(photo courtesy of Oly Ruiz of Metro Photo)

Well, you’re not really invited, but you might as well feel like you were there merely by watching this onsite video.

Fact is, this is one of the few times an SDE (same-day edit) captured ample live audio snippets where viewers get a glimpse of the personality of the couple.  Their sense of humor shines through every clip in a familair Pinoy candor. To me, it felt like they were somebody I know personally.  The ceremony presided by a judge in Makati City Hall felt very relaxed, a refreshing departure from the ’sobfest’ we typically expect in a solemn church ceremony.

I know this is not a typical ‘get-it-over-and-done-with’ kinda civil wedding.  But who ever said that a civil ceremony should be plain non-event?

I’ve been told the couple wore a Randy Ortiz during the ceremony, after which, the bride slipped into a Paul Cabral creation in time for their Blue Leaf reception.  Add the fact that they got Jason Magbanua to do their video speaks that this is no ordinary civil ceremony.  Despite these, the video didn’t come off as trying to show off; on the contrary, it felt very spontaneous and unrestrained.  Unpretentious is the word.

Props to David & Jorene for proving that a simple civil wedding ceremony can be equally beautiful!

Yesterday, March 5, Camille Prats finally walked down the aisle at Sanctuario De San Antonio in Forbes Park to exchange ‘I dos’ once again with husband Anthony Linsangan.  Their reception was held in the Rizal Ballroom of Shangri-La Makati.

The couple first tied the knot on January 5, 2008 in a civil ceremony at Los Angeles, California witnessed by their immediate family members. A few weeks after, Camille gave birth to their first child, Nathaniel. The toddler was supposed to be his parent’s ring bearer, but he was asleep during the march.

(photo by Dino Lara)

Among the principal sponsors are Senator Miguel Zubiri, GMA-7 executive Wilma Galvante, ABS-CBN executive Cory Vidanes, GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Abrogar, Aga Muhlach, Mayor Ramon Ylagan, director Edgar Mortiz, Dr. Manny Calayan, and Camille’s manager Arnold Vegafria.

Actor John Prats, the bride’s eldest brother, and Angelica Panganiban, stood as cord sponsors. Marvin Agustin and Marco Alcaraz were among the groomsmen, while Diana Zubiri and Iya Villania stood as bridesmaids.

Kyla sang “I Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing” as the bride walked towards the altar.

The bride’s gown was a Rajo Laruel creation.  The designer said “the dress is a little bit extraordinary because it’s not your traditional white. It’s a combination of different tones of gold, ivory and champagne…the whole bodice is actually quite intricate and took a long time to make, almost about three and half months. The crystals are all Austrian Swarovski, and they form a certain pattern. We wanted something almost fantasy in its inspiration. You know, befitting somebody like Camille who is princess-like.”

Watch this ’star-studded’ onsite video below edited by Jason Magbanua.  For more photographs taken during the wedding, head on to Dino Lara’s blog.

There’s a new limousine in town that you can rent for your wedding!

It’s not another Benz nor a Lincoln Town Car. This time, it’s a stretched white bimmer, baby!  Checkout the interiors.

(click image for a bigger display)

Rental rate of this BMW limo within Metro Manila starts at P15k for the first three hours and 3k per additional hour. Out-of-town rate is P20k for 3 hours and 5k per hour thereafter. The owner says he’s willing to make a custom package depending on the destination and venue.

Rental amenities include a privacy glass, four TV monitors, dvd player, an iPod dock, a karaoke system, 220v power supply, wine buckets, cup holders, a sunroof, and a suited driver.

Here’s a video to better appreciate this car.

For bookings and queries, call or text King Limosines at 0918.907.4123.

Malaysian-born singer Fish Leong got married to Taiwanese businessman Tony Chao in a beach wedding at Discovery Shores last Monday. The bride is well-known in the Mandarin pop scene and has had much success in Taiwan, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Japan. Jasmine Leong (Fish’s stage name) is known as “the Queen of Love Songs” and famous for her love-themed ballads, many of which have become popular KTV hits.

Talks about her planned island wedding came out as early as October last year. Channel News Asia reported that the Fish originally wanted to hold her wedding on the island of Boracay where around 50 relatives and friends were to be invited. The bridegroom was also prepared to bear all expenses including accommodation and flights estimated to be worth S$100,000. But due to the recent storms and floods in the Philippines, the couple is now considering either Okinawa or Guam as an alternative. The following month, Fish laid down guidelines for upcoming wedding.

Luckily, their original plans to hold here wedding here pushed through. The couple flew in their own hair & makeup artist and photographer from Taiwan. A few photos from the wedding can be viewed here.

The Philippines’ very own, Mayad Studios covered the wedding and did the SDE (same-day-edit) video which can be seen below. Amanda Tirol of Boracay Weddings was the couple’s wedding planner, and April & Karen Yu did the bouquets.

The Philippines has hosted the weddings of other big names in world of Chinese entertainment. In 2006, Hong Kong actors Nicholas Tse & Cecilia Cheung got married in a private wedding organized by their Filipina maid. Early last year, another HK celebrity couple (Dickie Cheung & Zhang Qian), had their wedding held in San Agustin Church in Manila.

Below is an article about Tony & Fish’s wedding as reported by Singapore’s Strait Times.

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BORACAY (Philippines) Malaysian singer Fish Leong married Taiwanese businessman Tony Chao in a beach wedding on Monday, said reports.

At the ceremony at Discovery Shores resort, she was led down the aisle by her mentor, singer-songwriter Jonathan Lee, and was in tears before she took her vows. Her bridesmaid, singer Penny Tai, yelled at her not to cry and mess up her make-up.

After the 31-year-old bride and 34-year-old groom exchanged rings in front of more than 50 guests, she choked as she told him: ‘Thank you for loving me.’

Her bridal dress was by Vera Wang and her diamond wedding band was by Cartier, said the report.

Lee, who was a chief witness to the nuptials, said: “I’m the first man who brought her into the music industry when she was 17. Today, I entrust her to the second man in her life.”

The couple, who dated for about two years, will live in Taipei.

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related news item:

• Fish Leong gets hitched but says no to retirement | Channel News Asia

Another celebrity bride got married this January!  Rica Peralejo (Carla in real life) exchanged vows in a Christian wedding by the beach with her fiance, Joe Bonifacio — a Christian pastor. The ceremonies were held last Friday at Kawayan Cove in Nasugbu, Batangas.

The bride wore an empire-waist tube gown created for her by Rajo Laurel.  ABS-CBN, Rica’s home studio, has generously covered every aspect of her wedding, from her despedida de soltera (farewell to single-hood) to the wedding reception.

What we’re sharing here is  Joe & Rica’s onsite video (same-day edit) as seen by their wedding guests.  Snippets of the couple’s heartfelt vows are sprinkled throughout the video. Notice the Sand Ceremony towards the end of the video.

Special thanks to Jason Magbanua for sharing this with our readers.