I had my birthday bash a couple of days earlier than usual so we took on a wedding the actual day of my birthday.

It was pretty sweet really. I had good friends from Dino Lara shoot with us, Nona Clemente doing the wedding planning and the couple were as warm as long time friends could be.

Nickel and Anthony from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

The day felt really special when at the after-dinner party, Anthony asked the DJ to play a birthday song.

I was red as a lobster from the embarrassment (like the whole Friday’s birthday thing times a hundred) but felt appreciative nonetheless.

Thanks Nickel and Anthony for having us!

There are extremely few themed weddings we shoot nowadays.  Rarer still are the themed ones pulled out with aplomb and panache.

And it has to be said that shooting Issa and Tiger’s wedding was an experience unlike any other.

The invitation was just a sampling.

Princess Leia buns of course for the flower girls.

Issa’s gown, rather, “breastplate” (by Michi Calica), was fabricated from fiberglass mined from the deepest caverns of Naboo.

Couldn’t imagine anybody else pulling this off.

The 501st Legion: The Philippine Outpost were there to escort our dear Jedis of course.

And what is Star Wars without the Death Star?

(Death Star cake courtesy of Bizu)

Your wedding was awesome Issa and Tiger!

Check out the same day edit “scored” by John Williams no less.

Issa and Tiger from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

May the force be with you!

(this is also for Loyd, the biggest fan I know).

A hot pink bridal gown. That pretty much sums up (and everything it connotes) the wedding of Cyn and Raffy.

It was clearly established at the eve of the event that this was going to be a SUPER FUN wedding with not a sober person within a kilometer’s radius.

My team and Dino’s were hammered at the engagement party. What with the free-flowing cocktails and beer. We were systematic - doing it alphabetically - starting with the Amaretto Sour, going through the Mojitos and ending up with the Weng-Weng.

And somewere along the buzz came the drunken idea of the “perfect cocktail”.

Cynclaire and Raffy - Same Day Edit from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

Of course, in order of the hot pink bride to stand out, everybody was required to wear white.  Who was I to go against the dress code? ;-p

(pictures will be posted soon)

Everything they said about it was true. A pristine, serene, private paradise.    Amanpulo did not disappoint.

It was the perfect place for Mannix and Elaine’s beach wedding.

Mannix and Elaine from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

I rarely do house for music, but with the help of Alex and Julie of Elysium (who only listen exclusively  to house and George Michael on XM radio) I was able to pick a great song.  Thanks guys!

Also weeks before, I found myself lacking key personnel for this shoot. I called up some videographer friends and as luck would have it - the Mayad Crew (Fiel and Alvin) was available. Super thanks to them for helping me out and delivering the goods - spectacularly I might add.

Wedding Planner: Amanda Tirol
Couture: Patrice Ramos-Diaz
Makeup: Barbi Chan
Photographer: Dino Lara

The invitation said it all.

It was going to be a grand three-day celebration the likes of which Boracay Island has never seen - the couple’s birthday celebration on Friday, the wedding on Sat and an island cruise and Luau the day after.

And if that weren’t enough, David Morales flew in to play at the after-party.  And what an event that was! It lasted until daybreak (me getting old, I haven’t partied like that since Ken Ishi and Tricky in the late 90s).

Jigger and May from Jason Magbanua on Vimeo.

One look and the adjectives that come to mind easily would be “grandiose” and “extravagant”.  But as an attendee, I felt it to be a really special celebration amongst family and friends.  The speeches were heartfelt and the marriage vows deeply moving.

At the core of it all, amidst the trappings, here  were two people proclaiming commitment.

Wedding Planner:  Amanda Tirol
Photography:  Dino Lara
Couture: Jun Escario/Randy Ortiz
Venue:  Discovery Shores/Two Seasons/Tides/Seawind