The Setting of Your Story
Every day, we live in a world where our senses are incessantly assailed with all things modern—sleek and shiny skyscrapers; smart gadgets that anticipate our needs and whims; and, in the case of weddings, minimalist contemporary devoid of tradition and culture. While there is definitely value to always being in the present, one should not be denied the pleasures of immersing in the glorious past either.
A stone’s throw away from the manicured lawns of Rizal Park and the walled city of Intramuros, the Manila Hotel proudly stands at the heart of our capital, with the breathtaking sunsets of Manila Bay serving as its backdrop. More than just a national landmark, the stately hotel is also witness to the countless love stories of newly trothed couples.
Fiesta Pavilion
If the idea of a vintage Filipiniana wedding tickles your fancy,no venue quite captures the romance of the past as much as Manila Hotel’s Fiesta Pavilion. With its walls donned in muted tones of beige and cream with chocolate brown accents, and ornate chandeliers bathing the space in a warm, golden glow, the Fiesta Pavilion sets the stage for a wedding looking to pay homage to Filipino culture and tradition.
While the venue can definitely stand on its own, Wedding Essentials collaborated with event stylist Gina D. Galang, whose prowess for floral arrangements never fails to inspire us. For this particular setup, Gina makes use of earthy elements to bring her Filipiniana setup to life.
Capiz shells, sinamay, strings of South Sea Pearls, and elaborate Spanish fans evoke Maria Clara, with a cream, beige and green color palette unifying these design elements. The stylist does away with elaborate centerpieces, so as not to take the attention away from the elegance of the venue, and instead sets artful clusters of roses and magnolias afloat in tall, transparent glass casings. The couple’s table is set against a charming backdrop of delicate lace curtains and refurbished frames held together by strands of seashells found within our shores, marrying modern design aesthetics with old world elegance.
CENTENNIAL Pavilion
Decades of tradition have made the Manila Hotel what it is today, and while the five-star property lends itself perfectly to Filipiniana-themed weddings, it has also proven itself to be quite the versatile venue. Its Centennial Hall affords soonto-weds the freedom and, more importantly, the vast space to realize the wedding of their dreams.
For couples with a penchant for old world elegance and sophistication, staging a Victorian-themed wedding set in the Manila Hotel’s Centennial Hall is ideal. WE collaborated with Ray and Bing Montes of Scenta Creations to bring this Dream Theme to life. Ray and Bing’s setup is a treasure trove of dainty, romantic gestures—from fine floral china, delicate lace and sweet-smelling blooms, to crystal candelabras and chandeliers, and shimmery accoutrements. Tying the elements together is a color palette inspired by the riotous hues of a Manila Bay sunset—soft yellows, reds, and pinks.
Because the focal point of any wedding reception is the couple’s table, Ray and Bing play up its old-world aesthetic. The all-white backdrop features texture in the form of classic Damask-patterned wallpaper, with hanging floral clusters adding pops of color. The focal point is an elegant, gold-hued Victorian love seat from which the couple
oh, suite bliss
When the last guest has left the venue, and the final traces of the day’s joyous celebration have melted into the night, newlyweds now have the luxury to enjoy each other’s company. Because it’s not everyday that you tie the knot with the love of your life, a luxurious celebration is in order. The Manila Hotel’s Sunset and Sunrise Suites are outfitted to ensure a night of wedded bliss, surrounded with luxurious furnishings and advanced in-room technology. Couples can slumber deliciously in each other’s arms in the Sunset Suite that overlooks the gorgeous waters of Manila Bay, or in the Sunrise Suite that offers a picturesque view of the historical Walled City of Intramuros. The suites, located at the Tower
Building, feature exquisitely decorated Filipiniana-themed interiors with its artfully curated use of capiz shells, wood furniture, and paintings by Filipino artists.
Want to up the romance level by a notch or ten? Try the two-storey Honeymoon Suite. The perfect setting to further ignite the flames of love, the luxurious Honeymoon Suite features a gilded spiral staircase that leads into a cozy and intimate parlor on the second floor, where you can savor your first moments as man and wife free from the distractions of city life.