My Sister's Wedding

Boston, Massachusetts
June 13, 2010 12:58am CST
My youngest sister who's in her 30s just got married last June 8. She married her first and only boyfriend since highschool. It was a great family event. A venue for the family and relatives to get together again after my father's death in 2008...where almost all of them came and mourned with us. Now it's a different celebration...a new journey in my sister's life--the journey of being a wife and a mom. I was assigned as the liturgical coordinator and managed the sequence of events in the church and the emcee/host during the reception. I even rendered three songs to the newly wed as they danced and people pinned on money and checks on them (wedding gown and suit). There were so many highlights during the wedding, but what i loved most is the giving of messages and advises to the newly weds from their sponsors and parents and of course the sweet dance. they were able to raise more than $4,000 dollars or more than P200,000 pesos. How about you, in attending weddings what do you like most (aside from the reception hehehehe) in all the wedding's highlights? please share thanks! [i][/i]i am trying to post my sister's photo but it's network error...
6 people like this
26 responses
@ckyera (17331)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
hi winks! wow! congratulation to your sister and she reminds me of myself...hehe marrying first and one and only bf in our lives! that seems to be a really happy occasion for your family and its nice to know that your family is always there in happy and sad occasions. and it sounds like a traditional one for me, the typical wedding in the provinces. and the money that they were able to raise is really a big amount! enough to help them as they start their life as husband & wife. when attending weddings, what i like the most is the nice part of exchanging of vows of the couple. i find it really touching and sometimes even makes me shed a tear. haha and of course the happy moments after the ceremony & the giving of advices, and the picture taking! hehe.
2 people like this
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
it's a great celebration when you see people that are happy with they're lives together for the first time being happy.i hope they are happy and able to resolve all of they're future conflicts and arguments
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi CK, Thanks. I will inform my sister how my mylot friends responded on this discussion and extend your wishes to the newly wed couple. Yes, i remember you sharing it in one of my discussions--you married with the man of your life...your one and only love! The exhanging of vows made me say this line to myself...this is it sister. It's your turn and wish you all the best for the new chapter in your life. Then i say a little prayer for her and her groom. i was also teary-eyed then as my mom was crying even during the march. she too missed my dad and how we all wished he's still with us for this event. The picture taken was quite unique. there were poses that were entertaining...i am so excited to see the pictures from the official photographer of the event. by the way i posted some in my facebook account. you can check it my friend. oppppsss it think you've seen it already as you "like" the giveaways. @LK, Yes, all of the people who were then around have all the good wishes for them and were so happy that finally they made it to be blessed and forver be one!
@lovieron (129)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
Hi Ckyera, Wow, I do also want to marry my first boyfriend. I mean seeing women marry their first and only bf was really amazing what I mean is who wouldn't right?
1 person likes this
@sunnycool (12714)
• India
13 Jun 10
Wooow thats so great winky---convey my regards to your sister and his hubby Weddings in my place are celebrated for two days---they prepare the Groom in advance and perform some rituals to the god and then they visit the bride's place where the marriage would take place and then they spend three nights(Love making) at the brides home.Apart from this it a festive mood all over and as you said relatives come down for the event and its good to meet them all after a while haha.
2 people like this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi Sunny, Thanks...your greetings will surely reached the newly weds. Thanks for that information. That's another learning from me as it relates to your culture. You have a different way in officiating marriage. Wow...three days of intimate moments cheezy and steamy my friend. Thanks for dropping by too!
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
REally? so, it's a 24 hour event plus three days of hot moments? hahahahahaha....i will not be surprised if one of these days you will be inviting us here as you are announcing your wedding. are you in a relationship this time? any plans of settling down?
@sunnycool (12714)
• India
13 Jun 10
Most of the weddings take place in the midnights lol---we gotto be awake until then and the couple would enjoy three hot nights back to back
2 people like this
@bodhisatya (2384)
• India
13 Jun 10
Hello Msfrancisco, Weddings are usually a grand ceremony in our place. Well apart from the reception ofcourse it is good to see how people tend to look their very best wearing their best of all dresses. The excitement in the faces of the newly weds are very prominent although I believe they try to pretend the other way. In most of the marriages here, the groom is brought to the wedding venue on a mare. And the close friends and relatives of the groom make the way for him by dancing. It turns funny, and in most of the cases its downright hilarious. Then there are some uninvited guests, aww... its a different story altogether! My hearty congratulations to the newly weds! Bodhi
2 people like this
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
Hi Bodhi, THanks for the "hearty-greeting" for the newly wed. You are really very observant as to some details in a wedding. You are right --it's not only the bride, groom and the entourage who's prepared for their gowns, suits and clothes. the guests are excited too in making themselves presentable for the said ocassion. they even buy clothes, do a make over just to look their best. I attended riot weddings and observed wedding crashers, but let's just look at the positive side of it. they wanted to share that special moment with the newly wed and enjoy the banquet. Have a great day!
