Chapter 14: Sudden Changes Due to Covid-19

Jun 3, 20205 min read

Here we were chilling, thinking everything's done and going so well with only a couple of days left until our big day. But then like everyone else, a series of unfortunate, and totally unexpected events at the start of 2020 suddenly surprised us with a BIG BANG!

It didn't even start with Covid. We were worried enough when Taal volcano erupted. Since ours was a destination wedding requiring air travel, flights would definitely cancel if the eruption prolonged and worsened. Since the eruption happened January 12, it's highly likely to affect our February 8 wedding. It would sure be totally cancelled because nobody, not even me and my hubby and the suppliers would able to make it to our destination. Good thing the eruption gradually subsided, and we thought our worries were over.

Then came another bang, the Covid-19. It already started making news late 2019 from China, but who would have known it would become phenomenally large that caused worldwide crisis. We already heard of this before but again, we did not put much attention to it, thinking it won't affect our wedding. But it did.

Our anxieties went up exponentially when Pres. Duterte announced lockdown from China, HK and Macau late January. It's understandable since it's for safety reasons. My hubby had to proceed with the wedding with just the immediate family living here in the PH. What made us confused was my MOH and one of the principal sponsors were stuck in HK. So that means, we needed to find substitutes ASAP.

Luckily, the daughter of my dad's friend was available and agreed to be my MOH stand-in. My hubby's family was also able to assign a relative to be a principal sponsor stand-in. Good thing, the original assigned persons left their gowns here in the PH, so we were able to retrieve them and hand it over to the subs. The gown coincidentally fitted my MOH stand-in to a tee. While the stand-in principal sponsor only needed minor alteration. It solved our problem, but of course it would never be the same. The names printed and distributed in the invitations will not be them. Also, MOH was supposed to be your sister or BFF, but the stand-in was just an acquaintance of mine. But I guess we're still very thankful we were able to think with our feet and managed to save our entourage lineup. Better that than missing a few people. I'll just use this opportunity to get to know my stand-in well and let her bond with my other girls.

What saddened us was not just because no other relatives of my hubby would be able to attend, but a number of our guests here in the PH also decided to cancel due to safety precautions. It's completely understandable and we would not bare any ill feelings or grudges towards them. Our guest list was reduced to maybe around 70% of the original headcount remaining.

But like any sad happenings, there's a hidden blessing. The resort was so kind enough to reduce the overall contract price down to our actual headcount, from 180 guests to 140. It's a significant reduction with reduced accommodation, food and transfer costs. So, we're definitely grateful for that! We're quite sure we would be having a difficult time negotiating with other resorts or hotels about this matter. More so that we already signed the contract.

There were also some challenges with the sourcing of international flowers needed for the styling, but anyhow since I'm not that picky with flowers, I'm OK with whatever my coordinator chooses as replacements. They all looked basically the same to me anyway.

I was also grateful that some of my relatives were able to still attend all the way from US, and one of our bridesmaid and groomsman from SG too. This pandemic had lead us to appreciate the little things that we usually take for granted. In the end, our dream wedding would still pushed through the way we wanted.

You might think I was overreacting just now with these minor problems compared to what couples are experiencing now with the quarantine and mass gathering restrictions. Nonetheless, it's all the same for us who planned our weddings thoroughly and with all our heart, spent years, money and energy to make the perfect plan, tiny mishaps like these can affect our emotions and feelings, because this event will be our life's turning point and supposed to be one of the most beautiful and memorable celebration of love. I expressed my feelings here to fellow brides and grooms who went through the same problems or even worst than ours. Know that in the end, we will push through. Love always wins!

By the way, our European honeymoon escapade this April to May was of course cancelled. We're not the least bit sad about it because of course, SAFETY! Even if with no flight restrictions, we would not go ourselves. Accepting this fact was way easier than imagining it affecting our thoroughly planned wedding. Weird but true! So, I can only imagine the pain for those affected. My heart goes to you.

