Photos by Wesley Villarica    |    Hair and Make-up by Diane Coles and Magic Jimenez   |    Styling and words by Alana Barretto   |   Models by Reco

The new couple Mayet and Darwin Mabasa

Getting married by the seashore, with the sky and stretches of sandy beach as mute witnesses, has become the in thing for ultra-modern couples.  And, once again, the captivating Sea Wind beach resort on Boracay island was the preferred choice for these modern-day nuptials. A recent ceremony was held for flight attendant Maristela “Mayet” Cu and band member Darwin Mabasa.  The young pair exchanged vows in a very private affair with only their immediate families in attendance.  Barefoot or clad in sandals, the whole entourage relished the cool sea breeze and powder-fine sand as they witnessed the once-in-a-lifetime profession of love at the beachfront of the incomparable resort headed by Sea Wind president Boy Jarantilla and his charming wife, Ruth

Families of both bride and groom jump for joy

The newlyweds with Bride’s Bestfriend’s Leah Doris Doria

Restaurateur Emma Lagoc and Sea Wind chef Lito Canapé

Sea Wind takes pride in its fresh-water pools, well-appointed Filipiniana-themed villas and a highly efficient staff always ready to provide the best services.   Besides its picturesque surroundings, Sea Wind offers a full range of wedding services including a bridal room, souvenir photos, a sumptuous buffet of international dishes and a memorable wedding cake from the creative culinary team of Sea Wind.  Dream weddings happen without a hitch at Sea Wind.

For inquiries, call 415-1285, email seawind@pacific.net.ph or visit www.seawindresort.net.

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For details, pls. contact:

 SUZETTE D. MORELOS

Jayelles Holdings Phils Inc.

811.12.60 / 844.91.01

+63920.925.1220

After popping the question during our anniversary dinner at Marcia Adams, Alfonso Cavite

In our home, dinnertime always takes an hour or two.  It is always spent passing around stories of what transpired during the day.  Most times, we have light conversations.  But sometimes, serious matters like failing grades and suitors come up.

I can still remember my junior year in high school when I tried to tell my family that somebody was courting me.  I couldn’t decide whether to bring it up while everyone’s plate was still full or while we’re having dessert.  I’m sure my parents were half amused and half worried that their youngest child was thinking of getting into a relationship.  They asked me what I planned to do, and like real parents, they gave me bits of advice.

Richard and I had a similar dilemma when we were deciding how to tell my folks that we were engaged.  We were kicking each other under the table, urging each other to bring up the topic already. From procrastinating the announcement, we finally spilled the beans right before my parents were ready to go upstairs.

My dad after hearing the news

Here’s how the conversation went:

Richard: Tita, Tito, we have something to tell you.

Mom: What’s that?

Richard: I’ve already proposed to Owee…

Mom: Proposed what? A toast?

Richard: (nervous laughter) that we be married.

Looks like everybody's happy!

Dad: Are you guys ready?

Richard: (trying to be funny, asks me) Are we ready? We are, right?

Mom:  When do you plan on getting married?

Richard: Early next year, like March?

Dad: Isn’t that too soon?

(then after dinner, Mom asked if I was pregnant hahaha)

Towards the end of that conversation, Dad finally lightened up and said, “We’d be happy to have you as our son-in-law!”

Too bad nobody was there to take pictures of the actual scene as it happened.  Good thing everyone was game to do a reenactment!

Dad said, "Count, so I'll know when you'll click. Richard, just stand still." Richard had no idea that Dad was gonna give him a hug, hence the awkward pose.

Photos by Nigel Laxamana

These shades are a combination of brown & pink hues. Pink in a romantic shade of old rose is always safe cause all brides are prettier in pink.

Colors for lipstick, cheek tint, and eye shades from Make-up Designory

Juice Organic’s Brightening Facial Kit helps in adding glow to the bride on their wedding day. Since it’s organic and paraben free, it’s safer than most cleansers and moisturizers.

Make-Up Designory Manila is located at Purebeauty, 2F, Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, Philippines.

Will love prevail despite her having an almost-stranger as a husband? We can’t wait to see a testament to true love and marriage in this movie that’s based on a best-selling book. A definite must-see, inspirational movie when you’re in the spirit of wedding preparation.

Photos from Disneydreaming.com    |    Words by Alana Barretto

For intimate settings and romantic backdrops

There is something about destination weddings that many couples favor so much. With the heat of the sun, clear blue skies and sand between your toes, weddings in exotic places have an appeal that cannot be rivaled by any urban landscape. Planning a destination wedding can be fun and exciting. However, out-of-town weddings require a great deal of time and research to be able to make the right decisions.

