Paul Lopez & Ada Cruz: The easy, breezy side of weddings
MANILA, Philippines - For the most part, planning for a wedding often turns out to be a chaotic and nerve-racking nightmare that forces the bride to turn into a “bridezilla.” What with making sure that the venue for the ceremony and reception are secured, that all the bridesmaids not gain an ounce more weight in order to fit into their wedding dresses, all the way down to the sheet music that will be used for the wedding march, it’s no wonder that brides are already at their wits’ end before even starting happily ever after!
Such was not the case for Ada Cruz, PR and communications manager for Avon Cosmetics, Inc. who married Paul Lopez, IT project manager for Accenture Inc., during a simple yet beautiful ceremony last December 15 at St. Alphonsus Mary de Liguori Parish in Magallanes Village, Makati. For Ada, the final days leading up the big day was simply easy-breezy. “It was easy for me to remain calm because I was lucky enough to have a great team of professionals who helped me plan for this special day,” says Ada.
The bulk of the wedding preparations was done by Addie Kalalo of Excelance Premier Events, who worked alongside Ada to bring to fruition all the bride’s ideas for her wedding day.
An air of understated elegance and simplicity was most prevalent during the ceremony and the reception. The bride was resplendent in a strapless Mikado silk gown with a beaded overlay especially created and designed for her by Bobo Sta. Agueda. “Nobody else was in the running as to who was going to make the most important dress in my life. She has been making clothes for me since I was four years old, and if there is anyone who knows my style aesthetic, it would be her.”
The bridesmaids wore floor-length emerald green gowns with varying necklines, while the matron of honor wore a strapless gown that mimicked the bodice of the wedding gown. The groomsmen all wore dark suits, while the groom looked dapper and dashing in a custom-made tuxedo.
The Conservatory at The Peninsula Manila, where the wedding reception was held, also had an air of simple sophistication courtesy of the design team of Mavic Cruz and Richie Sanchez. Cocktails were served at the mezzanine fronting the entrance to The Conservatory, where pre-nuptial portraits of the wedding couple by shutterbug Mark Cantalejo were all on display for everyone’s viewing. Cocktails were followed by dinner, where guests were treated to a gastronomic feast by The Peninsula Manila’s talented chefs. The sumptuous dinner ended on a sweet note with a dessert buffet made up of indulgent confections like chocolates, French macarons by Christa Mendiola, and of course, a wedding cake by renowned pastry chef Penk Ching. The whole affair was immortalized and captured in film by the talented staff of MG Digital.
It’s nice to be able to attend a wedding and not be overwhelmed by the spectacle of it all. A solemn, heartfelt ceremony, followed by a laid-back reception that allowed guests to really enjoy the affair, is almost like a breath of fresh air. Achieving the wedding of your dreams does not have to be a stressful undertaking. Just ask Ada and Paul, the couple who took the easy-breezy way down the altar.
