This pandemic didn’t stop the couple from hosting a fun and memorable party
This pandemic has been a rollercoaster ride from couple Arjanmar Rebeta and Khaye Medina. For one, Khaye beat Covid-19 and as soon as she stepped out of a Quezon City isolation facility, Arjanmar surprised her by going down on one knee to propose to her. He also asked a few frontliners, wearing PPEs, to help him by holding a “Pakakasalanan mo ba ako (Will you marry me)?” signage. Of course, Khaye said yes, and off they went on planning their wedding.
The next challenge was just that—how do you plan a memorable wedding despite the limitations brought about by the lockdown? It seems the couple was up for the challenge. Their teaser wedding album which they posted under Arjanmar’s company Mediarama Creatives went viral.
The newlyweds got married in Parish of the Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman on Sept. 19, 2020, and what made this post viral is their reception venue of choice—street food consisting of isaw and other favorite Pinoy pica-pica. As to how they got this idea, Arjanmar told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle that they have been contemplating for two weeks if they should push through with the reception. Khaye, being a Covid-19 survivor, was concerned about throwing a party in an enclosed venue. “Yun din ang ikinaganda ng nakuha namin ang church kasi open venue siya (That is what’s beautiful about the church that we got because it’s an open venu). Marami din pinagdaanan ang paghahanap ng simbahan (We also went through a lot in finding the right church),” the groom also believed that it was fate that brought them to this church because that’s where they came across their reception venue.
After having their documents processed, they decided to eat at the isawan across it. “Habang kumakain, nagbiro kami na dito na lang mag-reception (While we were eating, we joked about having the reception here). Pabiro pa siya noong una hanggang tuluyan na kaming naka-decide na gawin ito two weeks before the wedding at ang idea ay drive-thru reception (She was joking at first, until we finally decided to push through with it two weeks before our wedding with the idea of a drive-thru reception),” explains Arjanmar. Despite this exciting plan of theirs, he was still apprehensive to send out the online invitation. Four days, and even one day, before the wedding, they were still sending out invites. “Gusto ko man imbitahan ang lahat, inuna na namin yun mga malapit sa area (We really want to invite everyone, but we prioirized those who live near the area). Ayaw din namin kasi masakripisyo niyo pa ang sarili sa kung nauman ngayon pandemic (We don’t want you to go out of your way now that we are in this pandemic),” he told their friends. But all the embarrassment he felt was for nothing, since everyone who received the invitation were excited to attend.
They went all out on the rustic vibe, from table setting (with social distancing considered) down to the bride’s bouquet full of dried flowers. Live music courtesy of a group of guitarists added to the mood with guests bringing home street food to share with their loved ones. “Doon ka sa taong papakasalan ka kahit tokneneng at isaw lang ang handa. Laging magkasama, hamon man or isaw ang ulam (Go with the one who will marry you even if fried quail eggs and barbecued pork or chicken intestines are they can serve. Always together, if ham or innards are we have to eat).” the Facebook post said. “Daig ng pag-ibig ang pandemic! Salamat sa Diyos sa mga biyaya. Siya ang nagplano ng kasal na ito sa pagtatahi-tahi ng pagkakataon. (Love beats the pandemic. Thank you God for the blessings. He planned and put everything together).”