The Best Pandemic Weddings We Loved That Were Held Around The Metro
Some of these couples had to postpone their destination weddings and pushed through with intimate events in Metro Manila instead. Although their plans changed, their wedding days were special just the same
The bustling cities around the metro that were home to unending commutes, millions of residents, and all kinds of stories became quiet just enough for church bells and applause to rise above the urban soundscape in celebration of very special unions indeed.
These 10 couples saw themselves become Mr. and Mrs. in this time, enjoying the familiarity of settings close to home and their hearts, yet also experiencing them in a whole different way as newlyweds in love.
We share the each of these couples' unique stories, beautiful weddings, and most touching memories from their special days in this list rounding up our picks for the best 2020 pandemic weddings held in Manila.
Check out the galleries below:
Paj and Patrice in Café Ysabel, San Juan
A wedding day like a dry run for marriage, a lifelong commitment. You can plan for weeks and weeks and still be bothered by a snag or two (some bigger than others, like, say, a global health crisis), but treat it as an exercise in finding the silver lining in things; as husband and wife, it's imperative that you become each other's official one-person pep squad, cheering the other person on when challenges big and small threaten to bring them down.
Such was the case for Paj Rodriguez and Patrice de Asis who didn't end up going to Bali, and got married in an intimate ceremony instead and capped the beautiful day off with a reception at a café where they had one of their first dates.
Besides, Patrice smiles, there's beauty in going with a small wedding first—you can look forward to a second ceremony and be one of the handful of brides that got to say "I do" twice!
What we love about this wedding: The simple rustic romantic vibe of the styling for their reception venue, Café Ysabel, San Juan, was so charming. In lieu of a stage, the couple got a lovely nook with a circular accent as backdrop that was dressed up with leaves and roses in white and peach. Their muted color scheme is so refreshing to look at, too!
Paj & Patrice
Paj & Patrice
What was your wedding's theme?
"I wanted to keep the wedding simple and rustic, incorporating my favorite color, green, in the mix. Before the pandemic, I already had my mood board set up for Bali and since we couldn’t use a lot of green and white then (because the wedding was supposed to be outdoors as it would just be redundant), I figured that it was the perfect time to have this second choice for our intimate wedding," Patrice shares.
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
"This intimate wedding was prepared in a month," Paj says.
What were the challenges you encountered along the way?
"Like all 2020 couples who were forced to downsize and/or cancel because of the pandemic, I guess the biggest challenge was finding a common date for all booked suppliers. It was also very difficult because we had family and friends who were coming from abroad," reveals Patrice.
What were the challenges you encountered along the way?
"Considering the ever-changing series of events, we set deadlines on when each decision had to be made. Come decision time, we wanted to get married no matter what, even if there was a pandemic and a recession and whether or not suppliers were available. We made everything work in the time frame we had—which included continuously following up venues and suppliers to make sure everything was going to be set," she adds.
What was the best part in preparing for your wedding?
"How hands-on my husband (then fiancé) was in preparing for this wedding! Having an array of choices can be very overwhelming and I found myself very, very fickle with details as I would easily change my mind the next day. It was very helpful that Paj and I would talk about what we both wanted, what elements would best represent our personalities as individuals and as a couple," says this bride.
What was the best part in preparing for your wedding?
She continues, "Even though it was an intimate wedding, we still had all the elements of a normal wedding in place—photographer, videographer, hair and makeup artists, wedding cake, reception, etc. And it actually made it a bit more meaningful because we had more time preparing it together because of the quarantine."
What tips can you share to brides-to-be when it comes to wedding planning?
First and foremost Patrice tells them, "For brides, especially those who are getting married in 2020, it's okay to cry. Cry for awhile and then remember that you can still have your dream wedding later on."
What tips can you share to brides-to-be when it comes to wedding planning?
"As much as you would have wanted all your family and friends to be with you on your special day, always remember that you are marrying the one person who can make all the other elements seem like distractions and clutter. When you strip all the shiny elements of a big fancy wedding, you end up with what matters most to you—your husband, your family, and your health. It’s still okay to keep planning for a repeat though, that’s the best part because you get two weddings!" she advises.
What tips can you share to grooms-to-be when it comes to wedding planning?
Paj shares his own wisdom from firsthand experience. "For grooms, no matter how simple you think planning an intimate wedding is, don’t tell your bride-to-be. Make sure your heads are together when coming to a decision and enjoy it as much as you can. The benefit of being hands-on (if you’re as OC as me) is that details are not as overwhelming especially if you’re just a small group of below 15 people. You can plan and implement everything yourselves!"
Suppliers list
Ceremony venue: Mary the Queen Parish | Reception venue: Café Ysabel, San Juan | Photographer: Atlas Studios | Videographer: Studio King | Bridal gown designer: Rosenthal Tee | Bridal robe: Intissimo | Jewelry designer: Radiant Jewelry | Hair and makeup artist: Ennah Trinidad Groom’s suit designer: Philip Rodriguez | Florist/set designer: Eye Candy Manila | Cake maker: Sugar Craft Manila | Giveaways: Café Ysabel’s Strawberry Short Cake in Tin Cans
Christopher and Krizziamaine in Fernwood Gardens, Quezon City
Change isn't a bad thing. It's change that births uniqueness, great memories, and one heck of a story to tell!
