IT was an entire canopy of autumn leaves... red, gold and burnt sienna, that greeted guests at the wedding reception of Ralph and Jasmin (Sarmiento) Juan at the Cebu Grand Convention Center.
Earlier that day at the St. Therese Parish (Lahug), the couple, Jasmin Ellen and Ralph Andrei, daughter and son, respectively of Edgar Sarmiento and Jennifer Helen Weigel-Sarmiento and Richard Chua Juan and Grace Tan-Juan, exchanged marriage vows. Officiating at the formal rites were His Excellency, Most Rev. Jose S. Palma, D.D., Rev. Msgr. Roberto F. Alesna and Fr. Brian C. Brigoli. Fourteen madrinas stunningly gowned and coiffed, marched down the aisle, on the arm of 14 distinguished and dashing padrinos: Mayor Ronaldo P. Aquino and Melanie B. Piaf; Pio B. Castillo Jr. and Felly L. Sy; Dr. Reynaldo L. Dira and Maria Susana B. Ostrea; Mario Edward Q. Escario II and Veronica C. Poblador; Martin O. Goho and Ofelia N. Wadle; Mario G. Juan and Jonna P. Ang; Lexter S. Lino and Polly J. Yu; Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña and Ofelia T. David; Eduardo U. Saratao and Gwendolyn I. Colina; Mel Senen S. Sarmiento and Ruby Ann W. Canete; Sheffered S. Tan and Helene T. Cang; Jimmy C. Tee and Sally G. Peñalosa; Peter L. Uy and Diane Y. Chua; and Gov. Zaldy S. Villa and Dr. Maria Asuncion D. Tremedal. Also catching attention was a favorite pet, Lucky W. Sarmiento, who passed by on a trolley as part of the entourage!
The youthful and fresh-as-spring attendants included: Best Man Michael Ryan C. Goho, Maid of Honor, the bride’s twin Jennifer Elaine W. Sarmiento; Best Married Man Lexter T. Juan, Matron of Honor Kathleen Ann V. Jabasa; Groomsmen Andrew Anthony T. Alcantara, Edd Kirby Y. Bunan, Mikel Andreas W. Cañete, Jon Rourke L. Huang, Malone O. Juan, Bjorn T. Ngo, Andrew Philip W. Sarmiento, Dexter U. Tanengsy, Darren Riley G. Teng and Kenichi G. Uang; and bridesmaids Janet A. Chavez, Rizbelle O. Young, Twinie Kaye L. Ng, Jacqueline S. Dico, Emily Pauline J. Yu, Denise G. Lua, Anne Metchalyn G. Viado, Cara Mae Y. Rina, Samantha Nicole C. Juan and Fritzlyn N. Hernandez.
Secondary sponsors were Rochelle Rae C. Tan and James Daniel C. Kho for candle; Alexa J. Gaw and Andrei Red R. Duterte for veil; and Charles Anthony L. Juan and Anna Mae C. Juan for cord.
More smiling dudes and dudettes joinedthe march: Junior bridesmaids, Jillian T. Tan and Rica Ellana O. Tiongko and cute flower girls Rhianne Bianca C. Tan and Elizabeth D. Ventura. Ring, bible, rosary and coinbearers were Mark Alexander G. Juan, Chaz Trevi C. Juan, Renzo Isaac O. Arce and Lorenzo W. Flores.
At the reception for 1,200 guests, we were impressed by the more than one photo booth: romantic Paris, modern Tokyo and dazzling New York! Inside the ballroom was a 117-foot LED wall, spanning the breadth of the area, a first in the country, according to wedding planner Richie Mendoza, who just planed in from Dubai.
As the elegant and detail-perfect event went on, there were the traditional video clips of the couple, and more surprises: celebrity performers Basil Valdez, Richard Poon, Angeline Quinto and Jeffrey Hidalgo mesmerized the guests with their unforgettable songs!
The romantic evening ended all too soon, with the sponsors wishing the couple lots of love, laughter, and forever happiness.
We likewise raise our glasses in a toast to the lovebirds!