In the age of online dating, Clive Andrew “Andrew” I. Guanzon and Cleyanne Ysabel “Cley” Nenita K. dela Calzada’s love story is a testament to the power of connection amidst a global pandemic. The couple met on Bumble in February 2020, right before the world went into lockdown.
Cley had just moved to Cebu, and she hadn’t met anyone yet. Little did she know that she and Andrew would be celebrating their wedding just a couple of years later. The couple’s first date consisted of coffee and a car ride around Cebu, since all other establishments were still closed.
The two had been dating for a few months when Cley realized she had found “the one”. “We were dating for a few months when I caught COVID (unofficially, because my tests came back negative). I was so sick in bed, with no friends or relatives in the area,” says Cley. “It was Andrew who came to my apartment to take care of me. When I woke up, I found that he had cleaned my apartment while I was asleep—and that was the moment I knew I wanted him! We became official that very same night!”
The Wedding and Everything In Between
Their civil wedding took place on February 3, 2023, at the Mayor’s Office in Mandaue City Hall. The celebration continued at the charming Circa 1900 in Lahug, a beautiful old Filipino home converted into an events space and restaurant. The intimate gathering of just 16 guests allowed Andrew, an architect, and Cley, an interior designer, to focus on what mattered most to them: celebrating their love in a meaningful way.
The practical duo didn’t initially envision a large, lavish wedding. In fact, the new normal of intimate celebrations suited their taste perfectly. Despite the limited guest list, planning a wedding during a pandemic proved challenging. One of the most significant obstacles they faced was coordinating accommodations for Cley’s family, who were flying in from Manila.
Another challenge arose when the couple discovered that their chosen reception venue would only provide basic catering furniture. As an interior designer, Cley was determined to create a beautiful setting for their special day. With some creativity and resourcefulness, they rented classic solihiya chairs and dressed up the tables with white fabric and dried flowers as centerpieces, achieving a stylish yet cost-effective solution.
The wedding day was filled with tears of joy as the couple exchanged their vows. In their eyes, it was the perfect celebration. Originally, they had planned to have a larger wedding event later, but their intimate civil wedding left them feeling fulfilled and content. Instead, they now look forward to renewing their vows in five to ten years.
Advice for Soon-to-Weds Planning Their Wedding
Andrew and Cley have some advice for other couples planning to tie the knot during a pandemic: “Figure out your priorities as a couple. From there, you’ll be able to determine what are non-negotiables for your wedding. For us, it was to save money but to have a meaningful celebration. For others, it might be to have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind wedding. All couples are different, but at the end of the day, just remember that it’s up to you how you’d want to celebrate your union.”
Oh, and one more bonus tip from the couple: “Check out those wedding supplier Facebook groups. They’re a goldmine.”
Andrew and Cley’s wedding is a beautiful reminder that even in these uncertain times, love conquers all. Their story serves as an inspiration for soon-to-weds, proving that a wedding can be both intimate and unforgettable.
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List of Suppliers for Cley and Andrew’s Wedding:
Bride’s Wedding Attire:
Bernard Yap Ngo
Venue:
Circa 1900
Furniture Rental:
T&C Rental and Event Services
Photographer:
Dar Lish Photography