Christopher Narvaez and Krizziamaine Apor, yet another couple whose wedding plans were irrevocably changed by the COVID-19 crisis, took the experience as the ultimate opportunity to remember this time in their lives as the most unmatched, unparalleled time in their relationship. It fits right in with the first 12 years of their relationship, one that Krizziamaine describes as a journey that started off rather uniquely from day one.
If there's anything that husband and wives in-the-making can learn from Mr. and Mrs. Narvaez, it's that unconventional can be the big, pretty bow you need to wrap up your most special day as a couple!
What we love about this wedding: You have to see the reflective mirrored aisle the bride walked in that was accentuated with white pillars—it gave a luxurious feel to the magical rustic setting of this garden wedding. The event may have been intimate, but there sure was no shortage of lush elements here, starting from the design of the venue itself.
Christoper & Krizziamaine
Christoper & Krizziamaine
What was your wedding's theme?
According to bride Krizziamaine, her wedding was a rustic-modern celebration.
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How long did you prepare for this wedding?
Christopher and Krizziamaine spent practically a year planning out their big day.
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How long did you prepare for the wedding?
"After a year of planning our special day, May 08, 2020, our 12th year anniversary, we were informed that we would have to postpone with only three months left on our countdown," this bride shares.
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Why did you decide to push through with a pandemic wedding?
"With strong faith, hope, and love, Christopher and I decided that there was no way we weren’t getting married as planned," she adds.
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How do you feel about getting married amidst a pandemic?
"We were so glad it happened the way it did. From the very first day we met, we’ve had a unique story, so it’s fitting that this chapter starts off unique too!" Krizziamaine says.
What are the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"We did a Facebook livestreaming with a twist, as they can still participate virtually through the games prepared with, of course, prizes. Also, for my parents living with me in Canada could watch the whole ceremony and so did our other relatives and friends locally and internationally."
What are the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"We put so much effort into our wedding, and there were lots of comments saying it was an 'exquisite garden wedding.' But apparently, our topmost favorite was that our wedding resembles our personalities as a couple and individuals."
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What were the highlights of your big day?
"People say all the time that the most important thing about the wedding is having each other. The COVID-19 crisis proved that to be true."
What were the highlights of your big day?
"Having each other and the people who matter most gathered around us that day was special in a whole different way. It was a perfect day amidst the scary world we are currently in. It gave us our story; that comes from love, vulnerability and remembering that there is beauty in everything. [It was] the most magical evening.”
Suppliers list
Ceremony and reception venues: Fernwood Gardens, Quezon City | Wedding coordinator: Kiss the Girl Events | Photographer and Videographer: NicePrint Photo | Caterer: K by Cunanan | Bridal designer: Princess Kisha Boutique | Hair and makeup artist: Ennah Trinidad Make-up Artistry | Entourage Gowns: Sweety Bridal Gowns Boutique | Florist and set styling: Party Marathon | Cake maker: Edible Dreams Cakeshop | Giveaways: Rainbow Crafts & Dreality Souvenirs
Andrea and Camille in Palacio de Memoria, Parañaque
When you know, you know. There are connections that run deeper than what the eye observes or what the hand feels with a caress. These are the invisible things that the heart just knows, forces that grow stronger with each step a bride takes down the aisle as she meets her groom—or in Camille Diago-Lhullier's case, down the stairs at the Palacio de Memoria dressed up with 12,000 roses in full bloom.
The bride with a love for all things with beautiful histories saw herself writing her own that day for the first time as a married woman. It will be the first of many, many chapters that she and Andrea Albani will write together.
What we love about this wedding: For one, Palacio de Memoria is a stunning heritage home-turned-events place that features remarkable architecture and a visually rich interior design that looks lavish even with minimal décor. Still, the couple tapped event stylist Gideon Hermosa, who gave the grand staircase in the venue a hefty dose of romance as it was dressed up with 12,000 roses. Then, of course, the bride's tea-length, off-shoulder outfit done in Mark Bumgarner's signature clover dress silhouette—so chic!
Andrea & Camille
Andrea & Camille
About the bride
In Metro.Style's feature on Andrea Albani and Camille Lhullier's society wedding, Monchet Olives writes, "Born to a family whose passion for collection is legendary, the younger Camille was the perfect curator, then manager for an auction house out to challenge an established environment of all things collectible." Blessed to have been surrounded with many people with a taste for the finer things in life and the drive to be able to claim these things as her own, Camille lives and breathes sophistication and refinement. She lived and studied in Rome, proudly calling herself a "Roman girl." Heading to Manila to find her own way as a business leader, just as her siblings have, she eventually accomplished something truly to be proud of. "Together with her sister Angelique Lhuillier-Miranda, they built a business dedicated to European objet d’arts, a third auction house in Manila with a rapacious appetite for the new (or the unique). And with that, their monumental achievement, the restoration of a pre-war estate that was to be named Palacio de Memoria," Monchet narrates.