Destination weddings are held so that guests will be able to enjoy a vacation in itself; the wedding then becomes the cherry on top. Choose a location that is easy to travel to with ample accommodations, nightlife, dining and shopping options.

The Philippines is blessed with wonderful wedding beach locations; Boracay being the most popular. Although the beaches of Cavite and Batangas will be the first few places that will come to mind when destination weddings are mentioned, this may not always be the case. The cool and crisp weather of Baguio and Tagaytay have always been the favorites for out-of-town weddings.  Feeling adventurous? Places like Banaue, Bohol or Cebu are great places to tie the knot.

Make sure to consider the types of activities your guests will be engaging in especially if the wedding is held for a few days. It may be fun to have a whole day of activities planned for your guests, but make sure to give your guests time to be ‘on-vacation’.

The guest list is also a huge consideration. The great thing about destination weddings is that they are a lot more intimate. Having a wedding in a private place is like taking a vacation with your closest family and friends. Instead of one hurried wedding night, you get days to relax and enjoy with those closest to your heart.

Finally and probably the most sensitive aspect will be the budget. Who will be paying for transportation and accommodation expenses? The costs of destination weddings are commonly exaggerated. But with the wedding-planning packages and services most hotels and resorts today offer, planning a wedding even though you’re miles away will not only be convenient but easy on the pocket.

Nature has provided us with the best backdrops to host beautiful weddings. With weddings away from the busy city life, the celebration of love between two people can be highlighted by a truly memorable wedding day.

- Article by Diane Ting

We’d like to welcome our new writer, Diane Ting, to the writer’s pool of Wedding Belle! She’ll be writing for the Planning section of Wedding Belle so keep checking in for her advice! Read more about her in our “About Us” page. Thanks again Diane, happy to have you on board!
-Alana Barretto, Creative Editor

-Alana Barretto, Creative Editor

Cheers,

Jenz

Wedding date : December 23, 2011

Wedding location : Notre Dame de Vie Chapelle / Fernbrook Gardens

Photos by: Paul Vincent Photo

Bridal Gown: Marc Rancy

Video: Ian Cruz Films

Event Stylist & Florist: Scenta Flora

Mobile Bar: Flair Up

Wedding Invites: Paper Flair

Cake: Judy Uson

Entourage Gowns: Boy Kastner Santos & Jenileen Reantoso of Sheaths Couture

(L-R) White water rafting with friends in Cagayan de Oro, At the starting point of the 2011 Tour of the Fireflies, On a zipline in Bacolod

When my sister told us she was getting married, I was doubtful of her decision. I was skeptic because she and her then fiancé had only been together for a year before they decided to tie the knot.  I thought, how can you know that you’re with The One when you’ve only known each other for a short while?

Seven years later, it was my turn to be in that position and the answer stared at me in the face.

(L-R)Hanging out with Guinness World Records’ Smallest Man, Posing with my avatar at an event hosted by one of the orgs we belong to, Asia America Initiative, Repairing bikes for Bikes for the Philippines, Pausing for a break before descending Mt. Pulag

My relationship with Richard is as different as the circumstances in which we met.  The day I met his parents was the day we all found out his dad had cancer.  Several weeks later, Richard and I found ourselves in the middle of organizing a fun run to raise funds for his dad’s treatment.  Our dates were spent volunteering for various charitable organizations.  The only time we went to a park for a walk was when we hiked to Mt. Pulag National Park, which is the third highest peak in the Philippines.

On top of a jeep in Banaue

We were always in situations where our patience and faith in one another were tested.  The twenty months that I have known him have given me enough reason to be confident that though getting married to him is the easiest decision I had to make, it was certainly the wisest one.

Services: Bridal make up

Mobile number: 09494480868, 09154152921

E-mail: aiyana_11@yahoo.com

Photos by Nigel Laxamana

Photos by Nigel Laxamana  at Parallax Studio

Words by Alana Barretto

-Photos from FY Wedding Ideas

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

What a surprise it was for Audrey when Tim showed up outside a restaurant and proposed! Tim really caught Audrey off guard with this proposal–one minute she is enjoying a hot meal, the next, she’s engaged! Above all, it is interesting that he took a current and trendy idea to another level by using memes to propose to her. 9gag-ers all over the world are tipping their hat off to him for coming up with the idea.

Tim did wonderfully with the many different memes that he used in the proposal! It was witty, sincere, and was downright adorable! He told a story with the cards and you can see Audrey was nothing but smiles all throughout. He even threw in a kitten at the end which is just irresistable when it comes to expressing a request. It’ll be hard for netizens to top that one!

We wish Tim and Audrey all the best for their wedding! Hoping that they live happily ever not “forever alone”.

- Article by Alana Barretto