The bridest ideas are in Cebu City
There is always an exciting event happening at Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, one of Cebu City’s top hotels. During my recent visit there, a bridal fair called “New Beginnings” was going on and without missing a beat, I joined in the fun by talking to couples who were in the process of planning their big day. Having been there, done that, I imparted some words of wisdom to the daughter of a friend who is preparing for her wedding later this year. My friend asked me to guide her daughter in choosing her invitations, her gown, the design of her cake and other wedding details, and I had as much fun as she had in going through her wedding preparations.
The Bridal Fair at the Marco Polo Plaza has had so much success that it is now in its third year. Cebu’s best designers, stylists, florists, photographers, jewelers, wedding cake makers, and wedding planners were all there for the two days of the fair. It truly is a time and energy saver for those couples planning their wedding. To help them visualize their wedding themes, the hotel’s innovators put up mock wedding settings.
In line with this year’s focus on the “Summer Bride,” Marco Polo Plaza’s wedding setups featured a Filipiniana theme with an orange color motif, capiz placemats, and native hat décor; a beach theme with blue color motif, coconut tree, sand, starfish, and seashells; and a presidential table with a formal setting in beige.
For the third year in a row, the hotel partnered with the Cebu City Civil Registrar’s Office and the Cebu City Health Office to bring future brides and grooms to the bridal fair. Select couples applying for a license in March and April had their pre-marriage seminars for family planning and other related matters hosted in the comfort of Marco Polo Plaza’s function rooms. Event partners Wedding Essentials conducted short seminars on topics such as etiquette, styling, makeup, and planning.
Joyful Weddings organized specifically for the bridal fair a series of speed-dating games for young professionals who have yet to find their significant others. Aged 21-25, bachelors and bachelorettes took their chances and my sources told me that at least two couples hit it off really well.
The two-day bridal exhibit culminated in a fashion show with the wedding collections of Cebu City’s top designers like my two personal favorites, Jun Escario and Cary Santiago, and other members of the Fashion Council of Cebu: Albert Arriba, Arcy Gayatin, Felix Yu, Oj Hofer, Sal Malto, Philipp Tampus, and Philip Rodriguez. The show was directed by the multi-awarded Junjet Primor, and featured classical singer Lorenzo, who serenaded the models in their elegant bridal gowns.
After the show, we headed to the grand ballroom for some delicious cocktail fare and to view the exhibits once more before the event formally closed.
I always enjoy the hospitality of Marco Polo’s most charming GM, Hans Hauri and his most capable PR and media ladies, Lynn Romero and Aileen Quijano, respectively. The highlight of my stay was the two nights I spent at one of their well-appointed Marco Polo Suites, where they allowed me to host a small dinner for a select group of friends.
Chef Luke Gagnon prepared a tasting menu that he was trying out for a forthcoming big wedding reception. It was an over-the-top gastronomic experience of lobster in champagne sauce, quail with roasted pears, fennel and spiced pecans, and sake-cured scallops. Even the harshest food critic among us gave him the highest grade.
Staying at the bridal suite was another bonus to my wonderful stay. Even the most jaded soul can’t resist falling in love all over again in this room, which has all the elements for romance. I kept everyone guessing about the presence (or lack of one) of a romantic, mystery date. The bridal suite at Marco Polo Cebu is truly is a luxurious oasis for honeymooners and people in love. A couple couldn’t ask for more!
