Real Weddings: Finally Together

Dan Tesoro-Dadang Desiderio
Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe
Wack-Wack Golf and Country Club

It never fails to warm my heart whenever I receive a message from former clients expressing their appreciation of the hard work I put in planning their wedding. It becomes all the more special and touching if the message came some months after the event.

One such couple is Dan and Dadang Tesoro. Their wedding proved once more that good things happen to those who wait.

This fun-loving couple went steady in college and have been together since. They had ample time (ten years, more or less) to know each other well before taking the plunge. The moment finally came when they decided to get married at the quaint Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church which served as a perfect backdrop for a solemn ceremony witnessed by 300 of the couple’s family members and friends.
Dadang’s vision of something elegant but simple materialized beautifully throughout the wedding. Set in November, the event took on a “Thanksgiving Day” theme with Dadang opting for orange, plum and green as her wedding colors. All the printed materials—from the escort cards, programme cards and invitations—used maple leaf icons. The exquisite wedding gown, masterfully conceptualized by celebrated fashion designer, Patis Tesoro (who happens to be the groom’s aunt) featured multi-colored appliqués delicately attached piece by piece on off-white silk chiffon. The bride was made radiant by Cathy Cantada. Before leaving for the church, the couple, going against tradition, had their formal portraits taken by David Hanson at the lobby of Shangri-La Makati. Indeed, there was never a dull moment with this laid-back couple. Both food lovers, Dan and Dadang were incessant and meticulous in searching for and choosing the best food to serve their 300 plus guests. The Plaza, having catered to many of the Tesoro’s family functions, was the unanimous choice. Not to be excluded was the perennially famous ham which made The Plaza a household name. The scrumptious first courses, entrees and side dishes included Prawns Bellevue; Mesclun Salad with Ceasar’s Dressing and Light Balsamic Vinaigrette; Crème Dory Meunire with Tomato Basil Salsa and Caper Butter Sauce; Roast Beef; Whole Roast Turkey with Apple, Prune and Chestnut Gravy; Boiled Corned Beef with Vegetables and Horseradish Cream; Canneloni with Mushroom; and Spaghettini with Sundried Tomato.
A special dessert spread laid out by Juddah Liu of Costa Brava featured classic dessert confections—food for the gods, chocolate eclairs, tocino del cielo, lemon squares, sugar-free apple pie, caramel cake, nelusco, and white birthday cake. She also prepared a tower of soft butter chiffon cupcakes given as souvenirs for the wedding guests. The unique table centerpieces by Tony Padilla jibed perfectly with the “thanksgiving” motif complete with real palay stalks and fruits. Complementing the table centerpieces were dried maple leaves overlaid in sparkling gold, red and orange glitters. The night resonated with wonderful speeches by the maid of honor, Rawn Lopez and the best man, Dave Zuniga. Capping the program was the couple’s first dance which led to an evening of fun, music and merrymaking. Truly, Dan and Dadang, your wedding was a blast!