Cher Calvin And Aki Oshima's Wedding in Los Angeles: A Match Made in Heaven

Los Angeles-based news presenter Cher Calvin and Aki Oshima finally exchange wedding vows in the City of Angels

Getting married during a pandemic can be a challenge, and Cher Calvin and Aki Oshima were no strangers to this. Although they were all set on flying to Paris to tie the knot in 2020, they were as excited to hold the ceremony close to home in Los Angeles, California. However, the emerging delta variant still made it difficult to do so.

Above The bouquet by J'adore les Fleur

The couple only had five weeks to prepare before the big day. “There were definitely a lot of last-minute stresses. My wedding dress wasn’t finished until 7pm the night before the wedding, [but] the bridesmaids’ dresses [made by Pia Gladys Perey] were couriered via Philippine Airlines the Friday before,” Calvin said.

The maid of honour holding the bride's veil, which was originally worn by her late mother Dr Delia Santos-Calvin, circa 1974 couture by Tente Wilwayco

The bride’s glistening engagement ring and wedding band

Calvin alongside her father, Roger, the Philippines’ cinema matinee idol in the Sixties

Photo 1 of 3 The maid of honour holding the bride's veil, which was originally worn by her late mother Dr Delia Santos-Calvin, circa 1974 couture by Tente Wilwayco

Photo 2 of 3 The bride’s glistening engagement ring and wedding band

Photo 3 of 3 Calvin alongside her father, Roger, the Philippines’ cinema matinee idol in the Sixties

Despite all the kinks and hitches, everything fell into place on the day of the wedding. Calvin recalled, “Everything came together so beautifully. It was as if my mum had a hand in it from heaven.” She was only 20 years old when her mother, Dr Delia Santos-Calvin, passed away.

True enough, the bride received a special message from Sister Regina, the nun Calvin had known since childhood, surprising her in the bridal suite. “Her first words to me were ‘I had a conversation with your mum this morning.’

Above The ceremony held at Crystal Garden, The Beverly Hills Hotel, officiated by JP Reynolds

Above The bride with her entourage: Mikki Sclafani, Dr Pier Santiago, Wendy Starland, Maid of Honour Karen Borja, Maria Harris and Christine Pate

"I cried," she shared. Wearing her mother’s vintage veil and a Lian Rokman couture dress, Calvin danced to Bruno Mars alongside her groom who was in a Tom Ford suit and Gucci shoes, as they entered the reception.

Above William Bodiford, Richard Lee, the groom and his mother Chang Oshima and Bong Bodiford

Everyone was in high spirits, even when a large flower vase fell and broke into pieces. Without missing a bit, Calvin shouted “Opa!”, a Mediterranean expression uttered after smashing plates to keep bad spirits away during celebrations. Cool.

Oshima’s friend, Travis Tram, made the room burst into laughter. The Man of Honour Eric Araya, gave a heartfelt speech saying, “anything is possible”. Lastly, Calvin’s high-school best friend Maria Krasnikow Harris, brought everyone to tears at the mention of the bride’s mother.

Kenji Oshima, Calvin's six-year-old stepson

Jimmy Choo bridal shoes, the bouquet, pearls (something borrowed from bridesmaid Mikki Cajucom Sclafani) and the dainty wedding invitation

Photo 1 of 3 Kenji Oshima, Calvin's six-year-old stepson

Photo 2 of 3 Jimmy Choo bridal shoes, the bouquet, pearls (something borrowed from bridesmaid Mikki Cajucom Sclafani) and the dainty wedding invitation

Photo 3 of 3 Four-tier cake by Joanie and Leigh

The room (which was located at the Beverly Hills Hotel where the couple had their first date) was a picture of love and joy, thanks to the help of wedding coordinator, Tracey Gavin, flowers from J'Adore Les Fleurs and host DJ T-Roc.

The couple with Eric Araya, Mikki Cajucom Sclafani, Maria Harris, Sarah Natasha Horowitz, Wendy Starland, Christine Pate, Dr Pier Santiago, Karen Borja, Melanie Oshima, Kenji Oshima, Manny Samaniego, Simon Halff, Travis Tam, Chad Gessen, Amir Sanjar, Seung Lee

The newlyweds dance with the guests at the reception

The happy duo at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Photo 1 of 4 The couple with Eric Araya, Mikki Cajucom Sclafani, Maria Harris, Sarah Natasha Horowitz, Wendy Starland, Christine Pate, Dr Pier Santiago, Karen Borja, Melanie Oshima, Kenji Oshima, Manny Samaniego, Simon Halff, Travis Tam, Chad Gessen, Amir Sanjar, Seung Lee

Photo 2 of 4 The newlyweds dance with the guests at the reception

Photo 3 of 4 Melanie Oshima embracing her stepmum

Photo 4 of 4 The happy duo at the Beverly Hills Hotel

Surrounded by the people they love, the couple danced as Oshima romantically serenaded his wife, singing Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling in Love with You. “...It felt like only [the] two of us were there and we were floating. I’ll never forget that feeling,” she said. “It was heaven.”

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This story was originally published on Tatler Philippines' November 2021 issue. Download it on Magzter for free.

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Sarah Natasha Photography

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cher calvin marriage aki oshima

Tatler Asia

'It Was Heaven': Cher Calvin And Aki Oshima Get Married in the City of Angels