“After years of near-misses, it took a dating app and a global pandemic to finally bring us together,” say Ricco and Jessica, who matched on Coffee Meets Bagel during lockdown.
“We fell into daily chats full of memes, food recommendations, and random quarantine hobbies. Then the coincidences started piling up — we realised we’d gone to the same university, shared mutual friends, lived just a few kilometres apart, and even shopped at the same malls. The plot twist? Our families already knew each other!”
Bonded by their love of food and adventure, Ricco and Jessica quickly discovered how well they fit together. “We thrive on discovering new restaurants, cooking meals, and heading out on midnight snack runs when we’re still hungry,” they share.
“That evening, we went up to the rooftop for photos, thanks to a little push from my family,” Jessica recalls. “Ricco asked me to face the city skyline while pretending to take a picture. When he took too long, I turned around and saw him on one knee. I was so stunned I couldn’t say a word… long enough for him to get a cramp in the cold! And though I said yes, there was one hiccup: months earlier in Turkey, Ricco secretly asked a jeweller to guess my ring size, but it turned out I’d been trying on rings for my middle finger. So the ring lived there for a month until we resized it.”
When it came to planning their wedding, Ricco and Jessica knew a large traditional celebration wasn’t for them. “We wanted something less traditional, smaller, more intimate and relaxed,” they explain. “A destination wedding gave us space to celebrate somewhere meaningful, with our closest family and friends.”
Discovery Coron in Palawan quickly won their hearts. “We fell in love the moment we arrived,” they say. “It was stunning on its own — we didn’t need elaborate décor. We loved the natural scenery, the wildlife like monitor lizards and herons, and sunsets with bats flying across the sky. On the boat ride to the island, we even spotted a sea turtle. The ocean and mountain views were breathtaking.”
The wedding weekend had its share of magic. “During our welcome dinner, turtle eggs hatched on the beach, and we watched the baby turtles make their way to the ocean,” they recall. “It felt surreal and was the perfect start to the celebration.”
On the wedding day itself, a drizzle threatened their plans but cleared in time. “Everything fell into place,” they say. “Our ceremony was heartfelt, and the reception turned into pure fun: everyone laughed, danced, and played games, and as the night went on, the moon rose over the sea, casting a glow across the water. It was beautiful, memorable and a little wild — everything we hoped for.”
Personal and cultural details were woven throughout. “Our invitations featured Filipino and Chinese elements,” says Jessica. “And since our dogs couldn’t join us, we included them in the invitation design and on the cake. We gave our guests traditional abaniko fans as souvenirs, and the welcome dinner was a boodle feast — a fun nod to Filipino culture.”
Simplicity was key. “One of our non-negotiables was keeping planning stress-free,” they explain. “We wanted styling, flowers, and food available at the venue.”
Music played a big part. “The venue handled the welcome dinner music,” says Jessica. “For the ceremony, I chose a piano medley of Taylor Swift songs for the entourage and Iris by Kina Grannis for my bridal march — it definitely made our guests tear up. Our first dance was Beautiful Things by Benson Boone, and for the reception, we made our own playlist. DJ Migs Santillan created a custom mix for the afterparty that kept the energy high all night.”
“The ceremony was the moment that stands out most for us,” they say. “Walking down the aisle, getting married, and seeing our friends and family there was incredibly special.”
After the wedding, Ricco and Jessica stayed on for island-hopping with friends and family. “It was the perfect way to wind down,” they say. “We’re still saving for a proper honeymoon, but our dream is to see the Northern Lights in Lapland when the time is right.”
Their advice for other couples? “Keep your expectations realistic — especially with outdoor venues,” they say. “Don’t expect perfection. Go with the flow, trust your suppliers, and enjoy the experience. Sometimes the unexpected makes for the best memories.”
Dream Team
Photography: Nicolai Melicor Photography (@nicolaimelicor), Found by Love (@foundbylove__) – Film shots
Videography: Hello & Co. Cinema (@helloandcocinema)
Venue: Discovery Coron (@discoverycoron)
Planner: Cha Andrada Events (@chaandradaevents)
Dress: Studio Ceremonie (@studioceremonie)
Bridesmaid dresses: Desino Dulce (@weddingsbydesinodulce / @desinodulce)
Groom’s suit & Groomsmen suits: Arvox Tailoring (@arvoxtailoringofficial)
Hair: Carla Quiogue (@hairbycarlaq)
Makeup: Marla Sabio (@makeupbymarla)
Flowers, Cake, Catering: Discovery Coron (@discoverycoron)
DJ: Migs Santillan (@migs_santi)
Stationery: Donna Tiongco (@donnamakesart)
Rings: Viera Bridal Jewelry (@vierajewelryph), New Life Jewelry (@newlife_jewelry)