Filipiniana Glory

National pride can be conveyed in different ways, one of which is through a Filipiniana-themed wedding reception. Luckily, one of Rancho Bernardo’s event spaces is the perfect venue to recreate a slice of bucolic life in the Filipino countryside.

Using a lot of natural and sustainable elements, Blooms Event Styling by Allen and JP’s design evoked a pastoral vibe at Elle’s Garden, an open-air lanai with an extended terrace that overlooks a scenic garden.

Shades of brown and beige dominated the setup, accented by green tones, which give everything a countrified appeal.

To complement the verdant scenery, the Blooms Blooms Event Styling by Allen and JP team created a makeshift backdrop composed of rustic wooden frames that resemble vintage capiz windowpanes used in traditional Filipino architecture. Extra embellishments, such as light installations made of woven baskets in various shapes were suspended upside down, along with tufts of pampas grass and huge bulbs on black wires.

For the principal area, the bare wooden table was dressed with a combination of forest green and abaca cloth table runner, accompanied by black-framed chairs with white seat cushions.

The abundant centerpiece depicted a bountiful harvest, composed of baskets of locally-sourced produce, such as red and yellow bell peppers, corn on the cobs, cucumbers, carrots, onions, cauliflower, potatoes, squash, etc. Bouquets of dried flowers, orchids and ceramic bowls of white calla lilies fill the rest of the space, along with wooden planters of white roses, local greens, fresh herbs and pampas grass.

Native accents, such as capiz lanterns and glass candleholders with a knitted cozy, provide light and texture, along with the glass candleholders and huge black lanterns placed at the foot of the table.

The use of traditional Filipiniana décor extended to the tableware, which paired woven nito charger plates with ceramic plates featuring a tropical print, along with gold flatware and green water goblets.

Meanwhile, the stationery, courtesy of Print Divas, evokes the same vintage Filipino nostalgia with its sepia theme. The menus and table cards are printed on vintage paper with a gray floral embroidery design and detail the wedding feast in a vernacular script.

The sumptuous wedding fare, courtesy of Rancho Bernardo, features homegrown favorites served with a contemporary twist. The menu begins with Chicken Binakol soup, followed by a Banana Blossom Salad appetizer. The main dish is a local fish course, Grilled Pampano with a side of salsa, finished off with a refreshing Taro ice cream.

The Filipiniana-themed showcase concludes with the wedding cake, courtesy of Guilty Pleasures by Finn Ayson. The cake is made of 3 layers with a forest green base, while the gilded second layer resembles a garden trellis, echoing the outdoor venue. It all culminates to the topmost layer, which is done entirely in white, with forest green piping. White flowers adorn the sides as the final flourish.