Last week, the family was invited to attend a Bali themed wedding party at the Country Village Hotel. The simple wedding ceremony was held at a secluded chapel, in the hilly areas of the city. While the ceremony was simply routine, the after wedding party was anything but.
beuatiful asian lanterns
Arriving early at the reception, we were able to appreciate the well-planned Balinese setting. There were Asian lanterns hanging from the draped ceilings, and the lighting was subdued enough to bring out a romantic yet festive atmosphere. Happy, pulsating Balinese drum beats greeted us as we arrived at the venue, so it was difficult to feign excitement. I almost wanted to hop and grind in my orange summer dress! LOL.
drapes and summer hats
As you can see there were also lighted palm trees, which were strategically scattered all throughout the venue. To add a bit of privacy to the outdoor setting, drapes were hung, but these were also ingeniously tied with native summer hats for that authentic and exotic beach feel.
Me in my Bali summer dress
That’s me, taking a pose beside the cupcake tower and the dainty fondant wedding cake. I donned an orange and fuchsia number, with a cinched waist. The hunt for the perfect summer dress began since the time I received the invitation. Of course, any occasion presents the perfect excuse to add another dress to my wardrobe, so I was more than happy to begin my search. The search ended when I found this pink-strapped orange dress at Mags.
roses, mums, lilies
Okay, roses are not exactly too-Balinese, but what wedding is complete without roses? It’s a good thing that Malaysian mums, ferns, and some orchids and lilies were added into the flower arrangements, so as to create a more eclectic, less formal feel. The roses came in yellows, peaches, and whites, while the mums were either bright pink, white, or orange yellow.
roses and candlelight
And I should tell you how I adored the table settings. Each table had more than three candles, an exquisitely arranged floral bouquet, rounded stones, and smaller pebbles that remind you of beaches and glorious sunsets. The tables were just the right size, so they were both cozy and intimate, seating only about six to seven people each.
the view by the poolside
The venue was right by the pool moreover, and with the sound of the Balinese drums and the pull of the exotic ambiance, it was easy to forget that we were partying in a small hotel within the city of Cagayan de Oro.
cupcakes!
Finally, I should say something about the desserts. I think every wedding should have delectable, mouth-watering desserts. Well, these sweet treats are nothing fancy, just a few chocolate and coffee cupcakes with butter icing, cheese squares, Chantilly bars and tarts, but they were served profusely and were delightful to the taste buds.
The wedding was one of the most fun celebrations I’ve been in; there were none of the strict formality and stiffness prevalent in many traditional weddings, and everybody came to have a good time. The emcee captured everyone’s attention with her crisp voice and effortless segues. The girls came in their cute summer dresses while the guys were dressed down to their short-sleeved polos, light-colored slacks, and loafers or sneaks.
Nonetheless, there was elegance to be seen everywhere – from the lights to the flowers and from the dainty desserts to the first-class photography. It was a happy affair, which is what every wedding after-party should be.
To Jojo and Charise, may you stay in love, for life! 
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For the past weeks, the house has been under renovations. Since the day of the flash floods about a month ago, the entire family has been planning on renovating the property. We decided finally to repaint, re-tile, and redecorate the house. It was out of necessity yes, but somehow, we did not want anything to remind us of the horrible ordeal, which had us sleeping in a hotel the first night, as the beds and pillows were all soaked.