About the groom
On the other hand, Andrea Albani is a diplomat. He hails from San Marino, an Italian microstate, much like the Vatican. "Their family has been co-regents in a unique parliamentary democratic republic where the captain regents are both heads of state and of government," according to Monchet. Aside from being a diplomat, Andrea also has a Hong Kong-based company.
How they met
"In November of 2018, she received a call from her elder brother, Jean Henri Lhuillier, CEO to the Cebuana Lhuillier enterprise and the Honorary Consul General of the Most Serene Republic of San Marino to the Philippines. She was asked to entertain a visiting Marino diplomat Andrea Albani. This, to both Andrea and Camille, felt a sense of consonance in their heart. It, perhaps, was the yin and yang of it," Monchet describes. And according to Camille herself, their initial interactions weren't so much love at first sight, but rather something more along the lines of "When you know, you know.”
The relationship
Camille and Andrea were a long distance couple for sometime; Camille remained in Manila to manage her own affairs, while Andrea found himself working for an investment firm in Hong Kong. The two would often see each other, enjoying long distance dates and falling deeper and deeper in love with each one.
The engagement, officially
"In January of this year, Camille’s and Andrea’s parents met in Rome for the 'la pedida de mano,' asking for her hand in marriage. With Andrea’s grandmother’s engagement ring slipped on her finger, the couple began preparations," Monchet writes.
The arrival of an unwelcome guest
COVID arrived, and in just a few months' time, turned Camille and Andrea's plans upside down. They were initially set for an October wedding and in Italy, no less, with all of their family present. Monchet tells us, "The idea for the wedding changed. And with no end in sight due the COVID-19 scare, the couple opted to take on their 'for keeps' attitude, and prepared for a civil wedding. 'If there is anything more unnerving, it is to get through all the paperwork for a civil wedding in this country. Together, we had to navigate through the city hall of Makati to get the right paperwork. For Andrea, we needed official translated documents as proof. The paperwork seemed endless and took time. That is why I admire Andrea, he was always calm and collected, and kept me even keel,' comments Camille."
The preparations, round 2
Camille had two weeks to finetune the details of what would be her biggest day with her husband-to-be. She found a judge, planned her venue decor, projected her glam and beauty needs for her wedding day - all the while continuing to run her auction house in the background. In the end, some of the most notable suppliers she worked with were event stylist Gideon Hermosa, photographer Oly Ruiz, videographer Jason Magbanua, and finally, the best part, finding the perfect venue in her very own Palacio de Memoria. Hers would be the first family wedding at the location.
And then, the dress
"And there was the dress. The tea length dress by Mark Bumgarner was Camille’s choice. 'She wanted something elegant and simple for this intimate wedding,' says the celebrity fashion designer. 'I thought of recreating my signature clover dress but with an off-shoulder neckline. The venue is both romantic and historic. I wanted her and her dress to exude classic modern simplicity,' he continues," according to Monchet.
The day's highlights
As narrated by Monchet, "Camille came early for the ceremony. She dressed up in Palacio de Memoria’s bridal suite, putting on her own makeup, and with the help of the stylist, got herself ready. This, while keeping tabs on the day’s Online Auction. It seems that you can never separate the business and the pleasure of it for this woman. She slipped on her dress, her duchess satin vintage dress with a voluminous petticoat, sans bridesmaid. Camille remarks that Mark was the sweetest, slipping in a short veil and mask which she only took off for picture taking... With a small bouquet in hand, shortly before 1 p.m., she took the lift to her second floor office, and prepared herself for her walk down the stairs."
The future
May 2021 - fingers crossed, it'll be the date when Camille and Andrea will finally get to hold their Italy-bound ceremony, with everyone in attendance. Their civil wedding had only siblings in attendance as it excluded older family members on purpose. In the meantime, Camille and Andrea are happy to be in Manila together, finally, as husband and wife. Camille continues to manage her auction house's activities, while Andrea does his financial consulting from Manila, too. As to their future plans, the ever hardworking Camille quips, “Live a day at a time, and get back to work!”
Marc and Patricia in East Ocean Palace, Parañaque
A dictionary defines classic as something "judged over a period of time to be of the highest quality and outstanding of its kind." There really is beauty and strength in that which has stood the test of time, and for newlyweds Marc Lim and Patricia Tan, this couldn't have been more true for both their wedding and relationship.
Despite their wedding plans absorbing big blows from 2020's events, their intimate ceremony and wedding party was nothing but beautiful. They went for classic white, a color beloved for its symbolism of a fresh page like that bestowed upon a couple on their wedding day, and more so, found it within themselves to be more than okay with the changes to their big day as it was about their relationship, and not about an event after all—a classic lesson to learn by husbands and wives beginning their journey of wedded bliss.
What we love about this wedding: We are in awe of the ethereal and classic all-white venue styling by Teddy Manuel; it had a crescent-shaped accent on the stage, dressed up with 1,000 blooms of white gladiolus. The bride's voluminous ruffled gown by the Princess Tan Sisters was jaw-droppingly beautiful as well.
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Marc & Patricia
Marc & Patricia
What was your wedding's theme?
Patricia Tan, now happily Mrs. Lim, tells us that she had a classic, white-themed wedding.
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
Their East Ocean Palace wedding took a year to plan.
What was the original plan for your wedding?
