Erika and Eric--who were each other's first and only sweethearts--tied the knot with a vintage, rustic, and romantic wedding that was marked with warm DIY details and shabby chic accents. With an intimate outdoor ceremony and a fun reception, the couple's Antipolo wedding was laid-back as it was heartfelt.
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Love Story
Erika and Eric met on their last year in highschool, when a friend introduced them to each other in 1999. Erika admits that she didn't like Eric at first, but Eric proved his persistence as he courted her for a year. Eventually, Erika fell for Eric, too, and finally agreed to be his girlfriend.
Erika and Eric were each other's first, last, and only partners. The two continued their relationship through college even if they went to different schools. In 2003, however, the couple's relationship took a different turn as Erika's family had to move to Canada for good. When Erika and her family migrated, she and Eric tried their best to make a long-distance relationship work. But after a year or two, things became complicated for them, and they broke up. Eric wasn't about to give up easily, and so when Erika returned to the Philippines for a short vacation in 2007, Eric courted her again--and the two eventually got back together.
In 2009, Eric bought Erika a plane ticket to the Philippines. Erika was surprised at his generous gesture-little did she know that the ticket was just a precursor of an even bigger present. On December 12, a day after Eric's birthday, the two went on a picnic date at La Mesa Eco Park. Erika thought that they were just to celebrate Eric's birthday. "After we ate, he managed to pull out a huge scrap book [where] the last page [had] a huge question mark with a diamond ring taped on it. I [then] said ‘yes'," the bride fondly shares.
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Find out about their wedding preparations
Wedding Preparations
Erika and Eric exchanged I do's with a destination wedding that exuded both vintage romance and rustic charm. Marked with loads of DIY details and shabby chic accents, the couple's Antipolo wedding was warm, carefree, and undeniably filled with love.
With the help of Vatel Manila's Dylan Gozum, the couple's vintage rustic theme was consistently reflected throughout the ceremony and reception. Moreover, the bride made it a point to incorporate various DIY projects into their wedding details. From the nest for the rings to the wine bottles, place cards, and souvenirs, the bride made sure that most of the details were personalized. She even brought bags of her favorite cookies to give as souvenirs to the guests. Aside from taking on DIY projects, the couple also prepared a surprise dance number that delighted their guests, as no one have ever seen them dance before.
As a hands-on bride, Erika shares valuable tips for planning couples: "Do DIY projects--they will make your wedding unique and personalized. They will save you tons of money too!" She adds, "Browse wedding websites (like BridalBook.ph) to get ideas from other couples. These will help a lot. And book your wedding vendors early. The best ones get booked early. Ask around for any positive recommendations."
