Last December, right smack at the peak of the wedding/holiday season, Benz was sending SMS, emails, and FB messages to our friends in the wedding industry asking which among the various weddings they’ve handled/covered throughout the year do they consider very best and why. Our gratitude to the more than 20 wedding suppliers (we asked more, actually) who took time out to send their submission despite their hectic sched.
So whose weddings made it in this year’s list? Aside from celebrity weddings, there’s a noticeable increase of nuptials held outside the Philippines in 2010’s roaster. It’s a solid proof that — due to talent and value-for-money (and of course, the internet!) — the Filipino wedding supplier is one of the country’s growing export. Cheers to that! More importantly, completing our annual list are the beautiful weddings of ordinary couples (W@Wies or not) which made an extra-ordinary impact to their respective wedding supplier.
Without much ado, let’s run down 2010’s best stating from the most recent to earliest held last year….
Ogie Alcasid + Regine Velasquez
22 December 2010
Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Nasugbu Batangas
I choose this wedding as the best that we have covered for the year, not only because of their celebrity stature, but more so for the fact that every detail was really well thought of.
Dubbed as the “wedding of the decade” by a lot of people, it truly has all the unique features that make it truly outstanding. Firstly, the venue was really breathtaking. Having their wedding in two different venues wherein they had the beauty of the mountains for their ceremony and the serenity of the sea for their night reception. Secondly, the elements were truly unique: one, the bride wore a non-traditional red gown by Monique Lhuiller; two, Regine opted not to have a bridal bouquet, instead, she chose to have a cattleya corsage on her wrist; three, the couple chose to give all their gifts to charity foundations they believed in and supported– truly remarkable; four, Regine wore Chanel boots rather than the usual stilettos; and five, the couple prepared a mini-concert with top caliber artists/singers for the guests to watch and enjoy.It was really an awesome, star-studded wedding!
To top it all off, the vows of Ogie and Regine was one of the best I have ever heard. It was so sincere, so true and so full of love.
-Charisse Santillian for Nice Print (photo + video)
Mark Orbos + Jell Ong
18 December 2010
Bellarocca, Marinduque
I met Jell when I shot her sister’s wedding four years ago. I could not believe it when she said her wedding will be in Bellarocca. Despite their chosen date being rack smack the middle of the wedding peak season, I freed up the day before and day after. Afterall, how many times do I expect to get booked for a Bellarocca wedding?
When we got there, I heard that this was only Bellarocca’s fourth major wedding (another privilege). The day of the wedding, I was shocked to find out that Mark is Oscar Orbos’ son — one of the few politicians we look up to with deep respect. What makes this special for us was not just the beautiful place. God also gave us a great couple whose beauty is not just outside but also within - super bait! As we wrapped up the day, we said goodbye to Mark who was drinking with friends. He stood up and walked us out and even offered to carry some of the stuff for us. The couple even told the resort coordinator, “These people worked the whole day for us, please give them anything they ask for, we will pay for it.”
The couple was also so game. They put their whole trust in us and would gladly do whatever we asked them to do. Mark said he would do everything, but just once in his life. Our priest was also perfect; who else but the father’s brother Fr. Jerry Orbos who gave a great sermon complete with props.
There is nothing else I would wish for. God is truly amazing!
-John Mateos Ong for ImagineNation Photography
Hatch Bodegon + Ro Cortez
11 December 2010
God’s Love Farm, San Mateo, Rizal
We just love “come-as-you-are” weddings — they’re very intimate, and they ooze with the bride and groom’s personal touches and unique personalities. Ro (the bride) noted this: just have fun and “no mushy poses” — that line epitomizes the a redsheep wedding.
