...On Weddings and Receptions...

Let me first get it out of the way: I am not yet getting married. This blog is not about the struggle of a person who's in a relationship thinking ahead and settling down. Far from it.

Last Sunday, my mom dragged me to her officemate's wedding reception in Century Park Hotel. It was held at a huge ballroom, filled with Chinese people wearing fancy clothes, hosted by a Chinese-speaking guy who looked like Anthony Taberna, and given ambiance by karaoke songs sung in Chinese.

The people I knew in that party were a grand total of 8, my parents included. I didn't even know the newly-weds.

Now, I may not be getting married anytime soon, but I do want to lay out my wedding reception plan for all to see, so that you may get some tips to make this once in a lifetime (hopefully) event memorable.

Yes, I'm looking at you, Kali, Christian, and Imon (in no particular order). 

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1. Not too fancy of a place

While it is nice to see people dress up for an event, I feel the pain of people who struggle to try and act unnaturally because of what they wear. Not everyone likes to dress up, but if an event calls for it, they have to. And because they have to, men with female partners have to endure a whole event of their female counterparts constantly just asking them "do I look ok?"

Women, really, you do. It's all about your confidence in what you wear. Forget if you think that other girl can or can't pull off what she's wearing, the important thing is she wears it with confidence.

But for the sake of girls who are too conscious and guys who have to constantly pull up their girl's confidence in parties like these, I'd rather have a reception in a chill-out place, where ties are loose, and women can wear flat shoes. I don't want it too dark or too loud, so bars are out. But to some extent, a place like Moomba appeals to me. If I close out the whole place, I think that'd be a nice enough place. Not too fancy, but classy in a sense. It's not too dark, and it can have nice music playing in the background, and because it is a bar, people can chill out. Oh, and they have nice sofas. 

Hopefully, they have a nice parking area by the time I plan to get married. 

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2. Inviting the right people

I went to a wedding without even knowing any significant person in the newly-weds' lives. And when they were taking pictures of everyone, there I was, standing next to the bride who doesn't even know me.

I want a wedding where I actually know the people who came. I don't want some stranger ruining my pictures. If friends of about my age decided to bring their babies, it's ok. But if they decide to bring their parents, that'd be weird. Except if I know their parents personally. And there's only a select few who I think would actually care.

I don't want a bunch of freeloaders in my reception. My wedding reception would be a "thank you" for people who have been part of our lives, and became witnesses to another step we're taking. 

It's not just a freakin free dinner.

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3. Guests will not be starved and bored to death

Of course, I wouldn't be able to see my wife wear her wedding gown before the wedding, so there's bound to be a pictorial after wedding vows have been exchanged. But in the process, those who attended the wedding would have to wait for about an hour or so before food is served.

Hence, I propose that my reception place serve nachos and other appetizers and not just nuts. Hopefully, I can get a couple of stand-up comedians to do a show while waiting for us to arrive. Alcoholic beverages could be available for those who look for it, but it will be limited to a couple of beers and sissy cocktails while we're not there yet.

The fun can start without us. The whole comedic performance can be caught on video, and we can enjoy watching it on our honeymoon trip.

The main course would not be too heavy. Probably one dish each of fish, pork, beef, and veggies, then a chocolate fountain and fruits for dessert.

People in my reception should be there for the event, not for the food.

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4. My host is someone familiar with and to my guests

I don't want to hire a professional host. No matter how fun that person may be, I don't want some person faking chemistry with the audience. I want someone who really knows me, and hopefully, would take time off to try to know some of the other people I'd invite.

No, I'm not doing this to save on costs. I'd pay my friend whatever that host would probably make. I just want my host to actually understand why people are teasing this person or that, and people don't have to explain why. 

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5. Participants will participate.

I hate when the host/s call out people on a list for games, and these people don't stand up because they're too conscious or shy. Time is being wasted for every moment that the host/s call out your name or drag you to where the game is. The night is not about you, you know.

To make the games interesting, I'd throw in a couple of prizes, so that they won't feel they're being tortured for the sake of fun. 

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6. My Best Man will be the best.

Some weddings I've been to, the best men's speeches were either lame, bland, or bad(Rey's speech for Benjo was bordering on the three). It's not with the lack of experience, heck, how many times will you be a best man for somebody?

Hopefully my best man would actually say something sensible, probably a bit funny, but definitely memorable, and show my guests why he is my best man.

And hopefully, he won't claim to have had "dibs" on my wife first.

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