Featured in MunaLuchi Bridal Magazine, Issue No. 27, Jepoy & Estelle’s wedding was a vision of purple with everything from decor, attire, and florals inspired by the bride’s favorite color!
Jepoy & Estelle’s sweet romance began as each other’s high school crushes more than 13 years ago! They grew, learned, and fell in love, and after 9 years of officially dating, they finally tied the knot in an extravagant wedding in the Phillippines on December 18th, 2021.
Taking place on campus at the University of Phillippines Diliman, where they both attended college, they incorporated meaningful elements into every part of their wedding. For instance, for their ceremony location, they chose The Parish of the Holy Sacrifice, which is where Jepoy actually proposed by. It is also the same church where Estelle’s parents got married 30 years and 6 days prior to them (on December 12, 1991), and is the church where they both attended mass during college. Their reception space at UP Ang Bahay ng Alumni was also the spot of Jepoy and Estelle’s first dance together during Estelle’s debut cotillion. Even the date, December 18th, has special meaning to them as it is the date that Estelle said yes to being Jepoy’s prom date in 2009, his girlfriend in 2012, his fiance in 2020, and now his wife in 2021!
Other highlights of the day included a color story of lilac and plum with hints of gold throughout (the bride’s absolute favorite color is purple and she’s even nicknamed Purplestar!), personalized details, and unique bespoke attire.
More sweet details below!
- Couple: Jepoy & Estelle
- Occupations: Engineers
Quick Facts:
- Wedding date: December 18, 2021
- Wedding location: University of the Philippines Diliman
- Ceremony: UP Parish of the Holy Sacrifice
- Reception venue: UP Bahay ng Alumni
- Preparation Venue: Balara Content Studio
How they met…
We first met in our 3rd year of high school more than 13 years ago. Just a few days into the school year, I already had a secret crush on him, and I’ve always been praying that he likes me too. But Jepoy was the mysterious, quiet, ultimate shy-type kinda guy (although he did admit later on that it was also crush-at-first sight) and I had super strict parents. So, at first, we were just secretly MU. But slowly, we got closer, Jepoy had the guts to ask me to prom, and the rest is history. Too many memories – I’m just grateful that we’ve witnessed each other walk through the different stages of life and grown so much together. Now we’re here and I couldn’t be any happier – a dream come true to get married to my high school sweetheart. Who would’ve thought that my secret crush and feeling soulmate, would actually end up being the man I was going to marry.
The proposal…
I’ve actually been waiting and nudging Jepoy for quite some time already regarding getting married. The proposal came during the time of Covid. There were a lot of restrictions, and my family was super particular about safety and minimizing exposure to the outside as much as we can. Even Jepoy and I rarely met as we were from different households. So, there was definitely no out-of-town trip or special arrangement for the proposal.
Jepoy fetched me during my last workday of the year and I had no expectations whatsoever – I was just excited to meet for our 8th anniversary. I pre-ordered some letter donuts which read ‘HAPPY 8 ♥ LOVE YOU ★’. We ate dinner just inside the car and we spoke about our day and a bit about our future plans. After dinner, Jepoy said we should transfer to some more romantic place with better lights, but I still didn’t have a clue then.
Eventually, he found a good parking spot with lots of Christmas lights right outside the church where we eventually got married. He then suggested we eat the donuts, specifically the heart-shaped ones, and that we divide them in half. I was so shocked to see an engagement ring fall out of the donut that I shrieked and totally couldn’t believe it. There were lots of flailing and crying in between but to cut it short, he asked me to marry him, and I said yes (and afterward said finally!).
Wedding style & shopping experience…
Being a super bridezilla and having too many pegs that I wanted for my gown, it’s not surprising that I tried on more than 60 wedding dresses and met with several designers before eventually going with Heleyna Bridal.
My bridal gown was a full-lace serpentine cut gown. It had a deep V sweetheart cut neckline with thin straps, a corseted top, low back, a detachable tulle train, and a veil, all in pure white. I definitely wanted that hint of purple still present in my pure white gown – so there was lilac tulle placed as inner layers of the serpentine gown.
Details…
The dress had dainty and intricate details of leaves/foliage with hints of stars (Estelle means star) and had the date (12.18.2021) and our names (jepoy<3estelle) embroidered at the back of the gown and at the end of my veil. I personally requested the cut, lace, and details myself during the design process. I also made sure very light materials were used to minimize the gown’s weight so I could move around freely on our wedding day.
For the reception, I wore mismatched shoes (lilac and plum) with hints of gold in the gold metal leaves at the back of the shoe. My toenails were also painted the opposite shade of purple. For the ceremony, I wore laser-cut, plum, leather shoes with our initials at the front (J&E) and a star at the side-ankle part. Both shoes were bespoke with personalized soles.
