Currently Listening More Today Than Yesterday: Complete Columbia Recordings By Spiral Starecase see related

 Our Favorite Compilation of Beautiful Songs of Love   (The OST of Alsher 12.26.2005 wedding)

• At the beginning ~ Richard Marx & Donna Lewis
• Grow old with you ~ Adam Sandler
• Forever ~ Damage
• Seasons of love ~ Rent Official Soundtrack
• Feels like home ~ Chantal Kreviazuk
• Pinakamagandang Lalaki ~ Janno Gibbs
• If I aint got you ~ Alicia Keys
• Accidentally in love ~ Counting Crows
• Bless the broken road ~ Rascal Flatts
• Somewhere over the rainbow ~ Israel Kamamamiwo
• Best things in life are free ~ Janet Jackson
• Fall again ~ Glenn Lewis
• The last time ~ Eric Benet
• You can't hurry love ~ Phil Collins
• Through the years ~ Kenny Rogers
• You raise me up ~ Josh Groban
• More today than yesterday ~ Goldfinger
• Sunlight ~ Kevyn Lettau
• Happy ~ Alexia
• I love you ~ Martina Macbride
• Ikaw lang ang aking mahal ~ Brownman Revival
• Saving forever for you ~ Shanice
• Forevermore ~ Side A
• Kahit Kailan ~ South Border

 It has always been my girlhood dream to marry my first & true love and live happily ever after. A portion of that dream already came true that charming afternoon of the 26th day of December 2005 when after a nine year long of going steady, Allen and I finally took that big leap of faith at Santuario De San Antonio Parish in Forbes Park.

I marched down the aisle in the arm of my brother Roland, in my A-Line off-shoulder gown, lined with ivory Italian satin with French Alencon corded lace appliqués & trimmings and swarovski crystal detailing. The dress highlighted the organza and silk satin ruffled cathedral train for that touch of playfulness. I have always pictured in my mind what I would look like as a bride but each time I endeavored to explain this to designers, they seem to focus on their own creativeness. So I thought of ways of how to wear the wedding gown of my exact liking but still able to afford it. Then I thought of a brilliant idea, why not I design my own dream gown! Being the frustrated designer that I am, it just might work! This magnus opus got expert technical help from Grace Haute who carried it out skillfully. It was everything I envisioned it to be.

Allen looked dashing on his traditional tuxedo by AJC. So good-looking that when it was time for me to reach for him, I almost failed to recall that this is one those rare occasions when I can not kiss him “hello”. Instead, he whispered in my ear, “Not just yet honey…” then winked at me as I blushed in embarrassment but in a split-second, we both laughed it off. He then gazed at me intently & I saw the sincerity in his eyes as he uttered in serious tone the words, “Nie, you look so beautiful.” Throughout the ceremony, I felt I was on cloud nine with overflowing love, gratitude & optimism of our days and years ahead, as I see myself sharing more laughter, embarrassments, even tears with this man.

It was also breeze as I caught sight of Most Rev. Bishop Bernardino Cortez, D.D. at the altar and remembered our first meeting with him. During the dialogue, Bishop Cortez made a run through for the actual exchange of vows. I could not fight back the tears then, more so this very special moment. I remember Allen telling bishop “Father, pati po pagiyak, nag-practice o.” The three of us laughed it off, while Bishop was handing over a box of facial tissue to me.

The principal sponsors were close friends of the family. The shades of magenta as the wedding’s motif fostered that romantic and dainty mood. Allen & I wanted a short, sweet & solemn ceremony. We also wanted to make sure that the ceremony didn’t run too long or people could get bored and tired.

After a rose petal sendoff, we joined our cherished guests at the festivities that followed at The Army Clubhouse’s Main function hall which was transformed into an indoor garden by Pido. It was such a breathtaking moment, as we entered the reception as Mr. & Mrs. Gesmundo, as each guest wore big grins and finally seeing us as husband & wife.

We wanted to be surrounded by our friends to bring about a friendly, informal & laid-back atmosphere. So we decided to use the huge stage for tables intended for our friends.

The traditional tossing of bouquet and garter to single guests was played except that this one was scripted intended for real life dating couple-Oxy Almario and Frederick Rey, as part of night’s attraction. Award giving games were also roped in the fun-filled line up such as the Longest Married Couple & Longest Dating Couple awards as carefully thought about by Fleur Rubio of Fleur Coordinates. Trivia games about us were also delivered by the brilliant, Francis Day as emcee.

Being good to mother earth, no styros were used for the cake. The eight layer satellite cakes meant to be shared to everyone was a masterpiece of family’s good friend, Tita Lorna Cabayao of Lorna’s Cakes & Pastries.

Everyone feasted at the sumptuous dinner of Roast Beef with Baby Potatoes, Pasta with choice of Pesto and Carbonara sauces, Lengua Estofada, Roasted Chicken in Sweet Oriental Sauce, to mention a few, prepared by our dear Ninang Malou Crucero of Mugwort Catering.

Allen & I decided to do away with the traditional wedding giveaways, and instead to make a donation, in behalf of all our guests, to the B/Gen Saulito R Aromin Memorial Lecture, a charity for the officers and men of the AFP, founded by my Mommy Becks in memory of my late dad.

My maid of honor & sister, Sigrid gave out her touching speech which later was followed by our cheery & fulfilled parents. The make-up’s staying power was amazing despite the relentlessly touching moments, thanks to Julie Baun’s expertise of dolling me up stunningly.

During our thank you speech, Allen surprised me with a charming white gold chain with the initial of my first name as the pendant as a gift. He later on whispered to me the symbolization of the pendant by saying, “Although you are now Mrs. Allen Gesmundo, you are moreover, Mrs. Sherlock Aromin-Gesmundo.” My eyes were by this time already puffy as I cried a lot of happy tears. We then headed off to the dance floor for our first dance as husband & wife with Science of Sound Band’s captivating rendition of Eric Benet’s “The Last time.” It was such a magical moment.

Our guests appreciated the good food, enchanting music and the relaxing atmosphere with the combination of funny yet melodramatic entertainment that blissful yuletide evening. Family & friends would ring us to say how much fun they had during our wedding. Allen & I both felt very delightful after the wedding as we shared this feeling with the people we hold so dear. Nelwin Uy was able to creatively capture the emotions of not only us, but our friends’ and families’ as well.

It was truly an affair filled with so much love, thanksgiving, happy tears and laughter.

The Wedding Album Layout of Allen & Sherlock 12.26.2005

Portraits

December 26, 2005 ~Santuario De San Antonio Parish~ The Army Clubhouse