Monchu Gonzalez & Romina Urra: This time it’s for real

Perennial model bride Romina Urra, and editor-in-chief of Chalk magazine wed architect Ramon (Monchu) Gonzalez in a fabulous Moroccan-inspired wedding, making fashion fantasy a reality. The pop couple was introduced to each other by Monchu’s cousin and Romina’s soccer teammate Rhea Joaquin. What bonded them aside from that electrifying boy-girl chemistry was that both realized they had the same friends. The parents of the bride’s father Raul Urra lived in Bacolod, and were very close to the Rubin family of the groom’s mother.

It was a wedding that reunited family, old friends, and new best friends. Father Jun-Jun Agruda, a friend of the couple, officiated at the very personal nuptial mass. Relatives, friends from the fashion industry, schoolmates and colleagues in ABS-CBN Publishing came in bright colored gowns reflecting the Moroccan theme. Designer Inno Sotto outdid himself using fuchsia, aqua, saffron, mango yellow, deep purple and gold. Especially charming was Inno’s creation for the children, garbing them in kaftans, while the flower girls toted tambourines instead of the usual flower baskets. The bridesmaids were resplendent in Venus cut, soft chiffon gowns, with a beaded belt detail.

The bride’s gown was a structured sleeveless coatdress with a multi-paneled train. "As a model, Inno gave me the opportunity to wear all his couture clothes. It was a dream come true to finally wear my own Inno wedding dress," Romina said. The simple gown’s highlight was a vintage diamond necklace worn on Romina’s forehead to serve as the veil, with matching drop earrings. When she took off the coat during the reception, she had a satin bustier gown with an apple slice detail, revealing a glimpse of her lower back – the only portion of the dress encrusted with beading. Ace makeup whiz, Patrick Rosas and his team, worked like mad during the day of the wedding. His hotel room served as the parlor for the makeup and hair. "It’s like were just getting ready for the fashion show," Romina mused. And, because they had spent years in the past working together on countless fashion shows, they skipped hair and makeup road tests. "Patrick knows exactly what works and what doesn’t for my face... I absolutely trust him," Romina exclaimed happily.

As soon as they announced their engagement last Halloween, the wedding plans took top priority with both families. Mother of the groom Maricar Gonzalez, together with daughter Mia Legarda and daughters-in-law Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez and Katrina Alunan-Gonzalez helped gather suppliers. While mother of the bride Carmita Francisco, together with Romina’s sisters Tinamarie Tonda and Sarita Urra helped organize the details before the big day.

Carmita’s set designer for Illusione, Rico Ancheta, did a superb job setting up the tent. Together with florist Robert Blancaflor of 1816, they draped gauze fabric atop the tiled dance floor. The same tile design, by Monchu, was also used for the wedding cake by Marta Matute. Carmita, who runs the Craft Studio, replicated the tile design for matchbox tiles, to compliment the hurricane lamps swathed in bright colors, dressed up in beads that Maricar personally made as giveaways. A hundred throw pillows were hand-sewn in the Gonzalez home, to be used as accent pieces during the reception.

The couple wanted a home party atmosphere, so Rico created alcoves all over the tent which served as mini living rooms. Then he draped exotic fabrics on the couches and even the family Persian carpets found their way to the reception. The young friends of the couple invaded each alcove and by the end of the night, most were casually sitting on the floor, bare feet and relaxed.

To complete the super charged party atmosphere, the Westin’s banquet team created food stations tucked in between the alcoves serving sharwarma, Moroccan specialties, roast lamb, baked ham, pasta buffet and a paella station from the bride’s La Tienda restaurant. There were tables with attractive centerpieces for those who preferred to sit in traditional style, where Robert stuffed oranges in tall vases, as well as clusters of grapes atop candelabras, interspersed with bright flower arrangements. Director Ariel Lozada, who was Romina’s modeling mentor, arranged the mood music for the reception as well as for the wedding march.

Model and events coordinator Chiqui Samson, was given the task of handling the wedding for the day. Maid of honor Cristina Ortigas and best man Tonito Gonzalez hosted the short program that included a maypole ribbon grabbing ceremony (Tonito and Pam Tanjuatco were paired) for the single men and women of the group. A traditional bouquet throwing was also conducted for the female singletons.

For the first dance, Cris Ortigas sang for the couple, which kicked off the rhythm of the party. Trip M, (guitarist Junji Lerma was a high school batch mate from De La Salle Zobel) revved it to high gear with their distinct Latin House sound. Even photographer Eddie Boy Escudero joined in the partying! It was a fun night that lasted till dawn.