"The original plan was to have the wedding ceremony in a Christian church and the reception in a hotel," Patricia begins.
Why did you decide to push through with a pandemic wedding?
"We pushed through the wedding because we focused ourselves on our main goal which was to be married," she continues.
What were the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
She says, "Due to the pandemic, we decided to have our wedding ceremony and reception at one area which is in East Ocean Palace."
What were the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"Our altar was also our stage and dance floor. We also had online streaming for our relatives and friends who couldn’t be with us due the government restrictions."
What were the highlights of your big day?
"The main highlight was of course getting married to each other," Patricia shares.
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What were the highlights of your big day?
"Also, it was intimate so we really got to have special moments with each of our guests," she adds.
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Suppliers list
Ceremony and reception venue: East Ocean Palace | Wedding coordinator: Christine Ong Te Events | Photographer and videographer: NicePrint Photo | Bridal designer: Princess Tan Sisters | Bridal shoes: YSL | Hair and makeup: Niki Medina | Entourage designer: Princess Tan Sisters
Suppliers list
Invitations/Printers: Popgram | Event stylist or florist: Teddy Manuel | Online Streaming: Live Manila by Atom Ungson
Steven and Gaile in Conrad Manila
Who would have thought that downsizing a wedding, one originally planned to welcome 900 guests, would offer magnified results? There were warmer intimacy, larger-than-life memories, and hearts bursting big with gratefulness and happiness.
The hallmark of a beautiful occasion, it's close to impossible for these newlyweds to put day's emotions into words; after an almost three-year engagement, Steven Chuacokiong and Gaile Tan tied the knot under different circumstances than what was planned for, and in the end, celebrated what can never be minimized, diminished, or lessened in any way—their love for each other as husband and wife.
What we love about this wedding: Despite the restrictions when it comes to holding gatherings amidst the pandemic, this couple pulled off a grand event that still followed safety protocols. Their ballroom was styled with vibrant elements with chinoiserie as the anchor theme. The simplicity and the silhouette of the bride's wedding gown from White Label Bridal also made a stunning statement.
Steven & Gaile
Steven & Gaile
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What was your wedding's theme?
"Modern Chinoiserie. Our wedding reception was inspired by our wedding invitation. We envisioned our wedding to be colorful, unique but still elegant at the same time. For the church, we kept it simple and dainty with baby’s breath flower arrangements, and for the reception, we opted for a more vibrant feel with fresh unique flowers with chinoiserie details. Everything was done perfectly by the team of Gideon Hermosa," Gaile says.
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
"Steven proposed March 2018 and we decided to have our wedding on November 8, 2020 so we actually had a long preparation time. But then COVID happened and we completely paused all our planning since we didn’t know if we would be able to push through. By June when GCQ was declared, we decided to just push through with our November wedding and started planning again. Everything was still uncertain until the last month of our wedding date."
What were your original plans for your wedding?
"We both grew up in big families. Steven’s dad has 10 siblings while my dad is very active with his organizations so our initial guest count was around 900! We have relatives and friends from abroad who already filed their work leaves so they could attend our wedding. But then COVID happened, so we had to make some changes. We didn’t want to have an intimate wedding this year and have another bigger wedding next year like some of the couples we’ve heard of, so we decided to just push through with one intimate wedding but with the same design and theme as what we wanted for our dream wedding," Gaile describes.
Why did you decide to push through with a pandemic wedding?
"[I still wore] a long gown [and worked] with our dream suppliers that we chose since the very beginning. We also didn’t want to postpone it because we weren’t sure how the situation would be next year. We were very fortunate that our date was at the latter part of the year so the situation was not as strict as the first few months of lockdown. We were still able to celebrate just like the normal weddings pre-COVID, but of course with safety protocols in place. We were able to celebrate with our immediate relatives and our closest friends."
What were the challenges you encountered while planning the wedding?
"Planning a pandemic wedding was quite challenging because it's so hard to stay at home because you’ll have so many wedding errands, risking ourselves to be exposed to people. At one point, two months before our wedding, Steven tested positive. We had to cancel our out of town prenup shoot. Good thing, his symptoms were mild and none of his family members got the virus. He was able to recover fast and tested negative in his next swab. We tried to minimize our wedding errands to keep ourselves and our family safe because the big day was fast approaching. With the help of our coordinators, we were able to do the planning without having to leave the house."
What were the challenges you encountered while planning the wedding?
"Even though challenging, our wedding planning was still memorable. We are beyond thankful because we were also able to experience having a prenup shoot video with the talented team of Studio King. Just a few weeks before our wedding, the team of Metrophoto were able to suggest a place just within Manila, and we were still able to push through with a safe and memorable prenup shoot to complete our wedding experience."
What were the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"Working in the wedding industry and dressing up brides for the last five years, I often thought about what I will wear when the day comes. I thought that I would have a hard time choosing a gown because I’ve seen so many pretty gowns worn by our brides and I want to wear them all! But actually, it’s true what they say, when you wear 'that' dress, you’ll just know that it’s the one. I chose an RTW gown from our collection in White Label Bridal, something very personal for me because I've always dreamt of wearing our own collection one day. The gown initially had a really big train but given the circumstance, the big train wasn’t that appropriate anymore. We altered the dress train [to be] shorter and we were still able to make a dress for my niece as her role as a little bride."
