Lea Villena and Lakhi Siap met through a dating app and were not each other’s types, but the universe sent signs that they were meant to be.
Happily ever afters exist even in the modern world, specifically in dating applications. Lea Villena and Lakhi Siap may not have had an exciting start to their relationship, but they have proven that a getting-to-know stage is an important step in dating.
Lea’s friends signed her up in Bumble, a popular dating app, after being single for about four months. Meanwhile, Lakhi was not actively searching for a wife when he went on the platform. However, fate tied its strings onto them, bringing together two people who are not just right for each other, but have more things in common than they thought.
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Not your typical meet-cute
Lakhi expressed he went on the app to meet people while he was in Manila in 2018. He said Lea was only one of a few people that he didn’t initially connect with through messaging.
“In fact, I was interested to talk with somebody else,” Lakhi narrated. “But I ended up accidentally sending her a message that I was free to hang out. I was trying to find a way to escape because I didn’t feel a connection [with her,] but we ended up going on the date anyway.”
Lea agreed, saying she did not like Lakhi when they were on their messaging phase on the app. She added for context that since she was four months freshly out of a relationship at the time, her friends would be the one to swipe matches for her.
“I just keep saying, oh, he’s okay, whenever a match comes up, because I wasn’t actively seeking a boyfriend,” she said.
Getting a sign through the green light
“I got a message from him asking me out,” she went on. “I thought this was so odd. We first spoke for two days and then after that we did not talk for two weeks. So, I was surprised he was asking me out.”
One day, Lea had a busy day at work and Lakhi did not have a specific follow through on whether or not their date would push through. She thought about going home but her friends pestered her into staying in the city–Lea lived in the southern part of the metro. She protested that she was tired, telling her friends it was already around eight in the evening. Who would go on a date this late?
Lea was in Makati, enroute to the skyway. “If he messages before the light goes green, then I’ll go [on the date,]” she finally decided. “It was almost impossible for a sign as specific as that to happen, but just three seconds before the stop light hits green, I received his text.”
“This is probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever done,” Lea shared. “I told myself I would just leave 15 minutes into the date if we don’t like each other. But when we actually got together, the conversations just started flowing.”
Lakhi gave out his sentiments also, saying that their talk led to him discovering they had a lot of parallels. “She lives in Manila but consistently visits the U.S., and I live in Chicago and often come to the Philippines. We both have a similar sense of humor. I also appreciated that she spoke her mind and was confident.”
Strength in each other
Lea and Lakhi became a couple in 2018. He said that as a couple, they are playful with each other and get along with each other a lot. “We know how to balance each other and we have certain skills that complement one another,” Lakhi said.
When asked about their strengths as a couple, Lea mused about the fact that they went through a long-distance relationship. They navigated through their situation with a lot of plane tickets and flew back and forth to make time for each other.
“What challenged us and at the same time strengthened us is the distance,” Lea commented. “It gave us something to look forward to. We’re more fortunate than most [people] because we were able to travel. If we weren’t the type to fly back and forth to see each other, we wouldn’t have lasted.”
Lakhi explained that being supportive of each other is crucial in strengthening their relationship. They’ve cheered each other on in their respective goals, dreams, passion, and hobbies. “I do a lot of volunteer and pro bono work in the community,” he said. “She has been amazing at helping me see my blindspots and prevent people who take advantage of my generosity. Finding a partner who not only supports you but also knows when to protect you and reel you back in is pivotal.”
“The One” for each other
Lea knew Lakhi was the one when he met one of her friends. “My best friend was teasing me about my hair,” Lea narrated. “This was a prerequisite because he had to meet her! So then, she teased me about my hair. Like, they say it’s always like a messy beach wave. ‘Have it straight or brushed, right Lakhi? Shouldn’t she improve her hair?’”
Lea said Lakhi’s response made her realize he was the one. “He said, ‘No, I like her hair the way it is.” She expressed that it was the moment that she knew she was with someone different than all the guys she previously dated. She also appreciated it when he was honest about a situation which he had a hard time to share, which shows he is comfortable with her.
