Glance: Celebrating Timeless Distinction

In celebration of 20 years of service excellence and brilliant hosting, Cebu City Marriott Hotel invited guests to “Glance: Celebrating Timeless Distinction” on March 8 to10, a three-day bridal fair featuring highlights of Marriott’s 20 years in Cebu alongside wedding industry influencers who have also flourished in their craft over the past two decades.         

This year’s bridal fair opened with a showcase of Cebu’s premier wedding industry suppliers on March 8 and 9. Wedding coordinators, stylists and florists, photographers and videographers, wedding ring suppliers, cakes and desserts suppliers, invitation printing and jewelry designers all set the stage for a truly memorable walk down the aisle!

Over 20 bridal gowns were also showcased at the foyer where brides-to-be could touch and feel the dresses as they looked around for choices. Intricately designed wedding cakes were displayed at the hotel lobby, while lavish dessert buffet spreads were all for the taking from suppliers, including Marriott wedding packages. Guests were invited to register for a chance to win premium dining and accommodation certificates from Cebu City Marriott Hotel. International honeymoon getaways from partner Marriott hotels in Jakarta, Bali and South Korea were given away – plus a round trip ticket for two to Tokyo from Vanilla Air!

The three day event culminated in a Grand Finale on March 10 with a two-fold agenda: Marriott’s Partners in Excellence Awards, honoring local wedding industry players who have proudly served both the local and international community for over 20 years; and a Grand Bridal Fair Show by the designer honorees.

Upon entry to the Sampaguita Ballroom, guests were instantly transported from business hotel to romantic wedding venue in a sea of white, as soft white drapes gently covered the sleek lines that are bespoke of the Marriott brand. The evening opened with a performance by the Cebu Philharmonic Orchestra and Anna Fegi-Brown.

General Manager Patrick Caroll thanked and welcomed guests and invited them to watch a recollection of the hotel’s stories over the changing social landscape of the past two decades. Special interviews were done with community personalities Amparito Lhuillier, Archt. Tessie Javier, Marissa Unchuan and Philip Rodriguez as they glanced back with fondness over how they remained relevant through time.

Director of Sales and Marketing Cleofe Albiso spoke briefly about the event’s rationale and thanked partner suppliers who participated in the Open Bridal Fair. She then continued to speak about the Partners in Excellence Awards, giving due recognition to the icons of the wedding and events industry over the past 20 years.

The hotel’s Partners in Excellence Awards went to photographer Lemuel Arrogante, event stylists Teresin Mendezona and Pinky Chang, Gilbert Go of Gap Mobile, Marissa Unchuan of Mrs. U Foods, and designers Philipp Tampus, Harley Ruedas, Marichu Tan-Geson, Oj Hofer, Jun Escario and Philip Rodriguez.

The evening then culminated with a Grand Bridal Fashion Show by Marriott’s Partners in Excellence designers, who showcased pieces that were classic yet contemporary – bridal couture that truly spelled timeless distinction.