A grand wedding set in posh Dasmariñas Village, Makati, capped off the three-and-a-half-year fairy-tale romance between Kara Ponce Enrile and Moulay Rhounimi.Kara looked like a true princess as she walked down the aisle in a gorgeous outfit by Pronovias, the premier ready-to-wear bridal fashion brand from Barcelona, Spain, which will have its launching in the Philippines soon.
Moulay was her handsome prince in a black barong by Randy Ortiz, naturellement.
The couple said their “I dos” amid flowers and candles and 500 of their kin and friends in a totally one of a kind wedding ceremony, dahlings.
The mah-velous reception was held inside an enormous white tent in the vast sprawling garden of the Ponce-Enriles. Upon stepping inside, moi felt like I was magically transported to an exclusive club in Marrakech, Morocco, which, by the way, was the first time I attended a wedding like this in virtual Morocco. I remembered a wedding in Casablanca, of another friend of mine from London. Kara and Moulay’s wedding felt like the real thing.
The tent was bathed in the soft, amber glow from the Moroccan hurricane lamps, which were on every table. The beautiful white tent draping, accented by amethyst lights, lent a super très intimate and romantic mood. Ah yes! L’amour was in the air, dahlings!
And the food, ooh la la! As can be expected from happenings organized by Katrina Ponce Enrile, every food was definitely to die for! I don’t think anyone present was prepared for the dégustation that we partook in.
Catered by Ladera Culinary Services Inc., the reception offered not five, not 10, dishes—but 80!
The dishes ranged from Moroccan to sumptuous Filipino and Spanish dishes; they lined up the two long buffet tables, spread out in the tent, which definitely left everyone, including moi, forget one’s diet. (I went back for thirds on some of the dishes since many of them one do not get to taste in Manille.)
Ingredients and spices, as well as fresh cous-cous and lamb, were jetted in from Morocco, including the wow fresh almonds, dahlings.
For that extra dimension, must-have excellent wines were served: 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, 2006 Merlot and 2006 Petite Sirah. They were especially flown in by Napa Valley Winery Corte Riva. There was also an assortment of liquor and spirits which flowed throughout the night.
Later on during the evening, the gorgeous bride and groom changed into their Moroccan attire and made the rounds at the tables to greet everyone.
For fun, there was “live” entertainment from a band and an audio-visual feature of the so-in-love couple. Loud applause came from everyone when Moulay’s famille and their friends, who all jetted in from Morocco and different parts of the globe, also dressed in their colorful attires, contributed their own traditional merriment with song and dance to the rhythmic beat of exotic and modern Moroccan music.
Heavyweights in government, business and high society led the illustrious list of principal sponsors: Vice President Jejomar Binay; Sen. Jinggoy Estrada; Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero; Rep. Alfredo Benitez; Milagros Drilon; Teresita Sy-Coson; Erlinda Bildner and Maria Nomura.
Well-wishers included Sen. and Mrs. Greg Honasan; Sen. Franklin Drilon; Sen. Richard Gordon; former senator and Mrs. Rene Espina; former senator and Mrs. Robert Jaworski Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Jose Mari Ponce; Tonichi Nocom; Randy Ortiz and Henri Calayag.
A superbly and professionally organized wedding it certainly was, what with the bride’s glam grandmother Cristina Castañer Ponce Enrile and mother, Katrina P.E.-Kosher, behind this successful happening. How could anything go wrong?
Cheers to my dearest Kara and Moulay!
