Anton Gregory & Sheryl Flores: A Scottish-Filipino fusion wedding

MANILA, Philippines - The wedding ceremony of Anton Gregory and Sheryl Flores was nothing short of the best of both worlds. The wedding’s theme was a fusion of Sheryl’s Filipino descent and Anton’s Scottish-Filipino heritage, which came from Wilfred Gregory, his late father who was a Scottish national. Not a dry eye was seen among the parents of the newlyweds. Mothers Marilyn Flores and Toni Gregory-Palenzuela sat side-by-side during the ceremony as did Conrad Flores and Lino Palenzuela, who Anton considers fondly as his “adopted father.”  

A lot of the great love stories are already in the books. These stories normally have couples being in and out of their relationships before finally deciding they were meant to be together all along. The story of Anton and Sheryl was a very simple one that blossomed into such a beautiful relationship. They both worked at the same company for a while until their desks were relocated right across from each other’s; and weeks, months, even years passed until they finally began to get to know each other. Who knew, that all this time, they’d just been feet, even inches, away from the love of their lives? However their story is told, by a giggly friend, or a relative who likes to chat people up, it’s safe to say that everyone agrees on one thing: the love story of Anton and Sheryl was not rushed. The love was given room to bloom and grow. So much so, that when invites were sent out, some guests laughed after remembering that the couple had not yet been married. Though some folks see commitment and marriage as a rather daunting concept, Anton and Sheryl showed nothing less than sheer enthusiasm as they celebrated their love alongside their most cherished friends and family.

Aristotle is often quoted as saying that “the whole is greater than the sum of all its parts,” but it’s the details, orchestrated by Rita Neri Event Planners, that enchanted the guests and transported them to a place that bridged Scottish and Filipino cultures.

The wedding took place at St. James the Great Parish in Ayala Alabang where the entrance of the bride, groom, and the entourage were led by bagpiper Roy MacGregor Espiritu. Both the bride and groom walked down the aisle in original designs by Rajo Laurel. He also designed the garments of the mother of the groom, PR mogul Toni Gregory-Palenzuela, and the best woman, Gabby Gregory. The Filipiniana terno of the entourage and flower girls, along with the outfit of the mother of the bride and the girl of honor, were created by Joel Escober. The bride’s make-up was by Gela Laurel Stehmeier.

After the ceremony, guests were smoothly guided to The Palms Country Club for a Fil-Scot feast prepared by The Palms’ general manager/executive chef Hans Neukom. Guests were immediately greeted with a Filipino staple, lechon, and the famous Scottish delicacy, haggis. Upon entering, guests were greeted by a towering wedding cake customised by Penk Ching just for Anton and Sheryl’s special day. The reception venue was adorned in Scottish plaid and centrepieces by Czarina Ledesma of TEA. Guests spent the rest of the evening dancing to the music of the Brass Munkeys.

Anton and Sheryl’s wedding was, in every sense of the word, a celebration of a serendipitous love story that only comes every so often.