This newlywed decided to ditch some wedding rules and tradition and followed what their heart desired on their special day.
In an interview with The Philippine STAR/LatestChika.com, 29-year-old bride, Michelle Anne Garcia-Francisco, shared a glimpse of her wedding day with college sweetheart, Ervin Francisco.
“We both came from a broken family. Si Ervin din, he was raised by a single mother. Maayos ‘yung family niya kahit magkahiwalay na ‘yung parents niya. But in my case kasi, it’s a totally different story. Gusto talaga naming i-honor ‘yung mommies namin on our wedding day,” Michelle told The STAR.
“Si mommy, she asked me naman kung gusto kong i-invite si daddy or kung gusto ko bang maging part ng wedding ‘yung dad ko kasi nga ‘di ba may father-daughter dance? That’s the tradition, right? Pero she let me decide. Kung ano ‘yung gusto ko, kung ano ‘yung komportable ako, and kung ano ‘yung magpapasaya sa’kin, ‘yun ‘yung sinunod nila,” she added.
Recalling their wedding day, Michelle noted, “Yung wedding namin, wala kaming masyadong sinunod na rules and tradition. Sinunod lang namin kung ano talaga ‘yung gusto namin, ‘yung magpapasaya sa’min and the only person who will make me happy on my wedding day is my mom.”
According to her, she and Ervin were on the same page to show appreciation to their single moms during their wedding last May 6, 2023.
The couple even skipped gift giving, father-daughter dances during their wedding.
“‘Di ba the usual kasi, nagbibigayan ng gifts ‘yung mag-asawa, si groom and bride. But on our wedding, we didn’t do that. What we did, we gave gifts to our moms,” she said.
Michelle and Ervin also had a special moment on stage with their respective mothers.
“Hindi alam ng parents namin, ng mommy namin na may slow dance kami kasi we told them na happy dance lang. Masaya lang ‘yung dance namin. Kaya sabi ko walang mag-iiyakan kasi gusto ko masaya lang tayong lahat sa wedding. Nagulat siya kasi ‘yung first part ng sayaw namin, ‘yung “First Love” by Utada Hikaru. It is a Japanese song. Pinili namin ni Ervin ‘yung First Love na ‘yun kasi ‘yung first love namin, not each other, but our moms,” Michelle recalled.
Michelle and Ervin first met at the University of Santo Tomas. Their relationship became official in 2013. They eventually got engaged on June 5, 2021.
“Nasa UST talaga ang true love, ang forever,” Michelle said in jest.
Michelle witnessed how Ervin took care of and treated his mom well after being in a relationship for more than eight years.
“Sabi nga nila ‘di ba, the way the person loves his or her mom, do’n mo makikita kung ano siya as a person. Kung gaano niya kamahal ‘yung mommy niya, ganun din niya akong mamahalin. The way he respects his mother, the way he loves his mother, I know I will be loved the same way,” Michelle said.
“Hindi naman sumagi sa isip ko na baka matulad din ako sa magulang ko kasi it depends on your partner, eh. I’m just lucky kasi I found someone na talagang very responsible, very respectful, and si Ervin, talagang buong-buo ‘yung pagmamahal niya for me,” she added.
Michelle noted that their special moments with their moms was their way to express gratitude for all the sacrifices their single mothers went through just to raise them well.
“This is also our way to recognize all their hardships and hard work. Maraming-marami pong salamat kasi hanggang ngayon inaalagaan niyo pa rin kami ni Ervin. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin nagsasawa ‘yung pagmamahal at pagsusuporta niyo sa ’min. I really salute talaga those parents na kayang itaguyod ‘yung mga anak nila on their own,” she stressed.
