Dream wedding, dream honeymoon

And finally, after going steady for one year, Manila Councilor Kim Atienza, 35, swapped "I do’s" with Felicia Hung, 32, at the Manila San Agustin Church in Intramuros, Manila, putting an abrupt and to his happy-go-lucky colorful bachelor days.

Kim is the eldest of the six children of Manila Mayor Lito Atienza and wife Evelina; while Fely, who owns the Philippine Equity Partners (local counterpart of Merrill Lynch), is the daughter of businessman Chi-Chuan and Mrs. Chia-Chu Hung.

He wore a Danila Franco barong tagalog and she a Rajo Laurel gown at the wedding officiated by Fr. James Reuter ( with three other con-celebrants), with lawyer and TV host Katrina Legarda and Kris Aquino among the principal sponsors. The al fresco reception at the nearby Puerto Real Gardens was catered by Via Mare. Another reception was held two days later at a plaza somewhere in San Andres, Manila, for Kim’s constituents.

Because Kim is also showbiz in a way, there were other screen luminaries at the wedding , including Dina Bonnevie who was the lector, Karen Davila who joined in the offertory, Kuh Ledesma and daughter Isabella among the guests and Robert Seña who sang by Andrea Boccelli’s The Prayer, the couple’s favorite song, during the ceremony.

Kim’s fellow councilors Robert Ortega, Cita Astals and Larry Silva, themselves actors, were also present.

Yes, said Kim, it was love at first sight when Fely was introduced to him by socialite Ana Periquet. He pursued her from Manila to London where she worked for a while and he didn’t stop until he won her (elusive?) heart.

"It was Fely’s elegance that really attracted me," confessed Kim, "and her being down-to-earth. Fely is comfortable whether at the fanciest restaurant in London or at a turo-turo in a Manila street corner."

Used to fancy cars, Fely even once rode with Kim on his Vespa around Malate. It was a joy ride the couple should now be doing often as Kim goes around his (fifth) district inspecting projects and conferring with barangay captains.

Like all grooms, Kim said he felt nervous during the wedding ceremony, having goosebumps as he waited for Fely at the altar.

But for sure, it wasn’t nervousness but excitement that Kim felt when he and Fely hied off to Maldives for their honeymoon. They came home more than a week ago.