CARLO Lopez and Monique Albert are truly a gorgeous couple, dahlings. It?s no wonder then that their common pal, Kristine Campos, was so eager to set them up.
Actually, palanggas, it was an easy match since their families had been long-time friends, both from Iloilo. The couple though was unaware of this at the time they met.
After three years, five dozen diving trips and several crazy karaoke nights, they walked down the aisle in a beautiful Christian ceremony.
Gorgeous Monique, daughter of Fila?s hot honcho Butch Albert and business-savvy attractive Lily Chan, is an architect and designer. She owns Waigu Inc., a trading company best known for its designer flip-flops. She designed her wedding gown which was executed by Mia Ibarra.
Monique also conceptualized the sophisticated cocktail numbers of her bridesmaids. Malou Bayot made the midnight-hued strapless dresses while Monique gifted each girl with pearl strands in blue, slate-gray and white to complete the look.
?I wanted my gown to be simple without embellishments,? said the stunning beauty of her strapless serpentina gown with its sweetheart neckline. Her vivacious cousin, Shu Uemura?s talented makeup artist Xeng Zulueta, completed the feminine look with beautiful makeup and cascading curls.
Not to be outdone, handsome Carlo, also a très successful entrepreneur with his door manufacturing and marketing company, Armadda East Corporation, came up with a cool and original concept for his Silk Cocoon barong. The high tuxedo collar and tribal embroidery pattern on the piña made him look every bit the dashing groom beside his beautiful bride.
Perfect timing
The wedding march began at quarter to six, timed perfectly for the famed Manila Bay sunset.
Sofitel Philippine Plaza provided a breathtaking setup at the hotel?s lush Sea Wall Garden. Rows of white chairs, the ocean view and cool evening breeze set the très perfect romantic tone, palanggas.
The groom beside his parents, mega businessman Johnny Lopez and his beautiful wife Rose (dressed in a stunning Jojie Lloren lace gown), was so proud as he watched a radiant Monique walk down the aisle.
The service was filled with special moments. Pastor Chuck Quinley gave a wonderful ceremony, with no less than Manila?s Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) performing each musical interlude.
The bride?s Tita Joey Albert-Pacis performed ?One Hand, One Heart? as the secondary sponsors performed the rites of cord, candle, and veil. Après the blessing, fireworks burst in brilliant colors on the clear sky. Once the rush of photos was done, the 300 or so invitees were ushered into the Sunset Pavillion for the wedding reception. Florist Jing Tañada created an elegant atmosphere within the tent with a draped ceiling and chandeliers.
The newlyweds danced their way into the tent, starting with a waltz, then tango complete with a red rose in Carlo?s mouth. ?We cannot count how many wrong steps we made,? said the smiling bride. ?The only thing that mattered was the sexy dip and final turn that landed me on Carlo?s lap. It was so much fun,? she continued. It was a move they brandished with so much flair that the audience cheered like forever, dahlings.
The superbly prepared dinner was accompanied by a show of tons of talent. The bride?s cousins Joe, Mike and Franco Chan with their sister Liza Parpan sang a medley of romantic old songs like ?If I Fell,? and ?Isn?t She Lovely.? Ryan Manalastas, one of the couple?s friends, sang ?Phantom of the Opera?s? ?Music of the Night? accompanied by the MPO.
Naturellement, this super nice wedding wouldn?t be complete without a special number by the more famous singers in Monique?s famille. Her Tito Jose Mari Chan and Tita Joey Albert-Pacis sang ?All the Way? accompanied also by the MPO.
The night ended with fun games and distribution of delicious, fortune-laden fondant cupcakes by Marta Tuason. Many stayed on to indulge in wine and rock the dance floor to the music of DJ Benjo Marquez.
Monique and Carlo enjoyed a relaxing 10 days in Hawaii.
Cheers to Mr. and Mrs. Carlo Lopez!
