My Brother's Wedding Day

_{A good marriage is one that allows for change and growth in individuals and in the way they express their love.
-Pearl S. Buck}

Love is not just about happiness. It is also about sacrifices, which sometimes lead to pain. If all married couples would only do the things that could make their loved ones happy, I guess marriage would be as perfect as our dream life.

Hello, Hive family and friends! My greetings to all of you who are reading my blog right now. I hope you'll enjoy reading the wedding ceremony of my brother, Nelson.

Last Saturday, June 29, 2024, was their wedding day at Sto. Tomas de Villanueva Parish in Danao City. We were supposed to go to our house in Danao the day before the wedding, but because of some trouble, we failed. We were afraid that we couldn't attend the once-in-a lifetime moment with my sibling. My son was the ring bearer, and that is why we really need to attend on the day of the ceremony. Luckily, we have attended with the help of my wife's eldest sister. A true love and care from a sibling, not the other way around.

The wedding will start at 1:30 in the afternoon. We arrived in Danao City at almost eleven in the morning. We went to Gaisano Metro first to buy a pair of shoes for Yoye and a brown shirt for me. The motif of the wedding is brown, and I don't have any of the color since it's not my color preference. After buying from the mall, we had our lunch at Jollibee Sands Danao. I contacted Vincent, my very close friend. I asked him a favor to give me a ride to the reception venue where the bridal entourage was staying to get the attire for my son. When he arrived at Jollibee, I told him to eat first the food we bought for him. We had a short conversation about the struggle of coming to my brother's wedding ceremony, and he said to pray for the person who ruined our plans and had a detrimental impact on our lives.

Vincent and I went to the pavilion to get the attire. I did not bring Yoye to the place since I thought that they provided the correct size. When we arrived at the church where the ceremony was held, my wife assisted our son in wearing the attire. The polo was too small for his size. So I called my brother so that he could notify their wedding coordinator. When we saw the staff of their wedding coordinator doing the church decoration, we asked about the attire. He contacted their staff head and gave us the assurance that they would bring a bigger polo for Yoye.

It was almost one in the afternoon, and the members of the Choristers of Our Lady arrived. I greeted the Ates and Kuyas of our choral group. They were so happy seeing me since it had been a very long time since we had seen each other. They were looking for my wife and the kids. I told them that they were inside the church, attending the 12:30 mass.

After a few minutes, the polo was given to us, and it fits well with my son. At least he can join the entourage as the ring bearer during the processional. They started to assemble at the entrance of the church. I was so happy witnessing the wedding of my brother. It reminded us of the day of our wedding, which was held in December 2017. When it was the bride's moment walking down the aisle, my brother sang "Sayo Lamang by Jamie Rivera," which is one of my favorite wedding songs. The choir sang with him during the chorus, and it was indeed a very nice rendition offered to his wife, Niña.

When the mass was about to start, I went to the choir area since they had requested that I sit there to sing with them. But our eldest sibling told me that I would take over the part of my uncle as a cord sponsor with my aunt. So I went to the area where I was supposed to sit down. I was so emotional at that time because what if I was not able to attend the wedding? I was already chosen to represent the cord sponsor, and my son also had the responsibility as a bearer. I can't imagine how my father and the whole family would feel.

When the ceremony was done, of course, the picture-taking followed. They made it quick since there is also another wedding schedule after their ceremony. My father then told me that we would just ride the rented vehicle that would transport the guests to the reception venue. My father called his grandchildren, and they had some moments together while waiting for the couple to get out of the church. We then got inside the vehicle and went to the Canaries Pavilion.

In the reception area, we chose a table to sit at. We were just on the left side of the stage of the couple. The master of ceremonies called the members of the entourage to get ready for their grand entrance as we started the program. They dance as they enter the arc, going to their designated tables. It was really enjoyable to watch them dance. There were games before the wedding dance to provide entertainment for the guests and the newlywed couple. During the first dance of the couple, many of the guests pinned cash as a representation of the financial abundance of the couple, which will be used for their future.

The emcee had a "guess the song game", and whoever answers it correctly can go directly to the buffet with his or her companions. But for the sponsors and parents of the couple, there were foods served for them. One of the Sidlak Danao idol champions serenaded the crowd with his beautiful voice. Even the emcee rendered a song for the couple. Members of the choir also had the chance to present a song while waiting for everyone to finish the dinner. There were still funny games and moments after the dinner. The program ended at six in the evening. We planned to say goodbye to my father so that we could start waiting for a bus going back to Tabogon.

As we came closer to my father, the bride ran after my wife and said we needed to take a picture with them at the stage. She asked my wife to just sleep at our house in Danao. The house of my grandparents where I lived during my college days. I built a room there so that we have a place to stay whenever we visit my birthplace. I agreed to sleep there because my father also asked me to stay so that we could also enjoy the rest of the night because the bride's relatives were also staying at our residence. It happened that the wedding was held in Danao and not on the bride's place which is Sogod, Cebu because the couple asked everyone to understand them. They want to hold their wedding at the church where they are serving as choir members.

We stayed at our residence in Danao, and I joined the people during the karaoke session. I sang more than five songs as requested by the bride's father because he wanted to hear my song renditions. My wife and I enjoyed the day. We felt the love that we really wanted to feel. Ever since, my family and relatives in Danao have been very loving and caring for us. They don't even want to let us feel unloved and misunderstood. They always listen to my heartaches and lift us up every time we fall.

I hope and pray that Nelson and Niña will make their relationship stronger with God's bond of marriage. They will always do whatever makes both of them happy. Whenever there are problems, they will talk about how to resolve them. Placing God at the center of their lives. Journey together with love, patience, and understanding.

Thank you for taking the time to read and support my blog. Till next time.

_{Lead Image was created using Canva. Other Images are mine unless stated otherwise.}