Romance, old lace & gladiolas

Lovely bride Ana Larrazabal could not have asked for a more perfect day – blue skies, warm sunshine and gentle breeze – when she exchanged marriage vows with long-time beau, George Liok Jr. at the St. Francis Xavier Church in Palompon, Leyte.

Beautifully dressed in an elegant antique lace organza gown, a labor of love by the groom’s aunt Danet Dabon, the stunning bride gracefully walked down the aisle with uncle Guillermo de la Riva and mom Emilia Larrazabal, amid hundreds of white dendrobiums and pink gladiolas matched by similar arrangements on the altar by Cebu florist Christine Fadriga.

Monsignor Cesar Petilla officiated the nuptial ceremony.

The principal sponsors were close family friends General Ruperto Ambil and his lady Annie, the groom’s aunt and long-time resident of America Gopi Amora, and businessman Alexander Chua and more parientes such as ideal homemaker and talented designer Danet Dabon and shipper Francisco Jarque.

The bride’s dear chum Michelle de la Riva was the maid of honor while the groom’s older brother Jet stood as best man.

The eye-catching bridesmaids were Nicole Liok, Amanda Kangleon and Adrian Amora. Anton Dabon, Paco Jarque and Omar Samaniego were the dashing groomsmen.

Secondary sponsors were Pamela Chua and Dox Arevalo for the candle, Evan Alvarez and Chino Salgado for the veil and Nyllaine Liok and Manuel Larrazabal for the cord.

Little attendants included Mike Larrazabal as ring bearer, Ernesto Fajardo who carried the bible and Julian Galo the array. Honey Moneza, Dione and Leane Larrazabal and Andrea Dabon were the adorable flower girls.

The vast estate of the groom’s parents, George and Sylvia Liok, with their sprawling residence strategically perched high on a hill surrounded by a lush colorful flower-filled garden was the picturesque setting for the fun-filled reception.

As the sun dramatically cast afternoon shadows across the nearby mountains, the three-tiered wedding cake by Tina Santiago of Ormoc City, filled with tiny pink flowers that matched the bridal bouquet was ushered in, and a pair of white doves was released by the couple.

The well-attended celebration served as a reunion of both closely-knit clans and family friends of long-standing. And with hardly any neighbors to disturb surrounding the property, the festivities carried on till the early hours of dawn.

Visibly moved at the gathering were the groom’s grandaunts, sisters Josefa Alvarez Garcia and Carmen Alvarez Larrazabal who watched with great pride and joy the many all-so-sudden grown-up grandnieces who have blossomed into real beauties while the grandnephews have turned into true gentlemen.

To Ana and George, our love and best wishes for a fruitful life ahead.