Wedding Frustrations

My wife and I has been talking about our wedding four months ago. As much as possible, we don't want to talk about it because of a lot of frustrations, and how we are disappointed on its turnout. Many of our guests haven't noticed but many of our plans didn't turn out how we expected them to be. Never mind what some of those in attendance talking negatively on our back. It happens either from relatives, family, and friends.

Most of our frustrations came from the venue itself. I tried to check the Facebook page of the events place, then a review expressed her frustrations how unprofessional the owner, and how they ruined her wedding. The account seemed a dummy one but I think her grievances are pretty valid. I know the owner is close to those in power in our province, and she worked from the trial court. So I understand why woman who gave her review decided to keep herself private through a dummy account.

Hiring a wedding coordinator would be costly so me and my then fiance decided to prepare it by ourselves. Our worries started few days before the wedding. The lady in charge of the wedding is not working in the events place anymore, and she's even transferred to another business of the owner. There are times when she's not responding to our queries.

The number of guests we invited is only 50, which included make up artists, and video and photographers. It's still pandemic, it's better to have a small crowd, and consider everyone's safety. Besides, 50 is the minimum number of guess that should be paid, and if lower that number, we're still going to pay with that number of guests. We are offered whether we'll have the basic decoration (the simple one) or have a lot of flowers (mostly fake) which we're going to add Php15k. My then fiance preferred it to be simple even if I tried to convince her to add more decorations with Php 10k as the cheapest one. However, I decided with the basic one as she insisted because I opted for the pica pica or sweet corner for the guests.

We prepared the supposed table set up, and sent to the lady who's formerly in charged of the wedding so she can send it to the owner or the new one in charge. It's frustrating that there's no one we can really talk about our wedding as if we'll just go there for the wedding, and leave afterwards.

The day before the wedding is the most stressful. I booked a hotel room for myself, and another one for my fiance and her sister. Since there's a Zoom set-up, we also had a meeting with my friends and brother who will operate Zoom videoconferencing for virtual attendees. I also had a video call with the Director of the Feast for the set-up, and the chairman and emcees.

My then fiance is taking care of the venue as she's coordinating with them. She was given the phone number of the owner by the former in charge. She called on the owner just asking about the set up but the latter angrily responded that "you had chosen the basic set-up, don't expect for an extravagant decorations!". Also, the "patawin" which we are supposed to give to certain attendees was never prepared so my mother-in-law did something to have it done. It's never easy because of the ongoing pandemic.

I was quite mad after my then fiance told me about such treatment as if we're belittled for choosing the basic decoration. I wanted to message them to just do their job and I'll pay even they'll add more fees. I had a short sleep that night thinking about how I felt bad on how my then fiance was treated that way. My then fiance called the owner again to tell them what I said but she's not answering the call. In fact, she never answered the call after the bad treatment when my then fiance first called her.

The wedding day came. I was also disappointed on our photographers because they're two hours late. The pictorial happened only two hours before the wedding, and I am very tired. It's as if I don't have energy anymore.

When we got to the venue, the basic set up is fine. I even prefer it than those decorations that I saw from the events place's Facebook page. However, the table set up that I sent them was never followed. The table that's supposed to be for our family wasn't also given to my family and in-laws as the Director decided. He told me about it but I can't decide properly because I'm already tired, nervous, and worried because the wedding might start late (and yes it is). I checked the pica pica or sweet corner, the chocolate fountain is off. They never turned it on. The stage has lights on when in fact, my wife repeatedly told the former in charge not to have lights on it. During pictorial, it's against the light.

Then the guests are not yet done eating, but the waiters are already cleaning the table. We actually have a lot more complaints but I can't recall them all. When we're still preparing for the wedding, I was thinking of recommending them but it all has changed. The owner never shown up to us. Someone there did the job for the transaction when we paid the fees. That someone is somewhat kind, and she never shown any annoying attitude.

As much as we want to forget how we felt our wedding was "ruined" or maybe "sabotaged" but the venue is close to our house. It just keeps on reminding us how we are treated. But I know someday it will just be a memory, and what's more important is the marriage life.

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