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Christian Wedding Ideas during the Pandemic

christian wedding, covid wedding, cornerstone wedding photo, zamboanga wedding, angelita chua elloren

Christian weddings are not easy to pull during the COVID19 pandemic. We decided to get married late last year 2020. With 2 months to set all things in proper places, we had a very memorable Christian wedding ceremony.

I love organizing events for work and church. It was my dream to organize my own wedding too. I’m sharing some Christian Wedding ideas to help you, if you happen to look for help! By the way, here’s how our engagement happened during community quarantine. 🙂

Christian Wedding Ideas with Safety Precautions against COVID19

christian wedding, covid wedding, cornerstone wedding photo, zamboanga wedding, angelita chua elloren

Christian weddings intertwined with Filipino tradition involve ceremonies and symbolic festivities that, if we’re not careful, might compromise everyone’s safety. Safety was at the top of my mind each time we plan, discuss, and even execute our dreamy Christian Wedding. Below are the favorite things we did for my Wedding.

Wedding Reminders on Safety Protocol

Invitation card by Arlyn Amores Paperika Zamboanga City

My husband’s sister Mayjorin served as our Guest Coordinator. She had scheduled messages to send our invites to remind them to RSVP, wear the motif, keep the mask on, and stay healthy and away from public gatherings. Both our parents are old and vulnerable, so we wanted to make sure the wedding would be safe for them too. Sending SMS might be a little task, but it takes a great role in making sure our wedding celebration will not bring us COVID stresses!

Wedding Entourage with Social Distance

For Filipino Christian Weddings, we pick primary sponsors who serve as our marriage’s godparents or mentors and secondary sponsors who would light the way (candle), bind (cord), and cover (veil) our marriage. We picked sponsors who we know would be willing to be part of our lifelong journey. We picked our closest, loyal, and genuine friends to join the crew as bride’s maids and groom’s men.

To ensure social distancing, I preferred having the entourage do a solo walk except for our sponsors and parents who are married.

Worship at the Wedding Church Ceremony

I lead our worship team and one thing I would never not do at my wedding is worship! It was the first thing we did immediately after the entourage has settled.

Before the tradition, exchanges of vows, even before the Word is shared, we started with a worship song led by Worship Catalyst (our worship band). My Maid of Honor and spiritual son led us with my song of choice: Unending Love by Hillsong Worship. For me it was the most fitting worship song for a wedding as the song declares:

There’s no silver or gold and treasure untold that could draw me away from Your heart, Neither love of myself or of anyone else will do

Unending Love Lyrics by Hillsong Worship

Washing of Feet in Christian Wedding is a must-have

Instead of tossing a garter, we washed each other’s feet following what Jesus did. It was one of my most favorite things from our wedding. After we exchanged rings, we removed our shoes and took turns in washing each others’ feet.

Jesus, secured of who He was, served on His final hours. We know marriage would be a lifetime of caring and serving each other. What better way to seal our marriage with the washing of feet at a Christian wedding ceremony!

Wedding Vow in a Song

I wanted to make my wedding vow something that my husband and our guests would remember. After saying a few words about how I fell in love with Marlon, I sang a song called Angel by your side by Franceska Battistelli. The song encapsulates my vow to him, especially the chorus:

I’ll be the angel by your side
I will get you through the night
I’ll be the strength you can’t provide on your own
‘Cause when your down and out of time
And you think you’ve lost the fight
Let me be the angel, the angel by your side

Angel by Your Side by Franceska Battistelli
Listen to a portion of my vow and wedding song here.

Christian Wedding in a Pandemic made easy with the Dream Team

Make your Christian wedding less stress-free by picking your wedding’s dream team! If you’re from Zamboanga City, here are my recommendations:

