Ruffa was a stunning apparition in white, prompting one wedding guest to gush: "Prinsesang-prinsesa!"

 

Their world-class wedding took place on March 25, 2003, at the NBC Tent, The Fort, Makati.

Ruffa's pledge: "Azkem [Yilmaz's nickname], I love you with all my heart. You'll be my best friend and one true love. This day reaffirms that. I promise I will be a good mother to our children that God will bless us with. I promise to love you without reservation, to respect and protect you, though you are stronger than me... to grow with you in mind and spirit and to cherish you for as long as we both shall live."

His voice cracking, the father of the bride said, "Ruffa, you are the best thing that has ever happened to your mother and me."

Annabelle Rama, a talent manager with a lucrative second job selling jewelry, was her usual glittering self.

The night's first dance was to a Turkish love song by a singer named Nilufer. The song was obviously a favorite of Yilmaz—he was singing along as he danced with the bride. According to Ruffa, it's the song he sings to her when she's far away from him.

Ruffa's European-inspired wedding gown by Inno Sotto, which had a six-meter train and was reportedly priced in the vicinity of half a million pesos, judiciously covered the bride's pregnancy. But later, at the reception, Yilmaz let the cat out of the bag, announcing that his new bride was scheduled to give birth in five months' time.

They fell in love in Cannes, romanced in Manila, braved the paparazzi in Bodrum, Turkey, and frequently rendezvoused in Los Angeles and New York. Now they're based in Turkey with their daughters, Lorin and Venice.

Under constant public scrutiny, the newlyweds have had to endure not only the challenges of married life but also the intrusions of rumormongers and the paparazzi.

At the wedding service, Ruffa said: "Before today, a lot of people were asking: Is he gonna come? Is he gonna make it? But I knew Yilmaz wouldn't let me down."

Yilmaz was a no-show at the traditional despedida de soltera the night before the wedding. But Ruffa's smile on the wedding day itself showed that all was forgiven.

Former First Lady Imelda Marcos, was the first to greet the newlyweds.

"Ang lakas ng dating," said Ruffa of her husband. "He has charisma. And he has this attitude that when he wants something, he sees to it that he gets it."

Secondary sponsors Pops Fernandez and Gretchen Barretto opted for a classic look, while Chin-Chin Gutierrez came in a Mediterranean-inspired gown.