Jun Chu & She Dichupa
A love like no other
One song that crossed my mind as I witness my friends' (Jun Chu and She Dichupa) wedding last May 14 was Savage Garden's I knew I love You Before I Met You. I am not really fond of attending weddings. I don't like dressing up or wearing make-up on but I can't say no to Jun and She's request to handle some of their documentations (photos). I love capturing emotions in photos. So I accepted the task as one of their photographers.
The bride and her family
Other than being friends, we are all members of Ang Lingkod Ng Panginoon (ALNP), a community of single men and women committed to 'Christifying their Workplaces'. ALNP has various activities like retreats, outings and the like to help members and friends grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Jun and She are also part of ALNP's music ministry where they serve their brothers & sisters with their passion for music.
The groom with his family
Love maybe a process for others, a decision perhaps for some, but for Jun and She it was 'destiny'. A story written on the stars as they found each other in a peculiar way. She was then healing her broken heart and Jun was committed to another for quite a time. How their love blossomed was mysterious and for them it was God's way -- and it was the best.
The couple with the groom's brother and
their wedding planner
They met four years ago. She attended ALNP's 'Christian Life Program' where Jun then was a member and has been serving the community for two years. She is the eldest of two siblings while Jun was the youngest of an all male siblings raised by his supermom Eva. She is the typical cheerful girl while Jun is the shy one (so their friends say). With their differences, they complement in an extraordinary way. For Jun, She is the person he loves even before meeting her. For She, he is an answered prayer and angels brought him to her. And love just brought them together.
The bride with some members of the
entourage
The wedding
Jun and She's wedding was planned as a match made in heaven with cherubs on the aisle and the colors yellow and blue as motif. The wedding ceremonies was held May 14, 2 p.m. at the Sta. Maria Parish Church. Their wedding day fell on 'Mother's Day' which the couple chose in honor of their mothers. Sta. Maria Parish did turn into a haven of beautiful people smiling and exchanging glances as they wait for the entourage, the bride and the groom. Butz Grandeflora made the place a paradise with the million flowers, chrysanthemum, daisies, orchids and mums all over. The pole of angels in the entrance depicts serenity which added to the solemnity of the ceremony.
The entourage were all in glee in their outstanding gowns by Grace Clavel. The best part was the bride's entrance along with her parents as Lara Fabian and Josh Groban's song 'For Always" was played. She looked so ethereal in her Grace Clavel gown and Jun was valiant in his Chinese inspired barong made by Stitchline as he took his bride's hands from her parents. As the ceremony began everyone just can't help being carried away by the couple's story. There were mixed emotions of joy, excitement, delight and more in everyone's eyes. The couple's love for each other was so strong that it left some of us (their friends) teary eyed. We've just known that with their years of being together their story was built on trust, confidence, hope and faith in Christ.
Attending Jun and She's wedding gave me a different outlook in life. It did not only made me appreciate the "Rites of Marriage" but also the importance of witnessing such. What inspired me more was how the couple decided on the "last minute" change of plans because of the typhoon prior to the wedding. There was tension then of whether to pursue the wedding or have it another time -- but with the couple's love founded in Christ, they know no one and nothing can stop their wedding. And all the more that I've seen their conviction as they said their prayer during the ceremony: "Bless our decisions and our plans. Purify our intentions and sanctify our actions that we may remain forever in love and in service to you. Amen."
As Jun and She put their trust in God they have conquered the very hearts of all those who attended their wedding. It was a love like no other. A promise of a wonderful tomorrow dependent upon the leading of God. With their own complexes and differences, they are perfect. They complement and complete each other.
With my many alibis of not attending weddings, it's beyond description to be there standing with two hearts before God and with all faithfulness deliver their vows. And nothing compares to the things I've learned as Jun and She's wedding came to its end.
Notes: The couple's wedding invitations were made by America's Finest; reception held at Iloilo Business Hotel; sounds by VJS Pro Audio Enterprises; cake by Cakeworks; photos by Paloma Photography and Cheryl Lee Obregon - wedding adviser.