Bridesmaid’s attire…
The bridesmaids wore bespoke gowns in plum and lilac shades using chiffon layered with tulle fabric. We wanted it to be light and flowy, each with personally chosen designs different from each other and of course, in line with the motif. This was one of the most important and difficult decisions I had to make – specifically choosing the exact shade and even buying the actual fabric of the entourage gowns, as I knew this would somehow set the mood and feel of the overall motif.
Groom’s attire…
Of course, it’s not only the bride’s attire that is personalized and with hints of the motif. The groom wore a traditional Barong Tagalog, having embroidery that went well with the bridal gown laces. It also had details embroidered on both cuffs – ‘12.18.21’ on the right and ‘jepoy <3 estelle’ on the left. The back of the collar had a purple heart embroidered on it. All buttons had a gold accent. Still, in line with the motif – the groom’s socks were plum while his handkerchief was lilac with dark purple embroidery of “Jepoy & Estelle 12.18.21”.
Groomsmen…
The male entourage also wore Barong Tagalog to complement the groom’s barong. The all-Barong men’s attire was also my plan ever since high school as it embodied the Filipino culture and had that elegant and clean look to it. The male entourage wore black pants – only the groom wore khaki pants.
Their first touch…
The ceremony…
Best wedding day memories…
The bridal march! When Jepoy and I finally saw each other <3 And also having no worries or doubts the entire day. I just felt pure bliss and so much love! :) Words can’t explain.
Mr. & Mrs…
The reception…
Sweet details…
Wedding advice for other engaged couples…
Make sure to always take a step back, breathe and enjoy the planning process! You will definitely miss it when it’s done. Cherish and savor every moment especially the times with your family and closest friends. These are your last few bonding moments before you are finally married and move out.
Finally, the wedding planning process is your first challenge as a couple. For sure there are difficult and important decisions you would have to make together. One thing I’ve learned during the process is how much we love each other – my groom has always been super supportive of me – even with all the nitty gritty details I focus too much on and even if he just wanted a simple and low-key wedding, he still made sure I got my dream wedding. And of course, I had to compromise and make sure he was comfortable with all our decisions together because in the end, this is our wedding, and it’s just the first day of our life together. What matters most is what comes after.
Looking for more purple wedding inspiration?
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Vendors:
- Bride: Estelle Diane Jose
- Wedding Planner: The Purple Bride PH
- Photographer (Main): Vital Image Photo
- Photographer (Candid): Bamboo Kite Photography
- Videographer: Bethena Aundrea Films
- Ceremony Venue: Parish of the Holy Sacrifice
- Reception Venue: Ang Bahay ng Alumni
- Preparation Venue: Balara Content Studio
- Bride’s Wedding Gown: Heleyna Bridal
- Bride’s Shoes (Ceremony): Sarah Oxales Design Studio
- Bride’s Shoes (Reception): Prome & Theus
- Bride’s Hairpiece: Mirth & Yift
- Bride’s Preparation Gown: Desino Dulce
- Bride’s Preparation Robe: La Rosa Bridal
- Bride’s Prep Lingerie: Varsbaby
- Groom’s Barong: EA Casedo’s Embroidery
- Groom’s Pants: Uniqlo
- Groom’s Shoes: Bradford
- Groom’s Socks: Iconic Socks
- Groom’s Handkerchief: Pierre Cardin
- Groom’s Belt: McJim
- Entourage Gowns: Desino Dulce
- Entourage Barongs: MA Barong Pilipino
- MOB Gown: Desino Dulce
- Hair and Makeup Artist: Dred Postigo Makeup
- Ceiling Treatment: Tropical Blooms Florist
- Church Styling: Parish of the Holy Sacrifice
- Bridal and Entourage Flowers: Accents & Petals
- Cake: Phoebecakes
- Caterer: CVJ Food Catering
- Invitations and Stationery: Design & Letters
- Engagement Rings: Karat World
- Wedding Rings: La Real Jewelry
- Quartet: Quartet Manila
- Acoustic Singer: Jholo Cabero Music
- Host: Hosting by Portia
- Lights and Sounds: WABS Lights and Sounds
- Livestream: The Day We Stream
- VIP Tables and Chairs: 18th.ph
- Bridal Car: White Pajero c/o Groom’s Family
- Coordinator: Events Republic
- Cocktails: Cocktails Manila
- Neon Lights: Team Neoneonans
- Bride’s Perfume: Moonlight by Ariana Grande
Jepoy & Estelle as given shots look like
they made for each other. Super gorgeous they looked, and photo processing works are really appreciatable
Stunning photos and super smily couple. Thank you for sharing.
Purple weddings is a really good idea.