Untold stories behind a love story

I love love stories. So I guess it is but natural that I love weddings, too. And although each wedding ceremony is different, the one thing constant is the rush of emotion it evokes not only in the bride, the groom and their immediate families but in the wedding guests as well.

Such was Ruffa Gutierrez’s wedding to Yilmaz Bektas. It was that, and more.

As with all celebrity unions, theirs was a high-profile, well-documented romance, so closely followed that even their supposed quarrels were discussed and speculated on. But as Ruffa told her dad Eddie Gutierrez, "Without fighting there is no loving."

For a wedding of such nature and magnitude, it was very well-organized with the fans being treated to a good view of all the dolled-up guests. Excited as they were at seeing their favorite stars and personalities, they were very well-behaved and respectful of the solemnity of the ceremony. There was a parade of stars, dressed to the nines, not only from showbiz but from the political and social circles as well.

Despite the presence of political figures belonging to different parties, the affair didn’t feel like a political event. Guests easily mingled with each other during cocktails. The fan in me had a ball just people-watching.

Originally scheduled at half past four, the ceremony expectedly started about an hour later. But I don’t think anyone really did mind. By then, the sun wasn’t as hot and the weather was just perfect for the beautiful ceremony that was about to unfold.

After the parade of the entourage, Ruffa started her walk to the altar. My mom always said that women are at their most beautiful when they become brides and that statement couldn’t have been more true than with Ruffa. She was radiant, despite the happy tears in her eyes. When I asked her about her tearful countenance later on, she said it was because her fondest childhood dream came true – she finally found her soulmate.

There were a lot of heart-tugging moments during the ceremony. One such moment came courtesy of the father of the bride who started by addressing Yilmaz, "I liked you immediately the day I met you," and ending with a teary "...Ruffa, you are the best thing that happened to me and your mom." I’m sure all parents had lumps in their throats just listening to that. There was laughter, too, when Tito Eddie said that fighting and arguing were as much a reality as loving – citing himself and his wife, Tita Annabelle, as examples. "Everytime we fight, she always ends up getting pregnant," he quipped.

Yilmaz went on to acknowledge that speech by telling Ruffa’s parents that they did not lose a daughter but instead gained a son. Ruffa, in turn, affirmed her love for Yilmaz by saying she was marrying her best friend and telling her parents not to worry about her because she was happy and will definitely be "in good hands. "

I was seated beside Tintin Bersola and Julius Babao, enjoying each melting moment as it unfolded. I especially liked the pastor’s speech. In a nutshell, he said that when he met his wife he knew without a doubt that she was his one true love. But things happened, things changed and one day they both woke up with the realization that they no longer loved each other as much as they thought they did. Should they separate and just walk away from the love they knew they shared? Thankfully, they didn’t. They asked Christ to come into their lives and believe it or not, they woke up one day to discover that they were as in love with one another as they were the first day they met. Isn’t that beautiful? It’s so nice to know that every person in a broken love story can have that divine remedy easily available to them, if they only want it bad enough. Never say never.

There were also some funny moments during the ceremony courtesy of Halil, Yilmaz’s best man. When the pastor asked for the coins during the ceremony, they were nowhere to be found! Ruffa whispered to Halil where to find them and, out of desperation, he presented them a P50 bill, sending both Ruffa and Yilmaz into a giggling fit.

The NBC Tent, where the reception was held, was transformed beautifully into a burst of jewel tones – definitely a visual feast. We were treated to a sit-down dinner deliciously prepared by Le Soufflé. It was really nice because the affair wasn’t stiff and stuffy at all – as most formal affairs are. It was, in fact, very easygoing and relaxed; almost intimate.

The highlight of the night for me was when Yilmaz held up a pair of white booties to announce that the little one who will be wearing them will be out on August 15, reiterating that the coming baby is the most precious gift Ruffa ever gave him in all their time together – surpassing occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases, and Ramadans. Incidentally, it was Ruffa who presented Yilmaz with those booties when she told him she was pregnant. She had absolutely no idea he had the booties in his pocket the whole time. He took her by surprise once again and, yes, in true leading man style swept her and their baby off their feet with the way he announced the good news. Ruffa said she couldn’t believe she was going to be not only a wife but a mother as well. During a chat with Ruffa after her wedding, she told me that she gifted Yilmaz with a frame that said "The Prince Has Arrived." When the second ultrasound revealed that it was a girl and not a boy, Yilmaz personally added, "to the second word." I’m sure they can’t wait for their litte bundle of joy to come into the world.

Ruffa went on to say that when Yilmaz broke the news to Tita Annabelle soon after they found out she was with child, Tita Annabelle was beside herself with tears. Her crying spells lasted a whole week, leaving Tito Eddie bewildered. "She’s just getting married, you don’t have to cry that much," he tried to comfort her. When she finally told him Ruffa was pregnant, he cried just as hard. I guess it’s never easy for any parent to come to the realization that their baby is now a lady and has fully come into her own.

Like most couples, Ruffa and Yilmaz have two favorite songs: Shape of My Heart by Sting and Love Story. And what is the shape of his heart? What does she love about him most? Yilmaz, she says, always makes her feel she is the most beautiful creature in the world. Apart from being caring, protective and nurturing, he also has a great sense of humor.

Ruffa’s close friend and maid of honor Donita Rose let us in on the private side of Ruffa. They’ve been best friends for a long time and she intimated that Ruffa is always like a "mother hen" to her younger brothers. Whenever their birthdays would roll by, whichever part of the world she was in at the moment, she always cared enough to send something to her little brothers. She went on to say that Ruffa taught her how to be confident and sure of herself, teaching her to hold her head up high as she walks into a room.

The Ramas family of Cebu (Tita Annabelle’s side) and other relatives are all one in saying that Ruffa never had any airs about her. And for all the feistiness she’s known for in showbiz circles, Tita Annabelle is actually a very warm, real person. Pusong mamon, even. Incidentally, she also looked so beautiful night of the wedding.

But what really struck me most about the wedding was how real it was. It was one of those unions where you can really feel the love the bride and the groom have for each other.

It was easy to see that Ruffa and Yilmaz had eyes only for each other. This was quite evident when they took to the dance floor, arms happily wrapped around each other. And rightfully so. He was able to get out of Turkey just in the nick of time, no thanks to the ongoing conflict in Iraq.

True love will really come through, even in times of war. All’s well that ends well. Every girl deserves a prince in the same way that Yilmaz found his princess in Ruffa. As summed up in the scribbling of their wedding giveaway,

In celebration

of the one true love that

has crossed a thousand seas

to find an everlasting home.

May you experience

ROMANCE

as we have today and always.

Yes, I love love stories. But I love weddings and happy endings even more.