Ever After: A Wedding Affair

THM’s ballroom bridal bash

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Together with the Company of Brides, Traders Hotel Manila (THM) successfully hosted another bridal fair at their newly-renovated Embassy Ballroom. Simply dubbed “Ever After: A Wedding Affair,” the weekend event was highlighted with a gala fashion show featuring the collections of Nino Angeles, Hilque Dairo, Frankie de Leon, Pablo Cabahug, JC Buendia, Lya Armovit, Bergamo, Mark Tamayo, Michelle Sison, and Frederick Peralta.

“There were three different designs for the full renovation of the Embassy Ballroom and we opted with the one presented by Arch. Ilustre, who also did the renovation of the Isla Ballroom in Edsa Shangri-La. The interior details are very modern and stylish, very contemporary with custom-made chandeliers crafted exclusively for us.

“The wall murals reflect the serenity of Manila Bay, because it is the very area where we are. And, proudly, everything you see here are sourced locally,” enthused general manager Gordon Aeria, during a pre-gala cocktails colloquy.  

Featuring some of the most creative and finest wedding specialists and event suppliers in the metro, the fair showcased the latest details in bridal themes, floral arrangements, cake creations, wedding ensemble, and everything else needed in planning a dream betrothal. Lecture sessions on interesting topics like Beauty & Beyond, Before I Do, Radiance & Rituals, Wedding Menu Preparation, and Wine Pairing were held throughout the day.

“This is the final piece of the jigsaw that makes up the entire hotel renovation. We closed the ballroom for four long months to put everything in place. For a banquet dinner, the ballroom seats 350 covers; while in conference seating, it can accommodate 150 more. Traders Hotel has the newest ballroom in the Bay area. We have the latest audio-visual equipment and the facilities are spanking new. We have eight break-out function rooms to accommodate spillovers and small intimate gatherings. We have already hosted three weddings and fourteen more are lined up ‘til March 2014,” Aeria added.

The bridal collections of the featured designers were beautifully presented with the mellifluous renditions from the world-renowned Madrigal Singers. Hilque Dairo’s mini bridal dresses with bustled peplum trains complemented Nino Angeles’ layered bouffant creations. Frankie de Leon’s tiered frou-frou with bolero overlay and sleeveless sequined bodice with draped detailing perfectly contrasted with Pablo Cabahug’s lace & pleats ‘quilted’ pattern and belted bustiers.

JC Buendia’s sabrina-collared silhouette opened to a scooped low back design. His other long-sleeved creation was accentuated with an obi sash and lace cut-outs. Mini is definitely in with Lya Armovit’s belted ankle-length strapless flounced dress and Mark Tamayo’s gossamer mid-riff number and off-the-shoulder creation. Bergamo provided the grooms’ wear with mocha-colored tuxedos, duo-toned checked suits, pinstriped and dotted jackets with paisley waistcoats.

Several lucky brides won two-night stays in other affiliate properties like Edsa Shangri-La Manila, Makati Shangri-La, Chiang Mai Shangri-La as well as in honeymoon destinations like Mactan Island Resort & Spa in Cebu, Tanjung Aru Resort in Kota Kinabalu, and the Yanuca Island Resort & Spa in Fiji.

Michelle Sison’s bride came in a veiled lacy number paired with a see-through barong on the groom. And closing the fabulous trunk pieces was Frederick Peralta’s brides: one in a gourded trumpet silhouette with side pipings, aping an arthropod’s feet; another in a mock turtle neck-lined sequined flowing gown, together with a corseted book-leaf body-hugger culminating in a sweeping train. With the wine, women and song, ‘twas truly a romantic evening. One that would make any bride-to-be wish for a romance that would go beyond ever-after.

For inquiries and advance reservations, simply call the Events Center through tel. no. 708-4888 and/or email events.thm@tradershotels.com.