Krizian Navarro and Mark Lawrence Tan embraced their lifetime together at Lake Como, the bride’s dream wedding destination.
Who would have thought that flying in different parts of the world would bind Krizian Navarro and Mark Lawrence Tan together? The couple, who prefer to be called Shen and Macky, came together thanks to the meddling of the bride’s sister, Kim.
Kim already knew Macky and told Shen from time to time that they look nice as a couple if they were to be one. What she didn’t know at the time was Macky already had a crush on her. They started chatting between 2020 and 2021, and the rest, as they say, is history.
They held a ceremonial wedding at Italy’s stunning Lake Como on Sept. 20, 2023, and had an intimate formal church ceremony on February 8.
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“When you know, you know”
Shen is firm, strict, yet gets along with her employees when it comes to work, and turns into a happy-go-lucky gal in the presence of her friends and family. Macky is congenial and accommodating by nature, lives an active lifestyle through sports, but a “gentle giant” as described by her. As a couple they have healthy banter, with his expressiveness and her acts of service resulting in a perfect combination.
The couple have the same perspectives in life even though they spend a lot of time teasing each other or bantering. “How you view things and the direction you take together is an important similarity between couples,” Shen explained. It was a trait that she thought is their strength together as a pair.
Shen knew Macky was the one when he made her feel secure and at peace all the time. “He shows me the affection that I need,” she said.
Lost for words
The couple was only together for eight months before Macky finally popped the question. Shen narrated how Macky popped the question. She actually knew that he was going to propose when the pair came to Malaybalay, Bukidnon.
“Macky was bringing the ring for a long time,” she said. “He wanted to propose on February 8, 2022, but he asked my hand in marriage on January 28 instead.”
Macky told her he wanted to pray and so they went into a Monk’s church. He wanted to take photos as he was a sentimental guy, so he took some under a palm tree at the location. Until finally, he placed his phone on the tree in an upward position.
“I told Macky to turn it off,” Shen protested. He knelt, saying he prepared a letter or a number of things he wanted to tell her, but all he blurted out was: “Will you marry me?”
Shen asked him playfully if that is the only thing he was going to tell her, to which he sobbed. “He told me he thought the hardest thing he had to do was ask my parents,” she recalled. “For him it was harder to ask me. Of course, I eventually said yes.”
The proposal, as she described, was very “them” in terms of their combined personalities.
Dream wedding in Lake Como achieved
Shen went to Italy’s Lake Como when she was in her early 20s during her singlehood. It became her ultimate dream wedding destination since then, even if it was just an intimate wedding. She said that a ceremony would cost a lot anyway, so why not splurge to get what she wholeheartedly wants?
Macky showed hesitation at first, asking if Lake Como is what she really wanted. He loved the place instantly when they went to Italy and saw the romantic, picturesque lake.
The couple initially wanted an intimate wedding but had over 300 invites, with more than 200 guests confirming their attendance.
“A lot of people still talk about our wedding. It was so romantic,” the bride said.
Several highlights for one memorable day
Shen and Macky’s Lake Como wedding was definitely one for the books, as numerous memories proved to be unforgettable. The location’s charm added a dash of romance and allure to the momentous occasion, which became one of the couple’s highlights.
One of the couple’s favorite memories was their welcome dinner at Villa Erba. Their friends and family celebrated the start of their journey to forever.
The dominant moment that will live in Shen’s mind forever is the moment she walks down the aisle. She recalled seeing Macky cry, which helped her realize this was it, she was really getting married.
The couple loved a lot of things on their special day: their photoshoots on the lake aboard a yacht, their vows, the couple’s first dance and their respective dances with their parents, Gideon Hermosa’s impeccable styling, and how the Italian and Filipino culture melded well together.
The most ironic part about their wedding is that Macky, as a gentle giant, was the emotional one between them, but he was actually calm and chill during the wedding. Shen, meanwhile, was feeling all the emotions.
Working with Gideon
Gideon worked with Shen and Macky for their wedding, and his immense prowess in styling became evident in every corner of the venue.
“He was so professional,” Shen remarked. “He has his own little world when he works and checks on what needs to be done.”
She went on about how working with him was a dream. Gideon wasn’t demanding and guided the couple with everything they needed. She expressed their wedding wouldn’t be successful without his inputs and that he became a friend, confidant, and consultant.
Shen asked how he was able to manage impatient or grumpy people in events or other special occasions. He responded that imparting kindness to everyone would go a long way. He never lost his composure and maintained his professionalism and comradeship.
Be self-sufficient before marrying
Shen said marrying the love of your life may be an exciting endeavor especially if you love a person so much. But sometimes, love isn’t enough.
“Some people are lucky to meet the love of their life early, while some do it for the sake of it,” she commented. “It’s not a competition. Be sure about the person and be self-sufficient before you get married with uncertainties.”
She added that once set to marry, her tip was to have a checklist for both the couple and all their suppliers. This provides a proactive approach and would address discrepancies and completion of tasks easier.
Shen and Macky proved love easily comes when the intentions are real and you have the same and clear direction in life. It doesn’t matter if a couple has been together long or not. What’s important is the intention to choose a person despite the challenges and celebrate wins hand in hand.
Banner photo from Oly Ruiz.
VENUE Villa Erba, Lake Como Italy
WEDDING PLANNER ILESEVENTS ITALY
DECORATION DESIGN AND FLOWERS Riccardo Ciceri and Gideon Hermosa
PHOTOGRAPHER @mymetrophoto, Oly Ruiz (@Dmetroman)
VIDEOGRAPHER Alberto Daria
ENTOURAGE HAIR AND MAKEUP Olga Golovco
BRIDE AND GROOM’S HAIR AND MAKEUP Regine Gerloff
MUSIC/LIGHTS AND TECH SUPPORT Blunotte Eventi
BAND Blunotte Showband
CATERING Class Eventi
FURNITURE RENTALS Latini Design
FIREWORKS Franco Pozzi
HOST Lubomir Revera
CELEBRANT/MASTER OF CEREMONY Fabio Albonico
CAKE Pasticceria Ramperti
BOAT Lake Como Boat
ENTOURAGE GOWNS AND LINGERIE Juniel Doring
INVITATIONS AND OTHER PRINTABLES ISG Prints by Jaja Go
BRIDAL CAR Vague Luxury Rental (Porsche 356 Speedster)
BRIDE’S GOWN Val Taguba
BRIDAL SHOES Aquazzura
RINGS/JEWELRIES Au&Dia
NAILS Ayumi Skinrev
HAIR COLOR Amy Kang
GROOM’S SUIT Bergamo
SHOES Ferragamo
WATCH Rolex