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
ms, your story affirms the maxim There's a time for every purpose under heaven. There's a time for grief and there's a time for joy. These are the emotions that make us know we are alive. The pinning of bills on the dancing newlyweds is a practice at Infanta, Quezon. Are you from there? Lest I forget, congratulations and best wishes to your brother-in-law and kid sister. May your family continue to smile each time you gather round!
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27560)
• Philippines
15 Jun 10
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
Hi Eileen, ...and in alll the various events in our lives our family, relatives and friends never leave us. they always show up for support and just be there for us. a gesture that i truly appreciate in the clan. Well i am a bicolana. camarines sur to be exact. i think the money dance is a practice in the philippines not unless the newly wed couple or the family is not in favor of this startegy to raise fund for the newly weds. some just put in their invitation if the guest is planning to give gifts...better have it cash as the couple will just decide on what to buy to start up later. than receiving duplicate appliances or household wares. more practical. Thanks for your greetings my dear friend. they will be informed about this hehehehe.
1 person likes this
@mrfdg1972 (3237)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
Well i always wait for the bride and groom in the reception, aside from chika chika with other visitors in the reception, i always tip the waiter beforehand to give me a plate of litson baboy or whatever dish i would like to eat.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi Mrfdg, This made me LOL! you are crazy...imagine giving the waiter a tip just to treat your right with litson or the dish/es you like. That's so generously creative of you. Those in your table will be lulcky enough to share the platter of your favorites dishes with you. cheers.
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
i love it friend. thanks for the tip. i need extra courage to do this. don't worry it will be a secret! hehehehehe.
@mrfdg1972 (3237)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
Nice trick it works you should try it out sometime. Remember to keep it a secret
1 person likes this
• India
13 Jun 10
i am happy.... i wish mariage wishes to your sister...... the marriage atmosphere creates a different feel in every heart
2 people like this
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
Hi Anandrehoboth, Thank you. The event made all of us present there teary eyed...an expression of joy for two people becoming one...for two people who waited for their moment to be couple and for two people who never fail to share their love, care and success to their family and friends. they just deserve such a beautiful event in their lives.
@dawnald (85146)
• Shingle Springs, California
16 Jun 10
Other than the cake? I suppose it's just the gathering of people all together in celebration. congratulations to your sister and her new husband, all the happiness in the world to them!
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
16 Jun 10
Hi Dawn, Thank you Dawn. It's really a once in a lifetime event for the family. actually we are joking about the xxx number of years before another wedding will happen in the family as my sister is the youngest and my nieces and nephews are just in their teens. so long way to go.
@missybear (11391)
• United States
13 Jun 10
It's been about 5 rears since I've been to a wedding. They so much fun. I love seeing all the people dressed up and the bride and groom walking down the isle. I think the money dance is a very fun thing to do. But like you said....the reception takes the cake
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi Missy, The wedding march was so solemn and when it's time for my mom and eldest brother to turnover my sister to her groom...it was really a MOMENT. Mom cried and even the guests inside the church inside the church were teary-eyed then. i keep myself busy attending the readings so i will not cry too but of course i was just there sneaking on my mom and sis moments... Do you practice money dance in your country too?
@lovieron (129)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
The money dance? We'll seeing them receiving those money i sometimes have this thought of picking those money falling. I wish they would also give me money.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
hahahaha...i can imagine you waering a nice gown and picking those bills that fell! for sure you will have it once you get married. make it part of your program and you will definitely can raise funds to start a family. goodluck!
@mobhomeir (7558)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
Hello winks congratulations to your sister. 200,000 pesos?!!!!!!!!!!!! wow I could buy second hand car on that..yes i am familiar with that wedding tradition because that was also the same thing we do just to collect some cash at least ..he he he you know...(let's get practical..) but we collected just 4,000 bucks he he he well maybe we have different attendees.. just like a small scale and large scale business ha ha ha anyway the important thing there is that they legally married... Good nigh winks..regards to your family circle... Mobhomeir here...
