Featuring Derrick So and Lara Lam
Our love story began in the final stretch of my college days. Fresh off an internship and back in the classroom, I crossed paths with Lara during a Humanities class, all thanks to our mutual friend. Lara had dreams of interning in France, and our chat sparked a connection that led to the exchange of contact information – in the form of a business card.
Our first official “outing” was a study session at Starbucks, where I also had the pleasure of meeting Lara’s brother, who turned out to be a batch mate. Small world indeed!
They say the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach, and for us, that couldn’t be more true. Our second date at Duck and Buvette sealed the deal for me when Lara served me cauliflower. It might sound silly, but that moment was when I knew she was someone special.
As our relationship blossomed, so did our shared adventures. A road trip with my mom only solidified my feelings for Lara, and I knew I wanted to take things to the next level.
When the time came to pop the question, I knew it had to be memorable. I proposed at The Farm at San Benito, with the help of my old photography professor to capture this special moment. Despite some nerves and a chilly breeze, everything fell into place— even if my proposal speech didn’t quite go as planned. Thankfully, Lara got the message loud and clear.
We decided to forgo a traditional TingHun event in favor of a more intimate celebration with friends at Lara’s place. The wedding planning process went surprisingly smooth with both families on board and supportive every step of the way. Well, almost every step – we did hit a snag when we realized our wedding day coincided with election day and an alcohol ban. This wouldn’t be a problem had we not bought alcohol already a few months before we found out.
Despite the unexpected hiccup, our wedding day was nothing short of magical. While we couldn’t toast with champagne, the love and laughter shared among our guests made the day unforgettable. Dancing and singing filled the air, proving that you don’t need a drink in hand to have a good time.
Lara saw the wedding as her moment to make her dreams a reality. Drawing inspiration from Disney fairytales for the music and decor, and from the grandeur of Versailles for our French-inspired menu, fitting for culinary enthusiasts like us.
Looking back, the hiccup was a blessing in disguise. It brought our loved ones even closer together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. In the end, it wasn’t about the details of the reception, but the love and joy that surrounded us on our special day.
Derrick and Lara’s Dream Team: Church: Holy Trinity Church | Ceremony: Shangri-La at the Fort | Coordinator: Christine Ong-Te | Cake: Penk Ching | Invites: Print Divas | Event Stylist: Teddy Manuel | Photographer: Pat Dy | Videographer: Jason Magbanua | Gown designer: Rosa Clara and Andrea Tetangco | Suit designer: Suit it up manila | Lights and Sound: High Impact | Host: JC Alelis
