Love, sewn into wedding gowns
Choosing a wedding gown is a singular, often emotionally charged moment. Sometimes it’s marked by looming wedding day deadlines and the pressure of getting every detail down pat (perhaps a little cranky from carb-free, salad-centered diets, too). But more often than not, picking a wedding dress is a sentimental moment surrounded by love as mothers smooth fabric, sisters drop opinions, or girlfriends chitter with a glass of champagne, all accompanying the bride-to-be.
Some brides arrive knowing exactly what they want. Others discover it serendipitously, through a chance encounter with “the dress,” found after one fitting after another. Whether heirloom or couture, each gown means tons more than your run-of-the-mill dress. It’s also the article of clothing chosen with the person they would soon meet at the altar in mind.
And if one thing is for sure, these brides chose dresses that reflect not only their personal style but also how they wish to walk into marriage with the person they love, ready to begin a new chapter of life, side by side, one step at a time.
Carmela Fortuna-Forés
“Three weeks before my wedding, I made a last-minute call to Tito Inno Sotto. I already had a more casual but lovely dress, yet something in me—maybe even Tita Marge—pushed me to reach out. Tito Inno was really meant to make my gown from the start. He already had my measurements and knew the original plan. But this wedding came together quickly because of the circumstances, so I took a chance and asked if he could still do it. To my surprise, he said yes.
I told Tito Inno I wanted a simple silhouette and light fabric. Our wedding was held at Amado’s family home in Cubao, with fewer than 120 guests. We knew we would be having a bigger celebration in 2026, so this wedding—like the dress—was meant to be simple and easy.
I only had one fitting, and I loved the dress immediately. I trusted Tito Inno, stayed calm through the process, and was truly happy with how everything turned out. Tita Marge sorted it all out, is what I think.”
Erica Concepcion-Reyes
“My wedding gown was a vintage Ramon Valera piece passed down from my mother-in-law, lovingly reworked by a New Yorker. The original gown reflected the craftsmanship and quiet elegance Valera was known for, and the rework was done with care to preserve its character.
Wearing it felt deeply personal and meaningful—a natural merging of heritage, family, and love.”
Dominique Cojuangco Hearn
“With no dress or style in mind, two of my closest friends and I treated the fittings as dress- up, letting curiosity guide us. We ended up choosing a gown by Elie Saab. It’s intricately worked, with sequins and textile elements forming clusters of small flowers across the surface. The veil draped beyond the length of the gown, with sequin detailing that echoed the dress and stood out against my dark hair.
In a cinematic moment, my friends and I knew which dress to choose without saying a word.”
Robyn See Uy
“Choosing my wedding dress wasn’t exactly an instant ‘aha’ moment. I traveled to South Korea and tried on gown after gown, each feeling more beautiful than the last, and weighing every option to make sure I was choosing the perfect one. It took time, going back and forth between different ateliers, and a whole lot of consideration to eventually find the one!
I grounded my decision on three key factors. First, the setting. I wanted a dress that felt right for the venue and complemented the natural beauty of Boracay. Second was comfort, something I could move in and wear with ease throughout a whole day of festivities. And most importantly, it had to feel like me: aligned with my personal style and tailored perfectly to my body.
After what felt like a hundred try-ons, I ultimately chose a Danielle Frankel gown called Phoebe. The hand-crinkled satin and soft pleating moved effortlessly, echoing the waves of the sea. It was in the most perfect shade of white, the silhouette was incredibly comfortable, and the open back + dipped neckline combination felt true to my style.
At the end of the day, the right dress is the one that makes you feel most comfortably yourself, and I’m so glad I found mine.”
Madi Calleja-Chiongbian
“I think, like many girls, I knew I wanted to get married in a Vania Romoff (VR) dress. My custom wedding gown by Vania was a true piece of craft, made entirely in delicate piña fabric. I was really drawn to piña for its natural color—soft, warm, and quietly beautiful—and for the care and skill it demands to work with.
Beautifully sewn by Vania and her team, it had a ruched bodice, delicate buttons, and a classic VR drop skirt silhouette. The dress felt timeless, quiet, but so intentionally so. I paired it with the most gorgeous and dramatic mantilla veil with French lace, also by Vania.”
