Jerome and Joyce's "Once In A Lifetime Fairytale"...

They say, almost every girl dreams of a fairytale wedding...

photo by Shutter One Photography

Well, that may not always be the case.  In fact, that isn't how it started with Joyce, our first bride for 2015.

Never in her wildest dreams did Joyce  imagine she'd be getting married like this.  Back in the days, she was even resolved to the idea of having a kid without the need to go through anything complicated such as  marriage. She  isn't the mushy conventional  type. She does not conform just because. At one point, she thought her plan was resolute.... that wasn't  until true love led to make her see things in a much more different perspective...

Someone once advised me, "Marry your best friend if you can."  Although I have guy friends that I'm close to and I can't imagine getting married to any of them, I'm thinking that wise woman  probably meant, marry someone whom you can share your all without any hesitation, a guy you can depend on just like how you are to your own best friend.  Someone who knows you inside and out and  will accept you for who you really are..

That's more of a hint on how our couple's love story began..  From being office mates to  friends sharing the same carpool at work, they were just ordinary buddies who used to hang out doing all sorts of things barkadas do until they started secretly developing feelings for each other, slowly falling in love without even realizing it.

       There was no courtship nor any formalities. For a certain while,  "pakiramdaman" became the ultimate challenge. They both woke up one day with that familiar warm feeling in their hearts, knowing fully well that it was only a matter of saying it outright, ~ ~ that was enough to  seal the deal. Love was undeniable, and no matter how much they tried to avoid it, love was inevitable.

at Al Mamzar Beach, Dubai

Opposites attract, as is the saying. Jerome is  the quiet one while Joyce is the rather outspoken type.. Our bride loves the beach (and I mean love!!) while Jerome prefers the earthy outdoors, being the man that he is.. Joyce is amazingly good (and fast) at shopping while Jer is the more meticulous one. But despite their differences, they couldn't mesh better than they already do. They suit each other just perfectly.

JANUARY 3, 2015.  Our very first wedding for 2015..


We were so captivated by the scenery when  we arrived at Two Gardens at exactly 8 in the morning. The chilly morning breeze smelled of fresh pines, the crisp divine scent of nature wonderfully relaxing. The villa literally looked like a picture straight from a  magazine ~ a paradise of  lush greens, tall pine trees, beautiful flowers of different kinds and colors, well-maintained green meadows, and a picturesque stone house that served as our couple's home the night before.

a humble shot from my phone...

   

the Pine Gardens..

the relaxing veranda...

the couple's home for the past two days...

The place was so peaceful and calming.  My excitement level went up 10 notches instantly as I met Joyce and Jerome who were headed for breakfast at the beautiful veranda upstairs.

   I shamelessly gave our bride  a hug when I saw her. Having planned this wedding with her from the very start  felt like I was marrying off my sister that day... It was just downright special.

Joyce knew exactly what she wanted and was  unwavering with how she envisioned her wedding to be. She had her eyes set on a romantic Filipiniana-themed garden wedding, with nature to set as a beautiful backdrop to what will be one of the most meaningful moments of their lives...

The preps started kicking in as the suppliers arrived one by one.. The very first to arrive was Julius of Amante Fleurs, who personally delivered  the gorgeous  flowers. Joyce's bridal bouquet was a mixture of blue and white  roses.

             The entourage's flowers were a combination of yellow chrysanthemums, gerberas, green button chrysanthemum pompoms and calla lilies among others. Every bouquet was particularly designed with care. I only have praises for  Amante Fleurs.

Next came the Shutter-One Photography Team headed by Wally Cunanan who were all very  professional and easy to work with.  The mood was light so we were all smiles that morning as the cool breeze greeted us on our way to the house.


The hours went by so fast that before we knew it, it was time for the "moment" to start...


Friends and family started arriving around 1:00 in the afternoon. Everyone was in  awe at the beautiful paradise that welcomed them. Tiffany chairs surrounded the small altar where the couple held their vows.

the Groom,. (pics by Shutter One)

(photo credits to Marietesz Gatmaitan)

Chrysanthemums, daisies, lilies and hydrangeas of yellow, white and lavender colors simply beautified the aisle. The natural charm of Two Gardens didn't need much  ornaments  as it was already breathtaking to look at. A beautiful trellis adorned with white & blue flowers stood at the center as friends and family gathered altogether. (pics to follow)

our beautiful  Bride.... (by Shutter One)

At 4:00 in the afternoon, the ceremony commenced.  One by one, the entourage, were ushered to the ceremony garden. Jerome together with his parents slowly walked to the altar, donned in an elegant art-laced barong tagalog.