For Lakhi, he knew Lea was the one due to a series of both joyful and trying times. “Think of it like an investment account accumulating compound interest to eventually grow into something big,” he explained. “When I proposed to Lea, I did not think about the happy moments, but the more challenging times that tested our relationship.”
He added that keeping their relationship going took a lot of work. She is the kind of partner he’d want by her side as she is loyal, loving, and smart.
Proposing atop the slopes
Lea said Lakhi proposed in 2022 when they, along with their other couple friends, went to a ski and snowboarding trip in Park City Utah. Her friends were wearing makeup and were suggesting to get pampering services before skiing, which made her suspicious. “I was like, why are you putting on makeup? It won’t be visible under the face guard. Getting mani-pedis would waste a whole day.” She said these instances made her feel like something was about to happen.
Lakhi talked about their snowboarding experience and how it was both their first time and kept falling off the slopes. “I realized Lea would not be able to ride down the mountain if we went up, so I told her we were just going to go up to take couple photos. Then, we could take the ski lift back down.”
Lea chronicled they did take the group and individual photos. Suddenly, their friends started counting when they were taking her pictures. One of them suggested doing a front-facing shot of her and when she turned to the camera, she saw Lakhi kneeling.
“I’m normally a very confident and articulate person,” Lakhi recounted. “I had this grand speech prepared but the moment I got down on one knee, I got very nervous. When she turned around, I had complete brain fog and didn’t know how to put my words together. All I could think of was not to drop the ring in the snow. I asked her to marry me.” The rest, as they say, is history.
The interfaith ceremony
The couple married twice, one was a civil ceremony held in 2022. Their big wedding happened on November 11, 2023 at the Marquis Event Space in Bonifacio Global City.
Lea and Lakhi had a not-so traditional Filipino Catholic wedding and interfaith ceremony. “When you’re marrying someone who is not in the same faith as you, that is an interfaith wedding,” Lea explained. “Our ceremony had both Catholic and Hindu practices. We had the coins or arrhae and the Bible for the Catholic traditions and then we walked around the fire rounds and gave each other jaimalas (flower garlands).”
Finding the right venue for Lea and Lakhi’s interfaith ceremony was pivotal. “Since we’re not doing a traditional church wedding, we had to find a venue that can accommodate both the ceremony and reception,” Lea furthered. “It’s not easy to hold an interfaith ceremony. One of my non-negotiables was that it should have a ballroom and an outdoor area that would accommodate 350 guests.”
They ended up at Marquis Events Place, which had an accessible ballroom and ticked the rest of the couple’s venue requirements.
A day full of highs
The couple gushed about multiple highlights during their wedding. Their day honored cultural fusion and their personal touches, making it a memorable day not only for them but also for their guests.
Lea enumerated her favorite parts of the wedding, starting off with the interfaith ceremony’s personal flairs. “One of the highlights definitely includes us wearing our respective traditional attires: me in my terno, and Lakhi in his Indian bodysuit.” The bride also expressed that she loved that her dad was present at their ceremony despite her parents being separated.
Other highlights for her include her five gown changes and four personalized menus: regular, no seafood, no beef, and vegetarian. Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms also sang at their wedding. Lastly, one of her surprises to the groom is a dance she performed for him during the post-wedding program.
Lakhi recognized having Robin Wilson sing “‘Til I Hear It From You” during their first dance as one of the wedding highlights. The groom also sang praises for the beautifully-transformed wedding venue.
“I told my wife that she’s right, event styling does matter,” he remarked. Other highlights for him include their three open bars, customized drinks, the wedding lasting until two in the morning, having a band and a DJ, and the personalized menus. His personal favorite, however, was seeing Lea in her terno dress.
Both of them agreed that having more than 100 guests fly to the Philippines for their wedding was a highlight on its own. It showed how much their family and friends cherish them dearly, and how their love transcends distant corners of the globe.
