Inside the tropical island wedding of Caterina Lagdameo and Luigi Exconde

Luigi’s proposal was a reflection of their relationship: intimate and meaningful. After a grueling overnight ICU shift, Caterina arrived at the beach to find a fire pit, a blanket, flowers scattered across the sand, a bottle of champagne and their beloved American Bulldog, Zoey, excitedly running between them. Then, Luigi dropped to one knee and asked Caterina to marry him. Hiding behind a pile of rocks, their friend captured the moment— ensuring that this beautiful proposal would be remembered forever.

“The casual DIY-ness of it all was so us,” Luigi later recalled, reflecting on the raw, heartfelt nature of that unforgettable day.

Caterina and Luigi envisioned a wedding that was colourful, festive and meaningful—one that truly embodied their personalities and their love for the people in their lives. Their venue, the Floirendo family’s Pearl Farm Beach Resort, was adorned with an abundance of bougainvillea, thoughtfully planted a year in advance by Ponce Veridiano. Every element of the celebration reflected their thoughtfulness—from the hand-painted illustrations by Studio Caterina that adorned the invitations and menus to the welcome bags filled with local goods, and also individualised letters and photos of cherished memories with each guest.

The planning process, however, was no small feat. Caterina was deep in her third year of medical residency, while Luigi was busy building his career as a licensed psychotherapist in New York. Wedding planning was a balancing act between their demanding schedules and the desire to create a day that truly reflected their journey together.

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“We didn’t want to rush through the process. Every aspect had to feel personal and thoughtful,” they shared. “Balancing that level of detail with our work schedules and planning remotely was stressful at times, but we leaned on each other. Our families were also incredibly supportive, making sure everything came together beautifully.” Their wedding was a tapestry of deeply personal moments. From Caterina’s father singing to the orchestra playing Can’t Help Falling in Love as he walked her down the aisle, to the mother-son dance where Luigi’s mother whispered, “I am so proud of you.” Every moment carried profound meaning.

One of the most memorable parts of the evening came courtesy of nature. Just as their first dance concluded, rain began to fall in perfect cinematic timing. Caterina’s niece, Danni, was singing With A Smile by the Eraserheads with the band, MojoNova, and as the dance started, light rain drops began to fall. Right when the song ended, the rain poured. “It felt like a movie,” guests remarked. One friend poetically noted, “That first dance was so powerful that the Earth literally cried.” Rather than dampen the moment, the rain only added to its magic.

A poignant note was the absence of the couple’s beloved Zoey, who couldn’t fly from the US to the Philippines, but was still honoured in numerous ways. She made several appearances: as a figurine on the cake and cocktail menu to custom beer labels designed by Monkey Eagle Brewery.

As the night unfolded, love and joy filled the air. Between the ceremony and the reception, the couple shared a private boat ride, taking in the serenity of the water and the meaning of the moment before returning to celebrate with their guests. When they did, the party truly began— family and friends, once strangers, danced together into the early hours of the morning, a testament to the love and connection that surrounded the couple.

Reflecting on the journey, Caterina shares a piece of advice that changed her perspective: “Perfection is the thief of joy.” A self-proclaimed perfectionist, she had to learn to let go of small imperfections and instead focus on the beauty of the moment. “My sister-inlaw, told me, ‘If anything goes wrong, the only one who will notice is you. Just focus on what goes right and enjoy the moment.’ And I did.”

For her gown, Caterina chose a design by Monique Lhuillier—soft, feminine and timelessly elegant. Her natural, fresh beauty look was perfected by Denise Ochoa and her team, while her earrings held sentimental value as a gift from her mother. Luigi, too, carried a piece of family history, wearing a watch from his late grandfather and cufflinks from his parents-in-law.

Their wedding was more than just a celebration—it was a reflection of the life they had built together and the love that continues to grow. A love that thrives in grand adventures, quiet moments and the unwavering support of family and friends. As they embark on this next chapter, one thing is certain: for Caterina and Luigi, life will always be an adventure—one they are lucky enough to share, hand in hand.

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