December 6, 2014. What seemed to be a worrisome day for most turned out unexpectedly bright... A super typhoon was all over the news but I must say, this couple was extraordinarily lucky for having been blessed with a beautiful sunny Saturday.I met Meliza and Aleksi a few months short before their wedding. They have been engaged over a year ago but only started with the preps a little late..
Meliza has been a long time friend of my partner Aann, and Al was someone
I knew by name since he was one of the closest friends of my Ninang's son. But it wasn't until after the wedding that I found out their "kilig" love story. |
| photo by Side Dish Project... |
The first time I met this couple, I already had a feeling that this would be a fun wedding. Laiza as we call her, was the beautiful, quirky, down-to-earth kind of girl while Al exuded a shy yet gentlemanly personality. From just one look, it was obvious that these two really suited each other perfectly well. Being the usual observant that I am, this pair was evidently very in love with each other. From how Al secretly throws his beautiful girl a loving look, and how Laiza speaks of Al with so much ardor, telling me nonchalantly how kind and wonderful a man he truly is.
 |
| photo by SideDish Project |
I'd like to think this wedding was 9 years in the making. Let's start with how Laiza and Al met each other in highschool, back when they were just budding adolescents who knew not much about life just yet. Who would ever think that you would end up with your biggest crush in school, right? Laiza recalls how Al caught her eye for the first time, luckily, their teacher introduced them to each other. I can imagine how it must have felt when Al asked her to dance at the prom. It's like a better and more real version of "Got
To Believe",I must say. And from there, their love story started, went on for nine full years until they reached the altar together. To have withstood time that long could already be considered an achievement.. It's not everyday that you see highschool sweethearts still being together, successfully making it thru college "alive" and very much in love than before. Sounds too good to be true.
THE WEDDING DAY...
Laiza was in her usual bubbly self, excited yet filled with too much emotions that morning. Her whole family was at the hotel to see her get ready for the big day.
The atmosphere in the room was amazingly light and happy. They were exchanging banters and laughing, it felt like time wasn't of the essence...
 |
| Alfred, the hands behind the beauty |
Laiza's good friend Alfred Daryl Moran, did her hair and make up. I then realized, what would be more better than entrusting your bestfriend with your looks on your wedding. For Alfred, this wasn't just business, she is family.. He made sure the bride stood out like a celebrity after a few hours of gentle & careful prepping.
Of course, the entourage and the couple's family wouldn't come just second. Karl Paolo Balao, also a friend of the bride, made sure they all looked exquisite. On how he worked his wonders on such a limited time is hands-down amazing...(pictures to follow)
 |
| wedding accessories... |
 |
| the invitation... |
 |
| flower girls' baskets... (by Carlo Magno) |
 |
| the "all white" bridal bouquet by Carlo Magno |
 |
| the "flowers in a ball" for the entourage... (by Carlo Magno) |
Everyone looked so elegant as they eagerly waited for the ceremony to start.. Familiar faces filled the church as the wedding slowly commenced. When the music started, the entourage were ushered one by one as they marched down the aisle. Our handsome groom Aleksi, stood by at the altar, filled with so much anticipation as he waited for his beautiful princess to start her bridal walk...As the wind blew thru her long veil, Laiza slowly started the most meaningful walk of her life... Donned in a curvaceous lace wedding gown, her beauty glowed and captivated everyone in the church. She was such a sight to behold. Aleksi was quite blown away when he saw her, a gorgeous vision in white, probably more than he imagined. It was a dream come true, and so much more... Laiza, being the crybaby that she is, couldn't control her tears from streaming down as she inched step by step to her real-life prince charming and the "happily-ever-after" that awaited her.
Rev. Fr. Eleomer Dendiego, one of the principal sponsors, officiated the ceremony. He gave out a very meaningful homily, one that was filled with his own spontaneous jokes that made the crowd chuckle.When it was time for Laiza and Al to exchange their vows, the bride overwhelmed everyone with her honest declaration of love, she even managed to make the guests cry and laugh at the same time. By far, one of the best speeches I have ever heard a bride say... (thumbs up)
 | ||
| Laiza & Al exchange their vows before everyone else... |
 |
| their first kiss (photo credits to Ms. Esmin Faminialagao) |
*****more pictures to follow*****
A festive dinner followed at the Sahara Grand Ballroom of Oasis Hotel, as more than 300
friends and relatives made their way to celebrate the couple's wedding.
 |
| The registration area for the guests.. |
 |
| the beautiful couple |
Aleksi's father was the only one who unfortunately failed to be at the wedding as he got called back to work a few days before the event, but he still managed to leave a loving message to the newlyweds, together with a few friends of the couple who weren't able to make it. Laiza even got to sneak in a surprise birthday video and a cake for her groom who celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday.
 |
| joined by one of their entourage and closest friends.... |
 |
| photo credits to Side Dish Project... |
It was indeed a very lovely wedding, a heartfelt union between two highschool sweethearts who found their destinies 9 years ago and decided to start a whole new chapter in their lives together, for good..
 |
| photo credits to Side Dish Project |