-Guj Tungpalan for Redsheep (photo + video)
Stan Ocampo + Fei Marasigan
20 November 2010
Faith Fundamental Baptist Church + La Huerta Estate (Antipolo)
(photo by Jay Jay Lucas for Imagine Nation)
(onsite video by Cinemaworks)
Kahit medyo maraming glitches on the day, naging super okay sila. At yung reception nila, smooth na lahat. Super understanding couple. Lahat masaya pati suppliers. Hindi ko po talaga ma-express pero the best event ko po sila (based din po ‘to sa votes ng buong krew ko po).
-Elmer Reyes for RejectKrew (lights + sounds)
Antoine Carlhian + Shermaine Mina
13 November 2010
Madre de Dios + Midlands Veranda (Tagaytay)
The kind of weddings that win my heart are the ones with distinctive, tasteful yet simple details that compliment the character of the couple. Shermaine and Antoine’s sense of style made my eyes sparkle all throughout their wedding. My heart instantly jumped when I saw Shermaine’s Tiffany blue wedding gown that was designed by her very own mother. Add to that a beautiful bridal entourage who came all the way from Belgium, in support of Antoine’s love for Shermaine. To top it all, Ernest Pascual’s ingenious reception set up literally made my jaw drop. Everything was just so effortlessly elegant.
-Jaja Samaniego for Imagine Nation Photography
William Co, Jr. + Kristine Alaine Chua
06 November 2010
Manila Cathedral + Hotel Sofitel
(photo by Jaime Tee)
I had so much fun working with Alaine and the rest of her entourage. She is the perfect muse. Beautiful inside and out!
-Veejay Floresca (gown design)
Derek Tan Yeong Par + Linda Foo
06 November 2010
Church of Jesus Caritas + Cyberview Lodge Resort & Spa (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia)
(photo by FIFOTO)
It’s every wedding videographer’s dream to cover a wedding in another country. We were blessed to live that dream in 2010 for Derek Tan and Linda Foo’s Malaysia wedding.
That alone would be enough to make this our wedding of the year. But there’s more to it than just that. Their love story is serendipitous. Their wedding day — not one, but two ceremonies — was sentimental. The couple was one of the kindest we’ve had — pampering us all throughout our stay.
Yes, we can say that even if this was not an out-of-the-country wedding, this would still rank to be one of 2010’s best. It being in Malaysia just propelled it over the top.
-Bob Nicolas (video)
Kenny Ong + Nikko Pidech
21 October 2010
Mercure Samui Buri Resort, Thailand
2010 has truly been a blessed year for Metrophoto. We had record number of weddings in Manila and in destinations we once only dreamt about of visiting before. We shot the most diverse concepts and cultures, and we met the truest and nicest people one can imagine. These sort of extremes make it very difficult to choose just one that we can consider our best of the year. Although there is one that we feel perfectly exemplifies the year that it has been and it is the wedding of Kenny and Nikko in Koh Samui in Thailand last October.
To be able to shoot a wedding in a destination that I didn’t even know exists, with a couple who’s heart is bigger than the island itself, and with cultures so diverse such as ours, and the Thais — it was an experience unlike any other. It’s something that doesn’t come along very often and for that we are very grateful and thus the best of our 2010.
-Oly Ruiz for MetroPhoto
David Burke + Anna Larae Lee
16 October 2010
St. Mary’s Cathedral + Doltone House(Sydney, Australia)
Pinay bride living in Oz. Pinoy wedding filmmakers in foreign land!
My wife and I are very glad to work with my favorite couple in the world, the naturally gorgeous Larae and the always bubbly David, for trusting us, flying us, and taking care of us during our stay. We had the best time of our lives.
- Phoeben Teocson (video)
Mhyke Dimapilis + Bey Santiago Dimapilis
Wedding Date: October 3, 2010
St. Therese + Blue Leaf
Felt like so many things happened in this wedding. The couple gave me 101% of their trust in doing my work. Both are so confident with all their suppliers. No tension at all.
