Alfonso Martinez-Meryl del Gallego White lanterns over sunset cocktails
After a couple of years of getting to know each other, Alfonso Martinez and Meryl del Gallego said their vows that sealed a lifetime of marriage before family and friends at the San Juan Nepomuceno Church in San Remegio, Cebu.
The bride walked down the aisle in an elegant Jun Escario gown to meet her groom, dapper in a Zara suit.
Fr. Robert Reyes celebrated the Mass.
Principal sponsors were Celestino Martinez and Ma. Teresita Martinez; Gabriel Martinez and Marget Villarica; Francisco Jarque and Marivic Borromeo; and Eduardo Galan and Glecy del Gallego. The groom’s brother, Miguel Martinez, was best man together with childhood buddy Leandro Almendras. The bride’s sisters, Maitina Borromeo and Michell Ngo, accompanied by Mary Bernadette Montilla were bridesmaids. Matron of honor was the bride’s older sister, Monique Jarque, while Australia-based sister Martha del Gallego was maid of honor.
The ceremony was solemn, sincere and simple. After the nuptial Mass, everyone moved to the well-appointed beachfront house of Ed Alegrado for breathtaking sunset cocktails. Guests then lit huge white lanterns, made wishes for the newlyweds and watched them go up into the sky.
In contrast to most weddings today, there was no event planner, just the bride’s sisters who did everything to ensure the wedding would be fun — with lots of unforgettable memories to last a lifetime.
Heartwarming, yet contrasting speeches were made by the couple’s fathers. Cuco del Gallego jovially welcomed Alfonso to the family, while the groom’s dad, Mariano Martinez, tearfully paid tribute to his late wife Ada Martinez, remembering her unconditional love and unwavering dedication in bringing up their children. Without doubt she would have approved of her new daughter-in-law with open arms and a big hug.
After a silent prayer, everyone stayed on until the wee hours celebrating the union that began with friendship and blossomed with time. The newlyweds plan to spend their honeymoon in Sydney.
