Rooted In Love

Featuring John Patrick Siao and Jonna Vee Carreon

Our Love Story

Our love story began during our third year in college. JP was majoring in operations management, and I had just switched to financial management. We ended up in the same corporate governance class. JP always says it was love at first sight—he saw my name on the attendance sheet, did some quick Facebook stalking, sent a friend request, and even managed to find my BBM number. Before long, we were chatting non-stop on BBM, like we’d known each other forever.

Our first date was simple yet memorable. We made a bet, and the loser had to buy McDonald’s fries. JP lost, of course, but instead of going to the McDonald’s near campus, he drove us 15 minutes away to a branch in Pasay, just to get some extra time to talk. That’s where it all began.

Fast forward 10 years, and here we are, celebrating our 10th anniversary on February 14, 2024. Who knew a bet over fries would lead to all this?

The Proposal

JP and I always knew we were in it for the long run, but it took us a while to get everything lined up—seven years of working and saving. JP had the ring and the plan ready, but the pandemic messed up the timing, so he had to wait until April 2022 to finally propose.

He wanted the proposal to be a complete surprise and took on all the planning by himself. He found this beautiful restaurant in Tagaytay, Marcia Adams, that was perfect. Knowing how much I love flowers, JP made sure the place was overflowing with them, with the help of the restaurant manager.

When JP invited me to a romantic dinner, I had no idea what was coming. I thought it was just a nice dinner out—until I saw the whole setup. The surprise hit hard, and after a lot of emotions, JP popped the question. Of course, I said “YES!” and here we are, sharing our story with you.

The Wedding

Our wedding was all about classic elegance. JP wore a taupe suit, and I chose a beautiful ivory gown. We love nature, so we wanted everything to have that earthy, natural feel. The bridesmaids wore different shades of green, and our sponsors were in gray. Our moms wore old rose, a color that symbolizes grace and warmth—just like they’ve always been in our lives.

My bouquet was filled with open white peonies, which symbolize blossoming love and new beginnings. It felt perfect for the day. One of the most special touches was including a picture of my late father in my bouquet—a way to have him with us in spirit.

We also put a lot of thought into our cake. We wanted something unique, so we chose a design that looked like roots and branches growing up from the ground, with flowers all over it. It symbolized how our relationship has grown—strong and grounded, yet always reaching for something more.

One of the highlights of our wedding was handing out disposable film cameras to our guests. We’re both big travel and photo enthusiasts, so it was fun to see the day from their point of view. The photos we got back were hilarious and heartfelt, capturing the essence of our special day.

Another unique touch was using our first car, a white Honda Civic, as our bridal car. It wasn’t just a ride—it was a symbol of our journey together. And the live wedding painter we hired captured a moment outside of the church with both of our parents, including my late father. It was a beautiful, lasting memory of the day.

The whole day was filled with love, laughter, and little touches that made it uniquely ours. From the chill cocktail area to the intimate, unplugged ceremony, everything reflected who we are as a couple. Our guests still talk about how relaxed and full of joy the day was, and that’s exactly what we wanted—a celebration that felt true to us and the journey we’ve been on together.