In Sickness and In Health

#WERealWeddings featuring NIKOL SEBELLO and BRIGITTE MARQUEZ

The long walk down the aisle, the first kiss as husband and wife, the exchange of heartfelt vows – for a hopeless romantic bride like me, there’s no better word to describe the mixed emotions that had been building up inside me as I imagine how our wedding day will be.

After eleven years of being together, my boyfriend from Asian Studies days, finally asked me the four-word phrase that I had been wishing to hear for a long while then. On a cool early evening of July 14, 2018 (my birthday), with the pristine beach and sunset of the lovely Siargao Bleu Resort all to ourselves as our dramatic backdrop, Nikol knelt before me and asked for my hand.

From there, we started setting ourselves financially and emotionally in preparation for our wedding and our life together as husband and wife. Our target date: January 18, 2020. Challenges were real and we had a fair share of rough times. Most notable were those times when our health, particularly our immune system were compromised. Nikol was infected with the dengue virus three times and was confined each time. I, too, had to be confined for serious viral infection cases. During these times, Nikol never left my side. If it was a test to the vow of loyalty “in sickness and in health”, I think we have proven ourselves to be.

A few days before the wedding, I was having unsettling jitters which gave me chills, fever and body pain. Despite the fever, we still went about our scheduled meeting with suppliers. We also attended the last of a series of bridal showers hosted by my Maid of Honor, Adi. Then, I had several trips to the comfort room with episodes of vomiting and diarrhea. Nikol had to rush me to the nearby Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center where I was admitted for stress gastritis. I requested to be discharged even if I had to sign a waiver but the doctors denied my request. Nikol insisted for me to concede to the doctor’s advice even it would mean rescheduling all our wedding arrangements. I was discharged the next day leaving us only one day before the wedding.

We somehow were able to do last-minute errands and settled in our hotels. Then I started getting the chills again and called Nikol to tell him about it. Nikol was ready to call the wedding off but I was able to convince him to go through as planned. Meanwhile, I was attended to by a physician friend who put me on dextrose just to manage the dehydration.

On the day of the wedding, with the dextrose and tubes still in place, my stylists managed to do my hair and make-up by adjusting their strokes and lights over the hanging tubes. Sir Pao (Public Figure by Paol Feliciano Photography) and Sir Bob (The Master, Bob Nicolas himself) did the photoshoot with very minimal requirement for movement and with much consideration to my health condition. I truly appreciate the professionalism and show of selfless service from everyone assisting me that time, all with the personal direction of our Wedding Planner, Mr. Voltaire Zalamea.

While on board my bridal car, the uncomfortable feeling still lingered but I tried to pull myself together and submitted fully to the will of God in a fervent prayer. I stopped questioning why.

Then the church doors opened and I saw Nikol standing by the altar, gazing at me as if speaking from a distance and assuring me: “Babe, eto na tayo, kaya natin ‘to”. I walked the aisle with the thought that God will be with me all the way. “Sa dami ng pinagdaanan naten, ngayon pa ba ako susuko?” said my inner voice that got me through. Indeed, our faiths were tested and God made the way for everything to happen so beautifully for me and Nikol “in sickness and in health”.

Nikol and Bridgette’s DREAM TEAM Caterer and Wedding Reception: Clark Marriott | Wedding Coordinator-Events and Concepts by Voltaire Zalamea | Cake: Caking Giant | Invites: Liham Paperie and Post | Event Stylist: Blooms Events Styling by Allen and JP | Photography: Public Figure by Paolo Feliciano | Videographer: Bob Nicolas | Gown Designer: Rey Michael Leyva | Reception Gown and bridal robe: Jojo Macapinlac | Groom Suit: Suit it Up Manila; | Photobooth: PS photobooth | Grazing Table: Formaggio and XOC Catering and events | Food cart: Razon’s Halo-halo | Perfume bar: Florescents by the Oops!Shop | Lights and Sounds: Gig Lights and Sounds | Band: CG and Company | Guest singer: Maricris Garcia-Cruz | Choir: Koro Sta. Lucia | Saxophonist: Rappy Laxa | Led visual animator: Just Bees | Fireworks: W.Aquino fireworks | Groom’s shoes: God father shoes of Marikina | Mothers’ Gowns: Hannah Kong | Bridal shoes: Dolce and Gabbana | Wedding Rings: Regine’s Jewelry shop | VIP Chairs: C&L Décor | Female entourage: MCT Couturier by Marlon Tuazon | Loot bags and Missalette: Xha crafts | Make up artist: Mikka Marcaida | Hair stylist: Michael Feliciano | Make-up artist (for female entourage): Giselle Conteras | Wedding preparation venues: Midori Clark Hotel and Marriott Clark Hotel