Antipolo’s promise of forever

There is a goal to position Antipolo City in the province of Rizal as a sought-after location for couples looking for a wedding destination that combines breathtaking landscapes, cultural heritage and top-notch wedding services.

Such is the vision of “Antipolo Wedding Museum,” a bridal fair and fashion show held at the Marikina Convention Center with about 80 of the best wedding merchants and premier venues from Antipolo.

“This carefully selected collection of exhibitors will reflect the distinct charm, creativity, and high standards that have come to define Antipolo’s blossoming wedding industry,” says the dynamic and enterprising Joy Madriaga, whose highly successful family-owned business, Madriaga Catering and Food Service Inc., has been organizing wedding fairs together with her husband Nelson, daughters Sophia and Bianca, and son Lorenzo.

“When my eldest daughter Bianca graduated from college, she helped with the family business as the marketing director. That’s when the bridal fairs started. It was a good marketing strategy [for our catering business],” Joy shared. “From one wedding, two weddings, three weddings, now we can cater up to 15 weddings maximum. But all in the Antipolo and Rizal area only.”

A fashion fete

As the sales and marketing director, Bianca has been organizing bridal fairs since 2021. Over the years, their primary focus has always been on ensuring that the exhibitors are well taken care of and generating quality leads for their businesses.

“However, this year, we wanted to do something a bit different, especially for the Antipolo market. We saw an opportunity to elevate the experience and create a more dynamic event that not only showcased the bridal collection of our featured fashion designers but also highlighted the excellence of local wedding suppliers,” she bared.

Joy enlisted the help of her cousin, renowned fashion designer Albert Andrada, to showcase his latest bridal collection. Andrada, in turn, asked his protegee, Jezelle Haute Amorado, to participate. Bianca’s classmate and homegrown Antipolo talent, Rica Siena, completed the lineup. Held on 27 October 2024, the show was directed by legendary director, Ogee Atos.

“The decision to incorporate a fashion show into this year’s bridal fair was part of that vision — bringing something new and exciting to the table. We knew that this addition would add a fresh layer to the event, attract more attendees, and give the exhibitors and partners more exposure,” explained Bianca. “We expected the combination of the bridal fair and fashion show to result in a solid boost in both bookings and long-term business for Madriaga’s Catering, and we’re excited to see how this new format will continue to grow in future editions.”

The fashion show definitely played a key role in attracting a larger crowd, according to Bianca. It gave the event more visibility and engaged the attendees in a way that went beyond the typical bridal fair.

“Why ‘Wedding Museum’? Museums are viewed as something recreational. People go to museums to relax. So, in relation to wedding planning and our upcoming bridal fair, our main message here is planning your wedding can be fun, easy and not really something stressful. ‘Antipolo Wedding Museum’ aims to promote Antipolo as the next wedding destination and it also establishes that planning your Antipolo wedding is different compared to other cities,” said Bianca.

Bridal eleganza

Given the positive feedback they received, the Madriagas are committed to including fashion shows in all their future bridal fairs. It has become an essential part of the event, and they are excited to keep it as a regular feature. They will also continue their close partnership with Andrada to ensure each succeeding show is as exceptional as the first.

Albert Andrada

“My brides today want minimalist looks. So, I wanted this collection to be different. I’m now focusing more on silhouettes and cuts rather than embellishments. So, this collection is soft and refined,” said the designer of Pia Wurtzbach’s coronation gown at Miss Universe 2015.

He continued: “My bridal collection is called ‘Denim Romanticism.’ It fuses the timeless elegance of the classical era with modern materials, creating a unique harmony between tradition and contemporary fashion. The primary fabrics used are denim, taffeta, and tulle, offering texture contrasts that evoke a blend of strength, structure, and ethereal beauty.

“The collection features gowns with structured bodices crafted from smooth taffeta, paired with flowing tulle skirts that lend an air of grace and lightness. Denim is used unexpectedly, adding a bold, modern twist to corsets, tailored jackets, or accents like belts and trim, while still maintaining a sense of refinement. Shades of blue range from deep, classical navy to soft sky blue, combined with pristine whites, reminiscent of ancient Greco-Roman frescoes.

“Delicate beadwork embellishes select pieces, using vintage motifs such as laurel wreaths, intricate florals, and scrolls, evoking the craftsmanship of ancient sculptures and architecture. The white beadwork is meticulously placed along necklines, waistlines, and on the sleeves, creating a sense of ornate luxury. Some dresses include sheer tulle overlays embroidered with these vintage designs, adding dimension and a sense of historical artistry.

“This collection offers a bold reimagining of bridal fashion, where history meets innovation, and romance blends with contemporary edge.”

Rica Siena

Siena specializes in made-to-order and for-rent bridal pieces. She has also become a favorite designer of special-occasion dresses by celebrities such as Yassi Pressman, Alexa Ilacad, Michelle Dee and Nadine Lustre.

“My collection aims to enhance the natural beauty of the bride by embracing minimalist aesthetics and bold silhouettes. I think simplicity lets the bride’s elegance shine, while a striking silhouette adds modernity and drama. This balance creates a timeless look that feels fresh and distinctive,” she said.

“I have some couples who prefer getting married during the holidays for convenience, as guests often have time off. The holidays also bring a festive atmosphere and allow for unique themes, making the wedding more memorable. However, costs can be higher, and guest availability might be an issue,” Siena added.

Jezelle Amorado

Amorado’s collection is entitled “Romantically Abstract,” with the inspiration and emotion of the collection coming from her fondness for the works of Gustav Klimt.

“I wanted people to look at the bride and feel as if they were watching a work of art walk down the aisle. I also wanted the audience to feel and see the brides’ individuality come through. When I was creating the collection, I envisioned a bride who wanted to wear such a unique piece that it embodied not only her personal style but as well as the abstract and deep romanticism that Klimt portrays in his work. She was the bride who wanted everyone who sees her to envision her as the masterpiece that she is on her wedding day,” Amorado said.

She wanted to create a collection that showed people that bridal gowns need not only focus on classic silhouettes and floral details that they have come to know and love. She wanted each piece in the collection to be a work of art that would forever be loved and cherished by all those that would see them.

Amorado used metallic gazaar, bubble organdy, textured soft tulle, Swarovski crystals, textured lace, and various beads for her creations.

“In my experience, couples tend to get married after the holidays in order to make their moment more special and personal,” said the rising designer. “Weddings during holidays often make it more difficult to gather people due to the increased interest of people to travel overseas or conflicting holiday events with their wedding day.”