Dingdong, Marian tie knot in lavish ceremony

MANILA, Philippines - Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera sealed their reel-to-real romance in a lavish but “very traditional” wedding ceremony held yesterday at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao after months of well-documented preparation.

President Aquino led a high-profile wedding entourage in a special role as “witness of honor” while his sister Kris stood as one of the principal sponsors.

Some roads were reportedly closed off to motorists with the security strict and tight as an estimated crowd of over 4,000, mostly fans of the showbiz power couple, descended on the venue in Quezon City.

A special area outside the church was designated for the fans, where a giant screen aired the goings-on of what has been touted as the wedding of the year.

Unlike most showbiz couples who make this occasion off-limits to fans and even media, Dingdong, 34, and Marian, 30, wanted to share the excitement of the moment.

When interviewed by some reporters shortly before the wedding ceremony, Dingdong appeared overwhelmed and simply said, “Hindi ko maintindihan (I cannot understand how I feel).”

The nuptials capped the perennial onscreen partners’ more than five-year relationship, which blossomed on the set of a GMA 7 soap opera and was marked by two marriage proposals – first in a private gathering in Macau 2012 and the second last August on national television.

According to GMA 7 reports, the groom, wearing a cream-colored tuxedo, arrived on a Ducati motorcycle.

Meanwhile, the stunning Madrid-born bride walked down the aisle dressed in an intricately detailed off-shoulder gown with a long train by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Guests said that even as it was the union of two of the country’s biggest stars, the ceremony – held in the church community the groom grew up in – was very traditional and solemn, officiated by nine bishops and seven priests, and attended by an equal mix of showbiz and non-showbiz friends and family. There were no personalized vows as is the trend of many celebrity weddings, with the overall mood not emotional but rather celebratory as the couple held hands the whole time.

A Spanish-themed reception followed at the Mall of Asia Arena for roughly a thousand expected guests – including members of their fan clubs – who were encouraged to make a donation to the groom’s Yes Pinoy Foundation in lieu of wedding gifts.

The newlyweds are planning a honeymoon in Europe, courtesy of principal sponsor and celebrity doctor Vicki Belo. Among the other 20 pairs of principal sponsors were GMA Network boss Felipe Gozon and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos.