Prime movers in the wedding industry, most stylish influencers, media personalities across print and online, and soon-to-wed couples, have gathered in this phenomenal event and unapologetic of flooding social media timelines of what you might have missed out. Staged in the most coveted event address, Marriott Grand Ballroom, Marry Me at Marriott has earned its well-deserved trademark to be the country’s top bridal show – and more – for spectacles, sumptuous spread and surprises that continues to get bigger and better each year.
THE WEDDING MUST-HAVE’S
On its 5th year, Manila Marriott Hotel proved once again its commitment in making grand weddings come to life. Just when you thought you have seen it all, the hotel left everyone in awe of the many tricks they were able to pull up their sleeves.
The opening is already a showstopper: a chic Mercedes Benz SLC bridal car drove down the runway, portraying how every Marriott wedding could start with a grand entrance. Even the last to strut down is a sleek Mercedes Benz SLC convertible driven by the dapper Alden Richards. How they did it? These stylish cars accessed the Grand Ballroom through the two car lifts for a seamless choreography.
In between the plethora of bridal collections, stellar performances exhibited how creative weddings at Marriott could be. First of which is an electrifying aerial dance, an acrobatics from a fabric hung on the Grand Ballroom’s 12-meter high ceiling. While the two dancers the work the fabrics, an 8-tier wedding cake descended from the ceiling, leading to a symbolic slicing of the cake scene. The string ensemble by in-demand wedding instrumentalist, Bernie Pasamba, cued in the dreamy fall of rose petals while endearing little girls walk through it. Just like the first dance of the newlyweds, Manila’s top dance group, G-force, rocked the entire runway with a romantic-to-upbeat flash mob performance. After the finale collection, the trio group Groomsmen gave a hair-raising serenade. Now, those are incredible elements you can include in your Marriott wedding.
Right before the show, guests already enjoyed a feast for their appetites at the spacious foyer of the Grand Ballroom. A long-stretch of appetizers, savories and desserts overflowed for the thousand guests. Entrees included a handful variations of California roll on an ice-carving, delish canapes, bourbon smoked pork leg, and organic vegetables. An extra cheese was added to the romantic event on a huge table of locally-sourced cheese paired with German bread, a recipe by their Executive Chef Meik Brammer. The plush dessert table alone has cakes, cupcakes, homemade marshmallows, macarons, fresh fruits chocolates and vegan bars. And, guests can’t resist swarming Manila’s biggest iron pan filled to the rim of beef stew. Complementing the sumptuous food are endless servings of sparkling, red and white wines.
The grand experience began right upon arrival. Guests were dropped off at the West Wing, their newest expansion development that adds 228 premium rooms and suites. Then, they were ushered to the Skybridge, the modern connection between the Main Hotel, West Wing and Marriott Grand Ballroom. Marriott wedding cakes lined up at the Skybridge; each made with fondant, delicately hand-painted and embellished with edible pastillage.
The fragrance of fresh flowers welcomed the guests at the Marriott Grand Ballroom. Today’s top event stylists, Gideon Hermosa, Michael Ruiz and Teddy Manuel – or best known as the GMT, collaborated for the first time in Marry Me at Marriott. The incredible trio designed the opulent floral installations, chandeliers and drapes that accentuated the venue.
The ballroom’s professional high steel platforms and catwalks made the heavy-duty design and lights of the show. All seats are prime with the 3ft by 8ft rise panels to create 8-row bleachers, to provide the thousand guests with an unobstructed view of the show.
Headlining the bridal show is the alluring mix of collections from famed local designers, Avel Bacudio, Hannah Kong and Happy Andrada and Michael Leyva. Each designer showcased unique style that any bride personality could associate with. Amongst the stunning and towering models were influential celebrities and personalities who walked as muses. Michael Leyva opened the show with young designer Patty Ang and closed it with a bang with Anne Curtis. Happy Andrada came next with her bridesmaids squad Lorin and Venice Gutierrez, and Janeena Chan. Most adorable flower girls opened for Hannah Kong, Kathleena Tan (daughter of Kevin Tan) and Aria Gutierrez (daughter of Gutierrez); ravishing ladies closed for her including Maricar Reyes-Poon, Tricia Gosingtian and Olympian Hidilyn Diaz. Avel Bacudio is the perfect finale with dashing grooms, Sam Wilson and Alden Richards.
MEMORIES FOR KEEPS
As if the entire night wasn’t a treat already, Manila Marriott Hotel partnered with luxury brands for special giveaways as a cherry-on-top to the guests. Four stunning ladies got a bundle of lipsticks from Bobbi Brown, 4 head-stunners received the newly launced perfume products of Jo Malone London, one stylish woman won a salon party from Extraordinail, huge bags of high-quality hair extensions were given by Tokyo Posh, two couples won premium timepieces from Skagen, and one lucky winner won a one-year membership in Club Marriott.
To end the night, four winners were had a “happily ever after” moment as they got the most coveted staycation in Marriott’s 261 sq.meter Chairman Suite at the new West Wing.
Manila Marriott Hotel holds this annual event to give a tease on how committed they are on making every wedding grand in every way. Now you can have yours too, all you need to ask is “Will you marry me at Marriott?
and call +632-988-9999 or visit manilamarriott.com.
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