More is more at the 6th year of ‘Marry Me At Marriott’
MANILA, Philippines — Our only problem every year is thinking of how we’ll top the next one,” says Marriott cluster general manager Bruce Winton. So for the sixth year of “Marry Me at Marriott,” they went with full-on sparkle and opulence.
“When you look at the size and elegance of the wedding we do and the customers we attract, weddings really are a brand builder for the Marriott. We have the venues for it, varying in size but all grand. We have the largest hotel ballroom in the country,” he adds.
Today’s top event stylists Gideon Hermosa, Michael Ruiz and Teddy Manuel (collectively known as the GMT) accentuated the 12-foot-high Grand Ballroom with chandeliers and crystal ceiling treatments. In coordination with Stage Riggers Inc., the accredited partner of the hotel, the production was able to create dramatic vertical movements on the chandeliers.
The 168-foot “Marry Me” runway opens with the romanticist Rosenthal Tee. “It’s Tinker Bell as a The Great Gatsby girl,” she sums up. “I wanted something very clean but textured and playful in terms of movement.” She achieves this with a combination of leaves and crystals in one look and fully hand-beaded tassels in the other.
Her second bridal show since 2014 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Rosenthal showcased a ball gown worn by the actress Lovi Poe, using embellished French lace on crinoline and real boning “to give soft stiffness,” she explains.
(Left) Tinker Bell meets The Great Gatsby: Rosenthal Tee. (Right) A new kind of lightness: Amir Sali
Mak Tumang unveiled a cherry blossom and butterfly-filled collection, created using thousands of laser cut flowers and butterflies over French lace and appliquéd black embroidery to create an ombré of gray to white, covered by a smattering of real Swarovski crystals. Known for his modernist aesthetic, Mak adds, “The ruffles are refined to be wearable for weddings.” Miss Universe Philippines 2018 Catriona Gray was Mac’s muse — also giving the public a preview of their collaboration for the international beauty pageant.
“The Prince of Beads” Amir Sali closes “Marry Me” with his trademark sparkle that has made him a favorite of monarchy. For this bridal parade, he went with a little something unexpected. “I wanted to get away from the generic bridal look. Brides nowadays are bolder,” he says. “I showed that wedding gowns can be light and transparent.” Amir did this with a layering of hard and fabrics for increased mobility for the bride. “When we talk of weddings, we talk of flowers, so I wanted to get rid of that a bit. I used geometric shapes.”
Geometric shapes were also created in beadwork using Swarovski crystals with the addition of Preciosa crystals, colored crystals from Prague. He also created showpieces like a bedazzled Mindanaoan Sarimanok headpiece and earrings, worn as a headband. “Filipinos really love opulence; whether we like it or not it’s part of who we are,” he sums up. “I just wanted to give back the glory to the Lord. He’s the original designer, we’re just replicating His work.”
* * *
Call (02)988-9999 or visit manilamarriott.com
