Some weeks ago, Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Labhati went viral after someone posted a photo of their wedding invitation online, showing the incredible list of sponsors filled with several high-profile personalities, including politicians.
Big Time Wedding Sponsors
The list of wedding sponsors left some netizens scratching their heads with wonder while others expressed anger. After all, the celebrity couple are bringing some of the country top officials and celebrities in the same room.
Topping the list of sponsors are President Rodrigo Duterte and former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. But that’s just the start. Former president Joseph Estrada is paired with ‘Mother’ Lily Monteverde.
Other pairings are the following: Senate President Tito Sotto III and wife Helen Gamboa Sotto, Sec. Narciso Santiago Jr. and Sen. Cynthia Villar, presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo and Ma. Rosario “Charo” Santos-Concio, Sen. Manny Pacquiao and wife Jinkee Pacquiao, Sen. Bato dela Rosa and Mariquita Yeung, Cong. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and wife Cong. Yedda Marie Romualdez, Cong. Jesus “Bong” Suntay and wife Sheila Suntay, Mayor Richard Gomez and wife Cong. Lucy Torres Gomez, Mayor Luis “Chavit” Singson and Sharon Cuneta Pangilinan, ABS-CBN CEO Carlo Lopez Katigbak and Mayor Arlene Arcillas, and ABS-CBN Corp. Chairman Mark Lopez and Marissa Laude.
More principal sponsors:
Some netizens joked that the celebrity couple’s invitation looks more like a sample ballot than a list of wedding sponsors.
Simple Wedding
On March 12, amid the COVID-19 outbreak, Richard and Sarah announced that they were postponing their wedding which was scheduled on March 14.
“As much as we want to celebrate our love with our family and friends, in light of the recent situation we have decided to postpone our wedding as we do not want to put anyone at risk. Thank you so much to those who flew in and to everyone who worked so hard for our special day. We only wish good health for everyone and we hope to celebrate with you as soon as things get better. Much love Richard and Sarah,” the two wrote on their respective social media accounts.
But though the star-studded grand wedding was canceled, this did not stop the couple from finally tying the knot in a simple ceremony attended by only a handful of their family and friends. Photos of the simple event even showed that they implemented ‘social distancing’.
While the event wasn’t as grand as they had planned, what’s truly important is that they finally got married. At the end of the day, that’s the most important thing.
Is it OK to Have a Simple Wedding?
Definitely! The legal union of two people is the common goal in a wedding; thus, it will still be legal and valid whether you have a simple wedding or a grand party! In fact, many people are advocating a minimalistic wedding to help the couple keep their money to be used for their future instead of splurging everything in a one-day event.