11 of the Philippines’ Most Lavish Weddings
Lavish weddings of royals and celebrity couples always capture people’s attention, with grand pronouncements of love paired with even grander decorations. We’ve compiled a list of the Philippines’ most lavish weddings.
Read on to discover these stunning celebrations and be inspired for your special day!
Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion
Wedding Date: September 23, 1984
When discussing lavish weddings, the union of Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, the biggest love team of the ’80s, comes to mind. Thousands of screaming fans and well-wishers flocked to the Manila Cathedral to witness their idols marry. Sharon’s bridal gown was made of hand-embroidered jusi, and her veil was secured with a diamond-encrusted tiara. They had their reception at the Philippine Plaza, where Sharon sang at the request of their principal sponsor, then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Unfortunately, the couple didn’t have their happily ever after. The stars split in 1987.
Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres
Wedding Date: April 28, 1998
Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres are essential when discussing the Philippines’ lavish weddings. As part of their pre-wedding preparations, they created commemorative shirts for fans with the text ‘I was there at the Richard-Lucy Wedding, Ormoc City, April 28, 1998.’ They exchanged their ‘I Do’s’ at the Saints Peter and Paul Church in Leyte and held three receptions. One was for the workers of the Torres Hacienda, another featured a motorcade and party for 1,000 guests at the Ormoc Super Dome for residents and fans, and the third was for the actual wedding guests.
Currently, Lucy is the Mayor of Ormoc, and Richard is the representative for the 4th district of Leyte.
Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales
Wedding Date: May 28, 2001
Another celebrity power couple on our list is Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, who tied the knot on May 28, 2001, at the St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Baguio City. Before the wedding, the couple hosted a three-day golf tournament for their celebrity guests at Camp John Hay. Over 400 guests attended their celebration, including Fernando Poe Jr., Vilma Santos, and then-ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez.
The stunning bride wore an off-shoulder gown with a 4-meter train. Their reception featured a 7-layer wedding cake created by the bride’s mother.
Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago
Wedding Date: March 27, 2006
Claudine Barretto and Raymart Santiago’s whirlwind romance culminated in a lavish wedding at Tagaytay Highlands on March 27, 2006. Rumored to have cost at least 25 million pesos, the event featured a gazebo overlooking the stunning Tagaytay countryside, fireworks, and an original wedding song by Gary Valenciano and Kuh Ledesma. Additionally, the couple and their 350 guests were showered with petals from a hovering helicopter. Their tumultuous relationship ended in March 2013.
Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez
Wedding Date: Oct 27, 2009
Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez, often seen as a blend of media and politics, exchanged vows on October 27, 2009. Their wedding was not just a union of hearts but a celebration of Filipino excellence, marked by a meticulously planned, public affair. Korina forwent the traditional veil for a serpentine-style Filipiniana gown, complemented by Mar’s stylish barong.
The solemn ceremony at the Sto. Domingo Church was adorned with native flowers, while large screens outside allowed approximately 3,000 guests to witness the event; another 2,000 gathered to catch glimpses. Their reception, aligned with Mar’s vision of a People’s Wedding, extended beyond the church walls with distributions of sandwiches, biscuits, refreshments, and a thousand small cakes in boxes.
Rather than hosting a grand reception at the Araneta Coliseum, they chose to allocate their reception funds to aid typhoon victims, reflecting their commitment to social responsibility. Following the ceremony, the couple emerged from the church in an open-top car, later enjoying an intimate dinner with their entourage at Mar’s residence in Cubao.
Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes
Wedding Date: December 30, 2014
Dubbed the ‘Royal Wedding,’ Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes’s wedding is unforgettable. They exchanged vows at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cubao, sharing their joy with fans through LCD screens outside. Marian dazzled in a 2-million-peso lace Michael Cinco gown. Their reception, held at the Mall of Asia Arena, featured a spectacular 12-foot-tall wedding cake.
Heart Evangelista and Chiz Escudero
Wedding Date: February 15, 2015
Real-life ‘Crazy Rich Asian’ Heart Evangelista married Senator Chiz Escudero in picturesque Balesin Island on February 15, 2015. Heart embodied vintage romance with her Grace Kelly-inspired gown while Chiz wore a sharp white suit that contrasted with his groomsmen. They had two receptions, one in Balesin right after the wedding and another three days later in Manila at Blue Leaf Filipinas. They had a ninth-year vow renewal at the same venue on February 16, 2024.
Rochelle Pangilinan and Arthur Solinap
Wedding Date: August 8, 2017
Rochelle Pangilinan and Arthur Solinap tied the knot on August 8, 2024, in Tagaytay. Rochelle’s dress showcased a three-meter-long Spanish hand fan-inspired train, attached to her dress by a cape and embellished with Swarovski crystals and intricate threadwork by Michael Cinco. Their nine-tier wedding cake featured black fondant and an adornment cascading fresh flowers.
Hayden Kho and Vicky Belo
Wedding Date: September 2, 2017
Considered one of the most lavish Philippine weddings, Vicky Belo and Hayden Kho’s wedding was a spectacle. The power couple began their celebration with a cruise on the River Seine, followed by a ceremony at the American Church in Paris and an opulent reception at the historic Opera National de Paris at the Palais Garnier.
According to PEP.ph, the wedding took a year to prepare and involved 250 guests, 400 crew members, and 28 artists, with rumors suggesting a total cost of 80 million pesos.
Alodia Gosiengfiao and Christopher Quimbo
Wedding Date: Feb 14, 2023
Alodia Gosiengfiao and Christopher Quimbo married on February 14, 2023. Alodia envisioned a wedding inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s magical universe, blended with traditional elements. The reception maintained a fantasy feel with white flowers, hanging floral installations, and fairy lights, culminating in a stunning backdrop.
Alodia desired a regal and grand gown to make her the belle of the ball, and Mak Tumang delivered flawlessly. The couple also invited the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, who played a theme from Final Fantasy VII.
Image courtesy of Verniece Enciso/Instagram and Camille Santiago.
Arjo Atayde and Maine Mendoza
Wedding Date: July 28, 2023
Possibly the most talked-about wedding recently, Congressman Arjo Atayde and actress Maine Mendoza exchanged vows at the Alphaland Baguio Mountain Lodges Chapel and had their dreamy reception at the Baguio Country Club. Maine’s reception gown was by Mira Zwillinger, the same brand that created Son Ye Jin’s gown, while Rajo Laurel designed her reception dress.
From many-tiered cakes to cruising along the River Seine, celebrations of love can never be too small or too grand. Ultimately, many couples wish to freeze time during their weddings and bask in their love alongside family and friends, capturing these moments through photographs and videos.
If you’re planning your dream wedding, contact us to make your celebration truly unforgettable. Inquire today and let us help you create memories that will last a lifetime!
