Dream Themes: Crimson View

Words Shaharaine P. Abdullah | Photography The Left Fielder Photography

With life’s latent stressors, it may feel impossible at times to view the world through rose-colored glasses, but there’s nothing like sea therapy to help inspire rosy introspection.

Amidst current stringent lockdown measures, local travel has been experiencing a renaissance, highlighting some of the country’s unparalleled beaches. One of these halcyon spots is the Crimson Resort and Spa, a sprawling beach resort located along the premiere stretch of white-sand beaches of Mactan Island in Cebu. Spanning forty luxury villas with locally-sourced Cebu décor and private plunge pools, a slew of restaurants, bars and an infinity pool that blends with the placid Hilutungan Channel, Crimson Resort and Spa is a prime location for leisurely inactivity, including special events.

Event stylist Debbie Huang utilized the resort’s gorgeous seascape view by placing her setup on one of the manicured grounds right by the beach. The outdoor reception evokes a typical laidback, beachy vibe, interjected with design elements that reflect island living.

For starters, Huang and her team constructed a giant teepee-like structure made of bamboo that serves as the focal point, complete with a ceiling treatment made of huge light installations that resemble floating lanterns, accompanied by hanging bouquets of flowers and pampas grass.

The orange-tinged lanterns cast a warm and fiery glow over the wooden principal table, which is bare and unadorned, paired with bamboo folding chairs.

A profusion of orange roses, Banksias, thistle flowers, purple blooms, eucalyptus stems and other assorted tropical leaves serves as the vibrant centerpiece. The floral arrangement cascades to the floor on one side and is interspersed with glass candleholders.

For the tableware, circular linen placemats with pleated edges are placed underneath blue textured ceramic plates with sloping sides, paired with flatware featuring a bamboo-handle design and amber water goblets.

Meanwhile, the stationery, courtesy of Twenty O Four (in collaboration with its sister company, AdCons), features a color palette composed of shades of teal and rust. Inspired by an agate gemstone made into a pendant, the main invite features an agate stone pattern in a teal shade, enhanced with a laser-cut shape, copper foil edging and letterpress printing in dark grey for the text.

The entourage card and RSVP card come in matching designs, featuring a copper script done by a professional calligrapher and accompanied by envelopes customized by foil-stamped couple’s monogram on the flaps.

The menu and name cardsalso feature the same pattern on the RSVP card, the same copper foil-stamped couple’s monogram, foil edging and similar font, providing design continuity.

Rounding out the stationery is the welcome sign mounted on a similar teepee-like bamboo structure, which features a romantic quote done in the same professional calligraphy and teal abstract backdrop.

The savory wedding feast comes courtesy of Crimson Resort & Spa, which starts with a Home Cured Citrus Salmon appetizer, served with pickled cucumber, lemon and dill crème fraiche, followed by the soup course, a Mushroom Consomme, composed of mixed mushroom broth with tarragon and chicken dumplings. Charred asparagus and poached egg with chardonnay vinegar hollandaise serves as the hot entrée, followed by the main dish, an Oven Roasted Tenderloin of Beef with a side of onion puree, truffle mash potato and red wine reduction. For dessert, there’s Mint Spicy Chocolate Cake, topped with mint chocolate crunch and white chocolate ganache.

The sweet finale is the wedding cake, courtesy of Cheryl Go. The three-layered confection comes entirely coated in teal, with a ribbed base. The second layer features piped in rosettes and leaves extending to the topmost layer, which is block-shaped and embellished with gold leaf foil details. A sprig of tangerine sugar roses with green leaves and gold berries adorn one side, completing the look.