A Dream Garden of a Wedding

CEBU, Philippines - Samantha Garcia’s grandfather Cheling Garcia in his final days on earth would often comment about seeing beautiful blue gardens. It was this very image which drew inspiration for the lovely wedding of Samantha to the love of her life, childhood classmate Michael Gagnon.

The center aisle of the imposing National Shrine of St. Joseph in Mandaue City was beautifully decorated with over 1,500 blue hydrangeas specially grown on the mountains of Cebu. Madrinas Margette Sarmiento, aunt of the bride and Deena Pages a dear friend and foremost landscaper, received praises for the never-seen-before decoration.

Paving the way for the bridal procession were Maids of Honor Miren Krista Pages and Ayla Rosemarie Gomez. The Best Men were Keith Edward Palacios and Cypris Sy Nichol.

The lovely bridesmaids, Amorn Gagnon, Christina Villalon, Patricia Valenzuela, Sylbeth Plaza and Kristina Lizardo were dressed in jewel inspired gowns of blue, purple and green while groomsmen Shem Garcia, Victor Montalvan, Michael Punsalan, Danny Sanchez and Antoine Scotto stood tall in their piña barong Tagalog.

The radiant bride in an ivory lace gown she purchased at an exclusive bridal boutique in Canada walked down the aisle on the arm of her proud father Ramontito Garcia. She carried a unique bridal bouquet that consisted of purple cattleyas and peacock feathers specially put together by Kate Anzani.   

Michael’s parents Claude and Hilda Gagnon and the bride’s mom Liz Garcia were brimming with pride as the couple met at the elegantly decorated altar. Monsignor Cristobal E. Garcia, SAP.HP, the bride’s uncle together with Monsignor Adelito Abella, PA officiated the solemn ceremony.

The principal sponsors were Margette and Efren Sarmiento, Maureen and Paul Frederick Cyster, Deena Pages and Sito Ugarte, Juanita Montalvan and Ralph Suarez, Cristina Garcia and Eduardo Alegrado, Ruth Vicky Palacios and Loi Villalon Bernardita Medalle and Ricardo Garcia who proxied for Francisco Miñoza.

The secondary sponsors had Michelle Laboriante and Vito Angelo Selma for the candle, Angela Manuel and Werner Moelter Jr. for the cord, and Laura Elizabeth Douglas and Marcelino Rotea for the veil. Bible readers were Paolo Sarmiento and Nina Mancao while the Responsorial Psalm was sung by Shem Jose Garcia.

The evening was highlighted with heartfelt speeches by the groom’s father Claude, who welcomed Samantha to the family, and the bride’s dad, who briefly narrated some unforgettable hunting experiences with his new son-in-law which elicited laughter and applause

After a delectable dinner, the couple cut the four-tiered almond fondant wedding cake made by the one and only Marissa Unchuan.

Everyone just could not help but dance when the Renaissance Band began the evening’s entertainment. The invitees experienced joy in their hearts as they shared the memorable event with the happy newlyweds.