It was great seeing old faces and friends, like Abi, Kenneth, Wilma and Junius (Carol's 2nd cousin, apparently), while meeting new ones like my candle partner Zharina Arnaldo (journalist based in the UK) and Edgie Co (molecular biologist working w/ the US military). While Jen barely made to the ceremony Melody missed her turn at doing the second reading (or responsorial psalm), w/c caught Eileen (who was doing the commentary) off guard, so she ended up doing it. For my my part you'd think lighting a candle would be a breeze, but at the second lighting (this time for the "unity candle) it was a literal breeze that kept killing the fire from my matchsticks. In the end Zhar and I just used the candles she lit earlier.The rest of the day was spent at EDSA Shangri La hotel, where we hung around the newlywed's room, eating cheeseburgers and KFC sandwiches (courtesy of Carol's dad). I also couldn't stop looking at their makeup artist, as her resemblance to a friend of mine was uncannily eerie, right down to stylish color-coordinated glasses. And w/ her looks I'm surprised she isn't doing some modeling herself, instead of making them up. But I digress.
This is why I prefer going to friend's weddings, as opposed to any of my relatives. * Lots more people to see and talk to, and enjoying myself while doing so. When I wasn't comparing dental work w/ Kenneth I was talking comics w/ Junius. And I got a nice bunch of "conjoined headshots." It also wasn't just a random selection of single guys blowing a balloon or single girls going wild over tossed roses (w/ Junius and Melody the respective "winners" of those games). This was fun stuff. Hell, some of us even managed to score an extra bottle of wine Lorenzo brought from Spain! Makes up for the 180 bucks(!) the hotel charged me for parking, despite the 6 hour validation stub.Click here to see the rest of the wedding pictures, or if you'd prefer the video version:
*ON THE OTHER HAND... The next day I went to EDSA Shang again for another wedding , this time for my friend Hentjie, former DLSU class and thesis-mate. The wedding and reception were staged at the Isla ballrooms 2 and 3, side by side. Turns out it's in Protestant weddings where the priest asks the "if anyone objects to this marriage speak now blah blah" bit. It was also odd seeing the couple walk down the aisle, be greeted by photographers, and not leave in the wedding car. I waited for one of the TV production people documenting the affair to yell "CUT!" (One of the perks of working in a post-production house), but instead the newlyweds chatted w/ guests while they signed in at the registry table.At the "Jie's Close Friends 3" table I was the only one in attendance, so they filled it up w/ Hentjie's former co-workers, instead. Most of them were language teachers, who cringed every time emcee Kimberly Tan improvised and subsequently butchered her English ("Stand at the back of your wife!") And they weren't big fans at the somewhat "R-Rated" themes of the palour games. The menu was 90% what I had last night, sans mango sago and Spanish wine. Yep, I bored.
So let me amend my earlier statement: it's not whether I prefer to attend a friend or relatives' wedding, just that I'd better have someone I to enjoy talking to at my table.
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