Ciara Sotto can't find the right words to describe her feeling as Mrs. Jojo Oconer: "Hindi ko alam, e... It's a feeling that you can't explain. When I met him in the States na parang, I feel so special to him right now, all of a sudden...Tulad nga ng sabi ni Direk Mike, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Akala ko after nun wala na, nakakagulat din pala na pag-uwi ko, talaga palang yun ang plinano ng Diyos para sa akin."

The bride's lovely mom, Helen Gamboa (right), tries to smile for the camera.

She says she's going to miss her bunso. But she's also glad that Ciara chose a good man.

"Alam niyo, hindi naman niya ginusto lang si Jojo. It took many years before she made up her mind. So, she prayed a lot na if they are meant for each other, it would be. If not, there must be something. So, I guess, ini-allow ni Lord," she tells PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).

The lady beside her is Ciara's sister, Quezon City Councilor Lala Sotto.

Sen. Francis Pangilinan and Megastar Sharon Cuneta, who's more than "Ate" to the bride.

Matron of Honor Sharon also serves as the official photographer of her three girls: Frankie (second from left), Miel (right), and KC (not in this photo).

She proudly shows the picture of her baby boy.

The eldest of Shawie and the niece of the bride, KC Concepcion, makes use of her waiting time by taking pictures and having her pictures taken.

The Kapamilya actress poses with her lola Elaine Cuneta (middle), who happens to be the sister of the bride's mom (left).

One of the ladies in the background is the Megastar, watching the people pour in.

"Si Mother naman," says KC after the picture-taking session with her lolas.

"Mother" is Lily Monteverde, the matriarch of Regal Films, which co-produced KC's second movie, When I Met You. 

Ciara's uncle, Vic Sotto, shows up with girlfriend Pia Guanio, who attends the wedding for three reasons: (1) to personally wish her good friend the best, (2) to anchor the live feeds of Showbiz Central, and (3) to host the program after the wedding.

Oyo Sotto, a cousin of Ciara, with rumored girlfriend Kristine Hermosa.

The two decline to give an interview, "Wedding naman ito ni Ate Ciara kaya sa ibang time na lang...," the son of Vic Sotto says.

Joey de Leon shows up with his wife Eileen Macapagal (second from right), sons Jako (right) and Jio (middle), and daughter Jocas (second from left).

 

Three of the principal sponsors make time for a quick chat while waiting for the bride.

(From left) Eat Bulaga! lady boss Malou Choa-Fagar, Mother Lily, and former Senator Gringo Honasan.

While taking this photo, the big boss of Regal jokes, "Dami niyong picture, gusto ko lalabas kami sa diyaryo, ha!"

This blurry photo still captures the beauty of (from left) Pops Fernandez, Apple Sotto, and Lala—who are listed under Secondary Sponsors.

This 1960 Jaguar Mark II of Don Robert's Bridal Cars brings the bride to the open field of Manila Polo Club.

The principal sponsors line up as soon as the bridal car arrives.

Vic and Malou lead the big entourage of ninongs and ninangs.

The bride once became a regular host of Eat Bulaga! which further strengthened her bond with her uncle and tita.

Candle bearers Lala and Nestor Leynes III.

Cord bearers are Ernesto Calanoc and Pops, a close friend of Lala.

Did you know that it was also the bride's father who discovered the Concert Queen?

Dawn Zulueta is the ring bearer.

Aside from being a close friend of Ciara, she's also one of the bride's idols.

Two of Ciara's most favorite people—Dawn and her son Jacobo, who hands over the Holy Bible to the pastor with a high five.

Hugo, son of Gian and Joy Sotto, is the escort of his second cousin, Miel Pangilinan.

Kim Honasan and Mich Dulce, who designed the headpieces, gowns, gloves, down to the shoes of the entourage.

First son Diosdado Arroyo and Julia Clarete, who arrives without an escort. 

During the reception, Julia joined the single ladies in the throwing-of-bouquet portion. Does this shed light on rumors that the Eat Bulaga! co-host has separated from her husband?

Finally, Ciara emerges from the bridal car.

Her bridal march is titled "Rhapsody," from Paganini by Sergi Rachmaninoff, and played by the UST String Orchestra.

During her bridal walk, Ciara says, "Hindi ko ma-explain kung gaano ako kasaya..."

The UST String Orchestra and the classmates of the bride at the UST Conservatory of Music perform the couple's favorite songs.

Helen can't help but be emotional.

"I guess tears of joy kasi, nakikita nilang masaya ako," says Ciara.