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi Mob, Yes they did raised such huge amount. It did surprise them. Imagine 4 checks amounting to P20,000.00 each the lowest i think was P8,000. Amazing right? anyways, during our wedding in 1995 we did raised more than P25,000 for the money dance. it was already something during that year. It was a simple but really a great wedding...thanks mob.
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
i attended a wedding where the family and relatives were so creative of their money. they make a crown out of the money, that they put on them while they were dancing, they made a sash, lots of innovations for the money dance. it was fascinating. the newly weds did earn a lot too.
@lovieron (129)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
Imagine if all those 200,000 pesos are cash, maybe even their faces would be cover with money but who cares? at least they have money.
2 people like this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
27 Jun 10
Weddings are not my favorite thing. I am happy your sister's turned out so well though. Sorry about your father, it must be difficult still... Weddings seem to be a bid deal in your community!
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
30 Jun 10
Much success to them!
• Boston, Massachusetts
30 Jun 10
Hi C, It's okay if you're not into weddings...i respect that! It was really difficult for all of us missing the presence of our dad. Well, the newly wed are busy planning their new business and excited to succeed. It's in the cake and pastries business.
@kquiming (2997)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
other than reception? hmmm, if there's dancing then yeah, that's it. but not all weddings have that portion. but really, nothing beats the eating, drinking, socializing, etc. I appreciate the bride's gown, hair and makeup. it always fascinates me. It makes me imagine how it's gonna be like for my own wedding day in the future. I don't think it's gonne be a big event for me. It'll be strictly an all-family (and a few close friends) event only.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi Kquiming, The motif, the bridal gown, the entourage and of course the make up are some of the things that the guests look at during the weddings. the bride always exudes beauty and a different aura during this day. she's the most beautiful girl among them all. i just love my sister's get-up and projection during her wedding. she's so gorgeous then. It's a simple gathering but we were so surprise for the outcome. it was a hit and the newly wed couple were so happy seeing lots and lots of relatives and friends came to celebrate with them.
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
@Lovie, believe me...once you are there, there's nothing that you will do. the guests will be asking the two of you to dance and no way for you to say no... so it will be a very special moment my dear...you first dance ever in a big crowd.
@lovieron (129)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
Dancing? nah i hate to dance with so many people around, maybe when the lights are a little dim, but sure i love the eating portion especially the lechon and cake or any desserts serve(in every gathering we attend sure we always seek for food).
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137553)
• India
14 Jun 10
wedding planning - Gowns form an important part of any wedding planning
I am a kind of a wedding planner for my nieces and nephews. So far I organised four weddings with different themes. It was a never to forget experience going about looking into the nitty gritty of it all. Tiring but worth every moment I spent churning out super duper concepts.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
Hi Allknowming, It's really tiring going into the details of everything. But once you see the fruit of your labor...that't. That's it! You feel so proud for organizing such a big event. You can make it as a career friend. go for it. THanks for sharing!
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
wow! multi-talented. that's so great of you my dear friend. at least you have so many options to earn. you are blessed because you also share your blessings and gifts to others. more power to you!
@allknowing (137553)
• India
14 Jun 10
I am a jack of all trades and so naturally I cannot be commercialising everything though I did dabble in landscaped garden designing and execution. There are so many professional event planners doing the rounds for which you need to slog and most of these events are late night shows. I love my sleep and so goodbye to event planning
1 person likes this
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
I've been through many wedding events also and what I like the most are the confessions about before they get married it was interesting because you can laugh about it or chill the sweetness of their story. I can say I wish I could be like that also when I get married.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi Marvin, I also enjoy that part where the friends of the bride and groom come forward and share funny stories about the two of them--the ups and downs of their relationship, o ther suitors, or other girls involved, dated others and naughty stories that only the close friends know about it. Guests are all smiles in this particular part of the program. thanks for dropping by! you will be more than happy than this. goodluck!
@lovieron (129)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
Same here, those were the moment of truth is revealed and almost all the guest would be entertained. Revelations of the never been told events was the most exciting part cause each of the wedded couples reveals their hidden secrets.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
some secrets that they're so afraid to reveal but now it's public...weird but guests will fully understand whatever it is and will accept them...everything about them. good night!
