EXCLUSIVE: Dianne Medina Talks About How It Was like Planning Her And Rodjun Cruz's Ethereal Wedding

The star-studded, all-white wedding's theme is "heaven here on earth"

Grace Libero-Cruz

December 29, 2019, 10:00 AM

After 12 years of being a couple and a two-year-long engagement, Rodjun Cruz and Dianne Medina are now husband and wife. Their road to forever may have taken that long, but that only shows that the love they have for each other is true and lasting—able to withstand the test of time and strong enough to weather challenges along the way.

A couple of days before their wedding, Rodjun and Dianne shared on social media that they now have their dream house, where they can start their own family. Proud of the outcome of their home construction project, Dianne said that it was both of their hard work that really turned this dream into a reality. She shares what the process had been like for them, "2 months in search for the best contractor, 1 month of fixing permits, 1 year and 6 months of house construction from the ground up and 2 months of furnishing the house."

Looking at how well put together their house is, it's evident how much attention to detail these two put in to create a warm, homey space for the family they're about to build.

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A post shared by Dianne Medina Ilustre (@dianne_medina) on Dec 20, 2019 at 5:58am PST

When it came to their wedding, the couple worked with wedding/event planning team La Belle Fête to help them achieve the best possible results for this turning point in their lives and the highlight of their relationship.

The theme they decided on was "Heavenly Ever After." "[It's] an opulent and ethereal theme inspired by the beauty of heaven and paradise. It pays homage to the loved ones of Dianne and Rodjun who are no longer with them but surely guiding them from up above," explains La Belle Fête. "We envisioned a timeless yet personal wedding concept for them. Reflecting their love for their departed parents (RJ's parents and Dianne's mom), we used beautiful imagery depicting an ethereal paradise."

The reception venue looked like a paradise, indeed, thanks to the expert styling of Badang Rueda. The predominantly white styling was so breathtaking it left the couple speechless at the beauty of it all.

The wedding of these former Star Magic artists was graced by their relatives who are also part of the local entertainment industry as well as the celebrity friends they have made throughout the years. Their guests included Rodjun's brother Rayver Cruz and his girlfriend Janine Gutierrez, Rodjun's cousin Sunshine Cruz and her partner Macky Mathay, Rodjun's unce Tirso Cruz III, Dianne's cousin Maxine Medina, Alex Gonzaga, Yasmien Kurdi, Matteo Guidicelli, Joross Gamboa, Alden Richards, Julia Barretto, Dani Barretto, Pocholo Barretto, IC Mendoza, Precious Lara Quigaman, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Valerie Concepcion, Charie Pineda, Archie Alemania, and Gee Canlas.

Here, Dianne talks to Metro.Style about how it was like planning their wedding. She gave great tips as well for brides-to-be!

When and how did you and your husband meet?

"We met at ABS-CBN in 2006. We were both under Star Magic. But we became close when we both joined U Can Dance celebrity edition in ABS-CBN."

How long have you been together?

"We’ve been together for 12 years now."

What do you enjoy doing together? Hobbies, interests?

"We both love dancing and acting. During our free time we both love to watch movies, sometimes just stay at home and watch Netflix, home service massage—we both love to stay at home. We also love to spend time with our friends and most especially, we spend time together praying at the adoration chapel—we both came from a very religious family."

What is your wedding’s motif, and why did you choose it?

"The theme is heaven here on earth, that is why it was all white—because this is our way of recognizing my mom who passed away year 2011, Rodjun’s dad who passed away year 2009, and his mom who passed away just this year. This is our way of celebrating this special moment with us."

How long did you prepare for your wedding?

"It was two years in the making. We had a long engagement because we wanted to plan the house first then the wedding. My dad who gave us a lot told us to build the house right away so we will not worry anymore—everything’s settled. Because a lot of people were asking why is it too long—so it was a well planned house and wedding preparations."

What were the challenges you encountered along the way?

"Oh gosh, there were so many challenges since we’re building the house and at the same time planning the wedding. I think sticking to the original plan or budget was the hardest because along the way plans or things will definitely change. Even the smallest detail sometimes, we would argue about it. But we would always remind ourselves that we’re very blessed and the stress that we're experiencing is a good stress because of all the blessings that we have received and continuously receiving."

What was the best part in preparing for your wedding?

"Everything except for the RSVP and seating arrangement of the guests (it was the hardest)."

What tips can you share to brides-to-be when it comes to wedding planning?

"Choose the best wedding coordinator, who would guide you in every step of the way. And also based from what I've heard from the others, make sure that the coordinator would still help you with the planning but at the same time still incorporate all the things that you want, because sometimes they tend to push for what they want—remember, it's your wedding, you want to achieve your dream wedding. But I'm glad this one didn't happen to us.

"Choose the right suppliers. We were so lucky because all the suppliers and the people behind our beautiful wedding became our friends or family.

"Plan ahead of time how many guests you want. Choosing the people to invite for me is the hardest.

"Just enjoy every moment. Remember, this will happen only once make the most out of it."

Tell us something about your gown and the designer you picked?

"My beautiful wedding gown was made by the Mak Tumang. Being hands-on in choosing my wedding dress is the most important decision I have made during the planning stage. I am so lucky to have found the best wedding designer, Mak Tumang (Thank you Ate Ycoy Sitchon. Napakabait ni Mak, I just told him what I want—and when I saw my gown I wanted to cry kasi sobrang ganda talaga. Mak is the best! My wedding gown is so perfect, the details of the gown, the fit, the design and—this is the most important and my advice as well if you’re looking for a wedding gown—the comfort and style because literally you will be wearing the gown the whole day. My gown is so comfortable and it fit me well. I am so happy!"

Tell us something about your hair and makeup looks, and accessories.

"My makeup is by Gery Penaso. I love how Gery was able to bring out my natural beauty. I had a very very light makeup. I told him actually I want a very natural makeup look. For my hair, Myk Feliciano decided to tie my hair up to achieve that clean and classy look during the ceremony. And during the reception, he put down my hair and curled it to achieve that sexy and fierce look."

What are the highlights of the program?

"Probably our heartwarming tribute for Rodjun’s parents and for my mommy."