DongYan celebrates 10 years of marriage with renewal of vows

MANILA, Philippines — Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows, a touching moment witnessed by their two children, Zia and Sixto.

On Monday, Dec. 30, the family marked the occasion at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, the very place where the celebrity couple's love story began a decade ago.

“We decided to embrace our 10th anniversary with pockets of celebrations, starting as early as late October,” Dingdong told The STAR.

“The holidays always make it challenging to gather everyone, but we really wanted to show the kids where and how it all began.

“This morning’s simple ceremony was exactly what we needed to honor the journey we’ve had.”

As seen in the pictures shared by the Kapuso primetime king and queen on social media, the morning ceremony was an emotional moment for the entire family.

Dingdong recalled walking down the aisle with Zia and Sixto by his side, before his wife made her way toward them.

“It began with the walks — Sixto, Zia and me. When it was Marian’s turn, I fumbled with my phone to play her wedding march. Thanks to my sister Vicki and Ninang Baby, who had graciously arranged a 30-minute visit to the cathedral, we could relive that moment in its simplest beauty,” he said.

One of the most memorable parts of the intimate ceremony came unexpectedly.

“I realized Marian didn’t have flowers to hold,” he recalled. “In a slight panic, I asked the church staff if they had any extra blooms.”

Fortunately, the church staff gathered blooms from the cathedral's doors that were left over from an event the night before.

“It was one of those small, unplanned details that turned out perfect,” Dingdong said.

As Marian approached her husband and kids, Dingdong described the feeling as both “a rewind and a fast-forward” in time.

“It felt like our wedding day 10 years ago, but with layers of depth and meaning,” he reflected.

“Each step Marian took carried the weight of the milestones we’ve shared — moments that tested us, strengthened us, and made us ready for the next chapters.”

At the altar, with their children by their side, Dingdong and Marian exchanged their vows in a quick but moving blessing from Father Steve.

“The kids stared at us the whole time, wide-eyed, as if witnessing something magical for the very first time,” Dingdong shared, seeing the ceremony through their children’s eyes.

Following the renewal of vows, Dingdong said that he and Marian visited his parents to express their gratitude for their “love and guidance” and over a simple lunch surrounded by family, they continued the celebration.

They had another pocket celebration later in the evening with siblings and cousins.

“We could’ve done this differently; in fact, we had another plan earlier this year. But deciding to make it this simple felt right — authentic and meaningful,” Dingdong further told The STAR.

For Dingdong and Marian, the day was about more than just honoring their love. “Today is about celebrating not just the 10 years we’ve shared, but also everyone who has supported and loved us,” Dingdong said.

The reel to real-life couple, also fondly called by fans as DongYan, married in a fairytale-like wedding on Dec. 30, 2014 at the Cubao Cathedral in Quezon City.

In a previous interview with this paper, Marian said that it was Dingdong who really planned on how to celebrate their 10 years together as husband and wife.

“For me, the mere fact that we’re together, that our relationship is good, and that our children are doing well, that’s enough for me. But Dong really said, ‘No, I want us to celebrate this because we’ve been blessed by the Lord for 10 years and He has never forsaken us. We need to offer everything to Him. Not for anyone else, but for Him.’

“So, I said, ‘Yes! Sige, go! Amen. Okay.’ He got me to say yes right away,” she said.