Jeanel and Michael's wedding day unfolded as an elegant, high-energy affair that honored the bride's Filipino heritage, the groom's eye for design and a shared devotion to celebrating the people who shaped their story.
The couple's love story began unexpectedly. After losing a bet, the bride begrudgingly downloaded Bumble, where she matched with Michael. Their first date — a movie night in Burbank — nearly stalled when the groom spent ten nervous minutes gathering the courage to approach her, hiding behind a towering Batman statue before finally saying hello. That chance meeting blossomed into a partnership strengthened through the pandemic and ultimately led to a proposal six months in the making. While traveling in the Philippines, Jeanel believed she was simply on vacation. Instead, she found herself saying yes to a heartfelt proposal, complete with candlelit dining and a live serenade.
On the wedding day, lush florals framed the altar as the bride made her entrance in a sparkling ball gown styled with Tiffany pearls and signature Louboutin heels. A refined palette of burgundy, blush, rose gold and soft red accents carried through the design, setting a romantic tone without feeling overly formal. Thoughtful touches — like personalized favors at each place setting — reflected the couple's attention to detail and love of gift-giving.
Cultural moments took center stage throughout the evening. The wedding party wore handcrafted barongs, and a jubilant lechon procession swept across the dance floor to roaring applause. Later, the bride changed into a traditional Filipiniana gown and delivered a showstopping performance of I Will Always Love You, bringing guests to their feet and closing the night on a powerful, unforgettable note.
