Dream weddings

I went to a bridal fair over the weekend. It was my first time to go to one. Other than my friend’s statement that it was one of Metro Manila’s biggest fairs, I had no idea what to expect. She was exhibiting her wedding and special occasion cakes and I wanted to see her artistic creations.

The fair was held at the SMX Convention Center near Mall of Asia and my friend was not kidding about its size. At the entrance, guests who did not pre-register online were required to fill up forms giving their personal information, including how they found out about the event and what they were looking for, before they could pay the entrance fee. The organizers got information and got paid. Very efficient, I thought.

We entered a narrow path lined by rows of booths for make-up artists. “Airbrush makeup,” one booth advertised.  Apparently, it’s not just jeepneys and t-shirts that get airbrushed now. Even brides’ faces are airbrushed.

We passed a section where photographers displayed samples of their wedding photography. There were brides running along the beach, brides sprawled on rocks beside the ocean, brides on airplanes, couples kissing, couples jumping, and various other permutations of poses that could remotely be associated with weddings. There were thick picture books and portraits that seemed to need electric power to be viewed. 

We saw mannequins dressed in different white and ecru gowns. Some gowns had clean, elegant lines while others looked too complicated to be worn by a real human being.  A bride could topple and fall if she tried to sit wearing one of the gowns with giant skirts. A sign said “36,000 Pesos! Special Fair Price!” That much? For a gown that will probably be used only once? I was told that it was actually cheap.

There were caterers and portable bars that could serve frozen margaritas to guests. There were jewelry displays and photo booths and events stylists who could decorate the church and the reception venue in whatever theme and motif the bride or groom desired. Carousel horses on the tables? Possible. Miniature nipa hut and torches? Easy. I wondered what they would come up with if I asked for an industrial theme. Maybe centerpieces made of hollow blocks and galvanized iron, with crimson and white rosebuds in PVC pipe vases. I should be an events stylist.

Some would-be brides came with their prospective grooms, others with their mothers. The fair felt like a Christmas bazaar except that the products and services for sale were all geared towards making fantasy weddings come true. An uneasy thought gnawed at me: where was the reality of marriage in all this? Shouldn’t there be a booth telling prospective couples what they were getting themselves into? I bet most couples there were not even aware of what the Family Code says about their obligations after marriage: to each other are, to their children, and to the State.

Weddings are a huge industry and I’m happy for those who make a living out of it. I’m also happy for the brides and grooms who can afford to make their dream weddings a reality. I just wish that big, beautiful weddings guaranteed happy marriages. If that were so, I’d counsel getting the most billowy ball gown, the widest and tallest fondant cake, the most elaborate floral centerpieces. And a fleet of vintage cars. And galloping white Arabian horses. They do not. I can only wish couples who are about to marry the best of luck.

* * *

Email: [email protected]