  • Coordinator and Styling: Faith and Love Events
  • Documentation: Cornerstone Wedding Photography
  • Videography: Bencio Films
  • Wedding Invitation: Paperika Invitation by Arlyn Amores
  • Sponsors Invitation: Flurrygraphy
  • Wedding logo: Lare Designs by Leroy Delos Reyes
  • Hair and Makeup: Goyang Fernandez and Erika Alnas
  • Bridal Gown: JGAD Apparel Manila
  • Bride’s Reception Gown: Sarita’s Gown
  • Groom’s Tux: Paul Espinosa
  • Tokens and Snacks: Jabe’s Kakanin at iba pa
  • Cake: Skillful Hands by JM Saavedra
  • Band: Worship Catalyst
  • Sounds and Light: Hottracks
  • Host: Daryl Jane Barrios
  • Minister: Pastor Ronal Bilang, Sea Gentiles for Christ Ministries
  • Venue: Astoria Regency Hotel
  • Hotel accommodation: Garden Orchid Hotel
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My dream wedding came true last night

My dream wedding came true last night

 Calm ocean waves, wind’s sweet embrace, and the setting sun’s ablaze – these were witnesses of the vow made by our Pastor and the grace of his life, December 21, 2017, Zamboanga City.

Ptr. Mark and Pastora Grace shouted in glee their “Yes, I Do” before the presence of their families, friends, church-mates, nature and God. It was a very simple yet very memorable wedding, everything a woman like me had dreamed of happened that night. Every part of the ceremony was what I imagined for my own. Well, someday. 😉

As a naturally tough woman, I refuse to imagine what my wedding day would look like but as a woman, I also would naturally, idly daydream about it. So what happened yesterday was a realization of my dream – well, a dream come true for me and for my leaders. For me, it was a perfect wedding, a beautiful sight to see. Below are 3 things I loved from the wedding, 3 things I dreamed for my own:

 

  1. Beach, sunset wedding

Photo from Mitch Yarte

 

I am a sunset person, well, simply because I rarely catch a sunrise. But I also love beach sunset because I enjoy how God paints the sky as the light kisses the sea and violet hue bursts on God’s canvass up high.Watching the sun to hide beneath the sea and while embracing the man you are to marry makes the wedding very romantic. Sunset for me is a time to beautifully close a chapter of your day (or life), remember all the happy memories God wrote, and hopefully wait for the next day. For the couple, it was like closing the singleness chapter together and watch God unfold the next chapter of their lives as one.

 

 

Photo from Ferdz Veloso of the Vow venue

The wedding was held at my most favorite beach resort in Zamboanga City, La Vista del Mar Beach Resort – truly a dream wedding to me. It is located at Brgy Upper Calarian. You can reach the place by riding a jeepney that will cost you not more than P15.00. The resort has an entrance fee of P50.00 but since we got an invitation to the wedding, we got in for free. The resort is my personal preferred place for soul-searching and reading because of its “solitude” feels; hence it is the best place for a wedding, or similar ceremonies. The resort has an open-space where the exchange of vows were made. A romantic, beach wedding is really possible in Zamboanga City%

 

 

  1. Intimate set-up and atmosphere

Photo from Daryl Barrios

The couple invited relatives, close friends, church leaders and members to witness their bond. It was not a big number though, but I think it made it even more perfect. 🙂 (I was surprised to get invited by the way, hehe, I’m already happy looking at their pre-nup photos and all so it was so humbling to get a message of invitation from the groom who happens to be our Pastor too) I prefer for my wedding to have only but small group of people as well – yuh, thats how my dream wedding looks like.

The setup also added to the atmosphere of the wedding, the venue for the ceremony had flowers all around was perfectly prepared by Eventhology. I am impressed with the decorations too because Eventhology was able to transform an old, seemingly abandoned hall into a hotel-like events place! The reception was held in the said hall where we had games and dinner. We also witnessed a fire dance presentation from Jambangan Dance troupe of Western Mindanao State University – why not?

Reception hall photo from Ferdz Veloso

The weather seemed to join the celebration as well; news said that Typhoon Vinta might make a landfall but no rain dropped. Just like what the groom said in his post, it was as if “the universe conspired for this wedding”. God really loves this couple indeed.

The songs played and sung by our worship team singers Arnel, Eva, Kuya Charlie, and my bestie Nea added flavor to the sweet mood. Kuya Teody and Kuya Alvin also played the music in a very cool, sweet way. If you are considering some songs for your (or your friends’) wedding, check out this list below:

  • When God made you
  • The Gift
  • You
  • Born for you
  • On this day
  • A thousand years
  • Forevermore
  • Ikaw
  • Perfect
  • Because of you
  • I won’t give up
  • Through the years

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