With her parents, the 29-year-old Ciara Anna is ready to leave them and face a new life...

with her groom, Jojo Oconer.

Before the parents relinquish their precious daughter, the Pastor ask Jojo and Ciara this question: "Do you take this man/woman to be your husband/wife, to love her, to comfort her, honor her, provide for her, forsaking all others, cling only to him/her as long as you both live?"

They answer, "I do."

The shy husband of Ciara tells PEP: "Early on in our relationship, I felt that I wanted to end up with her. Ngayong January 17 kami kinasal and March 20 ako nag-propose, it was just a matter of timing...But in terms of who I wanted to end up with, I knew it was her early on."

Throughout the ceremony, the bride's mom is crying.

She tells PEP, "Ang tagal kong kasama ang anak ko. Every day when I wake up, nandun siya. I cook for her. We eat together. Yun ang mami-miss ko. Although alam ko naman na nasa bahay ko rin 'yan araw-araw."

 

The ninangs are like second moms to the couple.

The ninongs.

One of them is Mr. Tony Tuviera (third from right), who is like a second dad to Jojo.

Jojo works for T.A.P.E. (Television and Production Exponents) and A.P.T. (Antonio Pablo-Tuviera) Entertainment, where he met Ciara. 

Their love story started four years ago.

They first met in Clark, Pampanga, where Eat Bulaga! held its anniversary. There was no spark at first.

The next time they saw each other was in the U.S., where the noontime show performed for our stateside kababayans. That moment, Joe found the lady he had  been looking for.

As they exchange rings and recite their vows, Ciara is all smiles. And Joe seems to be in awe of his bride.

Ciara becomes emotional while reading her message for her parents. 

She also thanks Jojo's parents for welcoming her into the Oconer family.

Jojo reads his message to his parents, which he composed a few hours before the wedding with his Blackberry cell phone.

Apple is supposed to handle the veil, but for some reason the rite is done by KC.

After the pastor says the line, "You may now kiss the bride," a few awkward seconds pass.

"Nahihiya kami mag-kiss sa harap ng maraming tao," explains Ciara after the ceremony.

Towards the latter part of the rites, mom Helen looks composed.

In an interview, she relates, "Naku, siyempre, malungkot ako pero masaya rin ako. The reason why malungkot is, yung anak ko, nag-asawa na, 'no. The reason why masaya naman ako on the other side is because she's very happy. Kapag masaya siya, masaya rin ako. Kung ano ang magpapaligaya sa kanya, I will support."  

The two ladies seated beside her are Sharon and daughter Miel, who borrows the digital camera from her mom to take pictures.

Presenting Mr. and Mrs. Jojo Oconer.

With the bride's parents.

The groom's parents, Jose and Cecilia Oconer, and his sister Jocelyn.

With their ninongs and ninangs.

On the left side are: Maid of Honor Cat Bautista and Matrons of Honor—Danica Sotto-Pingris and Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan.

Beside Joe are his Best Men, Mike (second from right) and Eduardo Tuviera, who have been his friends for 19 years.

Take one!

With the bridesmaids and groomsmen.

"Wait, let's fix the dress," says Mich Dulce, the designer.

Take two! A better shot.

The six pairs are Mich Dulce and Kim Honasan, Julia Clarete and Diosdado Arroyo, Erica Silva and Erwin Dy, Marie Aquino and Manuel Tamayo Jr., Joy Sotto and Gian Sotto, and Jocelyn Oconer and Sherwin de Leon.

With the secondary sponsors.

With the adorable flower girls, Miel (left, second row) and Frankie, and their cute escorts, Victorio and Romino Generoso (the boys beside Ciara), plus Vicente IV (second from left).

Also included in the frame are Jacobo (left, first row), the son of Dawn, and Edrigu (the boy carried by Joe), also a nephew of the bride.

The newlyweds with Pia and two of her favorite nephews, Victorio and Romino, who are both sons of Apple Sotto.

With close friend Jeffery Hidalgo, who also serves as one of the wedding singers.

The BFF (Best Friend Forever) of the bride, Mich, says "Can I join?"

The prominent Sotto clan.

With the Gamboas, the family of Ciara's mom.

With the Oconers.

Four years of being together—and a year of being geographically separated—are enough reason for Ciara and Joe to take their relationship to a higher level.

Years before this garden wedding, the two knew they're meant for each other.

After the wedding, the couple will move into a condo unit somewhere in Ortigas.

Congrats and best wishes, Joe and Ciara!

CLICK HERE to view part 2.