The wedding is only the beginning
By Joaquin Reloj
Jensen Sy and Arden Fernan celebrated their very intimate wedding on October 10, 2020, at the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod despite pressing circumstances they had to face due to the pandemic. Their ceremony was followed by a tropical-themed reception held at the groom’s residence. The newlyweds went for a nature-filled wedding to keep the light, easy, island vibe of Cebu.
In Jens’ recollection of their love story, it becomes evident that some people are truly just meant to be together. Indeed, love is able to transcend past time and distance. “We met back in freshman year of high school through Arden’s first cousin who happened to be one of my best friends. Everybody knew I had the biggest crush on Arden. We met up again 10 years later after I came back from Australia where I graduated Uni, and the rest was history.”
During their preparations, they encountered several challenges given the restrictions under quarantine guidelines. The couple wanted to prioritize everyone’s safety, including their own, which is why numerous cancellations had to be done. “We had to cancel a number of suppliers and rebook a few flights. Nothing was certain until the day of our wedding. We were very much looking forward to getting married, but we were equally aware of the need to avoid undertaking any unnecessary risks in the current circumstances,” he says.
They were able to find solace in the fact that they could still share this special moment with some of their closest friends and family, albeit virtually. “Technology played a very big role in our wedding. It was also an opportunity to get creative and still have our family and friends who couldn’t make it in person celebrate with us virtually.”
Although the couple’s original plan was to have a big wedding celebration with around 500 people, they drastically trimmed their guest list down to 36 people so as to keep the same date for their ceremony. Nonetheless, everything went better than they could have imagined. “It felt right. We were so happy, relieved, and at peace that our prayers were heard, everyone was safe and everything was perfect,” he says.
The key to their successful wedding lies in their trust and communication between each other and their wedding planner. Jens says, “We managed our expectations from the start and of course, with the help of our wedding planner, Ms. Stanz Catalan, everything was taken care of.”
“We realized our intimate wedding with our closest families and friends was everything we ever wanted and more. That was our big celebration.”
The couple advices openness in the face of alterations and that, whatever happens, your wedding day will forever hold a special place in your lives. “It still and will always be the best day ever, regardless. Be practical. Be flexible. Be open to changes. Let life surprise you. The wedding is only the beginning. There is so much more to look forward to in the journey of marriage.”
