Ivan & Grace

According to a 10- year old statistic,  50% of married couples in the Philippines are separated, 25% are living together under one roof but they no longer love or like each other,  25% are still together because they still love and like each other.

That was 10 years ago.  I am sure, now,  the number of couples still together because they are happy to be together is lower than 25%.  But no amount of statistics can discourage young people to take the plunge.  I hope they are deliriously in-love.  and I hope even more that they go into this contract with open eyes.  But when a person is delirious,  the eyes are always closed.  Young couples are oblivious to the challenges that come with the “I do’s”.

Last saturday night,  Julienne & I attended the wedding reception of Ivan & Grace.  Grace is the eldest daughter of Edna Dator,  my classmate in college, and ninang of Julienne.

It was a beautiful reception.  With 150 guests consisting of family and close friends,  I say this was just the right number.  I don’t like to attend weddings that’s like a convention,  seat, eat and leave.  Sometimes,  the venue was too big,  I couldn’t even see the couple.

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Julienne posing with our gift. The price is right!

Kleng kleng kleng, the price is right again!

Hallway to Rizal Ballroom, 2nd loor, Shangrila, Manila

Julienne with Ninang Edna, mother of the bride

Edna and husband Danny, couple belonging to the first 25%

The happy couple

With their advanced baby, Mateo, 9 months old.

RJ, brother of the bride, my inaanak, with his wife.

Grace works at the front desk of Shang. Her work-mates helped set-up everything.

Mother and daughter with bride and groom

Alam ko na why all my shots were blurred. I dropped my camera  nga pala in the bowl of salad dressing when I was at Myrna Yao’s 60th party at the Dusit Thani about a week ago.

My dress was by Amir Sali. I have worn this 2x, this was the third time.

Anak, stop posing na, time to eat.

Salmon

Crisps with gruyere

Native bibingka

My plate

Jul’s plate

The usual AVP

Shang’s staff and Grace’s friends

I noticed the new carpet.

Flower girl

Girl flower

Single guy

Single girl

They were making them kiss.

The groom gets the garter from the bride’s thigh. Nung panahon ko, wala ito. Ngayon all weddings have this.

I don’t know what’s the principle behind this exercise.

Where on earth did we copy this “new tradition”?

Where did the garter go afterwards?  I’ll show you in a few days.