Martha Stewart Weddings Philippines / Issue 3

September 2009-February 2010

Second time to be featured in Martha Stewart Weddings. In this issue, not one, not two but three feature stories on my brides and yours truly can be seen on the glorious pages of this magazine. Enjoy! Grab your copies now.

SINCE THEIR FIRST charmed meeting nine years ago, Califronia-based couple Joelene Sarmiento and Remar Balatero have been running high on romance with the kind of love that comes straight out of a storybook. When asked about that fateful moment, the self-confessed opposites share a real-life story of love at first sight. Joelene muses, “I even asked him that same day when we would get married!” This fearless forecast caught Remar’s attention, and the rest, as they say, is history. Last year, with the sunset as his backdrop, Remar proposed to Joelene after an exciting day of snowboarding on Big Bear Mountain.

Baclayon Church offered a symbolic location, as it was the same place where Remar’s parents exchanged vows. “It was important for us to keep that tradition going,” says Joelene, whose trip to Bohol was her first to the province, and to the country, after fourteen years. The days leading up to the ceremony became even more memorable as guests went on tours and dinner parties, which all highlighted the island’s best.

The couple chose the vivid hues of bright green and magenta for their special day. Joelene adds, “We were also greatly inspired by the couples around us who continually show each other devotion, love and friendship in their many years together. All these make up the commitment and strength that it takes to make a marriage flourish.”

Above all, it was the pair’s overflowing love which made a lasting impression. As for the future, Joelene says, “Remar and I dream of a life filled with adventure. We hope to be blessed with the greatest adventure of all – children. ‘So as with all fairy-tale endings, this story is bound for “happily ever after.”

These pages, clockwise from far left: The newlywed couple beams happily at the altar.

Ernest Pascual, the couple’s coordinator designed the plum-colored invitations.

Joelene and her sister-in-law bought the bridesmaids’ dresses at bargain prices from an LA shop; a simple crystal brooch topped off the look.

Flowers served as subtle accents, like on this basket of petals.

Snowy white flowers star in the bride’s beautiful bouquet.

Tiny tots begin a light shower of petals along the church floor.

Vintage earrings from a thrift shop decorate this unity candle and matchbox pair.

A radiant Joelene awaits her cue to enter into the historic Baclayon church.

Clockwise from top left:

Rows of calla lilies lead the way up to the majestic altar.

Personalized M&Ms read “Sweet like candy to my soul,” a line taken from the couple’s favorite song.

The wedding cake, embellished with a damask pattern and silver studs, was made of delectable butter icing.

Chocolate favors offered bite-sized words of wisdom.

Diamond details enhanced the tiniest elements, such as these elegant matchboxes.

From top:

Each table was a vision in white.

Guests enjoy a hearty laugh.

The buffet of local treats included cookies in the couple’s initials.

Joelene and Remar in a candid moment.

Friends and relatives were greatly amused by one of the reception games.

Clockwise from top left:

Light pillars and drapes add a dramatic effect to the vast Dagohoy Ballroom.

Love poems rested on every table, all twenty five of them were personally chosen by the bride.

Tall and short centerpieces add clean touches to the candle-lit setting.

Every element at the table was in place for the lovely feast.

Heartfelt quotations greeted guests as they took their steps up to the grand ballroom.

Guests cheer on the husband and wife as they relish their first dance amid a shower of confetti.

Underneath the ostritch feathers, purple bow and platinum wrapping paper lay personalized social cards for each sponsor, given by the couple as tokens of thanks.

Sources:

Ceremony: Baclayon Church

Reception: Bohol Tropics Resort

Gown: Veluz Reyes

Coordination: Ernest Pascual of Events! Events! and Supreme Weddings

Event Stylist: The Blue Grass Project (Michael Yu and Joseph Dumadag)

Videography: Jason Magbanua

Invitations: Craftmaster Invitations

Photography: Mimi and Karl

Cake: Lola Lilia’s Homemade Specialties