It may be too early to say, but it is most likely that the Wedding of 2014 in the country was the one held in Cebu, not in Manila. It was the golden wedding celebration of Michel and Amparito Lhuillier which was not only most talked about, but also drew a good select crowd from both Cebu and Manila.

It was held over the weekend, last Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral. At exactly 7 in the evening, the doors of the cathedral opened and the golden couple walked down the aisle. (Lifestyle will run the full story this Sunday.)

Guests came in long formal wear to the church and the reception that followed at Marco Polo. The night before, the guests from Manila had a casual get-together in the Lhuilliers’ mountain-perched sprawl in Maria Luisa.

Both nights were easily a style-watcher’s affair, especially since the Lhuilliers’ youngest daughter, Monique, is now a world-famous fashion designer.

Amparito’s bridal gown was apparently Monique’s labor of love. Sometime ago, Monique stumbled on the original bridal train of her mom; it was Pedrito Legazpi, the famous designer of the ’60s, who designed Amparito’s original wedding ensemble.

Using the train as basis, Monique replicated its design, from the lace to the antique gold embroidery, in the wedding gown that Amparito wore to her church wedding last Saturday.

“The tables are turned,” Monique says. “She used to dress me as a kid. Now it’s my turn [to dress her].”

The ensemble of the bridal entourage bore the signature elegance and simplicity of a Monique Lhuillier. The look was understated.

A muted color was assigned each of the Lhuilliers’ four children and their young children—Charles, Michael, Yvette and Monique—old rose to pink, lilac, beige, mint green. These toned-down shades complemented the soft lighting in the cathedral, building up to the image of the elegant but bejeweled bride.

Here are the style snapshots.

Photos by PJ Enriquez