StarStruck alumna Jade Lopez and long-time boyfriend Rocky Siccion finally tied the knot last Monday, October 22, at the Manila Cathedral .
Their wedding was over a year and a half in the making, with Jade practically taking over the planning.
She had a goal. Jane wanted every aspect of it to be a celebration of their 11-year journey from the day they met and fell in love to the time Rocky popped the question.
They met when they were both students at the San Beda College in Manila.
She recalled, "First year college ako, siya naman second year.
“It was during an examination week nung nakilala ko siya, nakatambay siya sa St. Maurs [an area in San Beda] together with a common friend.
“Wala siyang idea na common friend pala namin, sabi niya sa friend ko noong nakita ako, 'Girlfriend ko siya, hindi lang niya alam.'
"To his surprise, tinawag ako ng friend ko at pinakilala sa kanya.
"I was not interested at all sa kanya noon; after a year, dun pa lang kami talaga nakapag-date."
Their first date was definitely memorable to Jade.
She recalled, ”First date namin sa Home for the Aged na sinusuportahan ni Lola Belen, his late lola."
In all the years she has known Rocky, Jade said he brought out the best in her.
He taught her what she considered her biggest lesson, “Ang humingi ng sorry because hindi ako expressive na tao.
"It was hard for me to express sincerely sa isang tao na nagsisi ako sa pagkakamali ko."
Fast forward to January 2017 when Rocky finally asked her to be his wife.
She recounted the events that led to that unforgettable moment.
"Yearly kasi pumupunta kami sa Japan, it is our happy place. So, last January 2017, akala ko normal vacation lang.
"We went to Nigata Hotel and snow park. The whole day nag-skii and snow board lang kami.
"Around 5 p.m., bago kami bumalik hotel, sabi niya mag-drone shot daw kami.
"Kaya di ko namalayan na lumuhod na pala siya at may singsing na.
"Sobrang lamig kasi we were in the middle of the snow park 'tapos nag-start mag-snow.
“It was so magical. Pero pagtanggal ko ng gloves super duper lamig pala!"
For Jade, it was the sweetest thing Rocky had ever done for her.
"Everything that he does for me, e, sweet naman talaga, pero to pull off yung proposal na wala akong kaalam-alam until ilabas niya yung singsing.
“I think yun ang sweetest kasi hirap siya mag- surprise, e."
WEDDING PLANNER
In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via Instagram, Jade shared the details of her dream wedding with Rocky.
Jade was a blushing bride in her Ron Ramiro gown, which she described as “simple yet elegant.”
She said, “Ron used silk gazar fabric para ma-achieve yung elegance sa minimalist design.
"And I am super happy with the result."
Her bridal glam team included Julia Isidro for both hair and makeup. She was assisted by Aki Siderio.
Meanwhile, Rocky wore a suit from Onesimus.
Jade planned her wedding with the help of La Dolce Events Management.
"Sumali pa ako sa wedding forum to find suppliers.
"I personally booked lahat ng suppliers, ako nag-message sa kanila, isa-isa personally,” she told PEP.ph.
But the preparation had been easy breezy, "wala talagang bridezilla moment," she remarked.
Her tip: "Hindi naman ako particular sa gusto ko."
All she wanted was for her wedding to be special, not just for her and her husband, but also for their guests.
"The thing about our wedding was hindi lang siya kung ano ang gusto namin.
"Gusto lang talaga namin magsaya ang mga tao, so doon nag-revolve ang decision-making namin.
"It was about us and the people we love so, for example, yung suot ng bride squad ko, sila ang pinapili ko ng designs.
"As much as this was our wedding, e, this was a celebration of our journey, at gusto namin i-celebrate nila yun na comfortable sila at masaya.
"Kaya malaking bagay sa decision-making din namin kung magiging masaya ba ang mga taong aattend sa kasal namin.”
PARTY TIME WITH STARSTRUCK BATCHMATES
Their wedding reception was held at Casa Ibarra in Pasay City, and the newlyweds were grateful that all their guests stayed up for the party and beyond.
Jane said, ”Ang original plan namin was 200 guests lang, but umabot kami ng 295 guests.
"And super nakaka-overwhelm dahil napuno talaga ang venue on a Monday 'tapos nag-stay talaga sila until end of the program at nag after- party pa.
"Dun ako naiyak dahil I feel loved para mag-spend sila ng time na may mga trabaho sila kinabukasan.
"And sa totoo lang na-achieve ko yung intimate feel kahit 295 guests dahil lahat game, lahat parang magkakakilala."
Jade became sentimental when she recounted her mini-reunion with StarStruck batchmates.
"I invited everyone from my batch, pero due to busy schedules ang nakarating was Cristine Reyes, Nadine Samonte, Yasmien Kurdi, and Stef Prescot [from Batch 3].
"Super saya, they stayed until end of the program and nag after-party kahit na may mga trabaho kinabukasan, and si Yas, may flight pa sa Korea.
"Cristine, dumiretso siya sa simbahan coming from her flight sa Australia pa."
On Instagram, Cristine expressed her love for Jade and wrote, "We love you @missjadelopez #rockjadeyrock #starstruckOG"
Meanwhile, Nadine wrote, "You deserve each other... I'm so so happy for you Jed (hahahaha) joke @missjadelopez congrats to the both of you...
"Basta kita mo naman ang full support ko since morning till evening andiyan ako hahaha kahit naka-bed rest ako talagang hindi puwede na hindi ko matatapos ung celebration mo.
"We love you Jade and Rocky and we are always here for you... Cheers to many many more years and wishing na magkababy na agad kayo...
"Lakas ng tawa ko sa inyo napaiyak nko hahaha kakatawa...@cristinereyes @stefprescott Tokyo pa more hahaha
"Uy bonding tayo soon, na-miss ko na agad kayo. Nice seeing you too @yasmien_kurdi haha salamat sa pagkanta, buti pangalawa tayo sa buffet hahaha?????? #rockjadeyrock"
Grace Garcera served as the couple's wedding reception host, while String Colours Ensemble provided music.
The couple's official wedding photos were shot by The Colove Studios.