Our Journey to Happy Ever After

Featuring Neil Patrick Hong Lee and Donna Janine Sy

Our story began on February 16, 2018, when a random guy added me on Facebook Messenger, wishing me a “Happy Chinese New Year.” His name was Patrick, and he invited me to celebrate the occasion with his family at a Chinese restaurant in Banawe. That time, I was working as a purchasing supervisor at SM Corporation, and it turned out that Patrick was one of our suppliers for uniforms. We started as friends, and over time, our relationship blossomed.

We had been together for almost six years before Patrick proposed to me on November 10, 2023. It was a surprise birthday outing with his friends, and I was thrilled. Our shared love for Japanese food, traveling, movies, pets, and nature brought us even closer.

For our wedding, we chose a classy, elegant, and minimalist theme with neutral colors. Our stylist suggested a green and white motif, symbolizing nature, purity, good fortune, freshness, and renewal. The vibrant yet soothing colors brought a lively energy to the celebration, marking the beginning of a new chapter in our lives.A special dog keychain was placed on my bouquet, and a dog figurine adorned our wedding cake, honoring our shared love for pets. One of our most cherished guests was my 90-year-old grandfather, Gwakong, who surprised us by attending the reception despite his age. We were deeply touched and grateful for his presence.

Family is central to both of us, and we practice Chinese beliefs and traditions, always supporting our loved ones. Our wedding was truly memorable, not only because it was a significant milestone but also due to the challenges we faced. My grandmother on my father’s side, Gwama, passed away in April 2024. According to our beliefs, we had to marry within 100 days of her death or wait 1,000 days. Thus, we moved our wedding date from December 22, 2024, to June 25, 2024.

Despite the rushed preparations, everything went smoothly, thanks to our family, friends, suppliers, and coordinator. Our big day wouldn’t have been possible without their support.

After Patrick’s proposal, we dove into wedding planning, from choosing the church and venue to finding the perfect wedding gown. I found inspiration on Pinterest and ended up working with Ms. Vee Tan, who brought my dream gown to life with sparkling beads, embellishments, and 3D florals.

Our church and venue were uniquely decorated in our green and white theme, reflecting the timeless and versatile nature of these colors. I wore a white wedding gown, Patrick a white polo with a gray coat, and our bridesmaids and groomsmen donned sage green attire. Abundant arrangements of white and green flowers covered the entrance, center stage, and ceiling, creating a breathtaking setting.

Our wedding dance, which we practiced just two days before, was a hit. The entire event was a testament to our love, the strength of our bond, and the unwavering support of those around us.