|
Having recently attended a week-end retreat for
couples getting married, I realized that there really isn’t a
man’s guide for what to expect during the engagement period. Sure,
there are books and seminars about marriage, how not to kill your
spouse and how to raise kids without losing your mind. But what
about surviving the stressful and grueling months before the actual
wedding day? There isn’t an “Engagement for Dummies” book out
there. So, I took it upon myself to be the sage for every fiancé
who is experiencing buyers’ remorse.
Expect to go over and beyond the
original budget for the wedding. Being a clueless dude, you will
forget so many things that she considers vital. Invitations have to
be printed out professionally; text messaging is simply not enough.
Don’t even argue over why you still have to give invitations to
people who’ve already told you can’t make it.
The centerpieces for the
tables—yes, those flowers that you hardly notice in
weddings—have to be perfect. And perfection comes at a pretty
price.
Don’t even expect her to use
her mother’s gown. Those nostalgic days are over. Anticipate
forking over a fortune for signature designer gowns like Rajo
Laurel, Frederick Peralta and Jun Escario.
The photographer and videographer
have to be the real thing and not that cousin of yours who recently
took a weekend photography class.
All of these things add up, like
those people your parents require you to invite, so bank on selling
your life insurance, those stocks for your retirement and one of
your kidneys. The other option is do what high society guys do,
swallow your pride and ask your parents to pay for everything.
Learn how to feign interest in
the small details. When she tells you to pick a font to use for the
invitations, pretend to favor one and have a reason like, “Oh it
just look classy the way the T’s are crossed.” When she asks you
about the color theme, just nod your head and exclaim, “Beautiful
colors, honey. I love it.” Don’t worry. None of your choices
will be wrong. That’s because none of your choices really matter
since she will pick what she wants anyway. And do not ever say, “I
don’t care, just tell me how much this is going to set me back.”
Just remember that women have
fantasized about their dream wedding since they were twelve. Throw
your practicality out the window and just hope you’ll survive
until D-Day. 
|
