No more honeymoon for Vicki and Hayden?

If the local showbiz firmament looked a bit dimmer over the weekend, it’s because most of the big stars chose to shine in Paris during the breath-taking Christian wedding of Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho on Saturday, Sept. 2, ushered in by a leisurely cruise along the River Seine the day before.

The grand reception was held at the Palais Garnier (Paris Opera House) rented for one day by the couple weeks earlier (to the tune of…guess how much).

Most of the 250 invited guests came from showbiz, with those “left behind” wondering why they failed to make it to the elite guest list even if they were ready, willing and able to shoulder the airfare and hotel accommodation, asking in silence if the lucky stars enjoyed an all-expense-paid Parisian holiday.

All roads led to the French capital, trodden by actors and actresses (among other well-heeled guests) who didn’t mind losing sleep as they taped “advance” episodes of their shows or putting work on hold. Better to wilt on the set than to miss the roll call at the Wedding Of The Year in comparison to which paled the weddings of some Hollywood superstars. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie opted to exchange vows at a beautiful chapel far, far from the public’s prying eyes, didn’t they?

Let’s call the (showbiz) roll once more:

Ogie Alcasid and wife Regine Velasquez came with their son Nate (Ring Bearer) a week earlier since Ogie had to celebrate his 50th birthday in the City of Light (Vicki and Hayden prefer to call it “City of Love”), along with Ogie’s ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren and their daughters Leila and Sarah; Alden Richards was a last-minute arrival, departing Manila Saturday morning after wrapping up some projects and making to Paris in time for the Seine Cruise where he met up with the likes of Piolo Pascual, Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez and wife Ormoc Rep. Lucy Torres (with daughter Juliana); Conrad Onglao and Zsa Zsa Padilla (with daughter Zia and boyfriend Robin Nievera); Isabelle Daza and husband Adrien Semblat; Lovi Poe and French boyfriend Chris Johnson; Jinkee Pacquiao (minus husband Sen. Manny Pacquiao); Korina Sanchez (minus husband Mar Roxas); and Dingdong Dantes and wife Marian Rivera with daughter Zia (Flower Girl, with Vicki and Hayden’s daughter Scarlet who did the drums during the reception hosted by Ogie and where Regine dedicated a song to the newlyweds).

Mom Marian made sure that she lugged along Baby Zia’s needs (feeding bottles and all), at one point breastfed Zia in a quiet corner, much to the delight of those around.

Perhaps the biggest “disappointment” was the no-show (oops! there goes that word again!) of a French VIP bruited about to be the event’s guest of honor, and a popular Hollywood actor (Bradley Cooper, was that you?). Had those two huge celebs came, could they have over-shadowed all the stars out together from native Philippines?

Incidentally, Funfare asked somebody close to the newlyweds where they were having their honeymoon.

“Consummatum est,” he said, biting his tongue. “Remember that Vicki and Hayden have been spending life off-and-on for 12 years although when Hayden became a devoted Christian they kind of, well, refrained from…”

As a wedded couple under the law and in the yes of God, Vicki and Hayden can resume enjoying “it” without any more guilty feelings. The big question is: how soon (that is, if they are planning to) will they give Scarlet a baby brother or sister?

Mabuhay ang bagong kasal!!!

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.) – Photos courtesy of Tim Yap, Michael Cinco & Belo Beauty