What were the highlights of your big day?
"After our wedding, people were saying we were very lucky because our wedding was sandwiched by two of the biggest typhoons to hit the Philippines - typhoon Rolly and typhoon Ulysses. As I remember that day, the sky was clear and the weather was perfect. There were no rains all throughout the day. We were able to take pictures at the back garden of the church with our entourage. We were able to say our vows to each other, and just as we finished taking photos, it drizzled lightly and we were greeted by a beautiful rainbow."
What were the highlights of your big day?
"Everything is more special when celebrating a wedding during the pandemic because a simple attendance will mean so much. We were really grateful for all our families and friends who celebrated with us because we know it took them a lot of consideration and risk for them to leave their house and attend our wedding. Just seeing them in person and talking to them were a big highlight of our day."
Suppliers list
Ceremony venue: Santuario de San Antonio Church | Reception venue: Conrad Hotel | Wedding coordinator: Christine Ong Te Events | Photographer: Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto | Videographer: King Caldera of Studio King | Caterer: China Blue of Conrad Hotel | Bridal gown and robe, and entourage gowns: White Label Bridal | Bridal shoes: Loeffler Randall | Hair and makeup artist: Mk Qua and Aries Manal | Groom’s outfit: Cornell’s Tailoring | Invitations/Printers: Popgram Printing | Invitation artwork: Kesa Obcena | Church Florist: Spruce Flowers | Reception Florist: Gideon Hermosa | Cake maker: Penk Ching | Entertainment: Manila Philharmonic Orchestra | Wedding hashtag: #Stevegotgaile
Aaron and Bernice in Ministry of Crab, Shangri-La at the Fort
Love can brave any storm—including literal ones, and the most powerful ones in the history of global weather, at that!
Aaron and Bernice became husband and wife with Typhoon Ulysses at their tail, threatening the couple with a historic downpour that could have been enough to dampen their spirits on their first day as Mr. and Mrs. But with God's grace, a solid coordination team, and a little luck on their side (enough luck to turn a monster storm into a tamable drizzle within hours), Aaron and Bernice emerged from their beautiful church wedding safe and dry, save for a few wet cheeks in the crowd moist with happy tears.
Love can brave any storm—a day or two of bad weather stands no chance against what love sets out to do.
What we love about this wedding: Their wedding ceremony was held in Manila Cathedral, a favorite church venue for weddings. It was almost always full, but because of the safety protocols in place, the venue only had few people then, so it looked like they had the church all to themselves. There may have been a typhoon on the day of their wedding, but the smiles on their faces outshone the gloomy weather in their photos.
Aaron & Bernice
Aaron & Bernice
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
"The proposal was in March 2019, while the original wedding date was June 6, 2020. We finished booking most of the suppliers as early as April 2019 (except for attires, band, and invitations). We made sure to get the suppliers that we really wanted so we started early. We resumed with the wedding preparations in January 2020, then the pandemic and ECQ happened."
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
"We considered moving the wedding to a later date around April 2020 and we initially looked at December 2020 or later but we couldn't finalize because we could not consult the Feng Shui expert during the ECQ."
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
"We went to the Feng Shui expert in June and decided to still hold the wedding this year, either on November 12, 2020 or December 7, 2020 - mainly because the Feng Shui expert said that since a wedding is an auspicious event, we should not delay it any further, and that since we do not know how long the pandemic will last, waiting for another year or so might not be worthwhile. We then decided to push through on November 12 since that was the common date for all our suppliers."
What were your original plans for your wedding?
"The original plan was at a different venue’s grand ballroom and the estimated number of guests was at 600 to 700. The theme was supposed to be Tuscany or rustic. We planned to have trees inside the venue with hanging lights and a VIP table under a trellis with the palette being dusty colors. We changed the venue to Shangri-La at the Fort. We initially booked two sections of the grand ballroom but we would only be allowed to use them if Metro Manila would be under MGCQ, so we ended up at the Ministry of Crab. The reason for the change of venue was mainly because of the smaller venue and we felt that it would be less crowded."
What adjustments did you have to do?
"To maximize the allowed seating capacity of the Ministry of Crab, the trees and trellis could not fit, so we decided to change our venue design. Also there were restrictions imposed by Shangri-la on the allowed props so we had to adjust to those as well."
What were the challenges you encountered while planning the wedding?
"We actually started re-planning the wedding reception around October, but we couldn't finalize anything since all were waiting for the new guidelines to be released. Final plans (the seat plan, venue setup, program) were finalized three days to a week before the wedding."
What were the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"The matching custom face mask of couple and entourage (with attire), the table number setup (each person got a table number card with their name and thank you note) at the entrance, and long dining tables instead of round tables to maximize venue space."
What were the highlights of your big day?
"[It was the] same day as Typhoon Ulysses. We were awake the whole night and were watching the news. The scheduled call time was 5:30 AM at Shangri-la for bride preps. Due to strong rain and road safety concerns, the schedule got delayed. Prep started at 8a.m. Other suppliers also arrived late. So we had to compress the time for the shoots and we left the hotel the latest possible time. Fortunately, travel time from hotel to church was fast, almost no traffic. And by the time of the ceremony, it was only drizzling."
