The Quest for a Destination Wedding Venue
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JUNE 25, 2016 The Quest for a Destination Wedding Venue our wedding is the most special day of your life. It’s a celebration of your love, Ycommitment and the wonderful journey WHAT’S INSIDE you’re about to begin. As you read through ■ A Perfect Affair S2 our special wedding supplement, take to ■ The Quest for A Destination Wedding Venue S3 heart the personal reflections and helpful ad- ■ Chut Cuerva & Kim Kokseng: From Central Park to Napa S4 vice from couples on choosing the perfect ■ Pinoy Priest’s Cookbook Reveals Recipes for Spicing Up Married Life S5 venue, florist, videographer and much more. From the Chronicle to you—much love and ■ Floral Centerpieces Add Natural Beauty to Wedding Reception Tables S6 happiness on your special day! ■ Reflections of 50 Golden Years S8 ■ Wedding Videography Capture Couples' Love Story S9 ►COVER STORY, S3 ■ A Filipino Wedding in Molokai's Filipino Camp in the '60's S10 S2 HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE SUPPLEMENT WEDDING REFLECTIONS WEDDING & BRIDAL SUPPLEMENT 2016 A Perfect Affair By Renelaine B. Pfister his month, I will be celebrating my 10th wedding an- niversary, which meansT I still have much to learn about marriage. It makes me reminisce about my wed- ding day, though, a happy event that I can’t believe hap- pened almost a decade ago now. We had a small wedding, 26 people including me and my husband. My husband, his brother and friends from Ger- many took the bus and met me My brother’s wedding was They go to bed without show- and my party at the City Hall bigger, and I was very happy ering, are late for appoint- in Teaneck, New Jersey. I to go home to Cebu a few ments with their spouses, talk wore a simple, lilac-colored weeks ago to attend it. It was a badly about them, and put lace dress that my mother perfect affair. their spouses last. In fact, the the outdoor wedding. He and There was, however, a bought for me in the Philip- The woman he married opposite should be done: we the couple were seated at the game where everyone could pines. It was remarkable be- was a born again Christian, should hold our spouses in the center of the lawn, with the participate in. There was a cause my mother and I had and they were wed in that highest regard. We should put couple facing him. I suspected block of wood (they sure had very different tastes in cloth- faith. Pastor Joe officiated at our spouses first. He said his it was a beautiful exchange, if lots of trees in Germany) with ing, but that was one of the the wedding, and he gave a 89 year-old uncle still pulled only I understood what they nails sticking out. You’re sup- few times she got my style. long sermon about marriage. out a chair for his wife at the were saying. After the cere- posed to hammer down the The ceremony was over in He spoke for 20 minutes or so table. This is what we should mony, the guests walked to the nails with the thin, narrow end minutes, and the German about marriage these days strive for. nearby restaurant for cham- of the hammer, not the larger guests probably thought, “we being a failure, citing high di- After the ceremony, we pagne and nibbles. Pretty hammerhead. This could go flew thousands of miles for vorce and separation rates. At went outdoors to have our pic- soon, though, weird things on the whole night, my hus- that?” We had a quiet recep- first I squirmed in my seat, un- torials on the dock, with the started happening (at least, to band said, and it did. This was tion in a hotel function room. comfortable at his stern, lec- background of a pinkish sky this Filipino’s eyes.) For ex- just a game, a pastime, and an It was all low-key, and perfect turing tone. Well this is and clear blue waters in Mac- ample, someone set a minia- excuse to drink. Everyone for us. We had planned to have reassuring, I thought. But I re- tan Island, Cebu. But after ture house on fire. Real standing around the block of a bigger church wedding in the alized everything he was say- standing in the sweltering heat firemen arrived shortly, with wood got a turn, and those Philippines, but this never ing was true. For example, he in high heels (at least for the sirens blaring and lights flash- who failed to drive the nails came to fruition. We decided said married people slowly women), the whole wedding ing. It was all prearranged and down had to take a drink. The one wedding was enough. lose honor for their