Wedding Filipino Style

We crashed a wedding the other week.  Pretty nervy, but fun.  It was Hershelle's and some dude's wedding.  Hershelle was one of the mothers-to-be that Sister Catubay and I gave a baby shower for. Her husband, whatever his name is, is a member, and Hershelle is an investigator.  She had another missionary lesson the night before the wedding. What an unlikely, but awesome way to spend Wedding Day Eve.

The wedding took place in the cultural hall. The bride was SO beautiful. I didn't even notice the groom.  Sorry.  The cultural hall was full to capacity with all kinds of members as well as non-members.  There were people dressed in Sunday best and others in jeans.  A few of the teenagers sang to a cd as everyone arrived. The wedding began with a rousing congregational hymn: "Families Can Be Together Forever."  After the opening hymn and prayer, Sister Catubay read "The Family Proclamation" from start to finish.

The bride and groom sat at this table as Bishop Agustin gave some marriage advise. The couple then stood as they exchanged their marriage vows.

Bishop Agustin looked so gawapo in his new shirt and trousers.  Your dad whispered to me during the ceremony: "Bishop could very easily be a temple sealer. He looks and acts the part so well."  What an adorable man!

After the wedding, a long line of "witnesses" signed a book.  I guess that's Filipino law, or something like that. 

But then the married couple had a photo opp with anyone and everyone who wanted to be in the picture.

Smile, Hershelle, it's too late to back out now.

BEAUTIFUL bride with some unknown dude (her husband)

After the closing hymn: "Love At Home" and the closing prayer, the whole wedding party then traveled to the groom's home for a reception.  We decided we had pressed our luck by appearing uninvited to the wedding, so didn't crash the reception.  However, we couldn't have been in TOO much trouble for crashing the wedding: your dad was asked to give the opening prayer before the wedding ceremony began. :)