Cristalle’s wedding at The Pen for a special guest
Because of her love for her grandfather Hilarion “Larry” Henares, Cristalle Belo Henares, daughter of Vicki Belo and Atom Henares, married her Australian fiancé Justin Pitt last Thursday in civil rights at the Peninsula Manila’s Conservatory, seven days before her big wedding in Lake Como, Italy.
Meanwhile, the couple’s selected guests from Manila and various parts of the world, including Rajo Laurel, Liz Uy, and Tim Yap, have begun arriving at the scenic Lake Como area in Northern Italy for their Sept. 15 altar date.
Wearing a classic, bias-cut mikado silk bridal gown with Sabrina neckline, skirt pockets, and hand-stitched floral appliqué by Vania Romoff, Cristalle, head honcho of the Belo line of over-thecounter beauty products, exchanged I do’s with Justin, a seasoned hotelier in Australia, before family and a
select group of friends.
“Cristalle referenced the gown she wore from my existing collection,” said Romoff. “I picked the lilac floral appliqués because they looked and felt romantic and light.” The bride will be wearing a different gown, this time by Israeli designer Inbal Dror, to her wedding in Italy.
The 92-year-old Larry Henares, an economist and former newspaper columnist, reportedly begged off from joining the entire family in Italy because of his age. Cristalle, who lost her maternal grandmother Nena last year, couldn’t bear the thought of depriving her only surviving grandparent the chance of witnessing her wedding. She and Justin chose the Conservatory, one of their favorite places in Metro Manila, to tie the knot.
“#PITTurePerfect setting! I’ve always found comfort and happiness sitting in this grand lobby and listening to the live music,” Cristalle wrote on her Instagram account, referring to the Peninsula Manila’s imposing lobby and its trademark Napoleon Abueva metal sculpture on the ceiling.
Cristalle’s team, led by events stylist Robert Blancaflor, turned the Conservatory into the couple’s idea of a private lounge complete with a few tables, Tiffany chairs, and subdued floral arrangements. The hotel served cocktails to the handful of guests after the brief ceremony.
“It’s official, @cristallebelo is now legally Mrs. Pitt. Welcome to the family @justinpitt77,” Vicki Belo, one of the country’s leading beauty doctors, wrote in her Instagram account. “Remember how happy you are today and recapture the feeling every day. For those who are wondering, Justin and Cristalle had to get married in the Philippines civilly before having their ceremony in Italy.
First cousin Stephanie Henares, also in her Instagram account, was all praises for Cristalle: “@cristallebelo is one of the kindest and most selfless souls. She held her civil wedding today, in honor of our granddad (Larry), who couldn’t make it to her big day in Italy. I am so glad she found the one who will treat her with kindness, fill her with happiness, and brim her over with love she truly deserves. Congratulations, Pitts!”
Also present were Hayden Kho and Cristalle’s elder brother Quark, a movie director, who had warm words to say to the couple, said a guest who declined to be identified.