A wedding amid elegant greens and colorful fruits

Imagine an intricately hand-carved altar fully covered with the greenest of ferns and fishtails, with giant blooming white calla lilies in full bloom, and the wide center aisle dramatically lined with towering lush champagne palms. Such was the elegant setting when Chanel Ngo and Richard Uy got married recently at the centuries-old and imposing Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, with Monsignor Cayetano Gelbolingo officiating the sacred rites.

Chanel chose a Grace Kelly-inspired duchess satin with chantilly lace gown of classic simplicity by the islands’ leading bridal fashion designer, Philip Rodriguez. The groom was dashing in a piña barong Tagalog. The Manila-based artist Toto Bagamasbad did the bride’s impeccable makeup.

Principal sponsors included the groom’s uncle, Mayor Roberto Uy, the bride’s uncles, Edward Sy and Condrado Mataverde, family friends of long standing, Mayor Carlo Gamban, George Lim, Eddie Gaisano, Samson Quimbo and Robert Yu, the bride’s aunts, Mediatrix Ngo and Minda Mataverde, the groom’s aunts, Elizabeth Uy and Lourdes Lim, and more dear family friends, Edita Tio, Amelia Lim, Uy Kim Gwat and Jennifer Wong.

Chanel’s sister Melanie Tio was matron of honor, while younger sister Celine Ngo was maid of honor. Best men were Richard’s brother Kirby Uy and best friend Warren Hing.

The bridesmaids, lovely in their canary outfits, were Jantzen Lim, Edith Tio, Beverly Nadela and Christy Mercado, while Thomas Ngo, Thomas Augustine Ngo, John Edward Ngo and Ritch Reinald Uy stood as groomsmen.

After the heartwarming ceremony, the couple joined their guests for cocktails and dinner at the grand ballroom of the Casino Español De Cebu.

Creative and much sought-after wedding coordinator Teresin Mendezona and innovative florist Pinky Chang used tall transparent vases and filled them with colorful fruits, such as apples, tangerines, oranges and grapes, capped with dozens upon dozens of roses in every imaginable color as the table centerpiece. The five-tiered wedding cake was a work of love by Cebu’s best, Marissa Unchuan.

After the highly entertaining, full-of-pleasant surprises slide presentation of the couple, original parlor games were conducted, much to the delight of the guests.

The couple will reside in the city of Dipolog, where Richard’s family has several business interests, but only after a leisurely, guaranteed full of memories honeymoon in Australia.