A vow of personalization for your next Makati Shangri-La event

Tis the season for wedding fairs, but as the Makati Shangri-La team were preparing for the return of their own “Vows of Elegance” after two years, they knew it had to cover more of life’s major occasions.

“Makati Shangri-La has always been known for its grand weddings, but through the years, we have been the venue of different milestone celebrations such as children’s parties, debuts and anniversaries,” says Makati Shangri-La director of communications Patricia Javier. “This is why for this year’s presentation of Vows of Elegance, we have included the best suppliers of not just the wedding industry but all other social events during the two-day showcase, introducing Makati Shangri-La as the top venue of choice for all milestone celebrations.”

On Sept. 21 and 22, enjoy a gastronomic experience by Makati Shangri-La executive chef Nicola Canuti and his award-winning culinary team.

“After getting married, you’ll have a baby, baptism, kiddie parties, and birthdays,” adds Makati Shangri-La’s director of events management Liezl Adraneda. “Debuts are more like weddings now, and let’s not forget anniversaries. It’s important to celebrate that you had that vow of partnership with your spouse.”

These are just a few of the occasions their majestic ballrooms and seasoned events team have hosted in the hotel’s 25 years. It’s the idea behind this year’s theme, “Celebrating Unforgettable Milestones” to be held at the hotel’s Rizal Ballroom (the largest ballroom in Makati) and the Lobby Lounge this Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 22 to 23.

Makati Shangri-La director of events management Liezl Adraneda and new general manager Greg Findlay, Rita Neri, Robert Blancaflor, Makati Shangri-La director of sales and marketing Cristina Ong-Cruz, hotel manager Udo Wittich, director of communications Patricia Javier, and Philip Santos of Forscink Inc.

What’s a good party without delicious food? But leave it to Makati Shangri-La’s executive chef Nicola Canuti and his award-winning culinary team to go the extra mile. “We have a menu included in the package, but I always ask if I can make something unique and something special for them,” he says. “Another one that is important for us is we have the best and the freshest produce,” he adds. “We are a big hotel chain. We have a big purchasing team and they find us the right produce every day. I check the quality of the produce and the food before it reaches the plate of the guest. We always offer tastings before the day of the event.”

Event planning could be compared to preparing an impeccable dish. Makati Shangri-La partners with industry leader Rita Neri Event Planners to offer inspiration and ideas to celebrants, and Rita herself likens her secret to starting with the right ingredients. “You are creating memories,” she says. “These can only happen once, so you’ve got to get it right the first time. In making memories, you have to partner with a good venue. After that, you put together a good team to back you up.”

Makati Shangri-La executive chef Nicola Canuti: “I always ask if I can make something unique and something special.”

One such partner is professional audiovisual equipment provider Philip Santos of Forscink Inc. “We’ve been holding events here ever since they built this Shang,” he says. “We know practically every corner of this hotel. It’s this kind of experience that has allowed celebrants to get as wild and as creative as they wish. We installed a BMW C-series in the ceiling of the ballroom. We had a party that lasted for three days. We even had the former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, come to an event.”

The event is also supported by event stylist Robert Blancaflor and celebrity makeup artist Albert Kurniawan.

The kids take to the catwalk on Sunday in children’s gowns and tuxedos by designers Cor Sunglao-Kho with model Lacey Kho, Vin Orias with model Alejandro Orias, and Maureen Disini (second from right) with models Milen and Mirei Pineda and Roberta and Allegra Rossi.

On both days from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., enjoy a gastronomic experience by Nicola and his team while perusing a showcase of tablescapes by the best events stylists in the country: Joyce Aguilar, Nikki Chatto, Jo Claravall, Gideon Hermosa, Teddy Manuel, Zenas Pineda, Michael Ruiz, and Dave Sandoval, all in the Rizal Ballroom. Have a big event coming up? Offers are available for all social event bookings and confirmations done on the weekend itself.           

Each day will close with a fashion show. On the first day, it’s a bridal show featuring the latest collection by designers Debbie Co, Michael Leyva, and Patricia Santos. The show starts at 6 p.m. at the Rizal Ballroom. On the second day is a children’s fashion show where children’s gowns and tuxedos go luxe as executed by designers Maureen Disini, Vin Orias, and Cor Sunglao-Kho, as the kids take the catwalk at the Lobby Lounge. The show starts at 3 p.m.

A look at the latest bridal collection by designers Debbie Co, Michael Leyva, and Patricia Santos to be unveiled on the first day of Vows of Elegance

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Makati Shangri-La is at Ayala Avenue corner Makati Avenue, Makati. Follow @makatishangrila on Facebook and Instagram, and @vowsofelegance on Instagram for updates. Contact the hotel’s event specialists at 813-8888 or email events.slm@Shangri-La.com.