@lovieron (129)
• Philippines
13 Jun 10
i am only 18 and of course every girl would want to marry his first boyfriend right? because for every girl it is the sweetest thing ever. I have attended only few weddings, the first one was when my eldest sister got married, it was my first time to sleep in a hotel(silly me, but that's the best thing ever). We'll her marriage was quite a disaster at first but was resolved later on because she hired 2 wedding coordinators because the first one seems to be doing wrong things.
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
just be positive about it and you will surely attract the positive energy to make that wish come true. stay as sweet and good person as you are. keep the love burning for each other.
• Boston, Massachusetts
13 Jun 10
Hi Lovie, Again, let me welcome you to mylot. We did not hire a wedding coordinator. we in the family contributed ideas and worked it out. it lessened the expenses and still we made it right. It's good that the trouble was resolved then with the wedding you once attended. May you find the right man for you and be happy enough to spend the rest of your life with him in the future. For now, finish your studies, land a job and then when you are fully ready---marriage can happen.
@lovieron (129)
• Philippines
14 Jun 10
Thanks for the advice, I really hope that my love story would end as good as possible.
1 person likes this
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
16 Jun 10
Congratulations to the newly wed! You sure had a whale of a time. Pls send me some photos. Weddings are fun! The importance of celebrations is more in the interactive sessions of all kind of people from various part of lives. We get to meet so many people and some after ages! I love the fun of celebrations and we get to revive and relive the age old customs and traditions.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
16 Jun 10
Hi Mimpi, THanks for dropping by. This discussion made me learn from those who responded too and it's great sharing our own tradition and practices about wedding from other countries too. I've been trying to post some pictures here...after every box of response, but it's not working. it's always network error.
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
16 Jun 10
i really like most is the reception not because of the food, but in some receptions or maybe in most, there is the program which the new couple receives messages from the family members and friends, the games and a lot more. and to end the wedding party, the fireworks display which always reminds me of my homeland.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
16 Jun 10
Hi Neil, We seldom have fireworks here. When a wedding has fireworks it's really a grand wedding. What ended the wedding celebration is the thank you message from the newly wed and their parents. This is followed by the distribution of the the wedding giveaaways. THanks for sharing friend!
@angelajoy (1825)
• Philippines
14 Jun 10
Wow, your sister raised 200,000 pesos? That's a huge amount of money. I'm sure that would help your sister and her husband in starting their new life. I think that I would probably end up like your sister and get married at 30. Well, at least I hope I will. I have a long-time boyfriend, but I'm not sure when we'll get married. As of now we don't have clear plans yet on when to get married.
1 person likes this
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
Hi Angela, Yes friend they did. It's possible that you can. Pray for it and sustain the passion within and you will surely end up happily together. Good luck my friend and thanks for taking the time to respond here.
@doryvien (2284)
• United States
15 Jun 10
Hi Winky, Congratulations to your youngest sis. I just wonder why it took her so long before marrying her first and only boyfriend (since high school)? Anyways, whatever the reasons are, I'm sure they are both happy they've waited this long, coz now they are more than ready to bring the relationship to a higher level. Oh I love that tradition when the newlyweds dance and people start pinning money on their outfits. Wow, that's a lot of money for a wedding dance.
1 person likes this
@udaymohan (437)
• India
14 Jun 10
Please convey my congratulations and best wishes to the newly wedded couple. I can understand your feelings as I felt earlier when such event took place in my family. It is obviously an event to enjoy. Once again, best wishes to them and also to you. Many God bless all of you.
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
Hi Udaymohan, I will extend you greeting and wishes to them and thanks! It was really a big event that all the members of the family, relatives and friends gather and celebrate. How about you? are you married already how was the wedding or are you looking forward for your own wedding too? have a blessed day!
• China
14 Jun 10
it is a great moment . i have got the marry licence but have not held a wedding , i am envious of that . i think that must be very happy . i think it also is the beginning of a new journey to me ,become a husband and father , in the end ,congratulation!
• Boston, Massachusetts
14 Jun 10
Hi Xuliwei, It's indeed a great moment not only for the newly wed but for us family too. As we've seen our sister being taken cared of until she grows old. Of course you will also reach that phase in your life when you are ready to face a new chapter in life of being a hubby and a daddy. but for now focus first on what you're supposed to do in preparation for a better future and find the best match to be your girl...forever!