Lee-Limketkai Wedding: A colorful Oriental wedding
By: Walter Ang
March 4, 2001
Philippine Daily Inquirer
"Kulit!" was what Noel first thought when he met Bonita. On the other hand, she considered him, "sungit." As with classic love stories the world over, in this case, first impressions certainly did not last because one year later, Noel Georgson Lee asked Bonita Limketkai to marry him.
Daughter of Alfonso and Benita Limketakai, Bonita was born in the Philippines but raised in Toronto, Canada, and took up her MBA in Calgery. Noel, son of George and Concepcion Lee, on the other hand, grew up here and attended the Ateneo, taking up chemistry.
First catching each others' eye at a family gathering, with the gentle prodding of their matchmaker Atty. Geronimo Sy, they exchanged wedding vows at the Manila Cathedral in January this year. The bride wore a gown by Oliver Tolentino and had 24 children serving as attendants and flower girls. Principal sponsors were led by the Honorable Edgardo Angara and Ms. Gloria Angara..
Reception followed at the Grand Ballroom of the Shangri-La Hotel in Makati with a theme of Oriental fusion. Colors used were rich, designs were elaborate and intricate. Flavors of Chinese, Thai, and even Indian cultures were infused into the festive mood.
Guests invited from all over the world were already given a hint when their invitations arrived wrapped in crisp parchment paper, sealed in the center like a document that could have been received by a Chinese Emperor.
As guests from Europe, China, Taiwan, Singapore and other places from around the globe entered the ballroom, they were greeted with the music of a Chinese orchestra from the Philippine Institute of Quezon City led by conductor Mr. So Giao. As they sat down, they were given a floral treat with the centerpieces on each table, arranged in an ikebana-inspired style by Junjun Hen.
To complete the Oriental theme, a towering wedding cake with a dragon and a phoenix intertwined was created by Penk Ching and Shen Chen of the Pastry Bin. Even the décor used in the ballroom added to the atmosphere as the bride even traveled to Shanghai several months before the wedding to purchase large scarlet obis, silk sashes and bright, red lanterns.
The large authentic lanterns hung magnificently in the middle of the ballroom, with a couple of smaller ones laid on the four corners of the dancing area. A fitting stage for the newlywed's favorite children, swathed in bright red and yellow Chinese outfits, when they performed a cute little number for the newlyweds.
As the guests feasted on a Chinese lauriat, they were serenaded with love songs by host Michael Sy Lim, who also assisted Bonita's sister Donna in the creating the look and feel for the day. It's fitting that these two creative individuals had a hand in developing the day's theme; Donna had taken up fashion design at the FIT in New York.
Instead of the usual games for the bachelors and single ladies, a trivia game about the couple was concocted a la "Pera o Bayong" (a popular game on a noontime variety show) style, which amused everyone as the "contestants" rushed towards the letter of the correct choice. The afternoon was completed with provisions of little bells that guests could ring instead of the traditional tinkling of silverware on their glasses so they could urge the newlyweds to give each other a loving kiss.
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