Perfectly Imperfect

Jasmine Mendiola and Paolo Bernaldo’s wedding was more than a ceremony; it was the culmination of a love story shaped by resilience, family, and faith. Their journey began when Paolo, then a member of Moonstar88, offered his band’s performance for a fundraising concert for Jasmine’s son, Mio, who was battling leukemia. Though their paths crossed occasionally over the years, it wasn’t until five years later that their connection deepened. Six months into dating, Paolo proposed, and the couple embarked on a long engagement marked by life’s challenges.

Through health crises, the complexities of blending their families, relocations, and the pandemic, Jasmine and Paolo’s love endured. Together, they built a home grounded in authenticity, connection, and shared purpose for their six children.

God’s Timing Amid Life’s Storms

It took years for the legal paperwork to come through and when it did, it came at an opportune time. Paolo proposed (again) that they expedite their preparations for what they imagined would have been a 2025 celebration as soon as they realized Jasmine’s father’s lymphoma was back.

They planned a wedding in just 5 weeks and in the days leading up to their wedding, four typhoons loomed, threatening to derail the celebration. Yet, as Jasmine shared, “Sabi ko kay Pao, lakas na talaga natin kay Lord pag tumigil ang ulan sa araw na ‘yon. But even if it doesn’t, the fact that we got here with so many graces is already a gift.”Miraculously, the skies cleared, with only a light drizzle after the ceremony, as if nature itself was blessing their union.

For Jasmine and Paolo, the timing of their wedding—poignant as Jasmine’s father faced declining health—was a testament to their faith and gratitude. And in spite of his deteriorating body,Jasmine’s father was able to walk her down the aisle, albeit on a wheelchair and literally give her hand to Paolo.

Raw, Real, and Radiant

So much about their wedding felt like home. In fact, their wedding preps and the first look were done unconventionally at their homestead, literally designed and built by Paolo and his construction team on a farm lot, doing everyday things that they did as a family when they’re altogether, and even drove themselves to the the wedding venue in their family car, unadulterated and authentically them.

Jasmine, a seasoned makeup artist, took a refreshingly real approach to her bridal look. Opting for hair down in an outdoor setting, skipping contacts and touch-ups (that her fellow makeup artist friends did not permit!), and embracing her flushed cheeks from happy tears, she embraced her age of 42 and kept her look as natural as her signature #JasGlow style would have been. Though intimately acquainted with how bridal beauty looked having done bridal makeup for over 20 years already, she confides that for the first time, she finally knew what bridal beauty felt – unbridled joy.

Intentional Details and Personal Touches

Every detail of their wedding was raw and a bit rough on the edges, beautifully extraordinary. Their rings were hand-crafted by a local metalsmith, Mogly Creations in organic brass and gold-dipped silver rings highlighting an unconventional raw diamond.

Jasmine’s sister, Joee wanted to handcraft the entourage flowers and was surprised that Jasmine and Paolo wanted rustic dried flowers such as dried lavender, eucalyptus, and thistles—symbols of purity, strength, and protection. Though already dry, their scent preserved and beauty changed had a touch of even an even more sentimental touch as Joee added their mother, Susan’s crochet lavender stems to the arrangements.

Paolo was lovingly groomed by his own daughter, Ada, who is a budding Makeup Artist herself. Jasmine’s dress was also lovingly made by renowned fashion designer, Martin Bautista who is her nephew. And their two-tiered naked ube cake, baked by Jasmine’s cousin Lady Lorredo of The Baking Bug, perfectly complemented their plum and lavender motif. Even their customized arrhae, featuring photos of their parents and siblings, carried deep significance. In a touching moment, the vendor recognized Paolo’s late father as a former colleague, a connection that felt like a blessing from beyond.The couple’s six children played an integral role in the celebration. They created a “Finally Married!” sign adorned with heartfelt drawings, symbolizing their family’s journey.

A Ceremony Rooted in Faith and Meaning

Their garden wedding was officiated by a priest from the Eastern Catholic Church, a deeply meaningful choice that reflected their desire for a sacred yet inclusive celebration given that Paolo and Jasmine were raised with different religions. The couple worked with BCIDP Law, a firm specializing in personalized legal services, to navigate the necessary preparations. BCIDP’s expertise not only simplified the process but also deepened Jasmine and Paolo’s appreciation for the sacrament of marriage.

“Deciding to build a life together whether or not we could get married was not just about signing a piece of paper,” Jasmine explained. “It was a forging of who we are, each different and changing, binding our lives; our families; blending our home — and trusting that this divine surrender to each other is the freedom that our faith in something bigger than both of us is our purpose here on earth.”The ceremony included a handfasting ritual, where the couple tied ribbons into a knot as they exchanged vows. Holding the ends as they spoke their promises and placed rings on each other’s fingers, the act symbolized their intertwined lives and unwavering commitment.

Gratitude and Thoughtful Gestures

In place of a traditional guestbook or gifts, Jasmine and Paolo invited guests to write handwritten letters, which the couple plans to read daily over the next year as a reminder of the love that surrounds them. Guests were given personalized wooden coasters and crystals charged with intentions of love, health, and tranquillity, as tokens of appreciation. These thoughtful touches reflected the couple’s gratitude for the presence and support of their loved ones.

Music, Memories, and Connection

Music brought a unique emotional depth to the celebration. Paolo’s former Orphanlily and Moonstar88 bandmate, Acel Van Ommen, sang the bridal march, accompanied by homeschooling family friend Vim Pangantihon on keys and his 10-year-old daughter, Celestine, on the violin. Their heartfelt performance set the tone for the ceremony, blending nostalgia and love.

The reception was short but sweet, led by a toast given by 2 of Paolo’s Best Men (he had 3 including furniture designer, Leo Sano), fellow video director and long-time production friend, Julius Sebastian and Moonstar88 former bandmate brother, Herbert Hernandez; and Jasmine’s best friends, Matron-of-Honor Jean Madrid and Man-of-Honor, Shred Santiago gave their short speeches before dinner was served while the guests were serenaded by the reception band, Helena with spontaneous jam session by some of Paolo’s Parokya ni Edgar bandmates alongside Acel.

Each of the six children read during the mass and after dinner, special thanks were given by Paolo and Jasmine’s eldest children, Ada and Mio, on behalf of their family. As Roux, their youngest daughter said, “thank you for coming to OUR wedding!”The evening was punctuated by a video presentation featuring cherished family photos by Mio, highlighting memories that led to this special day immediately followed by Paolo and Jasmine’s own message of thanks. DJ Diego Castillo filled the air with ‘90s tunes, turning the evening into a nostalgic, joyous celebration. Guests danced freely, embracing the couple’s “come as you are” invitation allowing even the entourage to wear what they wanted based on a general color palette of purples, grey, muted earth tones, yellows or plums, celebrating with laughter, music, and meaningful connections.

A Celebration of Love and Resilience

Under the twinkling string lights and sparklers, surrounded by the people who matter most, Jasmine and Paolo celebrated their union. Their wedding was a reflection of their journey: raw, real, and filled with gratitude for the grace that carried them through.