It wasn’t called “Wedding of the Year” for nothing.

Here is a detailed report on the Korina Sanchez-Mar Roxas nuptial held on Oct. 27 at the Sto. Domingo Church, Quezon City, as featured on “Showbiz News Ngayon:”

With around 2,000 guests in attendance, the wedding ceremony started at 4 p.m. with Sen. Mar waiting at the altar for his bride Korina.

Before going to the church, Korina visited the graves of her parents at Heritage Park in Taguig City to ask for their blessings. The broadcaster who braved the traffic from Taguig was a few minutes late for her wedding.   

The couple’s wedding entourage started walking down the red carpet at 4 p.m.

At 4:20 p.m., the radiant bride in her Serpentina-cut Filipiniana gown done by Pepito Albert, alighted from her bridal car and was immediately whisked off to the entrance of the church. Korina was veiled with a white cloth before she walked down the aisle.

Some 10 minutes later, Korina started to walk down the aisle. She was escorted by her brothers Iggy Sanchez, then Mickey, and Milano Sanchez. She was teary-eyed while walking the red carpet. The church was beautifully adorned with various flowers, mostly sampaguita and rosal.

At 4:30 p.m., Korina and Mar exchanged their wedding vows in front of the altar. The broadcaster just reiterated her earlier vow to her groom, saying, “Mar, ang pangako ko sa ‘yo, kahapon, ngayon at bukas, ako’y iyong-iyo.”

To which Mar said, “I will love and honor you all the days of my life.”

This was followed by the customary wedding kiss which was the most applauded part in the ceremony.

At the simple reception held inside the Sto. Domingo Church, Korina said she was glad that her long wait is over.

“Nagulat ako dahil sa napakarami naming inimbita, hindi ko akalain na halos lahat magpupunta kahit walang reception. Ang pinaka-importante, sumipot siya (Mar),” Korina said.

Why did she shed tears while walking down the aisle?

“Naalala ko kasi ang mga magulang ko. Ang mahalaga, naging pinakamasaya at kumpleto ang selebrasyon.”

Asked to repeat on-cam her promise to her groom, she said, “Naku, pang 100 times na yata ito, ha. Mahal na mahal kita, honey, forever. Iinglesin ko naman, yesterday, today and tomorrow, I’m yours.”

The wedding entourage

It was a family affair for the wedding entourage composed mainly of the couple’s nieces and nephews.

Mar’s Best Man was his son Paulo while Korina’s Matron of honor was her best friend Dang Palanca. The bible bearer was Matthew Garcia, son of sportscaster Dyan Castillejo, and ring bearer was Baby James Yap, the only son of Kris Aquino and James Yap.

Principal sponsors included Sen. Noynoy Aquino [who came in place of his deceased mom, former President Cory Aquino], broadcaster Che Che Lazaro, ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Gabby Lopez, and Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno.

“‘Yong tutor ni Josh, prinaktis si Baby James ng dalawang gabi sa bahay,” Kris said about her son’s near-perfect walk. 

Asked about her wish for the newlyweds, Kris said, “I really want them to be blessed with a child. I wish them a blissful year.”   

Korina’s siblings also sent their congratulatory messages to the broadcaster.

“We’re very happy for her, that she waited this long to find the right guy. Our only lament would be ‘yong parents namin are not around anymore,” Iggy Sanchez said.

Another brother, Milano Sanchez, said “O, Ate, dream come true for you, fairy tale wedding. I’m really glad that you made this decision.”

“Congratulations and good luck to both of you,” greeted Mickey Sanchez.

Who wore who

Like in Hollywood, the Mar-Korina wedding is a showcase of the best in fashion, what with its well-heeled guests donning the ultimate chic, Filipina-inspired gowns and Barong Tagalog.

Actor-TV host Richard Gomez wore a Randy Ortiz piece which he said was inspired by the late Ferdinand Marcos. Sen. Noynoy looked debonair in his Paul Cabral Barong Tagalog.

Always a stunner, Gretchen Barretto made heads turn in her Inno Sotto gown, a flowing yellow dress accessorized by a yellow shawl.

“’Pag very special occasions, I really go to Inno Sotto. Tony Boy (Cojuangco) likes Inno. Sabi niya, mukha akong kagalang-galang,” Gretchen said in jest.

Sunshine Cruz who came with husband Cesar Montano, wore a violet terno by Eric Pineda.

Kris Aquino made a good fashion choice in a JC Buendia black gown with yellow accent.

Charo loses her bag

A small incident proved to be the “raindrop” on Korina’s parade -- ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio lost her bag during the proceedings.

“I think it could be my fault,” Kris said on SNN. “Inakala niya siguro na I’ll be responsible, na kukunin ko, eh, hindi ko nakuha.

“Tapos, ‘yung bag, nawala na. Sorry, ha. She thought na binilin niya sa akin, to keep the bag. Eh, I didn’t hear. Sorry,” Kris apologetically relayed.     
     
VIP Event

The Sanchez-Roxas nuptial was, indeed, the Wedding of the Year. Its VIP guests included senators, legislators, showbiz, and sports personalities, and other luminaries from other fields.

Aside from those already mentioned, these included ABS-CBN’s Cory Vidanes and Maria Resa; former President Joseph Estrada; actors Dennis Padilla and Richard Gomez; Ricardo Puno; Randy and Karina David; Dr. Vicky Belo; and Jovito Salonga.

(A complete coverage of the Sanchez-Roxas nuptials will air on ABS-CBN on Nov. 8 dubbed as “Korina and Mar: Noon, Ngayon At Bukas”)