Bride Story

LORRAINE LAPUS - KUIT

May 30, 2015

Chateau de Anderson, Uluwatu,

Bali, Indonesia

Lorraine who is fondly called as "Lors" by her closest friends, is a beach babe, a multi-awarded champion surfer, a commercial model and most of all a very beautiful, down-to-earth woman who remained humble, kind and extremely hardworking despite growing up with so much in life. Her beauty is unquestionable, one that most of us could only ask for because she remains radiant and glowing even if she gets soaked under the sun and in the sea during the entire day.

Lorraine is not just your ordinary girl. Even if one could mistakenly judge her as just "one of the boys", she has so much up her sleeve that one would not expect for her to have specially if we talk about her accomplishments, and mind you, she is still very much on top of her game specially with the things that she loves doing. She has a unique and a happy disposition in life that describes much of her inner beauty that radiates inside and out.

Lorraine is easy to fall in love with. I mean who wouldn't? And as a designer, and as one of her closest friends, the news of her wedding came to us with so much delight as both of our dreams are coming true. Her wedding would be the chance for yours truly to design a dress that is truly closest to my heart, and what I envisioned the #lasalabride to be, more so how a #lasalawoman would be. True enough, what I envisioned (or commanded) of how Lorraine's dress should look like is how she also envisioned it as well. No need to discuss further what her dress was made of and how it was made because as obvious as it was, she was extremely happy with the outcome and most importantly, it made yours truly the happiest and everyone around her during the wedding day happy as well.

Here is what she has to say:

The bride Lorraine with her dad.

The bride and the groom exchanging their vows.

""Girl ako na yung wedding designer mo!" (Girl, I should be your wedding gown designer!), he said (referring to designer, Jian Lasala) with so much conviction. Any negative thoughts that would have pushed me to question otherwise... never came.

The funny thing was, I didn't even have a wedding - let alone even a boyfriend to think at that time.

But this was Jian, who already had something exquisite planned in his mind.

Jian as a designer, truly wears his heart on his sleeve. As a genuine person, it seemed that he was constantly taking mental notes about my interests, my tastes, and even my quirks. Whenever we met over brainstorming lunches, with work and love-life rants peppered into the conversation, he often teased me, "Sayang yung beauty mo! Pang Miss Universe sana!" (What a waste, your beauty would have been perfect for Miss Universe!) I thought he was being a daft.

The day when I broke news that I was engaged, Jian was ecstatic. He came with a whole rush of ideas and I could see he never settled for anything "safe". I could't help but feed off his excitement. Together, my then-a-dream of a wedding gown was to become a reality.

On my wedding day, I honestly never felt beautiful in my life.

Like a queen in her coronation, I can still remember the collective gasp and stares when I walked down the aisle. Jian designed me the perfect gown that appeared unpretentious - but so striking and impossible not to notice the sheer detail. I loved how the gown felt sexy but covered modestly enough to save the sanctity of the ceremony. Up to this day, my grandmother declares that it is the most beautiful wedding gown she has ever seen.

My only regret was that I could not enjoy that moment together with Jian, and how I wished he was also there on my wedding day.

But with a huge hug and overwhelming gratitude... I cannot say thank you enough Jian! I was floored! Your creation surpassed all of my expectations.

Thank you for making me the "Miss Universe" that you always envisioned me to be."

- Lorraine