Next chapter would be the most exciting one as it's THE climax - our wedding day! <3

***All my posts are in no way sponsored or paid. I narrate our wedding planning adventure like a diary, with only actual facts and experiences.***

Chapter 14: Sudden Changes Due to Covid-19

Days to go: 0.2 months

Wedding Planning Progress: 100%

Wedding Planning Team:

1. Bride & Groom

2. Wedding Coordinator: Monina E Events & Marketing

3. Venue, Accommodation, Catering, Cake, Car: Sunlight Eco Tourism Island Resort

4. Event Stylist: Monet Event Styling (packaged with coordinator, Monina)

5. Photo / Video: Mayad Studios

6. MOH, Bridesmaids, Flower Girl Dresses and Bowties: Jannah & Keith Fashion Boutique

7. Fan Souvenir: Jeanalds

8. Minor Wedding Elements, Materials and Miscellaneous Items: Divisoria & Shopee

9. Bridal Robe: Event Starters

10. Bridal Hair Accessories: Halo Bridal PH

11. Entourage Robes: SHOPPERSONALIZED BY:jaemieann

12. Ceremony Accessories and Unity Coin: Tela at Moda / The Wedding Library

13. Wedding Rings: Forever Couple

14. Bridal Barefoot Sandals: Waltz Manila

15. Bridal Gown: PS Officiel

16. Bride's Earrings: Fidela PH

17. Bride's Hair Accessories: Rose & Crown Ph, Halo Bridal PH

18. Bridal Sneakers: S&H

19. Bridal Nails: Azhua Nail

20. Bridal Hair Color: KOOP Studio

21. Groom's Suit: Suit it Up Manila

22. Groom's Shoes: GEOX

23. Mothers' Gown: Weddings By Desino Dulce

24. Fathers' Suit: Exclusively His Tailoring

25. Groomsmen Attire: VanHeusen

26. Live Band: Woodstring Band 27. Grazing Table: Graze Manila 28. HMUA: Lindsay Lin of Lindsay Lin Makeup Artistry 29. Lights and Sounds: LH PRO Sounds and Lights 30. Emcees: Jeffrey Yu and Carolyn Batay 31. Officiant: Rev. Larry San Pedro 32. Invitations: Yanna's Printshop 33. Fire Dancers: ElectroFire Dancers 34. Fireworks: Official Dragon Fireworks Inc. 35. Choreographer: Mykel Sun 36. Bridal Fitness Coach: Coach June Marin Calvez of Hype 24/7 Fitness 37. Perfume Souvenirs: Perfume: KC Perfumes Bottle: CLF Crystal Arts (taobao.com)

Prenup Shoot:

1. P/V, HMUA, Stylist, Outfit Rental, Coordination: 玫瑰星座 Rose Studio

2. Accommodation: Wyndham Sanya Bay c/o Rose Studio

3. Photo Slideshow: Rule of Thirds

4. Location: Sanya, Hainan, China

Tinghun:

Days to go: 0 months

Tinghun Planning Progress: 100%

Tinghun Planning Team:

1. Bride & Groom

2. Venue, Accommodation, Catering, Styling, Musician, Cake, Ceremony Snacks & Drinks, Crew Meals: New World Makati Hotel, Cake Concepts, Bernie Pasamba

3. Bride's Robe: Soler, Divisoria

4. Mom's Gown for Tinghun: Jannah & Keith Fashion Boutique

5. Bride's Gown: 168 Mall, Divisoria

6. Bride's Nails: Azhua Nail

7. Bride's Shoes: Gibi from The SM Store

8. HMUA: Joyce Jimenez of Headstart Malabon

9. Groom's Suit: Melaine Yu

10. Groom's Shoes: Geox

11. Emcee: Carolyn Batay

12. P/V Team: Peach Frost Studio

13. Custom Candies: Twisted Candy

14. Jewelry & Watches: Hong Kong