Cebu dances with newlyweds Eric and Mary Deen

A brief two years of togetherness – that’s all it took for 36-year-old bachelor dreamboat Eric Deen to decide and take Mary Love Sartagoda as his lovely bride during the exchange of marriage vows officiated by the Reverend Monsignor Achilles Dakay at the Archbishop’s Palace, surrounded by close relatives and dear friends who have touched their young lives, led by the groom’s parents, prominent lawyer Danny Deen, his wife, the forever chic Zeny Chacon Deen, and the bride’s mother, the poised Virginia Sartagoda.

Simpatiquisima Rosebud Sala, a classic lady of style with impeccable taste, artistically transformed the chapel – a favorite little house of prayer to celebrate intimate milestones of one’s life – into a haven of beauty and elegance, with a profusion of greens, white tulips, lilies, orchids and mums.

There were cuatro parejas de padrinos and madrinas and they included parientes y buenos amigos, Norma Escano, Vicenta Uy, Victoria Sison, Elizabeth Martinez, Jose Deen, Eduardo Gonzalez, Ramon Chacon and Cebu Vice Governor John Gregory Osmeña, who stood in for his father Senator John Osmeña.

Secondary sponsors were childhood pals Ramon Escano III and Janet Naguit for veil, Alejandro Escano and Jacqueline Lotz for cord, and Michael Lhuillier and Mary Elizabeth Deen for the candle.

Darren Deen served as his brother’s bestman, while sister Vanessa Deen was maid of honor.

La unica bridesmaid was Mary’s sister, Kate Justine Sartagoda, while groomsmen were Danton Weineke and Arnold Sartagoda. Los adorables chiquitings were Eric’s nephews and niece Mark, James and Danielle Lotzof with Ilyanna Osmeña.

The newlyweds joined over 500 invited guests for cocktails at the grand ballroom of the Cebu Country Club. The party later spilled over to the patio and gardens for a splendid buffet of roast beef, bacalao, pasta, an array of salads and a selection of dessert.

Cebu’s top and well-loved con mucho cariño event coordinator Teresin Mendezona enhanced the reception venue with cascading orchids and sampaguitas, accentuated by tiny vigil lanterns from giant lush palmeras that gave a magnificent glow to a perfect setting. At the center of it all, was the wedding cake by Sarah Berdon, a two-layered blue and white masterpiece decorated with orchids to match the bridal bouquet.

In addition to las madres de los novios much-admired creations by Jed Sevilla and Minnie Yuvienco, who likewise did a superb-job of dressing up the members of the female entourage, from the bride to the little attendants, a number of ladies made fashion statements dressed in classic black, namely Annette Osmeña, in a simple expertly-cut sleeveless gown, Helen Misa, with a sprinkle of beads on the bodice, the vivacious Janet Ugarte, who opted for the haltered look, and Nita Deen in a gown with a plunging neckline.

Adding a rainbow of colors were Lucy Garcia, in an eye-catching fuchsia chiffon gown, Kinue Castillo in a Japanese-inspired number, la graciosa Eloisa Fernan, exquisite in midnight blue satin with a necklace and earrings of sapphires to match, ageless Amparito Lhuillier, all laced-up in a shade of burgundy, and Annie Aboitiz as always fashionable correct in a floral off-shoulder and an uneven hemline design.

All eyes were on Amanda Luym’s backless gown with a full black skirt, highlighted by a mammoth arrangement of ivory silk flowers that complimented her frontal top.

As the pair shared their table with young relatives and dearest of friends, unlike most wedding celebrations, endearing toasts were offered by miembros de las familias y los compañeros de Eric del golf till the band started to play, which brought almost everyone to the dance floor. And they merrily danced all night.

With warmest good wishes to both Mary Love and Eric for a meaningful life of happiness together.