Weddings
Alfred & Yasmine
A JOURNEY TO FOREVER
Manila Cathedral and The Peninsula Manila
The love story of Alfred Vargas and Yasmine Espiritu-Vargas culminated in their exchange of marriage vows before God in a dream-like ceremony witnessed by their respective families, relatives, and dearest friends.
Their guests totaled about 250 guests, a relatively small number considering that Alfred belongs to two highly visible worlds—show business and politics. Early on, the couple decided to invite just family members and intimate friends to keep the solemnity of the occasion.
The wedding was held at the Manila Cathedral where the gorgeous bride in a Cary Santiago creation stole the hearts of spectators as she marched down the aisle. “Cary was gracious enough to fly back and forth between Cebu and Manila for the bridal fittings,” Yasmine shared.
On her wedding day, the bride was given away by her mom, Nerissa Espiritu, who flew in from Italy. Her mother’s twin sister, Teresita, who was like a second mother to Yasmine, was scheduled to walk her down the aisle, too. But Tita Teresita sadly passed on a few months ago from a heart ailment.
It was sentimentally sweet to see a love-struck and teary-eyed groom at the end of the aisle. Alfred admitted that he was nervous before the wedding started. He was overwhelmed with emotions that he could not help but shed tears of joy especially at the moment when he and his bride finally said “I do’s” in front of God and in the presence of the most important people in their lives.
“At that moment, all I could think of was that finally, after seven long years, we are going to be united as one in love before the Lord. Our life, after all, is just about to begin,” he said in retrospect.
The couple chose only eight pairs of sponsors that included namedroppables such as former Senator Mar Roxas, Vice President Leni Robredo, former Speaker Feliciano Belmonte, film producer Robbie Tan, talent manager Lolit Solis, Kris Aquino, PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan, and Lipa Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto.
The Italian-themed wedding reception held at The Peninsula Manila was bathed in romantic splendor. The tables were festooned with blooms while crystal chandeliers and flower balls hung from the ceiling. An elegantly decorated wedding cake took the inspiration from the couple’s floral invitations. At the ballroom’s foyer, guests had a blast posing for souvenir photos against the background of an Italian countryside scenery.
The night was full of little surprises. Alfred unexpectedly serenaded his bride with three songs—“You Are So Beautiful” in English, “Ikaw” in Tagalog, and an Italian love song. The couple’s two daughters—Alexandra and Aryana (in gowns by Stephanie Tan)—obliged by dancing for their parents, which ended with the entire family dancing together. It was such a memorable scene.
Photography:
Pat Dy
Videography:
Bob Nicolas
Make-up:
Albert Kurniawan
Invitation:
Amis Print
Event Styling:
Gideon Hermosa
Cake:
Lucille’s PH
Bridal Gown:
Cary Santiago
Groom’s Suit:
Francis Libiran
Alexandra’s and Aryana’s Gowns:
Stephanie Tan