What were the highlights of your big day?
"Luckily, we were able to take photos outside the church after the ceremony. Our photographer said that it was almost always packed with people before the pandemic so it was difficult to take photos. We made the reception program short, mainly speeches from close friends and family (and a live video call from the bride’s sister in Canada) so it was really intimate and we made sure that the food was adequate."
Suppliers list
Ceremony venue: Manila Cathedral | Reception venue: Ministry of Crab, Shangri-La at the Fort | Wedding coordinator: Christine Ong-Te Events | Photographer: Chestknots Studio | Videographer: Mayad Studios | Wedding dress and entourage gowns: Vee Tan Studios | Bridal robe: Eve the Label | Groom’s outfit: Felipe and Sons | Entourage Suits: Exclusively His Tailoring | Jewelry: J’s Diamond | Hair and makeup: Ennah Trinidad & Carlo Umipig | Invitations/Printers: Invitation Designs by Kenneth Uy | Florist: Eventstyles by Kathy Sy King | Host: Jerome Go | Band: Kadense | Event styling: Eventstyles by Kathy Sy King | Cake maker: Penk Ching | Wedding hashtag: #mAARONforeBER #AARONsBERNingLove
Bow and Sab in Tomo Japanese Dining, San Juan
Going full circle—that's what the Cua-Abis nuptials were like.
Never mind that they had to chuck their original plans of throwing a wedding party good for 400 or more guests; when they downscaled their reception to just a party of a dozen, the newlyweds found themselves in the most romantic of situations. Bow and Sab enjoyed their first meal together as husband and wife in the same spot where he asked her the question of a lifetime, where this chapter in their lives had a joyous beginning.
It just goes to show us that Plan B doesn't mean settling for less; the "B" in this plan can very well stand for beautiful, beyond expectations, and (so much) better!
What we love about this wedding: The fact that their reception was held in the exact place he proposed to her make their choice more meaningful. Their loved ones also drove by the church to be able to celebrate with them albeit for a short period of time.
Bow & Sab
Bow & Sab
What was your wedding's theme?
"We wanted to go for a vibe that’s classy and romantic but soft and playful. My favorite color’s pink, and so I wanted to play around the colors of blush, cream, nude, with accents of peach and lavender," Sab, now Mrs. Cua, shares.
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
"Bow proposed in August 2019 and we started planning a month after," she continues.
How long did you prepare for this wedding?
"By January 2020, we were able to book almost all our suppliers, but come May, we had to start revisiting our plans for adjustments due to uncertainties in protocols, guidelines, and more especially the extent of this pandemic."
What were your original plans for your wedding?
"We originally planned for a traditional wedding with full entourage and full course meal at a hotel reception with around 450 guests."
Why did you decide to push through with a pandemic wedding?
"We decided that nothing – not even this crazy pandemic – was going to get in our way of starting our lives together."
Why did you decide to push through with a pandemic wedding?
"We agreed that the safest way to go about this is to get married in the presence of just our families, and still make it the most fun, memorable, and meaningful day of our lives."
What were the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"Since we had to cancel our reception plans, we decided to bring ourselves back to where our journey started. We celebrated our wedding in the exact same room where Bow asked me to marry him. We reserved a private dining experience at our family’s favorite Japanese restaurant."
What were the highlights of your big day?
"We got a professional streamer to do a live stream of our wedding. Since it was important for me to still recognize our entourage, I made sure to tweak the wedding stream program a little bit to make it more personal. We [had a] segment where we streamed our bridesmaids and groomsmen live from wherever they were watching. And since we had entourage based in different parts of the world (Vancouver, Toronto, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi), it was good seeing all of their faces on the same screen!"
What were the highlights of your big day?
"We had planned for it to be a completely closed off event, given the high risk nature of our parents. However, with friends as thoughtful as they come, they prepared a small drive-by outside the church to still be able to celebrate with us. This was a really great highlight of our wedding. It was such a lovely surprise especially with all the décor – banners, balloons, and car stickers of our logo!"
Suppliers list
Ceremony venue: Mary the Queen Parish | Reception venue: Tomo Japanese Dining | Wedding coordinator: Christine Ong Te Events | Photographer: Benjie Tiongco | Videographer: Cinemaworks Wedding Art Film | Bridal gown: Rosa Clara | Bridal robe: La Tercera | Bridal shoes: Jefferson Si | Hair and makeup artist: Effie Iñigo | Groom’s outfit: Bonnie’s Tailoring | Invitations/Printers: Details Ink | Florist: Gathered Creative | Gift registry: Abenson and Crate & Barrel | Wedding hashtag: #CUArantinewedding
Anna and Geloy in Gallery MiraNila by The Blue Leaf, Quezon City
This wedding is, no doubt, one of the most beautiful weddings we've seen in 2020. It was elegant and luxurious, with lots of well thought out details.
Anna Cay had been documenting her road to the aisle on her YouTube channel—from their pre-nup shoot to their wedding ring hunt to the wedding gown fitting to food tasting to last-minute shopping before the big day. All these moments were wrapped up beautifully in one stylish and heartwarming event that reunited them with their loved ones.