Their full highlights can be seen on their wedding website.
“Be intentional”
“Realistically speaking, there is no perfect wedding,” Lea said. “It’s okay to have pegs, but ground your expectations.” She emphasized the importance of having a really good wedding planner that you can communicate with when you need them. It was also important for brides to determine their maximum budget on their big day.
“Lastly, be intentional about your wedding,” she added. “Do the things that make you, you, as a couple.” She explained that personal touches in a wedding makes it more memorable for the guests and would surely make a beautiful gathering for all to enjoy.
Lakhi was particular about three things on their wedding: open bar, food, and entertainment. He reiterated that being involved in events made him want to be thorough on these aspects. Open bar, food, and entertainment set a stage for the gathering as these would ensure guests will have a marvelous time. He also said it was important to know the non-negotiables of soon-to-wed couples and identify their big day’s main focus.
Lakhi also encouraged having a post-wedding party. This allows the couple to engage more with their guests, especially those who traveled far to be part of the celebration.
The couple’s wedding was a testament to love’s power to bridge cultures and create unforgettable moments. Their story also attests that forever exists everywhere–even within the confines of your phone.
Banner photo from ProudRad.
WEDDING PLANNER Teena Barretto Events
PHOTOGRAPHER ProudRad
VIDEOGRAPHER Studio King
PREPARATION VENUE The Peninsula Manila
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION VENUE, CATERING Marquis Events Place
CAKE BAKER Audrey’s Pastries
MORNING DRESS Martin Bautista
BRIDE’S MORNING SHOES Loeffler Randall
WEDDING DRESS Lesley Mobo
BRIDE’S WEDDING SHOESJimmy Choos
RECEPTION DRESS Mark Bumgarner
BRIDE’S DANCING DRESS Weddings by Cath
AFTER PARTY DRESS Aisle
BRIDE’S RECEPTION AND AFTER PARTY SHOES Aquazzura
BRIDESMAID DRESSES, SHOES By Abimer
MOTHER OF THE BRIDE’S GOWN Mak Tumang
GROOM’S WEDDING ATTIRE Vicergent Official
GROOM’S RECEPTION ATTIRE The Fine Gentleman
GROOMSMEN’S ATTIRES Baro The Label
GROOMING The Spoiled Groom
MAKEUP ARTIST Jelly Eugenio
HAIRSTYLIST Valerie Corpuz
HAIRSTYLIST AND MAKEUP ARTIST FOR ENTOURAGE Beverly Chan HMUA and Team
WEDDING FASHION STYLIST Cath Sobrevega, Weddings by Cath
BOUQUETS, FLOWERS, DECORS, AND EVENT STYLIST Randy Lazaro
PRODUCTION DESIGNER Ronald King
INVITATIONS InkScribbler
CALLIGRAPHY, STATIONERY, ACCESSORIES Print Divas
JEWELRY Love Rocks Jewelry
BAND, CEREMONY MUSICIANS Solace Music PH
SUPRISE GUEST AND WEDDING SINGER Robin Wilson of Gin Blossoms
DJ DJ Virgil7
HOST Anthony Guevarra & Morris Agudo
LIGHTS AND SOUNDS FORSC INK
RENTAL FURNITURE MOD Concepts & Rentals
WEDDING GUEST FAVORS Auro Chocolate
PRINCIPAL SPONSORS FAVORS The Olive Tree Corporation, Pinky Lizares, Casa Juan MNL
AFTER PARTY FOOD Mommy Tin’s Tusok Tusok, Sorbetes, Casa Nostra Pizzeria
OPEN BAR Manila Craft Mixes & Brews
CHILDHOOD AVP Nice Print Photography
CHAIR RENTALS Eighteenth Floristry
PHOTOMAN Photoman.ph
PHOTOBOOTH Photobooth by DJCoki
VANS Lakbay Transport Services
WHISKY Port Boston
DANCE INSTRUCTOR Earl Baer