partners. party was happy to return to part of the festivities. funny thing is, the more drunk the glass-walled pavilion for “Isn’t this a waste of the you are, the harder it is to cocktails, snacks, and air con- firemen’s time?” I asked my drive the nails in. ditioning. Then came dinner, husband. Aside from the abundance speeches, a slide show of the Apparently no. It was tra- of wood products, German newlyweds’ pre-nuptial photos dition. One man suited the weddings are also abundant and singing. When the newly- bride up in a firefighter’s with cake. In one tent, there weds made their thank you jacket and she helped put out was a long table covered with speech, they gave away gifts the fire while the groom han- cakes of all sizes and colors. to their respective families, dled the water pump at the They were brought in by the which was rare since it is nor- truck. guests and all looked mouth- mally the couple who receive Then the couple sawed a watering. Picking just one or gifts on their wedding day. large piece of wood together. two slices (which is all one Being one of the recipients of Then a large truck came can really eat) was an agoniz- their thoughtfulness though, I and dumped chunks of fire- ing decision to make. found it heartwarming. wood on the lawn, and the The party lasted till the That’s how we Filipinos couple was supposed to clean wee hours of the morning, but usually celebrate weddings. it up. My husband said it could I had gone home with my in- But it’s interesting to see how also be sawdust or anything laws long before that. other cultures do it. A few else. All of these activities Whatever the setting, and years ago I witnessed a Ger- were meant to join the new whatever the culture, wed- man wedding when my hus- couple together and promote dings to me are always happy band’s best friend invited us to unity. I simply thought it was and uplifting. A grand party his. too much physical labor for a that ushers in a new begin- The town mayor officiated wedding. ning. SUPPLEMENT HAWAII FILIPINO CHRONICLE S3 COVER STORY WEDDING & BRIDAL SUPPLEMENT 2016 The Quest for a Destination Wedding Venue By Seneca Moraleda-Puguan he feel of sand while walking down the aisle, the sound of waves lapping the shore as vows are exchanged and a majes- T tic sunset view as the first kiss is shared. These are images that come to mind for many couples who dream of having a beach wedding. My dream of a beach wed- a couple, must decide the set- consider when choosing a loca- ding came true more than two ting of your wedding. Are you tion is its picture-perfect years ago along the white sand both beach lovers? Or do you beauty. beach of Laiya, Batangas. It like gardens better? This is Joei Revilleza and Grace was beautiful and serene. It something you may not agree Deloria both agreed that the was perfect. It was everything on but simple decisions such venue has to be beautiful. I wanted. as this will make you know “The venue has to be pic- But choosing and deciding each other better and ture worthy. This is why we on the venue was one of the strengthen your relationship. chose La Huerta Estate in An- most challenging parts of wed- And somewhere along the de- tipolo,” says Revilleza. ding planning. It took several cision-making process, you Deloria agrees: “The calls and hours online search- have to compromise. beauty of the venue was our ing for the perfect location. It “We had to consider what first consideration. The view Anthon and Lenee Te tying the knot in Mahogany Place, Tagaytay. was stressful and time-con- we both wanted as the setting has to be perfect. Who would- suming. of our wedding. I wanted sand, n’t agree that Baguio City is Although many couples Art wanted a view. He wanted one of the most beautiful still prefer church weddings, convenience for his family. I places in the Philippines? It’s the number of soon-to-be wanted that too. So we de- one of the best places to start newly weds who choose hold cided on Club Balai Isabel in forever with the one you their weddings outside of the Talisay, Batangas,” says Joyce love.” four walls of the church build- Torres, who married Art in De- Indeed, nothing beats say- ing has risen in recent years. cember 2012. ing ‘I do’ and having your first Destination weddings have be- Sentimental Value. Some kiss as husband and wife with come popular, not just among newlyweds-to-be prefer to hold picturesque scenery as your celebrities, but also among or- their wedding ceremony in a background.