The same-day edit video of their wedding has reached more than 600,000 views on YouTube, as netizens not only loved how stunning all the design elements came together but also their tear-jerking vows.
What we love about this wedding: There are many things to love about this wedding really. That the venue was breathtakingly dressed up by Gideon Hermosa with a luxurious yet warm ambiance is a given. But as is the intention for every wedding, the bride must shine above all, and Anna did with her sophisticatedly sultry wedding gown by Mak Tumang, as styled by Jeff Galang. It is definitely not obvious that they only had a little over a week to pull off this look. Of her wedding gown, Anna says, "This Mak Tumang gown is actually a skintone unitard underneath so you can see the silhouette. It doesn't feel like I'm wearing a gown at all. Comfort and elegance entwined."
Anna & Geloy
Anna & Geloy
As the story goes, their wedding was supposed to be held last September 22 but it was postponed because of the changes in quarantine rules and restrictions. Their wedding planning team La Belle Fête shares, "From Batangas to a hotel in Manila, we ended up planning a week before the wedding due to massive movements and ever-changing guidelines... Batangas is still in GCQ, and the hotel in Metro Manila they were eyeing suddenly decided to defer accepting events till next year. With QC’s mandates regarding holding events with 100 guests or 30% capacity of the venue (whichever is less), we pushed through booking a safe venue (for the 3rd time) that can hold/accommodate 250 pax for our 60 guests consisting of their family members and closest friends."
On her YouTube channel, Anna Cay posted a disclaimer, to tell everyone that they decided to get married amidst the pandemic with consideration to the safety of their guests.
Anna says, "After scouring various options, we booked a safe venue for our outdoor ceremony with a reception hall that can actually hold 250 pax - ample for social distancing for our 60 guests and following Quezon City’s mandate of having weddings with 30% capacity of the venue or 100 guests, whichever is less."
She continues, "We ALL got tested (series of RT-PCR and Antigen swab tests), and almost all of our guests were isolated in a hotel in BGC before the wedding. Despite this strict implementation of ”no tests, no entry” policy, we maintained social distancing, incorporated in both the ceremony and reception layout. We did health declarations and all SOPs. At the same time, guests were encouraged to put their masks on, which some took off during pictorials and the sit-down dinner."
Talking about one of the highlights of this wedding, wedding planner/coordinator La Belle Fête shares, "We got a phone call from Geloy to help him pull off a lovely surprise for Anna. While familiarity and comfort are indeed delightful, however at times, the element we call magic is left amiss. Small acts, big moments, they get blurred in the mix. He was not able to pop the question formally, and he wanted to do it right because Anna deserved it. She deserves all the loveliest, most beautiful things, including that wonderful moment. And so during his vows, he bent his knee and swept off her feet - completely."
It was gloomy on their big day, and theirs happened to be a garden wedding, so they prayed a lot for the sun to shine and they were blessed with good weather just hours before the ceremony began.
La Belle Fête says, "God is a mighty God. After numerous stumbling blocks, pitstops, change of plans, and the colossal hurdle that is the pandemic, Geloy and Anna finally tied the knot one beautiful afternoon with the sun shining so bright after threats of rains and dark clouds hours before the ceremony began. The glimmer of light beamed endlessly as Anna walked down the aisle while Geloy waited on the other end, the end of his waiting after countless years of being together. Finally, they are here, where they belong - in a moment we call 'ever after.'"
Keep scrolling for more photos from this beautiful wedding.
Suppliers list
Photographer: Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto | Videographer: Cinemaworks | Fashion stylist: Jeff Galang | Makeup: Jelly Eugenio | Hairstylist: Paul Nebres | Wedding gown designer: Mak Tumang | Nail artist: Mimi Qiu Reyes | Rings: Meicel Jewelry | Wedding planner: La Belle Fête | Grooming: The Spoiled Groom | Suit designer: Orias | Florist: Gideon Hermosa | Caterer: Bizu | Host: Yesu | Wedding officiator: Pastor Reuel Tica | Wedding hashtag: #CayGeloynasiAnna
Patty and Sam in Conrad Manila
If there's anything the pandemic did for this couple, it was to make them realize that they can't live without each other and can't bear to be apart from one another for a long time. It strengthened their relationship and convinced them it was time to take it to the next level.
This wedding was three and half months in the making. They really intended to hold their wedding in Manila but were planning to hold a bigger beach reception in Bohol after; the other celebration is on the backburner for now, but despite that, Patty Mendoza and Sam Paler are now glad to spend every waking day next to each other.
2021 may just be starting but it's already a brighter and better year for these two, because they can now go through these uncertain times together.
What we love about this wedding: We love the bride's unique wedding dress by Atelier Esme—the color, the design, the silhouette. It went perfectly well with their color scheme which Patty described as "warm, sunset tones." Her bouquet was equally unique as it was bigger than usual. And since the couple discovered K-pop boy group BTS last year, they learned the dance moves of "Dynamite" and grooved to its tune as they made their way to their reception venue as Mr. and Mrs.
Patty & Sam
Patty & Sam
What was your wedding's theme?
