A streetwear love story

Featuring Dave V. Moleta and Lou Veronica Canaria

They met in a Literature 2 class in 2015—two college students at Saint Louis University in Baguio who didn’t know then that their love story would unfold into a beautifully unorthodox wedding nearly a decade later. Dave and Lou started as friends, drawn together by shared playlists, heart-to-hearts, and a block section in their Entrepreneurship program. “He pursued me even when I wasn’t ready yet,” Lou shares. “But over time, our friendship grew deeper. Eventually, love found its way.”

Their relationship was built on the kind of real love that weathers life’s seasons—ups, downs, and in-betweens. “We tried everything to make it work,” Lou recalls. “It wasn’t perfect, but we always found our way back.”

On April 23, 2023—almost nine years later—Dave proposed on a beach in Zambales, surrounded by Lou’s best friends. “It wasn’t my exact dream engagement, but it was perfect in its own way,” she smiles. “He remembered that I wanted it on a beach. He made me wear white, had me do my nails, and gave me a handwritten love letter before getting down on one knee. I just knew I had to say yes.”

Fast forward to December 18, 2024, a date they chose by adding their birth dates together—Lou’s birthday month for the engagement and Dave’s for the wedding. The celebration was intimate, with less than a hundred guests, yet incredibly personal and meaningful. Their theme? Formal Streetwear—a celebration of their shared passion for thrifting and street culture, perfectly styled in shades of coffee, chocolate, and vanilla.

When Dave and Lou planned their wedding, they knew one thing for sure—it had to be them in every detail. Their shared love for streetwear and all things offbeat shaped what would become a unique and unforgettable celebration at a cozy campsite near Baguio. It was the perfect venue for their intimate ceremony and sunset post-nup shoot, set against pine trees and cool mountain air.

From the very beginning, their personalities shone through. Veronica took the lead in designing their invitations—two sleek versions: black covers for the ladies, white for the gentlemen. They DIYed so many wedding essentials, it was practically a passion project. The pillow used was a black-and-white Murakami Flower Pillow, true to their aesthetic. The arras? A carefully curated set of 14 commemorative Philippine coins, collected by Dave over the years and placed in an acrylic holder—won as a raffle prize from a Baguio bridal fair.

Instead of traditional ring holders, they used Bearbrick-style dummy rings bought on Shopee for their ring bearer. The wedding cord was made by hand using white and black knots, accented with Nike blings and chains. Even the flower girls didn’t carry baskets—they held mini crates styled like BAPE, complete with custom stickers. Veronica’s garter for the reception was no ordinary accessory—it was a blue Nike headband combined with a simple ribbon bought from a local thread shop.

Practical and thoughtful, they gave their guests hand soaps from Watsons rebranded with their wedding logo—complete with a nod that it was still proudly a Watsons Philippines product. For the toast? No wine. Instead, they popped open cans of A&W Root Beer, Canada Dry, and Dr. Pepper—their favorite sodas shared with their guests. It was casual, personal, and totally on-theme.

The ceremony backdrop, crafted by the couple and the groom’s father, featured over 200 black-and-white photos of their journey together and a glowing LED light that didn’t flash their surname, but their lovechild nickname: “DAVERONICA.” Their photobooth backdrop? A raw collage of newspapers, lending that gritty street vibe. For the grazing table, they chose their beloved street foods—because nothing says comfort like your favorites on your big day.

Even the flat lay at the reception was a tribute to their theme—photographers were asked to capture the cans of root beer, dummy rings, photobooth photos, vow booklets, and a slice of their wedding cake. Veronica’s pre-wedding shoot ditched the bridal robe—she wore a BAPE Busy Works mini dress that matched Dave’s Busy Works shirt. And for their “newspaper-style” wedding program? Veronica laid it out herself.

They even DIYed their recessional “confetti”—cutting rice paper to rain down with joy. Lou’s hair accessory was a deeply meaningful ribbon gifted by a close stylist friend, pressed with their names. Though the stylist couldn’t do her hair on the big day, the ribbon became a symbolic piece she wore with her formal gown.

As for fun surprises—they handed out awards to their guests: Best Dressed (Ladies and Gentlemen), First to RSVP, Longest Distance Traveled, and Best Sneakers. Because in a wedding rooted in style and personality, sneaker heat couldn’t go unnoticed.

They also leaned into tradition with a modern twist:

Something Old: Matching handkerchiefs bought during the pandemic, saved for this day.

Something New: For once, they swapped their usual thrift finds for fresh, new kicks.

Something Borrowed: Veronica wore her mother’s bracelet; Dave possibly counts his rented suit.

Something Blue: His socks, and her garter.

To top it off, they exchanged gifts not during the program—but privately during their post-nup, keeping that moment just for them.

Everything about their wedding spoke volumes about who they are—not just as individuals, but as a couple. Every thread, every sticker, every soda can told their story.

Perhaps one of the most touching aspects was how the bride transformed the challenges into beautiful memories—like the last-minute gown fix due to a seamstress mishap. “It wasn’t easy. I had sleepless nights crying. But seeing everything come together made it worth it.”

For couples dreaming of their big day, Dave and Lou’s wedding reminds us that what makes a celebration truly unforgettable isn’t the grandeur—it’s the heart. “Make it yours,” Veronica says. “Even if it’s not perfect, if it reflects you as a couple, it will be beautiful.”