- John Marvi de Guzman for Cinemaworks
Mervin Balingcongan + Iza Arafiles
02 October 2010
Shrine of St Therese + Blue Leaf
The couple is based in New York who wants nothing but to party hard on their wedding day. The venue, Jade Pavilion was transformed to a bar lounge set-up with the Brooklyn Skyline as their stage backdrop. Guests were partying as early as 5pm. Unlimited drinks (alcoholic that is) and food were already on the spread of the buffet tables. The entourage including their parents and principal sponsors started to dance their way to the dance floor as each pair was introduced. They were all game for such party. The couple had their grandest entrance. It was the best ever we had for the past 9 years I have been in the business. Not a typical wedding reception. It’s real Party! Party!
-Jody Liwanag for EventsExperts
Edward Guina + Aileen Oblea Wedding
04 September 2010
St. Ignatius Church + San Francisco City Hall (San Francisco, California)
(onsite video by Mayad Studios)
So far, one of the grandest Filipino weddings I covered outside the country. The church and reception venues are breathtaking. Edward and Aileen did an amazing job infusing their Filipino heritage to this modern-meets-traditional extravaganza.
-Nelwin Uy (photo)
Elwood Liao + Sarah Atienza
(August 08, 2010)
United Evangilical Church of Malabon + Makati Shangri-La
(photo by Pat Dy)
Over the past few years, we’ve all seen some spectacular renditions of Winter Wonderland weddings in the magazines. Sarah and Elwood’s Winter Wonderland wedding is one of those with grand gestures. From the very romantic setting of the church and the fantasy and drama at the reception makes their walk down the aisle truly memorable.
-Cecilio Abad (gown design)
CJ Lagman + Ira Olan
30 July 2010
Santuario de San Jose + North Forbes Pavilion
(photo by Dino Lara)
We could have easily picked any of our two-celebrity-weddings-in-one-day (Ciara Sotto’s or Roselle Nava’s) if not for this one particular wedding - that of Ira Olan and Threelogy’s only remaining bachelor, CJ Lagman. The two tied the knot in Santuario de San Jose and had a simple, yet very intimate, reception at The North Forbes Pavilion. Happy times, indeed.
As partners in Threelogy, us three have known each other for nearly half our lives, but we picked CJ’s wedding not because he is one of us. His is our 2010 wedding of the year mainly because we have never seen a groom as happy as CJ was on his wedding day.
-Bong Sare for Threelogy (video)
Lucky Cruz + Erica David
24 July 2010
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish + The Greenery
Here’s our most memorable yet. This is our couple, Lucky and Ica. They’re onsite video and photos are basically box-office hit on bridal fairs. Our most ambitious and most challenging production yet.
-Daniel Lei (photo + video)
Jens Laureta + Joy Aggabao
10 July 2010
St. Olav Church + Clarion Hotel
(onsite video by Chug Cadiogan)
Our very first out of the country wedding, and it’s in Europe! What made it special though was that the couple and their families gave us a very warm welcome and we felt that we were not there to work, but as guests. We will never forget the look on Joy’s face when she first saw us, she had a big smile on her face and said, “Oh my God, I can’t believe you guys are here!” It was one of the best welcomes ever!
-Paul Vincent (photo)
Tristan Luis + Sunshine dela Cruz
April 10, 2010
Shrine of Jesus + Bali Garden
(photo by Paul Vincent)
(onsite video by Phoeben Teocson)
Why Shine and Tan?
Everyone, from the couple to their guests, had so much fun! The only wedding we’ve handled where all guests stayed until the party. Why? Because the reception program was really a blast! The hosts were not even professional hosts.
There are a lot of challenging moments too – the priest was late – but this didn’t dampen their spirit. Their aunt who lent them the bridal car also went straight to the reception while the couple were having pictorials. So they rode a taxi (see photo) and they were still all smiles! They are the coolest and happiest couple on their wedding day!
