An all-white wedding for Mike and Cristina Sasnovski

Born in South Africa, Mike Sasnovski and Cebuana Cristina Jarque, both currently residing in the United Kingdom, could not have had a more memorable wedding. The couple was simply overwhelmed, not by stress with all the ongoing preparations, but by the satisfaction and fulfillment that everything worked out excellently well.

A solemn ceremony they had wished and earlier planned for meticulously was held at the intimate and tiny chapel of the Archbishop’s Palace with exclusively family in attendance and longtime family friend Fr. Ernesto Javier officiating the nuptial rites.

An unusual seven-foot-high all-white floral topiary held together by huge organza bows hung above the seven pews in a row matched by similar arrangements on the altar.

At precisely the appointed time, the ever-smiling Cristina, on the arm of her father Ramon Jarque, radiantly marched down the aisle in a strapless ivory silk gazar gown embellished with rose quartz crystals with a full skirt highlighted by silver thread embroidery she purchased in one of London’s bridal boutiques. The bridal bouquet was made of cymbidium white orchids and cineria foliage.

Mike looked distinguished in his hand-embroidered piña barong tagalog.

And just as Cristina and Mike always wanted, the sunset cocktail reception at the beautifully landscaped gardens of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel overlooking the city spelled romance everywhere with all-white flowers and white draperies softened by scented candles, Tivoli lights and hanging capiz lamps, masterfully put together by top-notch florist Pinky Chang.

Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres were passed around by impeccably dressed attendants as wine and champagne flowed endlessly.

As darkness fell, the garden also took on a night sky ambiance. White candles burned at every table and lights twinkled under the deep blue sky. The parade of waiters soon began and dinner was served.

After the five-course meal meticulously planned and prepared by chef Luke Gagnon and his team who simply outdid themselves, invitees enjoyed the touching speeches made by the couple’s fathers and dear friends Adrianne Gonzales and Maharlika Shultz who both narrated happy childhood memories of Cristina.

Serenaded alternately by a harpist and a violinist, the newlyweds had the first slice of the five-tiered chocolate-colored fondant cake made by Marisa Unchuan.

When Cebu ‘s favorite Renaissance Band began to play, everyone started to dance.

It was an intimate, elegant affair where the glow came not from the hundreds of candles or the thousands of Tivoli lights. It certainly came from the warm, genuine smiles from family and friends who made certain Cristina and Mike’s dream wedding came true.