prepared. We began the journey with the basics: Meet the Photo and Video Team. We scheduled a short meeting with a renowned photographer, Miss Jeekie G., who offered her services for free, and use the coverage as part of her portfolio. While enjoying a cup of coffee and some cheese cakes somewhere in Pasay City, we talked on prenup shoot locations, clothes to wear, and other related important details. We considered old places where we first met - Kingdom Hall, destinations we visited, locations where we celebrated monthsaries with friends, and other special locations we spent time together. We also check on photoshoot themes and props. After two hours of discussion, we asked Jeekie to accompany us to SM Bicutan to meet the other Photo and Video Team we've chosen - Paperwall Studio. We rode taxi through the heavy traffic, and reached the destination an hour later the set time. It's my first time to meet the CEO, Angelo Bilang and her lovely wife, Ina. They were both professional photographers, and already worked with a few friends I know - Mark Alba and Kim Tattao. We ordered dinner as we wait for their arrival. And after dinner, we got back to business. Angelo discussed the inclusions of the package we had submitted, and shown some sample videos and pictures of previous projects they had. We discussed some of our requests during the shoots, and finally came to an agreement after a short but meaningful presentation. Thank you Jeekie and Angelo! Looking forward to work with you. See you very soon!
Before we push through with every detail of our plans, one important step is to inform the congregation's body of elders of the event. This is to formally involve them in the preparations since it will be a simple congregation gathering. Most part of the preparations will be oversight by them, to make sure that "all things take place decently and by arrangement" - 1 Corinthians 14:40. The meeting was simple and short. I discussed regarding their involvement, as Wedding Coordinator, Master of Ceremony, Chairman, and Director of the Feast. I won't be discussing which part will be handled by whom, but I felt their warm love and support as they gracefully accepts each part. Also, some of the elders shared some theocratic videos, personal experiences, and also technnical requirements as we prepare for the big day. And to this, I'm greatly grateful. To formalize the request of using the Kingdom Hall, they asked me to write an formal letter to the congregation to be forwarded to the KHOC for approval. With the help of these good men and through Jehovah's guidance, may this wedding give praise to Jehovah, the Originator of Marriage.
One of the first things to prepare in the Sample Wedding Preparations Checklist ("The Wedding Day - Happy but Demanding", Awake Feb 08, 2002) was to secure or book a reception venue. We looked around the city for a good place for the reception. And we ended up to Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle at Malate, Metro Manila. We reached out to the contact person of the venue through number of emails and finally visited the place with some friends. We meet with Carylle, discussed food choices, room and table setups, motiffs, and other relevant information. We also requested some changes with the menu and also presented sample table designs and arrangements. During the meeting, they provided us some coffee and food to enjoy. And after thorough discussion of whatever expected during the reception, we finally come up with the deposit for the venue. Carylle will be out of the country for the month of December, but we'll visit again for the finalization of contract by January. But with the deposit provided, inspite of its small amount, we were guarranteed that the venue was already reserved for us on our wedding day.
For a man, this is one of the most thrilling part of being in-love - to finally ask your woman to spend the rest of your life together. But with the help of a very supportive couple, I was able to survive the challenge. So after getting the family's blessing, I decided to make everything official by a simple wedding proposal. In our seventh month together, and Nanay Aida invites us to celebrate the event in their home with the family. So, I just thought of a simple proposal: I will sing her a song with my guitar, give a little speech, hand over a bouquet of flowers, bring out my engagement ring and finally ask her the question. And I did as planned. I started with a simple greeting with a bouqet of flowers in my hand. Make a seat for myself infront of her. Someone handled me my guitar and I started to sing the song "Your Love" by Alamid. I made a short speech thereafter, and pop up the question. To my surprise, MJ and Rebs made a banner with the question and brought it out as I am about to ask a life changing question for every man: "Will you marry me?". Then there's a long silence. Everyone in the room was waiting for the reply. The silence continues. Should I be worrying now? Knowing Joenna, she may be shocked with the turn of events and trying to compose a good acceptable reply in her head. And finally, she started to respond with the words, "I believe you already know the answer, since I already told you." And from there, the rest is history.
Showing your sincerity and the best of your intentions always end up to a wonderful talk between families. With my mother's current health condition, we never thought that this meeting could be possible. This may not be the first meeting of the two concerned mothers, but this moment would be very essential for the next steps of preparations to succeed. That's why, although we had our doubts and fears, we pushed through to meet the other half of the JW Families, my fiance's parents. The decision to visit was been my plan for a long time, and it took me that long to have the courage to work things out, of course, with the help of my fiance. Numerous prayers was soared to Jehovah, but the task was never been easy. From a short trip to Tagaytay, we decided to turn to Joenna's home at Sunvalley, Parañaque. Since they live at the fourth floor of the building, we need to walk up floor after another to reach their home. Since Mama has a problem walking up, we accompanied her and as we go up, and instead of letting us worry about her condition, she made jokes and turned us laughing out loud. The Tabus welcomed us warmly and we started with simple greetings and ended up Mama continues with her jokes and makes everyone feels comfortable and laughing. The meeting was simple, each one in the family expressed their support on us. And to cut the story short, everyone looks forward for a simple gathering in 2020, where we formally unite the two families as one. With Jehovah's guidance and the congregation and our friends' support, Joenna and I look forward for a successful wedding next year. |