Bride-to-be Maricar de Mesa’s choice

When Maricar de Mesa passed by The Grand Terrace, an events venue along Villanueva Drive cor. Commonwealth Ave., Quezon City, she had that a-ha feeling. She knew that very instant this is where she wants her guests to go after she marries cager Don Allado at the Our Lady of Consolation church in Quezon City tomorrow night.

Workers were still furiously digging at the site back then. But the would-be bride didn’t care. She knew this would be the perfect place to entertain her wedding guests, which include principal sponsors Maricel Soriano and Cory Vidanes, Tanya Garcia, Angelu de Leon, Aubrey Miles and boyfriend Troy Montero and Ara Mina.

The staff was not yet sure if the place will be finished on time for the wedding, so they promised to call. They did, a week later. It was good news: the place will open on Nov. 26, a few days before Maricar’s wedding.

Maricar was beside herself with joy.

Who wouldn’t be? Her wedding will cap four years of courtship, with the groom offering a big house in Loyola Grand Villas, Quezon City as his wedding gift.

The couple’s guests will wine and dine at Grand Terrace’s Balinese-inspired restaurant while hearing the tinkling sound of water cascading down glass walls. They will waltz, cha-cha or tango with dance instructors who will navigate them through the dancefloor.

A 90-bulb chandelier will shine on the wedding party below, as tropical flowers burst in a riot of colors.

"I want two children, a boy and a girl," says Maricar, a three-carat diamond engagement ring sparkling on her finger.

Perhaps she can drop three coins, not once, but twice in the Grand Terrace’s two wishing wells to make sure she gets her heart’s desire. One wishing well – right smack in the middle of the buffet table lit by a row of Balinese lamps – adjoins the restaurant. The second greets guests outside the main pavilion, right beside the rock garden.

The rock garden harkens back to a simpler time and place, when promises were not meant to be broken and vows were as sacred as Biblical scripture.

No wonder the Abesamis family, owners of VS&F Classic Food International which runs The Grand Terrace, envisioned the garden as a place where the newly-married couple and their relatives can toast the start of a life-long partnership.

Maricar’s dainty walk as she steps on the carved sandstones leading to a dais where she and Don can stand to receive well-wishers will not be lost on her guests. She should not worry about losing her poise, though. The steps are big enough. She can maintain that queenly bearing all brides are known to have.

Maricar and Don, relax. You need not worry about pleasing your guests anymore.