ECQ Stories: Couple shares experience of having their wedding postponed
The COVID-19 pandemic has put everything at a screeching halt, including special events and occasions such as weddings. A Filipina bride, Suzanne Jimenez, shares with GMANetwork.com how the health crisis has affected not just their wedding, but also their relationship as a whole.
Zane Jimenez and her fiancé Daniel Amurao
Suzanne, or Zane as her friends call her, is a broadcast media professional who is engaged to her childhood sweetheart Daniel Amurao. They have been together for almost 15 years and have been engaged for five years now.
Zane and Daineil had carefully planned the next chapter of their lives, that's why they prioritized investing in a house and lot before getting married.
Their original chosen date for their wedding was on May 16, 2020. They avoided June, as that is already the onset of the rainy season in the country.
Zane and Dainiel's save the date
The Preparations
According to Zane, they surprisingly didn't have a hard time preparing for their wedding. They started in June 2019, and after three months, they've already booked the church, the venue, and the major suppliers.
And so by late 2019, all was set for the much-awaited highlight of their almost 15-year relationship and they were both excited to say “I Do.”
On March 17, 2020, the enhanced community quarantine was implemented in Luzon to stop the spread of COVID-19. Moreover, social and mass gatherings were deemed prohibited, including wedding ceremonies.
According to Zane, ever since they first got wind of the Coronavirus Disease, they already had a hunch that their special day might be postponed.
“Parang unti-unti na naming tinatanggap na baka nga ma-move tapos dumating na nga 'yung nag-lockdown na tayo.”
“Mga end of March, ayun, sabi ko sa fiancé ko 'let's move the wedding na to the end of the year na… mga November' pa nga ang sabi ko sa kanya kasi mukhang hindi mako-control itong virus anytime soon and padami na ng padami 'yung cases.”
“Lagi kaming nanonood ng news para updated talaga kami. Anxious ako noong mga last few weeks ng March dahil nga sa situation.”
“Nalungkot din sympre kasi ang tagal naming hinintay 'yung special occasion na 'yun e. Pangarap naming dalawa 'yun ever since, tapos may unexpected na nangyari. I was trying to be positive na lang kasi wala naman kaming magagawa. Wala rin namang may gustong mangyari 'to e.”
Accepting the situation
Zane admitted that it took time to process everything that was happening, to accept that their much-awaited life event would have to be postponed.
On May 16, the original date they've set for their wedding, Zane expressed her frustration in a funny Facebook post that said, ““Misis na sana ako ngayon at lasheng na sana kami sa mga oras na 'to!”
Zane aired her frustration on what was supposed to be their wedding day
Nevertheless, a month after what would've been their wedding day, Zane has fully accepted the postponement, and in fact, they've already rescheduled their special day and have settled everything with their suppliers.
“We've rescheduled our wedding to January 2021. We decided to do it in January so we will welcome the New Year with a new life, our life together as husband and wife.”
Realizations
The bride-to-be revealed that the setback has definitely made their relationship stronger.
They've learned how to work as a team and support each other throughout the process of rescheduling their wedding.
The pandemic has made Zane and Dainiel's relationship stronger
The pandemic has made Zane and Dainiel's relationship stronger
And they actually feel fulfilled that they've already settled all their wedding expenses on time and it's just a waiting game for them right now. No more pressure.
Truly, Zane and Dainiel's experience is proof that the COVID-19 pandemic may postpone weddings, but it definitely cannot cancel hope and love.
For more lifestyle content, head out to GMA's Lifestyle page.
For updates on the Coronavirus Disease pandemic and the enhanced community quarantine, visit GMA's COVID-19 page and ECQ page.
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