In this interview, the bride shares, "We went for a 'romantic minimalist' vibe, softened by warm, sunset tones. We just came up with the term when we had trouble trying to explain to our suppliers that we just wanted soft and subtle décor, but it's not too stiff or industrial. We’re a super chill no-frills couple, so the theme worked so well for us because we didn’t want to overdo it or blow our budget – given the situation and the [greatly reduced] guest count."
How long did you prepare for your wedding?
"Around three and a half months! We started planning around August of last year, when we accepted that it would be tough for us to stick to the original plan. It’s a good thing we already booked our major suppliers by then, so all we had to do was figure out how best to utilize them given the many changes we had to make."
What were your original plans for your wedding?
"Our original plan was to have a small church wedding in Manila, and then throw a big beach reception party with all of our friends a week later in Bohol (where we first met)."
Why did you decide to push through with a pandemic wedding?
"When the lockdown happened, we were living separately and couldn’t see each other for quite some time. We quickly realized that should this happen again, the only people we’d want to get stuck with are each other. And so we decided to hold on to our Q4 wedding schedule, although we’ll admit it was really tough to plan a wedding when the restrictions and guidelines changed every two weeks or so."
What are the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"My 'dress' by Atelier Esme was actually a set of two-piece separates. My brief to Esme was anchored on practicality, elegance, and comfort. I wasn’t too keen on ballgown silhouettes, lace, and beadwork, so I wanted something toned down. But being a romantic at heart, I didn’t want it to be too plain! After showing Esme the silhouette I liked, I trusted her to work on all the beautiful details. In the end, she designed a pleated light peach organdy top with puffed bell sleeves and a matching veil, complemented by a serpentine skirt."
What are the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"I was so in love with my bouquet, a beautiful blush, peach, and cream creation consisting of a mix of dried and fresh flowers. It was bigger than the usual, so it paired well with my gown’s toned-down design. I love it so much, I haven’t thrown it out until now."
What are the unique or special design elements in your wedding?
"The great thing about an intimate wedding is that you can really focus on the smaller details and make it a safe and special experience for your guests. At the church, we distributed customized hygiene kits (hand cream, hand sanitizer, and hand wash) so they can keep sanitizing throughout the day, including silk face masks in case theirs broke or went missing. At the dining tables, which only seated 4-6 per table instead of the usual 10, we had menu cards with their names, too! Our suppliers really helped make it special for everyone, and we’re so thankful. Normally you’d need a lot of décor elements (ceiling, entryway, big centerpieces) to transform a hotel venue, but since the restaurant we held it in had a panoramic bay view of the sunset, we really didn’t need much to make it look beautiful! Simple centerpieces and sunset-tone floral accents complemented the table setup and backdrop. We appreciated how nothing was overdone and how our florist Fionna stuck to the theme perfectly."
What are the highlights of your big day?
"We discovered BTS during the pandemic and fell in love with their song, 'Dynamite' – it’s the kick of good vibes that we all need! We loved it so much, we devoted time to learn the dance so we can make it our reception entrance song. Because our program consisted of a lot of speeches, we had to be extra creative in terms of engaging our guests (no more singles’ games or games that would encourage close contact). We used to go to a lot of quiz nights, and we incorporated our own “quiz night” segment using the app Kahoot! It was a hit."
What are the highlights of your big day?
"We wanted to be prepared for the possibility that we would go back to GCQ, so we asked our original entourage to make a series of funny and heartwarming videos, in case it could only be us two and our immediate family on that day. Little did we know that our siblings. Also prepared a similar surprise: they compiled a bunch of video greetings from friends and family who couldn’t be there at our wedding! We were so floored (read: overcome with emotion!!!), we were literally sobbing throughout the entire thing. We enjoyed our intimate wedding immensely – it was just so full of love and we had a good feeling that everyone in the room felt it too."
Suppliers list
Ceremony venue: Iglesia Ni Cristo Locale of Pasay | Reception venue: C Lounge, Conrad Manila | Wedding planner or coordinator: We actually planned everything ourselves! But our on-the-day (OTD) coordinator was Audrey Alata and the Bouquets and Tiaras team | Photographer: Angelo and Mare of Atlas Studios | Videographer: Big Dipper Co. | Caterer: C Lounge, Conrad Manila | Bridal gown: Atelier Esme (Esme Palaganas) | Bridal robes: La Senza and Amelia in Lace (gifted by bridesmaids) | Bridal shoes: Neil Lane by Nine West | Groom’s outfit: Ziggy Savella | Entourage Gowns: Atelier Esme, Zoo Label, Love C, and some wore outfits that they already owned | Invitations/Printers: Mela Garcia of Kasali | Church Florist: Rowena Tiu of Ysabela Florist | Host: JC Alelis | Bride and Entourage Florist + Reception Florist: Sublime by Fionna | Giveaways/Hygiene Kits: BG Lim of BC Fragrance | Jeweler: Connie Diaresco, Jacatel | Cake: M Bakery BGC | Hair and makeup artists: Bride and Groom - Thea Dionisio and Enrico Santiago | Entourage: Iya Gueco and Renzo Lusterio | Wedding hashtag: #SamPattyToLove
Lead photos from NicePrint Photo, Metrophoto, Benjie Tiongco, and Atlas Studios
