My 2,000php-worth Intimate Wedding: An event stylist wife's story

December is a busy month. From the usual Christmas carols lingering on every corner of the street to the buzzing sound of the crowd and light fireworks, we tend to get giddy and excited when 'BER' months approach. Last 2017, my December wasn't busy. It was downright CRAZY. Blame it on my wedding day!

If you ask me and my husband, we would've wanted our wedding to happen this year on May. But the parents and in-laws wanted the wedding to happen immediately at that time. And I guess, we were obliged to say yes as our way of respecting them. It only took 3 months for us to prepare right after the engagement. And oh boy, it was a struggle!

Three months without savings and to make matters worse, I got sacked from work. My husband (fiance at that time) got quite irritable because of the sudden changes of plans so we kept on arguing about small and petty stuff.

But we cried out to God for help. The silent cries I had during the wee hours of the night was heard. Even with the uncertainties that lay ahead, God remained steadfast and faithful of His promises. My husband and I anchored our faith to God when we had nothing else to hold on to.

And just about a few weeks before our wedding day, a lot of people came up to us and gave monetary gifts. From my gown, decors, wedding cake, photographer, entourage dresses, venue and the rest of the major details -- it was all sponsored. People would rush to us in secret and offer help.

Wedding Cake

When I got engaged, one of my churchmates, who also works as a full-time accountant in our Church, offered us a sponsorship for the wedding cake and cupcakes. Of course, I was ecstatic! She was the very first person who sponsored for me. It was a simple nude cake and it tasted sweetly perfect!

Wedding gown and calligraphy signage

My wedding gown and calligraphy signage was sponsored to me by my cord sponsor.

My church mates, Mr. and Mrs. Vega (cord sponsors), who also got married last year had an extra wedding gown and decided to let me borrow it. When i got a hold of the gown, I went to a tailoring shop to have it fixed but by God's amazing favor, it fitted perfectly! Even she was shocked knowing how small I am and the fact that she's bigger than me. Mrs. Charm Vega also owns a calligraphy business (DIY Bride Tribe) and sponsored us a calligraphy signage for our ceremony aisle. Can things get any better than this? Yes!!

Entourage dresses and suits

My maid of honor, Fevin, happened to be good in sewing dresses. She knew exactly what to do with her skirt, including the bridesmaids. It took her only a few days to sew three tulle skirts and without a doubt, it was beautiful! They had different gray tops too!

My best man, Oscar, and the rest of the groomsmen provided for their own suits which made the whole picture look unique and styled even better than the usual uniformed entourage.

Sugar Puffs Cotton Candy Booth

Oscar also owns a soft-ice cream shop with cotton candies and sponsored us a cotton candy booth! Isn't that amazing?

Venue - Alan Sr. Residences

We found a small venue in the middle of the city that felt perfect for an intimate wedding. Alan Sr. Residences gave us a beautiful backyard scenery that felt like home. The garden and greeneries were perfect and made the photos look relaxing and serene.

Well, you already guessed it. Our venue was sponsored by some couple of friends. When I had my bridal shower, a friend came up to me and handed a gift cheque containing a decent amount of money. Weeks before that, someone that I'm not allowed to name, also promised that she will grant half the price of the rental. It was a heaven's gift for my husband and I.

Decors by the Husband

Here's the best part. My husband, Ulrich, is an event-stylist and a member of AOU Projects, a team of event-stylist based in Iligan City. We wanted a wedding that compliments our personality - something that is simple yet not ordinary. He was able to pull it off in just a short span of time and I was so proud of him. I only did the minimal works because styling isn't my forte. (Although I was the one who made our invitations. Talk about DIY!)

God's faithfulness remains the same. Indeed, when we are faithless, he remains faithful for He cannot deny himself. I have prayed for my wedding day to become a testimony of God's goodness and true enough, it came to pass.

My 2000php worth wedding was something I wouldn't trade for anything else. On the day of the wedding, it started to drizzle but I rebuked the rain to stop and eventually it did. But just right after the ceremony, while we were doing our post-nuptial photoshoot, a beautiful rainbow showed up at the orangey twilight sky and it was a picture of God's promises.

If there's a downpour of rain, a rainbow awaits. On another note, If there's a downpour of struggles, a great promise and blessings await. Now, I know that to be true.