Last Saturday, I received a message from my cousin that we were to attend mass at 5:30 pm on Monday, December 17, to commemorate our grandfather’s death anniversary. So yesterday, at around 5:15 pm, I hurriedly packed up my things and went out to hail a cab. It took me quite a while to get to the church. At around 5:40 pm, I arrived at the church but I was shocked to see… a man and a woman standing in front of the priest, getting ready to renew their vows.

HUWHAAAT?! I frantically searched the church for the familiar faces of my relatives. Until I saw Mommy stand up and position herself beside the lady. She was the sponsor / witness of the renewal of vows. The lay minister stood up beside the man, also as their sponsor. As it turns out they were going to renew their vows in the middle of the mass. Weird!

They guy, a foreigner was wearing a barong tagalog, while the woman was wearing a simply top and black pants. She had full made and a totally made up hairdo complete with orchids. Another woman, who seems to be their daughter was nearby in one of the pews. After they renewed their vows and exchanged rings, they returned to their seats, and the priest continued on with the mass. And in thirty minutes, the mass and the renewal of vows ended. I rarely attend mass, and it was definitely a bizarre thing to witness.

My friend, who is about to get married soon turned to me and said “I wish my wedding is going to be that way, quick and fuss-free.” Haha!

Philippine weddings are rarely that. And my friend’s husband-to-be coming from a big, affluent family, my friend is sure to have a big wedding that is definitely not quick and not fuss-free. Catholic weddings, just like most Catholic ceremonies are also rarely simple and fast.

Good luck to my friend and her husband-to-be!!!