It must have been the wedding of the year. We called in to see Siaren on the Thursday night and she was flying high – so excited and anxious that everything would go well. She was determined that she would be married on her birthday but she might have been having second thoughts when it was thundery and rainy overnight.
However, by early afternoon, it was sunny again and all was set for the big event. The Iglesias ni Cristo church is a very impressive structure. In a country where most churches have a shabby lived-in feel about them the churches of Iglesias ni Cristo are always immaculate. They vary in size, depending on the size of the community, but are all built in a similar style. The Calamba church is a mid-range one with seating for maybe 200 and a large choir section behind the pulpit.
Siaren had a very large entourage all looking spectacular in their wedding clothes. The theme was red and silver and even the groomsmen wore red undershirts with their barong. The service was in tagalog so we didn’t understand anything but we were told it contained references to obey, remain silent, and so on which really puts the pressure on Siaren to change her ways. She is certainly the bossy one in that relationship.
Ayala Greenfields was a great choice for the reception – very classy with wonderful views of Calamba and Laguna de Bay. The wedding planner had obviously seen the movie, Father of the Bride and based his performance on Francke – very camp and over the top. Siaren even sang, From this Moment.
Siaren and Jan requested that gifts be in the form of cash, some of it placed in a wishing well and more pinned on the bride and groom during the bridal dance. The wedding must have cost a fortune so financial help would have been appreciated and, also, it would have been too hard to carry multiple toasters and sets of towels back to Tasmania.
I was one of three people listed to make a toast. The other two spoke but it was only after my speech that the toast was proposed. Siaren had gift bags prepared for all the sponsors and other special guests – red carry-bags with a tin of cookies, bars of chocolate and a container of drinking chocolate, and a shopping bag and drink container with their pictures on it. We kept the drink container and shopping bag and gave the chocolates to Kit’s helpers to share out.
Siaren and Jan had also had coffee mugs made with their photographs on them and most of the guests were given these to take home as souvenirs.
As Siaren said to one of the guests, Married at last!
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