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Metro - Real Weddings: Bride Thia Thomalla

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Metro - Real Weddings: Thia Thomalla

Bride Thia Thomalla

Groom John Castelar

<div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762965288483Thia_John_W188.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo by Metrophoto</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Actress, model, and Miss Eco International 2018 <strong>Thia Thomalla </strong>recently tied the knot with <strong>John Castelar</strong> at an intimate destination wedding in <strong>Boracay</strong>. Thia, who became the face of a beauty pageant centered on environmental awareness and tourism promotion, embodied her title as she celebrated her big day close to nature. In her element, amid lush gardens and a breathtaking beach, Thia&#x27;s bridal glow was unmatched. </p><p>&quot;I&#x27;ve always wanted an outdoor wedding, and Shangri-La, Boracay gave me all the right feels,&quot; Thia told <strong>Metro.Style</strong>. The luxurious resort in the Philippines is popular for its lush hillside location, which lends a secluded feel for that ultimate getaway experience.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center">[[PHOTO ALBUM]]</div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762985029840Thia_John_W074.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762967300465Thia_John_W221.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762967347806Thia_John_W217.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762985421023Thia_John_W069.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Thia and John, whose love story began at a party with mutual friends, both preferred a laid-back yet tastefully curated approach to their wedding. It was exactly the vibe aligned with their personalities. </p><p style="text-align:left">&quot;I wanted a timeless feel. My husband is more of a minimalist. Meanwhile, I love a classy, timeless look as well,&quot; Thia shared. An elegant yet fuss-free beach wedding was the perfect idea that captured their requirements.</p><p>But fuss-free isn&#x27;t synonymous with boring. And one way Thia introduced visual interest to their mood board was by incorporating vibrant pops of colors through her bridal squad&#x27;s outfits, which came in magenta, yellow, and aubergine. Meanwhile, the groom and his groomsmen balanced the palette with the light, earthy tone of the classic <em>barong</em>. <em></em></p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762968009613Thia_John_W050.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762968052833Thia_John_W063.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762968090215Thia_John_W085.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762985551342Thia_John_W193.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>There are tons of reasons why holding a beach wedding is a dream for many couples. For one, it&#x27;s a great opportunity for a family reunion in a setting that also allows everyone to get some time to rest and relax. </p><p>&quot;Since I am originally from Southern Leyte, I thought it would be more fair to everyone to fly in. We had guests from Luzon and Visayas,&quot; Thia shared. &quot;Boracay has a lot of hotel options and even airbnbs that would be suitable for each of our guests.&quot;</p><p>Ahead of their beach wedding, Thia and John held a church ceremony that brought together their nearest and dearest. &quot;We only had an intimate wedding day, celebrated only with our principal sponsors and family members. We ended the day by having a lovely dinner at my in-laws&#x27; house, hired a singer, and just bonded the day away. No program, just a day of both families catching up.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763341673443Thia_John_W117.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763341754615Thia_John_W118.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763341801474Thia_John_W134.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763341918555Thia_John_W136.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763342006254Thia_John_W145.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Their beach wedding may be grander, yet it retained the simplicity the couple is drawn to. With the beautiful naturescape providing the stunning backdrop for the special occasion, there really was no need to overdo the décor. </p><p style="text-align:left">A flower-lined white walkway amid tall palm trees easily made for an Instagrammable, Pinterest-worthy wedding. Thia and John worked with Florista Flowershop to dress up their venue of choice. </p><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763344368193Thia_John_W116.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763345043253Thia_John_W098.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div style="text-align:left"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763345094375Thia_John_W058.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763345214953Thia_John_W213.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763346992128581730271_18198999655319130_107744729956559291_n.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Thia and John&#x27;s church wedding in Manila</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>The elegant mood continued through to the fashion aspect of the wedding, with the bride looking gorgeous in a bespoke strapless, voluminous gown by <strong>Kannah Designs</strong>.  </p><p>&quot;I wanted a big gown, with a timeless touch, but for the destination wedding, I asked my designer, Kannah Designs, that there should be no lace, no ribbon, and no extreme cuts. I wanted a straight-cut tube top with a skirt that has pockets. Ms. Kannah added asymmetrical layers to the skirt, which was perfect! She gave me everything I wanted and more,&quot; Thia told us. </p><p>Thia worked with the same designer for her church wedding, opting for a more intricate design. &quot;I told her we should go all out with lace and tulle, but my only request is not to make it a long, big gown,&quot; Thia shared. &quot;Ms. Kannah once again delivered, and it&#x27;s still crazy to me how she managed everything because she did all the gowns for my entourage, including the gowns of our mothers, secondary sponsors, flower girls, and bridesmaids.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763348719498Thia_John_RD001.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763348954694Thia_John_RD002.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763348997194Thia_John_RD005.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763349056575Thia_John_RD011.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p style="text-align:left">Picking a favorite moment from an event as special as a wedding is like choosing one&#x27;s favorite child—it&#x27;s simply impossible. </p><p style="text-align:left">But if Thia were to cite one memorable moment from their big day, she said, &quot;It would be the mother-daughter dance. I have been living independently for more than a decade now, and that moment was just so pure. No words, just emotions. With everything my family went through with the sudden passing of my brother a few years back, it felt so healing. And, before the ceremony started, while we had photos taken, a butterfly kept flying in circles between my sister and me. If you’re Filipino, you know what that means. It kept flying around us so many times that we had to joke about it for us to stop sobbing. It was truly such a magical day.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763349091253Thia_John_W224.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><br/><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763349147274Thia_John_W225.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:left"> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1763349309133Thia_John_W241.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><br/></div><div><strong>Thia&#x27;s wedding planning tip: </strong></div><p>&quot;Do what feels right for both of you. Show both your personalities and don&#x27;t feel pressured by all the trends that are going on. Don’t overthink it. What matters is you and your husband, the love you share, and the support from the people who love you.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Thia and John&#x27;s dream team:</strong></div><p>Venue: Shangri-La Boracay</p><p>Photographers: Metrophoto - Oly Ruiz, Paolo Nierves, and Rae Cabradilla</p><p>Videographer: NQ Video</p><p>BTS Content Creator: The Content Collective</p><p>Coordination: Events by Amanda Tirol</p><p>Styling: Florista Flowershop Boracay</p><p>Bridal Gown: Kannah Designs</p><p>Hair and makeup artists: Valerie Corpuz and Jay Salcedo</p>

<p>Nothing beats a timeless wedding in one of the most sought-after beach destinations!</p>

Nothing beats a timeless wedding in one of the most sought-after beach destinations!

For Your Inspiration: Thia Thomalla and John Castelar's Ethereal Beach Wedding in Boracay

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For Your Inspiration: Thia Thomalla and John Castelar's Ethereal Beach Wedding in Boracay

Grace Libero

Published Nov 17, 2025 11:30 AM PHT

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Updated Nov 17, 2025 11:57 AM PHT

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