2021 may have been a year of recovery, healing, and rediscoveries, but it has also witnessed grand celebrations worth remembering.
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) lists the grandest celebrity weddings amidst the pandemic.
ARA MINA AND DAVE ALMARINEZ
The actress looked regal in her Leo Amodal fully crystallized bridal ball gown, a gift from her younger sisters Cristine Reyes and Heidi Gatmaytan.
The main highlights of the event were the couple's heartwarming vows and performances for their guests. Ara sang Regine Velasquez’s “Pangako,” while Dave gave his all with Gary Valenciano’s “Ikaw Lamang.” They also did a duet, performing Alamid’s “Your Love.”
Meanwhile, the couple’s friends from both showbiz and politics drove all the way to Baguio to witness their grand union.
In attendance were: Ara’s half-brother Macky Mathay and his long-time partner Sunshine Cruz, Martin Nievera, Dingdong Avanzado with wife Jessa Zaragoza and daughter Jayda, Patricia Javier, and more.
Also part of the star-studded guest list were Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Senator Ralph Recto and wife Lipa Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, and Bulacan Mayor Patrick Meneses, the bride’s ex-boyfriend and dad of her six-year-old daughter, Mandy.
KRIS BERNAL AND PERRY CHOI
For Kris Bernal, her wedding with entrepreneur and chef Perry Choi was “a dream come true.”
It was Kris’ dream for her wedding day to be filled with sunflowers, her “top most favorite flower,” and event stylist Gideon Hermosa made sure that the motif was on point. She even referred to her wedding as “sunshine in a sunflower field.”
According to the bride, sunflowers symbolize “unwavering faith and unconditional love. It reminds me of the face of the sun that sends pure joy and positive vibes to me.”
In an Instagram post on September 26, she wrote, “My wedding day was as magical as the ones that I watch[ed] and read while growing up. [crying face emoji] I felt like I was in a fairytale book. [Dove emoji]”
CARLA ABELLANA AND TOM RODRIGUEZ
The actress’ natural beauty captured hearts as she walked down the aisle wearing a white embroidered Monique Lhuillier gown, her dream wedding dress that she personally picked up from New York.
In her vows, Carla said Tom is her answered prayer. She recalled completing the nine-day "Simbang Gabi" in 2013 and how she wished to meet her future husband, not realizing she had already met him.
Kapuso talents Jasmine Curtis Smith, Rocco Nacino, Alyana Asistio, Christian Bautista, Kelley Day, Erin Ocampo, Valeen Montenegro, Dra. Vicki Belo and her husband Hayden Kho all came to celebrate with the couple.
ELLEN ADARNA AND DEREK RAMSAY
All eyes were on the bride when she walked down the aisle looking stunning and sultry in a high-slit body-hugging Marc Rancy wedding gown.
Meanwhile, the groom was dashing in a light gray coat and trousers by Bianca Cordero.
According to an Instagram post by the wedding coordinator, La Belle Fete, the highlight of the wedding ceremony was the unique concept of the aisle. The post read, “Instead of the usual ramp or path, we put fragments of slates with the couple's favorite song, Freefall by @katetorralba.
“As the sunset on the horizon, with the surprise song number by Kate, the eternal love story of Ellen and Derek started.”
The bride made sure to have a photo taken with her “boys,” namely, her son Elias, Derek, and Derek’s teenage son Austin.
RITZ AZUL AND ALLAN GUY
Ritz Azul and Allan Guy got married twice this year.
In an Instagram post last November 21, a day after their Baguio wedding, Ritz wrote (published as is), "From 'bubustedin na' to this. From 'hindi magaasawa’ to this. From being ‘manhid’ to being so in love.
“Life is full of surprises. [heart emoji]”
TRINA LEGASPI AND RYAN JARINA
The dreamy church wedding at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Makati City was followed by a lovely reception at the Conrad Hotel.
Trina’s fellow Goin Bulilit and Luv U stars were present to witness the couple’s journey to forever. Spotted were John Manalo, Igiboy Flores, and former-child-actress-turned-doctor Angeli Gonzales.
Also present and part of #TeamBride were Liza Soberano and Michelle Vito, who came with beau Enzo Pineda.
LOVELY ABELLA AND BENJ MANALO
Maxine Covar Events, the wedding coordinator of Lovely and Benj, revealed on Instagram that they only had 10 days to make the ceremony come together.
Meanwhile, in an Instagram post, the lovely bride revealed that her Steph Tan dream wedding gown was a gift from her 2019 Hello, Love, Goodbye co-star Kathryn Bernardo.
Part of her lengthy caption read (published as is): “Okay heto na, mabait talaga si Kath saksi ako sa lahat ng yan, at niregalo niya sa akin ang napakagandang wedding gown na suot ko kagabi na gawa ni @stephtancouture…
“Sabi ko My Ga wag na ako na, pero sabi niya regalo daw niya, wag tayong tumatanggi sa blessings yan ang natutunan ko kasi yan ang way nila to share their blessings at para lalo sila maBlessed kaya sabi ko buti NAIHABOL kasi 2 days na lang kasal ko na…"
Talking to Kathryn, she said, “Thank you for everything, salamat sa mabuti mong PUSO, di ko makakalimutan ang regalo mo at kung di dahil sayo, baka wala akong maisuot.. Mahal kita kayo ni Bal [Daniel Padilla]...”
EMPRESS SCHUCK AND VINO GUINGONA
They are parents to their five-year-old daughter, Athalia.
Camille Makasiar, the wedding’s Matron of Honor, posted on Instagram how she has been rooting for “the beginning of Empress' happily ever after.”
The caption read, (published as is): “The road wasn't always smooth and easy for Empress and Vino.
“There were challenges, heartaches and trials but they were only mere chapters of the story of Empress. Those chapters had to happen for the story to eventually lead us all here today.
“The beginning of Empress' happily ever after. Neil, Lance and I are wishing you both only the best! Our home will always be your safe place.”
Vino proposed to the actress on September 27, 2020, during their daughter’s birthday celebration.
SAM PINTO AND ANTHONY SEMERAD
There were less than 12 guests in attendance.
On March 9, Sam posted, “Forever has a nice ring to it. [Ring emoji] Not really a cheesy type of person buuuutttt I promise to spend the rest of my decades with you! I am so ready for our future to rock our world @anthonysemerad [bride and groom emojis]”
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