September Stress No More

For the past 5 years, September has been an exciting yet stressful month for me. It was because of the observance of the Family Month Celebration every September. One of the highlights of the observance was the Mass Wedding Celebration. Yes, the Local Government Unit through our office sponsors an annual Mass Wedding Celebration. Every year, a total of 40 to 60 couples agree to legalize their wedding.

Conducting a simple program is kinda stressful, how much more a wedding celebration participated by city officials and witnessed by a lot of people. I was employed in this office in the year 2014 and was still 23 years old at that time. In the year 2015, there have been movements in the office and I was one of those who was assigned in the Programs Division who are in charge of the city-wide celebrations. Being the new focal person on family welfare concerns, the mass wedding ceremony is my concern. From preparation to the ceremony proper to packing-up was tasked to me. Imagine the stress and fun it gave me.

I just can't imagine how someone not in a relationship became a wedding event coordinator 🤣😂🤣

Preparation

The preparation was the most stressful thing. From the announcement of the mass wedding ceremony, entertaining queries about the event, checking of wedding requirements of the couples, typing of Marriage License, confirmation of solemnizing officer and witnesses/ sponsors, preparation of wedding invitations and program flow, physical set-up and decoration of the venue.

Perks of being in charge, I got the chance to choose the motif color. Here are the colors since I started:

• 2015 - Blue

• 2016 - Orange

• 2017 - Ethnic

• 2018 - Yellow

• 2019 - Green

• 2020 - *no gatherings

What's my basis for choosing the color? That depends on what color the available materials are 🤣. In the year 2016, it was purely based on the available color of cartolina and special paper and what color was not yet used. Though I searched if the color fits a wedding and found out it's not just a common color for a wedding.

Preparation includes the stringent checking of requirements. We don't want to be the reason why the marriage can be declared null and void by not checking the papers properly.

From the wedding invitation to planning the physical set-up, we have to check and prepare everything. My creativity sometimes works when doing wedding invitations (for the couples, sponsors, and other invited guests). Doing things is not a problem, but the thrill is, either you have to use what is available or buy things on your own and don't expect it to be reimbursed.

Physical Setup was not a big deal when the venue was at the Convention Center, minor decorations are just needed. But the excitement raised when the available venue was a covered court. This was the time help was requested. Ideas and suggestions were consolidated.

During

During ceremonies, most staff in our office were present. They were tasked to have the Marriage Certificates properly signed by the couple, sponsors, and the solemnizing officer. Some were assigned to take photos, assist the sponsors and the like.

I remembered in 2017, during the ceremony, the City Mayor observed the sitting arrangement of the couples was not properly arranged (grooms were seated on the left side while the bride's seat was on the right side, but it should not be the case). After the ceremony, I received negative words regarding that matter from our boss and officemates. Officemates who were in charge of the arrangement of couples, officemates who observed and realized things but chose not to act. (At that time, I did really felt bad, I wanted to hide in the restroom and burst out my frustration, but chose to be silent and proceeded as if nothing happened).

After

After every event, I wanted to hide myself, because I don’t want to get scolded or I don't want to hear errors or mistakes I have done or things I was not able to accomplish.

For the past 2 ceremonies, I didn't hear anything from our bosses after the ceremony. I did not get scolded. I don't know if I was able to achieve their expectations or they just don't want to waste their time pointing out what I missed.

I felt bad for not hearing anything. There was no "thank you" or "you did great" from our bosses (that still made me want to cry).

It's just funny how preparation took time and days and the program took only more than 3 hours. After the program, when the couples exited, most of the staff also are already out. If there are no interns during those times, I can count through my fingers those people/ co-workers who would stay and help in packing up everything.

Still, one thing I love the most is when the couples go out with smiles on their faces.

Stress no more

Yes, no more September stress for me. Early this year, there has been a movement of staff that happened in the office. I was so happy being transferred. Transferred to a different unit and some job functions were also transferred. I am not anymore in charge of city-wide celebrations. I will miss those preparations that always keep me awake.

But that doesn't mean I won't be of help to the in-charge this year. Actually, I'm already being requested to do something for the mass wedding this year.

Excited about how the office will conduct it this year.

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Hi!

I'm Dolor

- not a writer nor a blogger just a life wanderer who wanted to share travels, experiences, and learnings 😘

- hope you can join me wandering next time 😉

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