The Princess Bride

CEBU, Philippines – “Deep inside every girl is a princess waiting to come out!” thus quipped doe-eyed multi-awarded actor Anne Hathaway in the movie The Princess Diaries. It seems she couldn’t be wrong. For based on my tete-a-tete with Cebu’s more recognizable designers, every bride wants to be a princess too on her wedding day.

In this merry month of matrimony, there’ll presumably be major festivities to mark the milestone when two souls are joined together (and none to put asunder) but in the meantime, the bridal collection (options!) spread here is most definitely something to celebrate. Take the case of Arcy Gayatin, rather than look back, she moved forward with what was, for her and her hordes of chic clientele, a pared-down lineup. She had whisper thin chiffon clad bride with a pleated bodice as the only piece de resistance. The goal was to keep things light both figuratively and literally.

Ditto for all featured bridal designers. “Everything weighs ounces,” Philip Rodriguez opined thus his bride was adorned with a subtle lace detailing on the bodice to complete a barely there layered skirt. Albert Arriba, forever the romantic, had a halter airy layered bridal gown with a bejeweled tiara. The designers chose only featherweight fabrics—mainly chiffon, satin and gazar—and nixed the elaborate, heavily encrusted surface decoration they have indulged (perhaps overindulged) in years past. “I just sprinkled it like fairy dust,” Cary Santiago declared of his translucent laser cut embellishments. The only extras on his organza serpentina number were dainty bows, while his draped uni-shouldered ultra modern wedding dress had just a subtle glimmer. Prints in general took the place of surface decoration. As in the case of Salvador Malto whose Princess Michiko inspired wedding dress has floral prints the color of rainwater

Not only was this a welcome change, but it ensured that the kitschy glittery gowns of the 80s, after two decades of compromising with the bride, really is antiquated.

Bravissimo!