Invisible Strings: inside the wedding of Monica Concepcion and Henry Köle

During the pandemic, their world grew smaller, but with greater intention. Monica bought a black schnauzer, Luna, who quickly became part of their shared routine. They spent their days balancing wellness with cooking and baking. “With Henry being partially Austrian, I made it a point to immerse myself in his culture, learning his dialect and trying my best to cook Austrian dishes,” she recalls. It was preparation for marriage in its simplest form: building a meaningful life in the quiet, ordinary spaces.

The proposal unfolded within that same rhythm. On June 1, 2025, just hours before Monica was due to leave for San Francisco, Henry insisted on their usual walk. Beneath a large tree in their village park, after setting up a timed photo, he knelt before his bride-to-be. “Before walking home, I asked him to repeat what just happened because it felt like I completely blanked from the moment and it felt so surreal,” she recalls. Soon after, he joined her abroad. “We spent a few days just keeping the news between us and close family.” For a brief moment, the engagement belonged only to them.

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Left with little time, they chose Santuario de San Antonio Parish in Makati and Grand Hyatt Manila in Bonifacio Global City for a December wedding. The church held personal meaning. Monica notes that it is where she would attend mass and therefore holds a special place for both of them. Grand Hyatt’s proximity allowed guests—many travelling from overseas—to move seamlessly between ceremony and reception. Monica created a detailed wedding website to guide them. “I guess the word you could use for it is ‘seamless’. I wanted to ensure that we catered for our loved ones the best way we could.”

The branding reflected the same care. “My invitations were made by my good friend Anna Bautista, a talented artist,” Monica shares. “She really took into consideration the history of our families, our personalities and our relationship as a couple.” The envelope liner, illustrated by her cousin Mykie Concepcion Tan, depicted Henry’s proposal—an intimate preview of the day.

What distinguished the celebration was not scale, but sentiment.

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Before the ceremony, they presented handwritten notes to their families. “We wrote personal letters on handkerchiefs to our family and gave it to them before the church wedding.” In her Lily of the Valley bouquet, Monica attached photo ornaments of loved ones who had passed—those she holds “dear to my heart and would have loved to have them with me on my special day”, namely her maternal grandparents lola Ciel and lolo Joe, her paternal grandfather Jose “Joecon” Concepcion, her godmother Kathy Chan and her beloved yorkie, Lily.

They also honoured the elders present. “We had both our grandparents walk down the aisle because we thought it was such a special moment for them to be present on our day. We wanted to honour them by making them part of the lineup.”

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The church bloomed with calla lilies by Grace Padpad of Graciabelle, suspended above the doorway and lining a white-carpeted aisle. At the reception, Pat Pastelero of Spruce Designs interpreted their Victorian theme in burgundy tones and candlelight.

Letters awaited bridesmaids, groomsmen and close friends at their tables. In the restrooms, guests found framed photographs tracing Monica and Henry’s relationship alongside an extensive care kit. Tambourines stamped with their logo and fitted with LED lights encouraged revelry, while small keys distributed before midnight unlocked access to the after-party at The Peak.

Dessert became one of the evening’s highlights. The millefoglie cake, a 30-inch-diameter creation by Bizu Catering Studio, featured alternating layers of fresh strawberries, blueberries and raspberries with diplomat cream and puff pastry. The couple decorated it themselves with berries and powdered sugar before slicing into it. Despite not tasting it beforehand, Monica later called it “one of the best desserts I’ve had”.

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Music carried the celebration. Monica danced with her father to Daughters by John Mayer as her cousin performed it live, her sisters unexpectedly joining in. The couple shared their first dance to At Last by Etta James, and the energy rose with surprise performances by All-4-One and Bonnie Bailey. “We loved beach music, so to have Bonnie Bailey perform for our wedding was a true highlight that just made it even more memorable,” Monica says.

Henry wore a custom Joey Samson barong, while Monica chose a Monique Lhuillier “Verona” gown in chantilly lace, paired with Manolo Blahnik Capcour 90 pumps in lace and nappa.

In the end, what began with invisible strings became something tangible: a partnership built deliberately and celebrated just as thoughtfully.

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