What started as a “for now” thing ended up as a lifetime bond between two beautiful people. Three years ago, Ian was in med school while Diana was a nurse when they were introduced to each other. Both of them weren’t looking for anything serious but fate had other plans. They eventually went on a steady relationship until they got married on this day. :]

How about you? What’s your love story?

Coordination: Anna Sotto
Florist: Serge Igonia
Videography: Bob Nicolas (watch video)
 

Going back to our initial meeting, I asked them – “what’s in Dagupan that can characterize Pangasinan?”, one of their answers that got me excited was the river. The province is famous for its Milkfish and these are usually bred in these waters. I then imagined them on a boat or a raft with a really nice view of the river. Good thing they agreed with me.

Come wedding day, they welcomed me with a surprise..they found a bamboo raft. Though it’s no longer used in the area, months of persuasion paid off when Janelle’s mom got a couple of fishermen to get us one. After the church ceremonies, we set up the shot and I got myself one of the best photographs from the year. It was also humbling that this image was chosen as one of W@W’s 12 best wedding photos of 2012 along with other amazing photographers.

It was exciting to see my vision come to life but it’s always a team effort between me and the couple. Without a bride and groom sharing the same dream shot as mine, we won’t be able to pull it off. This serves as a reminder for us to always work closely with each couple so we can aim better in creating unique images. Enjoy the photos!

Coordination and Styling: Rannie Nieva
Makeup: Maricon Perez
Couturier: Von Lazaro
Videography: Dan Mendiola

It also tested my skills to create unique photos and not just blur the background. Using varying angles and different lighting techniques to have images that the couple can call their own. That’s a personal challenge that I always make sure to follow in each shoot. Unless requested by a couple, I do my best to veer away from what I’ve already done in a past shoot and not place the couple in the same spot as I did with another pair. Where’s the value for money if we’re doing the same thing for everyone right? :]

There were no colourful gowns for the bridesmaids. While it may seem ironic for a jolly occasion, they donned black gowns. As Debbie explained, it disproves the idea of the colour being related to something negative. Personally, the motif exuded elegance that blended well with the colours used at the reception hall. And of course, with happy hearts and bright smiles, how can the celebration possibly be dulled just because of colour selection.

P.S. A few days before the wedding, I found out that Anna, her maid of honor, is actually one of our upcoming 2014 brides. Meanwhile, Anna was also the maid of honor of another bride whose wedding we shot a few weeks after Enrik and Debbie’s. Oh, they didn’t share notes on wedding suppliers. Talk about coincidence. :]

Coordination: Teena Barretto
Makeup: Kate Cruz-Hernandez
Couturier: Edwin Tan
Event Styling: Henry Pascual
Videography: Notion in Motion (watch video)

Two words tantamount to marriage are joy and sacrifice. These are the same things we love about weddings, what we hope to capture and preserve. Luckily for us, there was an abundance of them in this wedding.

Marvin and Maricel are part of the few who dedicate their lives in service and protection of the people. Based in Seattle, where they also met, they serve as members of the U.S. armed forces. It takes courage to commit to marriage but even more so to someone whose duty calls for higher things, bigger sacrifices.

However, there was no trace of fear or hesitation in both their eyes. Only joy. That joy, too, was mirrored in their guests who traversed the Pacific to be present on the day that they take on another kind of duty and devotion.

It was actually our first time to shoot a wedding at the prestigious Shangri-La of Boracay. The beautiful sceneries are a given when shooting a Boracay wedding so that’s one item off our list. Since most of the guests are from the U.S., who would go home without having a taste of our local delicacy? At the reception, guests were asked to join a game where they had to eat a whole balut egg (duck embryo). You should see how they “enjoyed” the game. Have fun checking out the photos of a couple to whom love and the call of duty are one. :]

There was a good balance of contradicting elements for this wedding. Similar to the qualities the red rose imparts, their wedding was intimate and personal. On the other hand, it was set at the modern mecca of Makati and the ceremony took place at the lofty top of Greenbelt residences. The guests were handpicked and only their closest friends and family were present to witness their special day. There were neither playful ideas nor flashy wedding gimmicks but that did not take away the essence of the marriage. Instead, it presented a wedding that was subtly sexy yet classic and timeless altogether.

