The Happiest Bride

Our wedding was neither the best, nor was it the most glamorous, but what made it so
remarkable is that I am finally getting married to my classmate, food and movie buddy, and
my best friend. It was the sole inspiration that I needed to make her the happiest bride on
that day.
For me, every minute detail that we have conceptualized have materialized. Unfortunately,
Kash being a solid Hello Kitty fan, dropped the idea of tagging along her most favorite
childhood cartoon character.
According to her, she really wants either a blush of pink or rose motif but her mind would
dictate that the entire wedding must appear to be as formal and as elegant as possible, and
so we opted to resolve it by having a midnight blue and silver instead. This is the very
reason why I planned to make a Hello Kitty present at the end of our suprise performance. I
just really wanted to make her feel that both her favorite character and color were present
on the said occasion.
Being a law student made it all the more difficult to juggle dance practices, studies, business
and the entire preparation for the wedding, especially when I was making excuses to attend
to our scheduled practices together with my sister and her friends. From a 2:00 minute
dance routine, it became an over-the-top ASAP-like dance showdown lasting to 9:00 minutes.
My sister already asked me knowing that I dont really dance Kuya parang sobrang haba na
nito, kaya mo ba? I just replied with Alam mo yung itsura ni Ate Kash mo pag sobrang
saya siya, at alam mo din na gusto ko makita yun lalo na sa wedding day namin, syempre
kaya ko!
And at the end of the said production, I would present to her the biggest Hello Kitty stuffed
toy that can be purchased at Gift Gate, it was around 3 to 4 feet in height, but then again
the last piece that I saw was already bought.
So my sister and I scrambled to find an alternative, but all the big kitty stuffed toys that we
obtained were the Hello Kettes or the fake and terrible imitations of the original ones.
When all hope is about to disappear, the idea struck me, it would be lovely to give her the
BIGGEST that one may find, a Hello Kitty MASCOT for Kash on our wedding day. It certainly
got me all excited!
A week prior to the wedding, I tried to find one to turn-up after our drill, one supplier after
another. We tried in as much as we could to find the "cutest" Hello Kitty that there was, and
what we got is the closest and most decent Sanrio-ish version. I was absolutely worried
three days after the reservation because I only relied on the pictures and I was not been able
to visit the shop for occular inspection, I was just hoping for the best though.
Fast-forward to less than 10 hours before our wedding, being a hands-on groom, I could still
remember that I had to do some extra decors and other fun stuff for our guests and principal
sponsors. In spite of all the preparatory measures, there is and will always be something that
is missing. My mind was not only scrambling to get things done but up to the last moment,
ideas still keep on popping suggestions.

T-minus 5 hours, I had to make a quick run on a bookstore to grab some party poppers which
has to be utilized at the end of the number. The saleslady even asked me Para sa birthday
sir?, to which I replied with Hindi, para sa kasal ko. Then she inquired further Ay talaga
sir, Congrats po! kailan naman kasal niyo?, I just answered with Mamayang hapon po I
could still remember her surprised face, she never uttered a word but I know that she
wanted to tell me something like Grabe sir bat nandito pa kayo?. I was actually asking
myself those questions also as I was heading back to our shop. It was like I was submitting a
school project which is due on that day but the obvious difference is that IT WAS OUR
WEDDING DAY.
Three hours preceding the ceremony, I arrived at the hotel and my family and friends were
already there by then. The photographers went in and started to take picture which, as luck
would have it, appeared to be really delightful. At that moment, my heart was already
pounding with joy and I cant wait to see my bride. When the coordinators made their signal
to proceed to the church, I just lifted every detail to God, big or small. I know that he would
be the lone yet the most powerful pilot of our most important day. After all, what really
matters to us is to receive his blessing. In my heart, everything that night would fall
perfectly in its place, I just wanted to see my best friend happy, thats all.
After the awe-inspiring experience of seeing Kash walk down the aisle and after going
through a solemn church ceremony, we went straight away to our reception. When my wife
was changing to her second gown, the mascot team arrived and left Hello Kittys head to
one of Kashs make-up artist inside her dressing room. I went in to check her and she asked
me Ano yung nasa bag na black? I froze, then I replied Ay, baka naiwan yan ng staf
kanina luckily it was all tied up because the surprise would have been ruined right there.
But that was not the only close call, the host later on asked me Sir, kasabay niyo ba
papasok si Hello Kitty ni Maam Kashmere? I immediately answered Ay hindi po Maam,
lalabas po sya after ng dance namin. I took a relieving breath afterwards.
Later that night, Kash was in for an amazing journey. When Ms. Jaja, our host, called my
squad, I smiled knowing I already saw a surprised Kash. The moment that I stepped on the
floor and from the first tune of the music that was played, she already generously flashed
her biggest smile all the way through our production. Most of our guests, families and
relatives cheered along in excitement.
After those electrying minutes, when the last music was about to fade, there it came, and
surprisingly it was BETTER THAN WHAT I EXPECTED! A big plush of pink fluffy thing came
running down towards the stage. Kash had no idea why everybody was clapping so loud
perhaps she thought the applause was for us. But when my wife saw it, with a touch of
confusion and surprise, it was the very look that I dreamt of witnessing.
Worth it ang lahat ng practice at risk na hanapin ang mascot because the girl who gave me
so much happiness, my partner who I am going to give my love and life was looking at me,
dressed in an elegant champange gown, teary eyed and yet still breathtakingly beautiful
who was over the moon in excitement. I know deep inside of me that I found The Happiest
Bride.

INSERT SUPPLIERS HERE

Name of Groom: John Elbert R. Falsis
Name of Bride: Kashmere Ivanesa Villamar
Church: Manila Cathedral-Basilica
Ceremony: Roman Catholic Ceremony
Hotel: Manila Hotel
Reception: Villa Immaculada of Tamayos Catering
Caterer: Tamayos Catering
Coordinator: Ms. Grace Dacanay-Caragan
Cake: Honey Glaze Cakes by Aileen Torres-Conde
Invites: Hi-Print Graphics Design Specialist
Event Stylist: Hi-Print Graphics Design Specialist
Wedding Rings: My Diamond (Mall of Asia)
HMUA: Signature by Guillano
Photographer and VIdeographer: Nice Print Photography and Exige Weddings
Bridal Gown designer: Lilia Bonaobra Couture
Entourage: Lilia Bonaobra Couture
Suit designer for Groom and Groomsmen: LA Master Coat Maker
Host: Ms. Jaja Confessor
Photobooth: Ritaga Enterprises
Lights and Sounds: Tamayos
Candy Station: Tamayos
Flowers: Manila Flower Shop by Lloyd and Yoby
Hashtags used: #JohnKash2015 ; #ADecadeOfLoveAndFriendship