AFTER a three-year hiatus, “Marry Me at Marriott” staged a smashing comeback recently. On its eighth edition, the country’s definitive wedding extravaganza featured eight fashion designers the Manila Marriott Hotel deemed the finest at the moment.
The Marriott Grand Ballroom showcased the bridal finery of upcoming designers Jazel Sy, Joe San Antonio, Julianne Syjuco and Andrea Tetangco; the fairly established Happy Andrada and Debbie Co; and the “seniors” Randy Ortiz and Albert Andrada.
“We’ve been preparing for this event for the past six months. We’ve done a lot of introspection and through that process, we’ve realized that it’s not just the weddings that we’ve missed but the gathering of people and being with the people that are important to us,” says Archie Nicasio, Cluster Director of Marketing Communications of Manila Marriott, Sheraton Manila and Courtyard Iloilo.
The “Marriott Moments” is an overarching campaign where “Marry Me at Marriott” falls under. The first aspect of the campaign is online, Nicasio explains, which is the revamped YouTube channel, called My Favorite Travel Channel. Next is on-ground, when on July 23 and 24 Marriott will be launching its new facility in the Grand Ballroom, which is the MGBX or the convention center. Third is the one onstage, the signature event that is the “Marry Me at Marriott,” which is initiated by Marriott Bonvoy, the hotel’s travel and lifestyle membership program.
Randy Ortiz, a celebrated designer favored by celebrities, shares: “It’s really a welcome change for all of us that we’d all be working depending on which generation you come from. But more than anything else, it’s really the synergy of creative talent and at the same time the aftershock of the pandemic. So you can just imagine all those emotions into one. I’m really expecting so much from these young designers because I know that this is really their time to shine. Thank you to Marriott again for giving them this chance and, at the same time, for including senior designers to be part of this event. I just feel so honored.”
Ortiz’s suite was opened by reigning Binibining Pilipinas International Hannah Arnold, with Miss Eco Philippines 2022 Ashley Subijano, newlyweds Jasmine Maierhofer Patrimonio and Wilma Doesnt as the beautiful brides. His grooms included Sam Ajdani and Joshua de Sequera.
“They’re very elegant. They’re very simple yet you can see that there is always a distinct touch that makes it a Randy O bride and groom. Embellishments can be very simple or sometimes minimal, or I don’t even do bead work. But at the end of the day, I know that when I create something, it’s within the limits of my creativity,” Ortiz says.
“The creative industry was the hardest-hit business during the pandemic, and even up to now we are still struggling. So it takes a lot of effort and that’s where I get my inspiration—from the struggle that I went through during the pandemic,” Ortiz remarks. “Being in this business, how beautiful it is. I am just so happy that I chose this profession. I have no regrets. I am so passionate about it. And as I’ve said, I hope to continue doing clothes until the last drop of my blood.”
In the phenomenal finale, Albert Andrada delivered luxury. “An Albert Andrada bride is one who is rich, one who is very elegant, and one who can flaunt that she is the most beautiful bride on her day. She is one who carries the gown or the dress opulently.”
As the opening bride, Kapuso Actress Rhian Ramos was ravishing as usual. Then as an explosive closing, Andrada paraded three Miss Universe Philippines winners—Rabiya Mateo, Beatrice Luigi Gomez and Celeste Cortesi—as his breathtaking brides.
“My inspirations for my gowns this year—of course, I’m known for being opulent. So you’d see more crystals, more blings, more beadworks. My inspirations are the Goddess of Beauty and the last virgins of the Renaissance,” Andrada says.
“I want to leave a legacy that what I have learned abroad, I want to pass it on to the next generation. My ultimate goal is to have a scholarship grant to every Filipino—not every Filipino, I can’t afford that, but for those who can’t afford to go into fashion,” Andrada declares. “We have to nurture and we have to mentor this young generation, and we have to let them know they have to be confident that when we say Filipinos, we are a talented group.”
The world-class hotel chain remains excited and optimistic that weddings and milestones will still be celebrated despite the pandemic, as expressed on Saturday night by its Multi-Property Vice President Bruce Winton: “It’s been an interesting three years. There are many reasons why I feel privileged to be here tonight. But most importantly, the interconnectedness of the events business, the importance of milestone events—those infinite moments that you’ve heard about—we’ve missed them. We felt the impact of not having them. Everybody who is deeply intertwined in these fabulous, interesting, fun business of events has been missing something—something critical, something important. But we’re back here tonight celebrating. To celebrate being back together, to celebrate infinite moments, and, really, to be thankful just for being here.”