Hair and Make-up: Randy Sta.Ana and Aaron Lejarde for The Make-up Studio
Couturier: Jun Escario
Bouquet: Vatel Manila
Styling and Catering: Bizu Patiserrie
 

Contrary to popular notion, the sense of solemnity and sincerity was not lost despite the large crowd and spacious venue. We just love capturing moments amidst a vast sea of faces. As seen in some of the photos, people would burst into tears of joy for the couple or out of overwhelming emotions as the groom himself showed.

What’s most interesting about Pat and Pat is the fact that they are an ambigram not because they share the same name. In the same way one can read the same word from different perspectives, they know each other and can read the other not only in the original form presented but also from another manner.

Enjoy the photos and perhaps read more into another chapter of their already interesting enough of a love story. :]

Coordination: Kutchie Zaldarriaga | Getting Married Philippines
Make-up: Pia Reyes
Couturier: Camille Garcia
Videography: Buen Films
 

Mike and Myleen’s wedding was the perfect embodiment of the kind of couple they were – embracing a more modern and forward way of life while still staying true to their roots. After a decade of being together and living in Canada, their wedding was both a renewal of their vows and a reunion with their families. Despite the fact that almost all the preparations and planning were done overseas (visiting Manila just once to book some suppliers), I loved how everything was put together on the grand day.

The ladies wore neutral tones that highlighted the beauty of a Filipina’s natural skin tone. Some of the men wore barongs. The flower girls were literally topped off with a crown of flowers. And the bridal bouquet was bound with a rosary. And yet there were more modern touches like the colorful pinwheels the little girls carried, the wide assortment instead of one or two kinds of flowers and the well-tailored suits of the gentlemen. Their choice of details and venues for the wedding ceremony and reception further added to the style they depicted: elegant rather than elitist; timeless rather than typical or too traditional.

Coordination: Chi Hernandez-Abarquez | Once a Bride Weddings
Make-up: Dior Co
Flowers: Teddy Manuel
Couturier: Lee Ann Belter, Toronto
Videography: Derek Yee
Music: Sound Salad
Hosting: Sweet Casuyon

Teejay and Jucelle had a movie themed wedding. They even had photos of them reenacting some films they’ve seen. Having that idea, we researched and found this treasure in the middle of the city. I didn’t know that there was something like this in Manila. With a little bit of persistence, we were able to take photos in the only official film museum of the Philippines.

As I walked around the building and went up stairs, I found a room full of really old film reels. The decades old reels seem to have been forgotten long ago and had this funny sour smell. I knew in that instance that we should take some photos there. It felt quite uncomfortable shooting because other than the odor, there was no ventilation plus there was no light. But you know what they say when you feel uneasy about something, that means you’re doing something differently awesome.
 

Sam and Danike met 7 years ago and ended up at a beach on their first date. They both share a love for travel and during one of their many trips, they stumbled upon Boracay. It is not uncommon that locals and foreigners alike are captivated by an exquisite paradise. It is rather extraordinary though that out of the multitude of beaches in the world that Sam and Danike have seen and been to, they chose Boracay to witness the proof of the lifetime vow of love they would make.

The wedding was attended by the couples’ family members and friends who flew out from Australia just to be present. Talk about going the extra mile. Sam and Danike, too, wanted to demonstrate their love and gratitude for their guests by giving them a taste of paradise. These factors were what we tried to capture in photos. And yes, we succeeded.

The beauty of a beach wedding, solely of its kind, is that its elements are synonymous to the kind of wedded life the couple are hoping for when they say I do. That their respect for each other remains as pure as the powdery white sand on the shore. That the quality of their communication remains as crystal clear as the waters drifting by. And that their love is as vast and unending as the horizon over the sea.

The wedding, like the beach, is truly incomparable to any other of its kind. As proof, check out and enjoy the photos below. :]

Coordination: Amanda Tirol | Boracay Weddings
Videography: Mayad Studios
Florist: Vatel Manila
Make-up: Victor Ortega