An autumn wedding for Jerald and Christina Garcia

Seven years of courtship and several months of meticulous planning came to a romantic climax when Jerald Garcia, son of former Cebu City Mayor Alvin Garcia and his wife Ninette, tied the knot with Christina, daughter of Daniel and Joanne Wagner, in a traditional wedding at the historic Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. Jerald proposed marriage to Christina on bended knees at the courtyard of the Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul in Minneapolis, Minnesota

Ricardo J. Cardinal Vidal officiated the nuptial mass assisted by Msgr. Cris Garcia SAP.H.P. and Msgr. Adelito Abella H.P.

Principal sponsors were led by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and former Cebu City Vice Mayor Renato Osmeña, together with the groom’s uncles and aunts, namely Julius Neri, Zenda Garcia Lat, Dale Garcia, Ma. Victoria Neri-Valdez, and family friends Rudy Alivado, Diana Franco-Ledesma, Caesar Atienza, Letty Jimenez-Magsanoc, Terrence Bauer and Sagrario Bondoc-Morelos.

Christina’s childhood mate Erica Wiisanen was matron of honor, while the youngest of the three Garcia brothers, Raymund, was best man.

Also in the wedding party were the secondary sponsors Justin Neri and Diana Joy Dizon for candle, Matthew Wiisanen and Roselle Reyes for veil, and Randolph del Valle and Sharyn Espina for cord. Little attendants were Tiffany Louise Neri as flower girl and Julius Pierre Neri as ring and coin bearer.

The lovely Christina wore a simple yet stunning and flattering satin gown she handcarried from America, while Jerald was distinguished in a barong tagalog by foremost Cebu designer Jed Sevilla. The other members of the entourage looked elegant in their autumn-inspired creations by talented couturier Jojo Romoff.

Sought-after florist Pinky Chang decked the aisle with floral arches of rich green leaves intermingled with white dendrobiums and mums. Cebu’s favorite more-than-just-a-wedding coordinator Teresin Mendezona organized the event like no one else could.

The grand ballroom of the Cebu Plaza Hotel, the venue of the reception, was beautifully transformed into a magical autumn setting, the couple’s most loved season. Nosegays of red, gold, copper and brown hung from a trellis of twisted vines. The tables were strewn with dried maple and walnut leaves in keeping with the bridal motif.

Some of the guests traveled from far away America and other neighboring Asian countries. They greeted other guests while approaching the strategically-located buffet tables laden with savory salads, delectable dishes and mouth-watering sweets. The versatile string ensemble of the Peace Philharmonic Orchestra filled the air with familiar classical pieces.

As the newlyweds sliced the four-tiered fondant cake, a creation by veteran bakers Angelicas, toasts greeted the couple, who had met and fallen in love as students at the University of Minnesota.

We wish Jerald and Christina blessings and happiness.