With a wedding far from the hustle of the city and a dreamy reception overlooking the Taal lake, Don Alcantara and Anne Binay’s wedding spelled out the epitome of age-old romance. Literally out of the box, invitations to the wedding were sent out in jewel-toned boxes, wrapped in rich fabric. Every detail was infused with quixotic messages, as if to say that Don’s pursuit of the girl of his dreams was never-ending.
Daughter to one of Metro Manila’s most famed and prominent mayors, Anne truly got the wedding of her dreams. “Our wedding planner, Gigi Bautista and the GBA Events team knew everything that we wanted and exceeded our expectations,” Anne conveyed, still floating in honeymoon bliss. Marrying Don, she knew that he would insist on little surprises, romantic pieces and the melody of his song for her, “Sa Piling Mo.” And that, she got in abundance.
After a solemn ceremony that yielded many tears, guests were taken to the Taal Vista Hotel, for an intimate gathering of friends and family over wine and cocktails. Soon after, the reception area was revealed: a set-up overlooking the lake, under the cool night air, in a setting reminiscent of a scene out of a movie. Tables in jewel-toned overlays were pitched on multi-layered ground, clustered under crisp white tents. On a central stage flourishing with floral styling, the Bernie Pasamba sextet, saxophonist Vince Lahorra and Spirit of ’67 filled the ambient scene with song.
Buffets were intricately designed, embedded with lavish cuisines. A dessert table presented layers and selections of sweets from cream puffs to pies, an obra maestra of Heny Sison. Later, guests were given linen envelopes, each one containing a single butterfly. We were told a legend that they take whispered wishes all the way to heaven and that set off the release of hundreds of butterflies in vibrant hues, bringing with them our prayers for the couple.
Beautiful speeches were given by Mayor Binay, as well as Don and Anne’s close friends. But it was Don’s speech that left everyone enviously smitten. With a profession of love for his beautiful bride, Don ended with a light kiss on Anne’s forehead and like a tightly-knit cinematic scene, it set off a fifteen-minute play of fireworks lighting up the sky. The dance floor was packed until wee hours in the morning with guests swinging to tunes from the 70s and 80s.
Some people have chosen to believe that the days of romance and chivalry are gone but some of us get lucky. We sometimes meet the half we were born without. And so was the love story of Anne and Don – the reunion of two souls bound together by fate.
a legend that they take whispered wishes all the way to heaven and that set off the release of hundreds of butterflies in vibrant hues, bringing with them our prayers for the couple.
Beautiful speeches were given by Mayor Binay, as well as Don and Anne’s close friends. But it was Don’s speech that left everyone enviously smitten. With a profession of love for his beautiful bride, Don ended with a light kiss on Anne’s forehead and like a tightly-knit cinematic scene, it set off a fifteen-minute play of fireworks lighting up the sky. The dance floor was packed until wee hours in the morning with guests swinging to tunes from the 70s and 80s.
Some people have chosen to believe that the days of romance and chivalry are gone but some of us get lucky. We sometimes meet the half we were born without. And so was the love story of Anne and Don – the reunion of two souls bound together by fate.
off a fifteen-minute play of fireworks lighting up the sky. The dance floor was packed until wee hours in the morning with guests swinging to tunes from the 70s and 80s.
Some people have chosen to believe that the days of romance and chivalry are gone but some of us get lucky. We sometimes meet the half we were born without. And so was the love story of Anne and Don – the reunion of two souls bound together by fate.
