The road leading to Tagaytay is in itself a nature trail stretching endlessly. Rolling hills, verdant fields, and colorful flowers greet you as you pass by the countryside that leads to the city proper. Under the summer sun, the local sunflowers, or the papaitan, are in full bloom, their faces looking toward the sky.

Further up the road by the mountain ridge, Taal Volcano comes into view. Tagaytay City takes pride in offering a perfect view of the volcano famous for being "a lake within a lake". Over the years, many restaurants and picnic spots have risen along the roadsides of Tagaytay where guests can enjoy a sumptuous meal and marvel at the spectacular view of the volcano and the lake surrounding it.

Only an hour and 15 minutes away from Manila, Tagaytay City is an urban-dweller’s backyard. According to Ms. Ephel Olivarez, Operations Manager and Owner of Tagaytay Country Hotel, most of the people who come to Tagaytay are those who want to escape from the noise, the traffic, the pollution, and the heat in Manila. Because of its proximity to Manila, Tagaytay has become an alternative to the country’s top summer capital, Baguio (Tagaytay comes second) and even to destinations as far as Boracay - thus, contributing greatly to the success of the city’s tourism industry. "Tagaytay is highly accessible to visitors coming from Manila," says Olivarez, "especially now that motorists can take the Sta. Rosa National Highway to get to Tagaytay."

Situated approximately 600 meters above sea level (the highest point of Cavite), Tagaytay is the only place near Manila that has a cool mountain climate with an average temperature of 22 degrees Centigrade. Even in summer, the breeze is refreshing - and you might even experience one of those occasional drizzles that keep the city’s vegetation abloom.

With its picturesque landscape and pleasant atmosphere, Tagaytay City recognizes - now more than ever - that it has become not only a place to see but also a place to get married. Just last March, the city hosted what can very well be called the "Wedding of the Year" – that of actress Claudine Barretto to actor Raymart Santiago.

Whether it is a church or a garden wedding that the couple has in mind, a memorable occasion awaits in the romantic city of Tagaytay. If you want a traditional and solemn ceremony, there are several churches – both old and new – that you can choose from wherever you go in the city. For couples who prefer a garden backdrop, the options also abound, as Tagaytay is in itself a sprawling garden. You can choose the venue for your ceremony from the city’s numerous parks and gardens. For the reception, you can book any of Tagaytay’s hotels and restaurants and be assured that you’ll have a joyful yet intimate celebration for you and your loved ones to cherish forever.

Being a one-stop wedding destination, however, should not be limited to only wedding ceremony and reception venues. As Olivarez points out, aside from being an ideal setting for a wedding, Tagaytay also has something else to offer that is equally important in making the occasion truly special: the service rendered by its people. "When couples from Manila come to Tagaytay to get married," shares Olivarez, "they come here only to get married." Although the spas of Tagaytay are fast becoming popular among brides preparing for the big day, the city has come to realize the need for endorsing its own wedding suppliers. "We want to let people from Manila know that we also have wedding gown designers, makeup artists, florists, and photographers right here in Tagaytay," Olivarez stresses, "and they are as talented as the ones you have in Manila."

With flowers picked from Tagaytay’s flower farms, fruits harvested from the city’s orchards, a horse-drawn carriage, and a reservation for a suite with a view of Taal Lake, it looks like your wedding will be everything you’ve ever dreamed of. Even your guests will fall in love with your choice of venue for your special day. What better place to plant pleasant memories and a prayer than in a vast garden nurtured by showers of love from up above?