Singapore-based Sridhar and Joannah arrived a few weeks before their altar date to finalize their wedding plans. But the e-mails and phone calls during the six-month preparation proved to be helpful for overseas soon-to-wed couples. During one of her trips to Manila, Joannah finalized her bridal gown design, went to the invitation maker, and booked the church and reception venues.

After that, the rest of the planning was done through constant e-mails and phone calls. With the help of the bride’s friend, Lester Morales, a modern Filipiniana motif was conceived. Everything had a modern touch—from the gown to the wedding cake and the centerpieces. The centerpieces featured freshly cut roses in native Philippine materials such as bamboo, abaca, banig and capiz.

Since a number of guests flew in from Singapore to witness the union, Lester provided trivia cards about these materials on the tables. The wedding cake was a masterpiece—each layer contained bamboo, abaca, banig and capiz in sugar. Fun games and live acoustic music capped the night of merrymaking vividly captured by John Aguas.