The Wedding Usher

I was a wedding usher!

It's not related to my small invitations biz btw. It just happened that my friend Pia, a wedding coordinator, desperately needed ushers as her usual part-time ushers can't take a leave from their full-time work on the big day (which was Dec. 29 2PM, a tuesday, definitely a work day).

She asked me if I could take a leave, as she can't do everything alone. I said yes to her offer thinking that 1) our office's closed anyway till january, so I don't have to file any vacation leave 2) I never experienced that job before, so this could be a new learning experience AND 3) it meant added income, which sounded better than just sleeping the entire day right? hehe.

We met up 2 weeks ago to discuss the details and assignments. I was stunned, USHERING was an understatement. It turns out that I had to do a lot of things other than looking up names in the guest list!

Specifically, I had to make sure that particular girls on the bride's list have their hair and make up done by the official stylist/artist orderly (and on time of course), run through a checklist of items that should be brought from the hotel to the church (veil, cord, candle, bible, etc), familiarize myself with the bouquet types so each girl in the entourage gets the right one, match guest names with their table numbers (this one's usual), prepare materials for the games, and distribute souvenirs.

And so yesterday, they all happened, ON TOP OF taking spur-of-the-moment errands and questions from the bride: "asan na si ganyan?", "pakitawagan si ganito, pakisabi ganyan", "punta ka sa kabilang room, pakikuha yung pera from ganito, tapos ibayad mo kay ganyan", "paorder pala Jollibee para kay ganito!", etcetera etcetera.

Whew! After everything, I can say that the whole wedding started and ended perfectly. Would you believe the bride marched at exactly 2pm? rare right? haha! there were last minute booboos but we have always managed to put things back on track (pia, me and 2 other ushers. kudos to us!). We also had to deal with an arrogant supplier (Can I drop company names? hehe), impatient guests, naughty kids, all those stuff ...but we were able to handle them well, as far as I know. haha.

To sum up, it was REALLY EXHAUSTING, BUT it was fun and fulfilling!!!! I was right, it was a whole new experience, a test of physical endurance, hunger, patience, service and professionalism. I'm really grateful I had this experience. Thanks to Pia!

Oh, and congratulations to the newlyweds Paolo and Ledi, thanks for making me a part of your big day! (Don't you think their names sound TOO familiar? haha!)