Kats

On Sept 15, 2009, I received an SMS inquiry for a Day Management for October 10, 2009. Super lapit na nun kasi less than one month to go. And although I have decided to accept just one October wedding (since October was supposed to be my rest month, to gear up for the December peak season), I still met up with Kats (ni Harvey), the bride, kasi ang lapit na ng wedding niya and I was pretty sure she was already panicking.

When we met, I learned that she “came” from another coordinator and that she was really OC! As in! When we met, she already made photocopies of all the files, contracts, and receipts for me, put inside a brown envelope printed with my name!!! As in yung brown envelope may monogram nila and may pangalan ko! Printed!!! Nakakaloka! Hahaha! The files contained pictures of all her entourage members, pictures of her principal sponsors, layout of the ceremony and reception venues, pictures of the centerpiece mockups, pictures of the personalized pens for the signing of the Principal Sponsors, etc! Talk about being OC-OC to the highest level! And although I promised myself that I would just get one wedding for October, I ended up doing their wedding.

During the course of the just one month-long preps, I have come to know her more than a bride. We were able to discuss things beyond wedding planning and after one particularly “conversation-ful” meeting, she sent me this SMS (some parts were cut our for brevity’s sake).

Dear Clarice, i hope you don’t feel pressured to meet our expectations i just thought you might be when you asked me this afternoon if i’m ok with how things are going. I understand that ours is a special case i hope you don’t take my peculiarities too seriously and think of me as a walking bundy clock. And i don’t feel that it’s merely an oc behavior. maybe in between the behavior and the disorder. joke. i just want you to know that i am happy. i’m glad that i met you. i mean where else can you find a coordinator / counselor? <SNIP> but you know what if i’m to thank you for just one thing, its not because you agreed to salvage our wedding, its not your delightful curly hair, or your bubliness. i want to thank you for bringing me back to the true essence of a wedding. i got so carried away by all the glitz and glamour that i totally forgot what this is all about. <SNIP> And you know what, with the stories you told me, about your other brides, about your life, about things, i realized i’ve forgotten that i’m doing this because i’m finally marrying God’s gift to me. and that’s what i’m thanking you. for bringing back the “human”ity to your wedding. and because of the principles you were able to impart to me, i’ve finally learned to let go. You know what Clarice, i believe you come on time not because you feel pressured to. Our first meeting proved that. You come on time and do what’s proper because those are your principles and I salute you for that. I don’t really care so much anymore how oct. 10 would turn our to be. I gained friendships. I learned a lesson. I grew up. I realized what a wedding is. I guess that’s more than enough for me. And you taught me that. It doesn’t really matter anymore how our wedding will turn out, I’m thankful enough for the things i’ve learned and what God has given me. As i’ve told you, i feel being a coordinator is one of the hardest professions around and with your brain and credentials, i believe its your love for the craft that enables you to endure the headahces that brides should be the ones undergoing. and that for me is what passion is. <SNIP> from the bottom of our hearts, we thank you. regardless if the wedding is perfect, regular, or zzzzz. knowing you is enough. how you changed my views is priceless. thank you.

Una, yup, this was a text message. Her next message, in fact, was. “Sorry for the long text. Wala ako dsl.”

I was SUPER touched by her message. Except for one time (from Kay ni Arlo), I get thank you’s like this after the wedding. So super ko talaga na-appreciate her message. Made me remember again that coordination is not just planning the wedding per se but getting to know the couple and bring part of their lives. I have brides I have ended up being real friends with. Lunch or dinner pag my time, email-email, text-text. Nakakatuwa to know that the relationship does not end when the wedding is done.

Kats’ wedding is done. It was not glitch-free.  Because of things beyond our control, it was the pinaka-na-late na wedding ceremony ko na ever. But in spite that, I was happy with their ceremony and reception. And Kats and Harvey were very happy. After the wedding, Harvey actually took time out to talk to Bernard (who went to the hotel to pick me up) to thank him. So in spite the stress to the highest levels, I went home real happy, knowing that I have made another friend in Kats.