See how this couple dealt with a sudden announcement of ECQ after saving up for and preparing for their dream wedding
Paul Richmond Fernandez and Jessica Capusi have a modern love kind of story. The two met through Facebook, connected by a common friend. Mon was based in Dubai at that time while Jec was in the Philippines. The two made things official when Mon visited the Philippines and after two years, Jec followed Mon to Dubai.
Unfortunately the global pandemic caused them to both return to the Philippines. The couple was already set to marry early this year but they initially thought of doing a civil wedding first and a bigger celebration when restrictions ease up. Jec’s family recommended that the couple push through with a church wedding, no matter the state of the lockdown.
But another curve ball was thrown Mon and Jec’s way. Read below to know more about how the newlyweds surpassed their challenges in Jec’s own words.
How did you two meet?
Nagkakilala kami sa Facebook. May workmate ako sa previous job ko, sabi niya, “Jec, gusto mo siya na pala ang magiging husband ko. He was living in Dubai, UAE noong nasa getting-to-know stage kami. Almost one year din kami chatmates. ‘Pag uwi niya noong 2017, sinagot ko din naman siya. Noong 2019 ako sumunod sa kaniya sa Dubai at umuwi din kami year last year dahil pareho kami naapektuhan ng pandemic. Three years and six months kami bago nag-pakasal noong April 16, 2021.
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Did you have a theme or motif for your wedding?
The original motif was pastels with a touch of light gray, blush pink, olive and white. But unfortunately because of the MECQ, ‘yung lahat ng supplier ko hindi makaka-attend sa Laguna dahil sa protocols. Kinuha namin ‘yun All-in Wedding Package para wala nang hassle pero lahat sila from Cavite. All of a sudden, kung ano ‘yung available, ‘yon na ‘yung naging motif which was classic yellow.
What were the challenges you encountered in your planning?
Matinding challenge po talaga ‘yung IATF announcement at yung COVID. Settled na po talaga na March 25 ‘yung kasal namin since naka All-in Wedding Package naman kami, ’yung requirements na lang talaga sa simbahan ang kulang. Kaso po nag-declare ng ECQ until April 4, so until that time, waiting at praying pa kami baka sakali mag-GCQ na after April 4. Kaso na-extend ‘yung ECQ.
I talked to Mon kung pwede i-move na lang namin ang kasal kasi hindi makaka-attend pamilya niya at talagang bawal ang gatherings so hindi kami makakapag-invite ng mga tao gusto namin maka-witness ng kasal namin. Kaso gusto ng Lola ko ituloy sa April 16 ang kasal kahit 10 lang kami sa simbahan at sa bahay na lang ang reception kahit dalawang principal and secondary sponsor na lang ang a-attend. Wala ‘yung side ng husband ko at sabi din nila na okay lang ituloy kasi ang mahalaga, ‘yung basbas ng simbahan.
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Ako lang po talaga yung gusto mag-palit ng date. Sobra po iyak ko kasi hindi ‘yun ang dream wedding ko. Nag-ipon kami para sa hindi magarbo, pero para sa maayos na kasal. ‘Yun naman po ang pangarap ng lahat ng couples. At ‘yung effort ko sa pag-aayos, pag meet ng supplier, parang lahat, nawala. ‘Yung naka-picture sa utak mo na possible mangyari sa kasal, hindi nangyari. Sobra akong disappointed sa lola ko noon kasi siya ‘yung ayaw magpapalit ng araw ng kasal. Wala naman problema sa nanay ko kung ano gusto namin. Ang Lola ko ang nagpalaki sa akin kaya sinunod ko na lang siya para di siya mag-tampo sa akin.
How did you handle the challenges?
Yung husband ko ang sobrang supportive sa gusto ko pero nire-remind niya din ako na may mga dapat i-consider sa decision namin. Una, acceptance na hindi lahat ng gusto mo, mangyari at matutupad. May mga bagay o pangyayari na beyond our control at ‘yun ang gusto mangyari ni God, so we just need to accept the fact kung wala na din way para baguhin. Sabi nga just go with the flow na lang. Second, you need to talk to everybody na involved sa planning. Like our family, the suppliers, our coordinator, and the venue. Uncontrollable kasi ‘yung pangyayari at settled na siya so yung mga cancellation ay may consequences, so we just need to talk, find alternatives, and then mag-settle sa decision.
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What are your tips?
1. Always follow protocols during this time of pandemic. Ayaw naman natin mag-violate ng Laws at most especially i-consider natin ‘yung mga attendees. After all, safety first. Minsan better pa nga ‘yung intimate wedding kaysa sa madaming bisita para ma-entertain mo din sila lahat at hindi sila ma-bore.
2. What is important in marriage is the presence of God. Mahalaga ang basbas ng ating Panginoon. At kahit subukin pa tayo ng matinding pagsubok, kapag gusto niyo magpakasal, ‘wag na magpatumpik-tumpik pa at magpakasal na! Sa may mga doubts naman, pakiramdaman niyo ang mga sarili niyo. Katulad ko, sobrang kontra ‘yung Lola ko na ibahin ko pa ang date ng kasal namin. Pero nagparaya ako. Oo masama ang loob ko pero sa mismo araw ng kasal namin, wala na sa puso ko ‘yung tampo. Importante din kasi masaya kayo para hindi maka-attract ng bad vibes.
