My wedding day was literally a dream. I can’t believe it is over! Months of planning…the stress and crying came down to one day then all of a sudden it was over! It was a perfect day. I have to admit…planning the wedding was not hard. Because I knew what I wanted (I’ve been planning this since I was 5!) The hardest part was trying to fit everything into our budget and tackling every pitfall that came our way. My husband was a good sport and kept me on track, no matter how emotional I was, he kept me grounded. If we could get through grueling months of planning with me being organized and OCD, and him being the complete opposite, I know we can take life by the horns. (or the balls.)
We got married at my alma mater, Saint Mary’s College. We met in South Bend so this place holds a special place in our hearts. I thought I always wanted to get married in my childhood church, but the more I thought about it…
Saint Mary’s has a deeper meaning to me and to us.
When it came to a wedding date I knew I did not want to get married in June or July, because that is when everyone gets married. I did not want to be categorized into a summer wedding. Plus, May is my favorite month. We didn’t know it then but May 13, 2017 was the 100th anniversary of the Apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary. (Both coming from predominantly Catholic households, it is a big deal. My mother could not be more happier.) Consequently, Mary holds a special place in our hearts. The Grotto is where I took Steven to ask for her prayers when we first started dating. Moreover, it is where we returned when Steven asked me to marry him. ( I obviously said yes.)
Our bridal party was made up of our best family and friends who have been there through our ups and downs. We couldn’t get through this day without them. Or life.
We also integrated our Filipino and Mexican wedding traditions which was thankfully similar (thank you Spain!) Filipinos incorporate more people into the wedding people known as Primary and Secondary Sponsors:
Primary Sponsors (Ninong & Ninang) also known as godfather and godmother, respectively, are couples who the bride and groom have admired and respected. In the Philippines, they are the official witnesses of the wedding. Their participation symbolizes their wisdom and support of the bride and groom as they venture into their lives as husband and wife.
Secondary Sponsors: Couples who perform the cord & veil ceremony. One pair will drape and pin the veil over the groom’s shoulder and the bride’s veil. And the other pair will lay the cord on the bride and groom. Their participation in the wedding also symbolizes their guide and support in their marriage.
Another tradition is the coins ceremony:
Coins (Arrhae) : “Arras” is a Spanish word meaning “earnest money.” The exchanges of the coins represent the groom’s promise to provide and support his family and the bride’s trust in his ability to do so. Originally, there was an understanding of husband as “bread winner” and wife as “home maker” so the coins were given and received not in a spirit of reciprocity but in a give/take relationship. Presently, the coins are a reminder of good stewardship for all couples; that they will mutually support each other, their children and the world around them.
Traditionally, it is made up of 13 coins. The 13 coins represent Jesus and the 12 apostles. After being blessed by the priest, it is presented to the groom to the bride. The coins in this wedding are 13 half dollars (50 centavos) the grandfather of the bride had kept when the United States had control of the Filipino Peso.
The Cord & Veil Ceremony are celebrated in both Filipino and Mexican cultures.
Cord (Lazo Rosary) & Veil: The Cord & Veil Ceremony is a common tradition between Mexican and Filipino cultures. The cord symbolizes everlasting fidelity and signifies that they walk the world as equals. The cord is looped around the bride and groom. The couple share liability of wedding and raising a family. The number eight also represents the symbol infinity-without beginning or end. The number eight in the Bible is also the number of new beginnings. The lasso in this wedding is the same lazo used to unite the parents of the groom.
The veil signifies that they are dressed for the world as one. A long, white, rectangular veil is draped over the shoulder of the groom and above the bride’s head.
Besides those traditions, it was a regular Catholic ceremony followed by a cocktail hour that featured a mariachi band and a bomb ass reception. That day went by too fast and I wish I could relive it all over again, but thank goodness I have pictures and filmography to re create the day over and over!
With that said, I wanted to a select amount of my favorite pictures!
Ceremony: Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary’s College
Reception: Century Center, South Bend
Photography: Emily Laraine
Flowers & Event Design: MichaelAngelos Events
DJ & Filmography 27 Entertainment
Hair & Makeup: Bethza Professional Makeup (Hair by Megan L)
Cupcakes: Gigi’s Cupcakes
Wedding Dress: Galia Lahav (Bella Bianca Chicago)
Bridesmaids: White by Vera Wang (they had pockets!)
Groomsmen: MensWearhouse
Jewelry: Chloe & Isabel by Terri
Anyone else swooning? Are you planning a wedding and have questions? Reach out to me! Leave a comment below or in the contact form above! I could not get through planning without a help of my friends.
Live loved,
T
