From best friends to soulmates, Archie Chiang and Ara Bactat’s 12-year journey led to a wedding to remember.
Archie Chiang and Ara Bactat‘s real-life love story feels as though it leaped off the pages of a novel. The gradual build-up, extended romantic tension, and charged moments may be hallmarks of the slow-burn romance trope, but for them, 12 years of friendship evolving into love was simply everyday life, culminating in a grand wedding that was “one for the books.”
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From Friends To Forever
“Our story really started in college,” Ara recalls. “We met through common friends and instantly became best friends. We clicked in so many ways, and it felt like Archie was the brother I never had. That bond lasted for 12 long years of platonic friendship. Through milestones, travels, and even different relationships, we were always each other’s constants.”
Archie shares that the turning point came unexpectedly. “One day in 2022, while at a friend’s engagement party, my friend Jeff asked me who I was seeing. I said, ‘Wala pa eh! Focus muna on work!’ Then he told me, ‘Bakit hindi na lang kayo ni Ara? Sobrang bagay kayo nun! Best friend mo pa!’ I laughed it off and said it would never work—we were super platonic.”
But Jeff’s words lingered. “Days later, that conversation kept playing in my head,” Archie admits. “I started seeing Ara in a different light. All the qualities I had been searching for in someone else—trustworthy, fun, someone who shares the same interests—were with her all along. It scared me, honestly. We had too much at stake. But I couldn’t keep it to myself any longer.”
The confession happened in the simplest of moments. “We had just arrived at a friend’s house when Archie looked at me and said, ‘Bee, I think I’m starting to have feelings for you. Like, legit feelings ha.’ I couldn’t believe it—I kept saying, ‘No, no, no, you can’t be serious!’” Ara laughs. “But he was serious. Eventually, we agreed to go on a date. And the rest, as they say, is history.”
Archie’s Swiss Proposal
By 2024, Archie knew he wanted to make things official. “Ara and I always talked about Switzerland as this magical place,” he says. “It just felt like the perfect backdrop for a proposal. Everything aligned because her family had planned a trip to Europe.”
He chose Lauterbrunnen, a picturesque town cradled by waterfalls and mountains. To keep it a surprise, he hired a local photographer who pretended to be their tour guide. “I was so nervous that I forgot all the lines I had practiced,” Archie admits. “I just said, ‘Ara, I have waited all my life for the perfect life partner, and all along it’s been right in front of me. I have never been more sure of anything, but I am sure that I want you to be my forever. Will you marry me?’”
“Thankfully, I said yes,” Ara adds with a smile.
Wedding Under The Stars
For Ara and Archie, wedding planning was about telling their story in ways both subtle and grand. “We wanted a day that reflected us—timeless, heartfelt, and personal,” Ara explains.
The ceremony was held at Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows, a meaningful choice since it’s near their future home. The reception was held at the Marriott Hotel Ballroom, a space that struck the perfect balance of elegance and warmth.
The couple entrusted Gideon Hermosa to bring their vision to life through design. “It was literally out of this world—like stepping into outer space,” Ara says. Her gown by Pat Santos exuded effortless grace, while Archie’s bespoke suits by Salvo Tailors carried his signature personality, complete with linings inspired by world maps and vintage cars.
The reception at the Marriott Hotel Ballroom was designed by Gideon Hermosa
Wedding planner Jen Lim ensured every detail flowed seamlessly, and the entire celebration unfolded with ease. Makeup artist Jelly Eugenio created Ara’s glowing bridal look, while Marriott Hotel served an impressive banquet. Every tender moment was preserved by Oly Ruiz of Metrophoto and the team at Mayad Studios. “They captured the essence of love and joy so beautifully,” Ara reflects.
A Timeless Celebration
Looking back, the couple describes their wedding day in three words: timeless, intimate, and joyful. “The most unforgettable moments were our vows,” Ara shares. “Walking down the aisle, seeing each other with full hearts, and standing before God and our loved ones made it deeply emotional. Before the wedding, we were nervous and excited, but once it began, calm and joy took over. We were marrying not just a partner, but a best friend of more than a decade.”
Anchored in Gratitude
For Ara and Archie, the celebration was not just about the beginning of marriage, but about honoring the foundation that carried them there—friendship. “We’re simply grateful,” Ara reflects. “Grateful for our journey, for the people who celebrated with us, and for the friendship that has always been at the heart of our love.”
Their advice for couples planning a wedding is simple yet profound: “Don’t lose yourselves in the details. Focus on what makes your story yours—that’s what you’ll remember forever.”
Photographer Metrophoto Oly Ruiz
Venue (Ceremony and Reception) Christ the King Parish Greenmeadows and Marriott Hotel Ballroom
Wedding Planner The Wedding and Events Company
Videographer Mayad Studios
Hair & Makeup Artist (HMUA) Jelly Eugenio – Makeup Artist
Bridal Gown Patricia Santos – Yao
Groom’s Suit SALVO Tailors
Florist & Stylist Gideon L. Hermosa
Host Sam Gogna
Trusses & Riggers Stage Riggers
LED Tunnel, Graphics and Animation Always in Motion Live
Lights and Stage Forscink Inc. Professional Lights and Sounds
Sounds and Afterparty High Impact Events Enterprise
Grooming The Spoiled Groom
Cake & Catering Marriott Hotels
Church Stylist Events by Nikki Chatto
Ceremony Music 3rd Avenue and Manila Philharmonic Orchestra
Liquor and Afterparty Destileria Limtuaco & Manila Craft Mixes & Brews
DJs Brandon Jon Limpe Aw, Ace Ramos, and Kate Jagdon
