When Stars Align
Our love story is like something you see in movies. Nothing like the normal boy meets girl, they fell in love and live happily ever after. Our story went through so much before we actually ended up together and had our fairy tale ending.
I met Manolo in early 2002 through his older brother whom I worked with in an airline company. We talked the whole night the first time we met and there was no denying that there was instant attraction. Several message exchanged after, calls and a few visits every time I was in town, my work schedule (as an international flight attendant) took a toll while Manolo was still in his last year in College, we ended up with other people.
Fast forward to 12 years after, both our relationships with our partners ended at around the same time coincidentally. He was single again, I became a single mom with 2 sons. It was so easy for us to reconnect and respark something that has always been there. What I had to consider though were my 2 sons since I had to introduce a new man in their life. But as soon as they met Manolo, they instantly hit it off. After a few months, it was actually my sons who were convincing us to get married since they wanted to live with him already. Life has been great. More than a love story, ours is a great testimony of how much we should trust God in the midst of chaos and uncertainty.
Manolo and I got engaged just a month before we got civilly married in the States in June 21, 2016. We had a civil ceremony and reception also as soon as we got back in Manila so we can celebrate it with friends and relatives. This church wedding was actually our 3rd wedding on our 3rd anniversary. Like what I said in my vows, our love was so real and so sure that we ended up marrying each other 3 times within a 3-year span.
The Church Wedding was the most special one as our marriage finally got God’s blessing with both our families in attendance, most specially the presence of our children Alejo, Elian and Pilar. We had a whole year to prepare. St. Benedict Parish has always been our top choice for the wedding. We used a mirror aisle instead of the usual red carpet to reflect the church’s picturesque interiors. We opted for different earthly/ neutral colours as our motif for its clean, pure and timeless feel: medium grey, nude, rose taupe and gun metal. Neutral colours tend to be a little bland so we decided to make the entourage wear different shades to make it more vibrant and lively.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Pat Dy
VIDEOGRAPHY
Bob Nicolas
GOWN
Rosa Clara
BRIDAL SHOES
Jimmy Choo
RECEPTION DRESS
Debbie Co
CHURCH
St. Benedict Parish, Ayala Westgrove, Silang Cavite
RECEPTION
Narra Hill, Tagaytay
CATERING &CAKE
K. Cunanan
COORDINATION
Kiss the Girl Events
INVITATION
Print Cafe
EVENTSTYLING
Gathered Creative Co.
MAKEUP
Denise Go-ochoa
HAIR
Jannet Saberon
SUIT
Cornell’s
ENTOURAGE DRESSES
Tantease
FIREWORKS
Dragon Fireworks
I had my only daughter in mind when I was choosing my wedding gown. I thought she might want to wear it too someday when she gets married so I had to go for something timeless, classy and clean in case she would want to teak it a bit in the future. Rosa Clara’s fitted me perfectly and I had no doubt it was THE ONE! I just added pockets for my lipstick and cellphone since I didn’t want to carry around a pouch.
As soon as I entered it started pouring and I was praying that it would stop when the ceremony is over. I saw my sons waiting in the middle of the aisle to hand me to their teary Dadski. At that moment, there was no single dry eye inside the church. The ceremony was highlighted by our exchange of vows. I couldn’t hold my tears and had to stop every now and then to cover my ugly cry. I was so overwhelmed by my emotions realizing that I am finally getting married to my soulmate who was destined for me all along. I said my vows and with God’s grace, I finished properly. After the ceremony, the heavens must have heard my prayers since as soon as the doors opened, the sun was brightly shining. The weather was just perfect for our photoshoot session before heading to Narra Hill for our reception.
Narra Hill’s overlooking view of Taal is awesome. We chose this venue since we wanted a garden feel without the risk of dancing and walking on soiled grass should the weather not permit it. It was a perfect compromise because of its covered pavilion still with the garden view and Tagaytay breeze. Drapes were hanged and fairy lights were across the ceiling of the pavilion for the rustic romantic and outdoor feel. We didn’t have a program, just excellent food (we preferred a sit down menu instead of the usual buffet), amazing performance by my much younger aunt Zia Quizon (she is the sister of my dad) and her boyfriend Robin Nievera, entertaining and hilarious speeches by family and friends, amazing SDE videos by Pat Dy and Bob Nicolas and beautiful fireworks that covered the night sky of Taal lake. People partied till the wee hours of the morning with good music from Paolo Maralit and Abdel Aziz, free flowing booze and midnight snacks of arrozcaldo, sisig tacos and Portobello fries! It was indeed a memorable night filled with so much fun and love.