-Chi Hernandez-Abarquez for Once A Bride
Andre See + Pia Sta Romana
13 March 2010
Our Lady of Lourdes + Hacienda Isabella (Tagaytay)
(photo by MangoRed)
(onsite video by Bob Nicolas)
Theirs was screaming countryside charm. The wedding elements were carefully thought of and executed. Andre and Pia’s wedding was one every couple would wish to have - relaxed, beautiful and memorable.
-Queen David for Just Like Ours
Dave Dean + Jorene Arguson
01 March 2010
Makati City Hall
(photo by Oly Ruiz)
Being a Catholic country, we give prime importance to weddings held in churches. It is after all every little girl’s dream. But what of the civil ceremony? Is it of less significance? Dave and Jorene prove otherwise. In a day filled with all the tension, happiness and love of an altar union, this couple proves that venue is irrelevant only the resolve to commit is what matters.
-Jason Magbanua (video)
Pete Ferrer + Ina de Jesus
February 27, 2010
Virgin Beach Resort (Laiya, Batangas)
Peter and Ina are artists by heart. They knew the “wedding feel” that they wanted and they made it as personalized as possible. Hence, the quirky/vintage beach theme that was really refreshing to be part of. Pete wore sneakers and Ina sported golden toms; and they even hand painted and put together the totem signage for the beach themselves. I chose their wedding because theirs is one of the weddings that reminds one of the heart of weddings — and that’s God making all things possible and making things beautiful just the way He planned it to be. The emotions and love just overflowed from the families and close friends in attendance.
- JayJay Lucas for Imagine Nation Photography
Tony Chao + Fish Leong
01 February 2010
Discovery Shores, Boracay
Choosing our wedding of the year was probably one of our biggest puzzles! With 365 days in a year, you could only imagine the days left when we are not shooting a wedding or meeting a couple. So how do we really choose the best among the rest?
Should we choose by popularity or vote for the most scenic location? Should we choose a co-supplier or perhaps the most controversial couple? How about going for the most intimate wedding? And then it hit us! We all agreed on a wedding that was the most exceptional for us in the year 2010…the wedding of Fish Leong and Tony Chao!
Their wedding had it all! Obviously Fish is popular among Mandarin-speaking countries. But our choice did not depend on popularity alone. We chose them because we experienced the most heartfelt exchange of vows while watching their wedding ceremony. And did we mention that they are the nicest people? They chose our very own famous white sand beach, Boracay and they coordinated with none other than the great Amanda Tirol to have a flawless wedding that was as beautiful as it was touching! And the craze did not stop there, for never in our wildest dreams did we think that their wedding would be our gateway to a much bigger market… Asia!
It was truly a-one-of-a kind experience that’s worth crowning as our wedding of the year for 2010.
-Sheena Caburog for Mayad Studios (video)
January 12th, 2011 at 5:48 pm
As a mother of the groom, I would like to relay my sincere appreciation to Weddings at work for having the STAN OCAMPO-FEI MARASIGAN WEDDING gets in to your selection for 2010 BEST WEDDINGS. The couples were surely happy for the outcome of their well planned wedding. Getting featured on your 2010 best weddings will positively influence to treasure the holy sacrament of their wedding leading to a very happy family life for both.
January 17th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
Hatch & Ro just made it really perfect!!!!
January 18th, 2011 at 1:41 am
Wow! I’m surprised and extremely happy that our wedding is picked as one of Weddings @ Work 2010’s BEST WEDDINGS…Thank you soooo much to Jody Liwanag of Event Experts and all of our extraordinarily talented team of wedding suppliers for helping us put together that crazy fun wedding that we have always wanted. =)
January 20th, 2011 at 4:23 am
great job!! cant imagine the process of picking the top ten!! well done!! Cheers to 2011!! shout out and we give props to the talented videographers, photographers, event planners..the whole industry that makes every wedding special! THANK YOU!!
all the way from Los Angeles..
ping
November 20th, 2011 at 7:27 am
Dave Dean + Jorene Arguson
your wedding is so beautiful.thank you for giving me an idea for my civil wedding next year. GOD bless to both of you.