Catleya and John Resurreccion's Wedding

Today, October 22, 2005, I witnessed a very grand wedding. It was the wedding of one of my very close friend way back 1981. That is Catleya Velasquez-Resurreccion (hmm... her new last name is sooo hard to spell!).

Catleya and I remained close friends - despite the fact that we had both expanded our horizons. We were together gradeschool and highschool, lived in the same village, rode the same school bus and even attended the same church before. College was the time we had to let go of our always being together - She studied in La Salle while I went to UP. It was also the time where she transferred to a different Subdivision. But that didn't really made our friendship cold. Thanks to emails, yahoogroups and cellular phones - we managed to keep in touch.

Her husband John, I met due to an "entrepreneurial" adventure. I'm so ashamed that I wasn't able to pursue the business mainly because my focus wasn't there. I hope they have forgiven me for not supporting. But I guess they did - because they've invited me to witness their very special union.

Last month, I attended a magical wedding - my former Training Manager Patricia and her husband Patrick. Now, I was able to see another wedding worth remembering. Let me share to you excerpts on Catleya and John Resurreccion's Wedding.

The church was at Parish of St. James the Great in Ayala Alabang Village. It was a very big church that even if they have approximately 300 guests, we only occupied maybe 1/4 of the area. Catleya marched the aisle with a very long veil - enhancing her beauty and making her everyone's focal point. The motif of orange and pink made the environment so light and lively. Flowers are fresh - truly a sign of intense preparation.

The photographer was very skilled. Not only did we experience the traditional formal picture taking, he made us do some crazy stuff too!

Reception followed at the Grand Ballroom of the Palms Country Club - still in Alabang in Filinvest Corporate City. One funny thing, since it's also the Halloween Season, I was a bit confused with some orange candles that lighted the path. I was wondering is this for their wedding or is it part of the Halloween ambiance (as Orange is the color of Halloween too!). But, there's nothing scary when you enter the Grand Ballroom. At the same time, if you used the stairs instead of the elevator, very creative flower designs were posted in the railings of the grand staircase. Upon surrendering our gifts at the doorway, we are led to our respective tables (I'm at table 8). On our table, we have already a preliminary souvenir - 3 chocolates packed in a gold box with pink & orange ribbons bearing the signature sticker of John and Catleya. When everyone was seated, the host JM (I'm not sure if that's his name but I'm sure he appeared in Television before) started introducing the members of the entourage - from the flowergirls to the maid of honor and best man. After that, we watched a video of the couple and Catleya's nieces. It was so creative! Then the newly weds marched towards the room.

When everyone was seated, the host called the guests per table to have a picture taking with the couple. Once done, the guests could already go to the buffet table and get food. The menu was superb!!! From Japanese makis to pastas and salads, to rice and chicken, beef, pork, shrimps and up to desserts. Yum, yum!!!

Time to settle down and witness the special wedding program. The couple had their first dance (by the way, John was really tensed!), they had the cutting and eating of the cake, the speeches - both parents and the couple themselves - and we again watched a video showing how they got to know each other and other funny anecdotes on how they've nourished their relationship.

The bouquet and garter catching has a very cute twist! For the bouquet, the bride had individual rose petals each tagged with a note of which you have a chance of winning a prize. Guess what, I won! I got a Moisturizing Hand Soap, Hand Gel and Hand Wipes from Bath & Body Works (that's expensive huh!). I was actually kidding them, saying, "Is the price a new boyfriend?" Hahaha.. How I wish! For the garter, single men were given a shot of tequila and then playing the limbo rock. How low can they go? Well, eventually, they had a winner. I just forgot his name. But he was nice and game, just like me, hence it wasn't a problem him sliding the garter to my fat leg. Hehehe... I had to ask, will the garter fit me? Thank God it did! :)

I also met Millet, one of our friends in Miriam. I took our pictures. Too bad I wasn't able to get a picture of the bride and the groom... Oh well, I hope they can share some of their pics soon. :)

As much as I'd like to stay longer, I had to go home too. But I brought home with me not just my Bath and Body Works prize and a rosary souvenir, but a very beautiful memory of Catleya and John's Wedding. I hope and pray that their marriage will be a living testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness! To Catleya and John, Congratulations and Best Wishes!!!