The most anticipated moment of all was when Joyce finally made her bridal walk..  As "A Thousand Years" played in the background,  our beautiful bride Joyce  gracefully and slowly descended from the Villa's brick stairs  in her exquisite white lace mermaid gown by Mitch Desunia which  emphasized her curves,  holding her gorgeous blue & white rose bouquet, quivering nervously but never faltering.

She  seemed to walk afloat as she headed to the altar. She was a vision as she took her steps down the aisle where peach rose-petals were scattered over the "natural green carpet" nature has provided.  With Jerome's  familiar sweet smile eagerly awaiting her, Joyce was a  picture of serenity and happiness.

Joyce descends from the stone staircase down to the aisle...

A lovely kind-hearted lady whose perception about love & marriage changed after finding THE man truly destined to be her other half.   It was a very heartfelt exchange of  personal vows before Pastor Marlon Arcilla who officiated the Christian ceremony, even the guests were in tears as they all witnessed Joyce & Jerome say  their "I Do's"...

the couple's first official photo as husband & wife... ( by Shutter One)

After the beautiful garden ceremony, a festive  celebration  followed  at the Pine Gardens  adjacent to the ceremony venue which was transformed into a  "Filipiniana" themed wedding party, with hues of royal blue and silver dominating the area...Chandeliers and  votive candles added warmth and romance to the feel of the place, which I may add was a chilly 22 degrees that night...

photo credits to Ms. Marietesz Pilapil Gatmaitan

 
Joyce and Jerome were both very particular with everything concerning their wedding, first ~ their Filipiniana theme which radiated their love for everything Pinoy, even up to the songs they personally handpicked one by one...  It explains why their first dance was  "Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok Ko by  Noel Cabangon, and their beautifully done Same-Day-Edit Video  from the Shutter One team  with  the song "Ikaw At Ako"  by  Johnoy Danao  serving as the background. A short Same-Day-edit photo slide was also provided by Shutter One with "Kung Akin Ang Langit" by Mcoy Fundales & Clara Benin which highlighted the most memorable moments of the day.  It was truly heartwarming to do a "Pinoy" themed party for a change. It was a breath of fresh air. I guess it hit us right home...

Joyce & Jerome before the wedding.... ( photo by Shutter One)

 A scrumptious array of courses and mouthwatering desserts awaited the guests, all carefully done by Center Table while the lively program was hosted by none other than Iris Cruz who made the celebration  enjoyable.. I even  noticed guests coming back for a second round. The Zuppa Toscana soup and chicken-potato salad with walnuts were the biggest favorites of all. How I wish I had my fill of their delectable salad as it remains my fave up to this day. Just thinking about the soup makes my mouth water... (sigh)

Having been given the opportunity to help plan this wedding alongside Joyce was a privilege I will always look back to. Joyce was such an ease to work with as she had that friendly and  easy-to-get-along kind of aura in her that's hard to miss. She was approachable, considerate and down-to-earth.

photo credits to Beck Mike Simone

I wish for  more fun weddings like these in the future, and brides as nice as Joyce... (Lately, we've been lucky to work with the nicest brides ever). But then again, I will surely miss doing preps with her... For the meantime, enjoy the few pictures I was given firsthand. More beautiful pictures to follow. Kudos to  Shutter One Photography for the awesome pictures, Centertable Catering, Stohenky (the ever dependable sounds & lights provider), Amante Fleurs, Anne Garcia, and the rest of the suppliers who made this event successful..

From the bottom of our hearts, Aann and the whole team of the Wedding Village would like to  thank you Mr. and Mrs. Jerome & Joyce De Pedro for entrusting us your wedding..  May you live a wonderful, love-filled and harmonious life ahead, wherever life takes you two, you have our best wishes at heart...

our photobooth shot... thanks to Watty Ramone Delos Reyes  of Wattyshots...

                                                                                                   ~~~xoxo~~~~

                                                                                                   The WeddingVillage Team...