Cover Christian Tantoco and Siobhan Moylan at Lakehall
Christian Tantoco and Siobhan Moylan at Lakehall
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Christian Tantoco and Siobhan Moylan celebrated their union by honouring their roots and embracing the future—meaningfully and together
New York and Manila. These are two places that hold meaning for Christian Tantoco and Siobhan Moylan. So, when they decided to get married, they did so in both places: the civil wedding in New York, the church wedding and a fantastic reception at Lakehall in Nena’s Sanctuary in Laguna. It just seemed right. The couple both love New York; Moylan, a model, was already moving to the fashion centre. But there was an added touch of sentimentality, the city being also the same place where Tantoco’s parents were civilly married.
Mutual friends introduced the young couple during a night out, a casual encounter that sparked an undeniable connection. “I remember how Siobhan was dressed; it made me think she was different. Even without saying much, you could tell she had a strong personality, which I liked!” Tantoco relates. “I had to prove to her that I was the man she wanted to be with.”
The two approached the decision to marry differently. “I feel like I always knew,” Tantoco avers. On the other hand, Moylan’s process was slow and gradual, but it did not stray away from the path of building something lasting with Tantoco.
More from Tatler: How Christian Tantoco uplifts communities with his forward-thinking projects
Above Christian Tantoco and Siobhan Moylan
Above Bridal bouquet by Akong Gugma
Christian Tantoco and Siobhan Moylan
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Above Moylan’s hair and makeup by Zid Jian Paul and Patty Cristobal
Above Tantoco in a custom-made barong by Carl Jan Cruz
Moylan’s hair and makeup by Zid Jian Paul and Patty Cristobal
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Their second formal wedding was held at St James Parish Church in Ayala Alabang Village. Tantoco and Moylan motored a few minutes southward to the sanctuary his grandparents, Rico and Nena, built for years. Eponymously called Nena’s Sanctuary, the new events place in Sta Elena Golf and Country Estate in Santa Rosa, Laguna, holds deep significance for Tantoco and Moylan. “Sta Elena is my grandparents’ life’s work, which they cultivated over the past 30 years to share with others,” Tantoco explains. “It’s a beautiful property that is meaningful to Siobhan and me.”
The wedding was an elegant blend of two worlds: that of Tantoco’s parents and the city of Manila, where the couple had come to love. Set in the beautiful Laguna sanctuary, Tantoco describes Manila as “the creative community and the fashion and retail community,” reflected in many wedding details. “Of course, many of the details also showcased my mother’s exquisite taste,” Tantoco adds.
Related: What is Finopino? Inside Rico’s Café’s own take on Filipino classics
Above Food by Cibo
Food by Cibo
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Above Indoor reception at Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary
Above Feeding each other the first bites of the wedding cake by Cibo
Indoor reception at Lakehall at Nena’s Sanctuary
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Moylan’s gown, designed by Carl Jan Cruz, perfectly reflects her modern yet rooted approach to Filipino heritage. “I like his contemporary approach to Filipino fashion, which follows the theme of our wedding,” she explains. “He’s able to translate Filipino heritage in a modern way, and I knew he could create something different for me. I liked the idea of wearing a non-traditional dress.”
Tantoco felt the same way about his wardrobes during the special event. “I’ve long been a huge fan of Carl Jan Cruz’s work, and wearing such a thoughtfully made barong by him was a dream,” he says. “I also loved my after-party look from Toqa. I’m very close to Isabel Sicat and her family, and the outfit felt like the culmination of many conversations with her in the studio. She knows me well, and I felt like my best self while wearing it!”
Above Wedding guests comprised of loved ones from across the globe
Wedding guests comprised of loved ones from across the globe
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Above Guests enjoying the reception
Above The couple swapped into more relaxed outfits for the reception
Guests enjoying the reception
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Above Interior design and production by Moss Design House
Above Entertainment by Jason Dhakal, pianist RJ Pineda and DJs Hideki Ito and Judd Figuerres
Interior design and production by Moss Design House
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Every wedding has its share of surprises. For Moylan, it was the unexpected grace of her father-in-law’s dance. “I knew he was going to dance, but I didn’t know he would be that good!” she says. For Tantoco, the most emotional moment was seeing his bride walk down the aisle to Genesis by Grimes. “She was so stunning and so beautiful,” he remarked.
Several meaningful moments of the day will undoubtedly linger in the two’s reminiscences. “I will never forget Jason Dhakal singing Manila and our entourage dancing to Forever by Chris Brown,” Tantoco says. Also worth noting was the food—particularly the grazing table and dinner menu, created by the late Margarita Forés. The drinks were equally sublime, with cocktails served at the garden. Rico’s Café, too, was magically transformed into a fun haven for the afterparty.
“But to be surrounded by everyone they love made the day unforgettable,” the two agree. “More than anything, we feel incredibly grateful to be able to celebrate with everyone who has supported us from the beginning.”
Credits
Photography: Joseph Pascual, Colin Dancel and JL Javier
Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
