A Flight to Celebrate

#WERealWeddings featuring ERWIN DONDOYANO JR. and KAROLYN ANN REY

It was a phone call between our dads last Christmas of 2017 that started it all. I was based in the Middle East and going on my 7^th year as a Flight Attendant. I was also trying to pursue further studies in Australia when EJ got into the picture.

With the situation we’re in, one could not imagine the possibility of a relationship happening between me and EJ. I was practically up on the air flying my days in most parts of the world never even knowing anymore which time zone I’m in. While EJ was based in Canada where my airline company didn’t have direct flights to. The odds were just not on our side.

But one thing about EJ is his persistence and it really, truly paid off. With the power of online connectivity and God’s mighty ways of orchestrating the impossibles, our friendship grew stronger and blossomed to a true relationship of love. And so after a year, we started putting down our grand plan to get married.

We wanted to tell a great story on our wedding day so we thought to incorporate bits and pieces of our travels into the garden setting we had always imagined our wedding to have. And such was the overall theme of our celebration.

It was set on the hilltop of Ville Sommet in Tagaytay where the manicured gardens are surrounded with lush greens of lined trees and flowers so natural of the sight and coolness of Tagaytay.

We went for neutrals over the natural green setting of the venue. The soft romantic feel of muted dusty rose and blue resting on the cool palletes of grey made for a simple chic look which we wanted to achieve.

Nothing hard on the eyes, simple touches of pastel rose were used for the gowns of my bridesmaids while my sister, who was also my Maid of Honor, accented the entourage with her dusty blue gown which she designed herself. She was my lovely “something blue”.

EJ and his groomsmen were extraordinarily good-looking in their fresh grey suits. EJ wore his just slightly darker than the boys’ lighter shade to set him apart handsomely.

All the other elements complemented the garden setup. Our travel story was on the paper plane drawings of our invitations, the postcards where our vows were written, in the arrhae coins of foreign currencies, in the Sri Lankan tea giveaways and the customized banner of our relationship’s timeline given to us by my sister-in-law which was used as backdrop for the Coffee & Pastry Bar set for the cocktail hour.

And no matter how much one puts on the preparation, some things happen unexpectedly. I arrived late. Communications got mixed up and my bridal car did not come back for me. My good friend drove me to the venue and saved the day. All was well and there I was taking my steps with overwhelmed feelings of gladness and relief. “This is it Lord!” I was whispering to myself as the band started to play “Lovely Day” and it truly was.

One special addition to the usual ceremony was the Priest asking the permission from our parents before proceeding, where the blessings were warmly given back by our parents. It was so appropriate and full of respect and honour. Special acknowledgements were also offered to both of our dads who played Cupid in this love story.

The long days and the long waits ended in a peaceful note. It was a celebration of love and homecomings. I also ended my aviation life as I fully embraced my new home in EJ. We were so excited to go home and view the videos taken from the cameras set on guests’ tables and also watch my favourite TV show “Friends” together.

I am taking my new flight assignment, this time, with EJ on board. We’re headed for our new destination – our life as Mr. and Mrs. Dondoyano. And this is the flight worth celebrating for!

Erwin and Karolyn’s DREAM TEAM: Church/Ceremony: Ville Sommet Tagaytay | Caterer: Passion Cooks | Coordinator: Events by Marge | Preps Location: Amberfields Tagaytay | Cake: Passion Cooks | Invites Design: Elle Battung | Invites Printing: Kasali | Flowers and Event Stylist: Martha Pendon Styling|Photographer: Polk Studios| Videographer: Bow and Arrow Films | Gown designer: Paulina Patricia Atelier | Groom’s Suit: Indochino | Photobooth: Baicapture | Coffee and Pastry Bar: Martha Pendon Styling | MUA: Thea Dionisio | Hairstylist: Amos Martin | Lights and Sounds: Artuz 101