ENDELMAN-JARQUE
Intimate Simplicity
Miren Jarque was sitting on a pontoon by a neighborhood lake after a habitual weekend bike ride within the periphery of Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia, when Jamie Endelman, whom she had earlier met through mutual friends in Manila, proposed—after 10 years of being together. Soon, the preparations began. The couple agreed their wedding to be in Cebu, Miren’s hometown, which Jamie learned to love after several visits and holidays.
Understated simplicity was their desired battlecry—from the invitations to the bridal gown to the reception.
Dear family members and close friends the world over were immediately requested to adjust their travel plans, as the couple earnestly wanted them to be witnesses to the celebrations.
Eldest sister Cebu-based Isabel Velasco filled perfectly into the shoes of what was needed to coordinate. And together with mom Marilen, Manila-based sister Chaveli Head and Miren, they burned the phone wires and demanded technology to work.
Some days before, the younger guests went off to an islandhopping expedition. “Five boats sailed off and gathered at the North Sandbar somewhere in the waters of Bohol where we feasted on lots of Filipino finger food, a variety of drinks, with great music while chilling out with our best buddies until the beautiful sunset.” the couple shared.
Meanwhile, the out-of-towners from Manila, Dumaguete, and Cagayan de Oro and out of countryers from several cities of Australia, Spain, and the United States explored the city in a comprehensive heritage tour—after all, Cebu is home of numerous historical, religious, and cultural firsts.
On the appointed day, the choice church, the Archdiocesan Shrine of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish Church—arguably the prettiest chapel in the metropolis—was full of towering palm trees and lush potted greens. With the exception of the bridal bouquet and the posies for the members of the female entourage, there were otherwise no flowers in sight. These were environmentally-conscious decisions by the couple.
The gowns of the entourage were done by their very own costureras and their makeup done by their usual favorites in their patronized local salons. Jamie’s barong, together with the