30 May 2010 is the big day for my brother and his fiancée. (There is our photo above, my brother and his wife are feeling a bit pixel-ated) This is why we are in this country today, to participate in their much anticipated wedding celebration.
Like any other Indonesian wedding, it is a massive celebration. 700* invitation cards sent out, everyone we ever knew, ever encountered are invited to share this joyous day.
Being the groom’s sister, makes it a big day for me too. The committee have organized the day for the family. We are to look fabulous. Beauty salon booked at 7am to do our hair and make-up. My nails manicured and painted shiny blood red the night before (thanks to my cousin-sisters). The colour theme is maroon and gold, so I also got a sparkling new set of heels in gold. Last but not least, two pre-ordered tailored evening dresses complete with stone gems and sparkles, one for the holy matrimony and one for the evening reception. Very grand indeed.
Unfortunately with pre-ordered dresses they don’t fall into place where it is supposed to. They are made based on the measurements I emailed them a couple of months ago, so I didn’t get to say where I want the straps fixed or how low/high the neck line to be, etc. The many fitting sessions I’ve been on during the past weeks, can’t seem to fix the dress to my liking. *sigh* Oh well, no use in whining over a dress that has been picked out for me. It’s just a dress. No one will notice the unflattering cut, I hope.
Just as I am getting ready to head out to the beauty salon, my son threw up. My little three year old, who hasn’t been eating well since he landed here, vomited two times in the morning of the wedding.
Malakai has started to feel unwell since yesterday; he didn’t sleep well and has been crying on and off the whole night. I feel the pressure weighted upon me. I have objected my kids to be involved today as I know the day will tire them out immensely resulting in very cranky babies during the events. Both events: the matrimony and the reception dinner starts during their nap and sleep time, and in between there are rehearsals and travelling. Malakai has been given the important task of being the cute ring bearer; and I know that my family will be greatly disappointed if we don’t show up to the wedding today. I am hoping that he can go through the morning. I am torn. My son is sick.
Half an hour before the matrimony starts, Ethan and Niel is still deep in their mid-day nap. Malakai, weak but is excited watching his dad dress up in a black suit decided that he also wants to don a suit today. We decided that we will leave the babies to sleep, and take Malakai to the church. We will do the family procession, and Malakai will be the ring bearer, we will be in the photos, and we will leave the church immediately once the procession is done. This should only take 30 minutes, no one will notice Ethan and Niel is not present, we can get away with it.
We did what was planned. Malakai was truly adorable – in my eyes at least. He walked nervous but proud down the aisle carrying the rings on a heart shaped laced-pillow. He looks absolutely gorgeous in his little black suit, bow tie and suit pants. We sped home and found that Ethan and Niel have pre-maturely wakened from their nap. We decided that I will take the toddlers back to the church while Malakai takes a nap at home, he needs it badly.
It was halfway through the mass when I arrived with Ethan and Niel. My Mum’s eyes lit up when she saw that all her grand children actually made it to the wedding in some way. I was pleased with myself for making the effort. It was a beautiful wedding. They bride and groom has made efforts to make the celebration absolutely special, and they deserve it.
On a blessed day like this, the last person I want to see get hurt is my mum, and of course my brother and his lovely wife. Despite of how I was feeling about the dress I was wearing or going to wear, I was in high spirits. Unfortunately, my twins weren’t too cooperative and was pretty shocked to find themselves in suits and see the amount of people present stopping by to ‘ooh’ and ‘aaah’. What could be cuter than sighting one year old twins in suits?! Nevertheless, they started to cry and whinge, I ended up having to carry both boys in my arms (yes, in my beaded dress) for the rest of the afternoon.
The evening reception party was a hit. The groom came out singing a song to his bride, the bride does the same and the couple meets in the middle of the ballroom. It was truly special and absolutely beautiful. It is a standing dinner party is common for weddings here, where all guests would walk around with their dinner plates and mingle. Sure there are times when I wish I could present myself more elegantly than squatting on the floor feeding my kids while dressed in gown and heels... but, that's just life as a mum. I certainly enjoyed it, and the bonus of meeting and catching up with long lost friends and people that we haven’t met in years is priceless.
We left the party before it ended because our boys just couldn’t handle the night anymore. It has been a long day for them and they have been very well behaved most of the time. I am happy. We also get to take the bridal-car home tonight. It is the luxurious Toyota Alfard, still adorned with flowers and ribbons. The boys certainly enjoyed the ride. When and where else can they travel without car-seats and seat belts? Each time my husband hits the brake; someone will fell off the seat and roll down the spacious aisle. In between, they curiously stand on the seats, looking out the window, playing with the curtains, and pressing all the buttons they can reach.
Me, I try my best to keep them on their seats and behave safely.
However, I realize in these circumstances… impossible…
