On May 21, 2023, the picturesque Sacred Heart Parish witnessed the wedding of two souls, Alyssa Jane Tan, fondly known as “Lys”, and Raphael Garces, endearingly called “Jiro”. The journey to this momentous day began at the halls of Cebu Doctors’ University (CDU) where their paths first crossed while attending med school. Over seven incredible years of love and growth, the couple overcame challenges and uncertainties. By November 11, 2022, Jiro, feeling the undeniable pull of destiny, proposed to Lys.
The Day of The Wedding
Fast-forward to the wedding day, guests were treated to an elegant reception at the Radisson Blu, painted with a soothing palette of blue – reminiscent of the expansive sky and deep sea, signifying the couple’s shared wanderlust. While the prospect of a medical-themed wedding loomed, Lys and Jiro, being the candid duo they are, chose simplicity over drama.
Jiro, traditionally an advocate for intimate gatherings, found himself in a bustling celebration surrounded by loved ones from all corners of the world. Despite the initial difference in their vision of the wedding’s scale, the couple, true to their nature, found compromise. Their big day became not just a wedding, but a joyous reunion, replete with laughter, memories, and shared happiness.
According to Lys: “The biggest highlight for our wedding was that it became a huge reunion for a happy celebration for both families. Friends & families from all over the world really took their time to join us in our celebration. We felt nothing but bliss throughout the day.”
Inspiration for Other Couples
The wedding’s underlying tone, aside from the evident love, was the spirit of unity and compromise. One could even say it was a prelude to their forthcoming life together. When asked about their advice to soon-to-wed couples, the pair say: “Marriage is not just about commitment, but also a lot of compromise.”
Lys and Jiro’s wedding day, while a blend of nerves, adrenaline, and sheer elation, serves as a testament to the importance of open communication, trust in your team, and the invaluable power of compromise. Their narrative underscores the essence of the journey rather than the destination, urging couples to soak in every moment and cherish the ride.
For those about to embark on this wedding planning journey, Lys and Jiro impart wisdom from their own experience: “Keep open channels of communication, lean on loved ones, and most importantly, have fun. The day may come and go in a flash, but the memories and lessons will last a lifetime.”
In a world often dominated by grand gestures and online personas, Lys and Jiro’s wedding stood out as a genuine celebration of love, understanding, and togetherness. Cheers to the couple who remind us all of the simple, unfiltered beauty of real-life love stories!
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