From here to domesticity
It’s one thing to go all out with your betrothed in a reception fitting of a milestone or to opt to tie the knot intimately with a few of those closest to your hearts surrounded by precious personalized details, but it also marks the first day of the rest of your lives as one. Happily ever after is a long time, and you can prepare for it in style.
The Peninsula Manila has been the venue of choice for at least 5,000 wedding celebrations since it opened it opens its doors 42 years ago. The Lobby ceiling sculpture “Sunburst” by National Artist Napoleon Abueva and its grand staircase create a first impression that seals the deal. “We all joke in the industry that we’ll never build a lobby like this again. We have rooms like The Conservatory. We are one of the last grand dames,” general manager Mark Choon says, the latter being one of the most picturesque in town.
“Probably the thing I enjoy most about my job is not a week goes by when I don’t meet somebody new and as soon I tell them that I work at Manila Pen, they stop, they smile, and tell me, ‘Can I just share with you my Peninsula moment?’” Mark continues during the launch of Weddings at The Peninsula at the Makati hotel’s Presidential Suite. “A lot of it is dedication and commitment. Many times, people would call even before they book with us, ‘Is Gil going to be working on it?’” He’s referring to F&B manager for banquet service Gil Libres, who’s overseen more than 500 bespoke traditional ceremonies and themed extravaganzas since he joined the team as assistant banquet manager 16 years ago.
This year’s Weddings at The Peninsula is a team-up with premier event planning and consultancy company Rita Neri Event Planners. It’s a showcase of 36, by-invite, handpicked exhibitors. Rita notes, “We are not after the quantity but quality.” It’s a whole-day affair with the Peninsula brand of style and savoir-faire, from tabletop decorations, wedding cakes, and flowers, to bridal gowns, limousines and helicopters, and honeymoons.
“We want to make sure it’s a Peninsula Moment from the start,” Rita says. The driveway itself will be transformed into a luxury bridal car showcase, but that’s only a taste of what’s inside.
Expect a flower-covered Pen on this day. In-demand floral artists Teddy Manuel and Zenas Pineda collaborate with The Peninsula Manila creative director Anna Fay Rosal to create floral installations by the hundreds. The Lobby ceiling, only decadently dressed for major holidays like Christmas and Chinese New Year, makes a blooming exception for the wedding fair. “It’s a secret, but we’ll have something in the middle of the front desk, too,” Rita says. In The Lobby, an afternoon tea menu inspired by the different stages of romance prepared by Peninsula chef Franco Diaz and written by the director of public relations Mariano Garchitorena should bring back sweet memories of when you and your fiancée first met. The grand staircase will be garlanded with masses of flowers.
The ceiling at The Conservatory will be transformed into a hanging garden in full bloom. Anna will also decorate a long spread anchoring the showcase of 23 of the country’s most exclusive wedding suppliers in The Conservatory. Top pastry chef Penk Ching’s wedding cakes always take centerstage at high-profile receptions and it will be no different here as the centerpiece. It will be flanked by tables by Teddy and Zenas. No back cabinets and furniture will interrupt the natural sunlight streaming from the bay windows.
The upper lobby is the main staging area, transformed into a pop-up space offering a glittering showcase of jewelry from Jewelmer, Bulgari, Charriol and Denovo Diamonds; honeymoon destinations from nine Peninsula hotels and Amanpulo; and a capsule collection from Rosa Clara. The inclusion of suppliers for when life starts after the big day stems from this same kind of personal care. Peruse works of art from Salcedo Auctions; explore holistic vacation ideas at The Farm in San Benito; and furnishings for your nest from Pottery Barn/West Elm.
Inside the Salon de Ning is a day of talks and activities: a talk on art as an investment by Richie Lerma of Salcedo Auctions, a section on decorating your home by Pottery Barn, while Jewelmer will explain the timeless allure of the Philippine Golden South Sea Pearl.
A bridalwear fashion show will close the event in The Lobby featuring the creations of established designers Jojie Lloren and Joey Samson and the next wave — Mark Bumgarner, Michael Leyva, and Mak Tumang — done salon-style to the music of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. It harks back to the old world elegance of taking your time – as you should be.
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