Aron Cruz and Madison Mendoza share the story of their beautiful journey—from meeting at the height of the pandemic to turning their Bali wedding into a three-day celebration of love.
From the very beginning, Aron Cruz and Madison Mendoza knew their love was something worth celebrating. So when it came time to say “I do,” they chose a place as unforgettable as their story: the island of Bali. Surrounded by family, friends, and the beauty of nature, they sealed their vows in a three-day celebration filled with joy, meaning, and lasting memories.
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How Mr. and Mrs. Cruz Came To Be
Aron and Madison’s love story started in an unexpected time—when the world stood still. “We’ve always had mutual friends throughout high school, but we were only introduced during the peak of the pandemic by two of our mutual friends,” Madison recalled. The saying “love is easy when you are with the right one” is admittedly true for Madison and Aron. Through a series of video calls and conversations about their families, hopes, and dreams during that time, the couple fell in love.
“When face-to-face restrictions gradually lessened, we spent more time together than we did apart, from video calling even while we were asleep to having dinner dates and spending time with one another’s families,” the bride shares.
An unexpected blessing came in the form of Madison’s pregnancy. “It wasn’t until we found out that we had a baby on the way that we realized that we weren’t just a couple anymore, but we had to be a team,” Madison adds. In her eighth month of pregnancy and during her birthday celebration, Aron asked her the golden question: ”Should we get married?”
Though Madison was already sure she wanted to spend the rest of her life with Aron, she told him to ask her again in two years—just to be sure he wasn’t proposing out of necessity, but because he truly saw her as the person he wanted to spend his life with.
“After 2 years, on my birthday again, he proposed to me in front of our family and friends, where he had a dinner party at the Chef Jessie Rockwell Club. We’ve been together for 4 years now and we’re excited to start this new chapter in our lives, not just as husband and wife but as a family,” Madison says.
Madison And Aron Take Over Bali
After their engagement, Madison and Aron flew to Bali to celebrate. The couple stayed in the Nusa Dua area and agreed that the vibe was perfect. The food was great, the accommodations were luxurious yet homey, and, of course, the people were warm and welcoming.
“While we were in Bali, we decided right then and there, with our families’ approval, that it was to be our wedding country because we completely fell in love with our stay there,” Madison says.
According to the bride, it had always been her dream to have a destination wedding—a celebration that wouldn’t just be a one-day event, but an opportunity for their family and friends to celebrate their union, create new memories, and experience another culture.
“We wanted to get a Bali-based planner since we figured that they are the experts in the area. We chose Conrad Bali because of the architecturally unique chapel floating two meters above sea level, with stunning views of the Indian Ocean,” she adds.
Furthermore, the couple loved how the venue’s space was utilized. Two beautiful, expansive gardens beside the chapel served as the reception and cocktail areas.
“I was a completely hands-on bride when it came to the planning process since we made it clear that we wanted it to be a mix of both modern and traditional influences as a Gen Z couple.” The couple made sure their suppliers, both from Bali and Manila, were in tune with their vision. They saw to every detail—from the souvenirs and cocktail ambiance to the outfits of their guests—ensuring everything aligned perfectly with their theme.
Romance Never Ends
Before the wedding ceremony, the couple welcomed their guests with a candlelight dinner. White roses and drapery adorned the space to create a romantic ambience. “It was very important for us to have all the guests get to know each other and connect to set up the mood before the big day,” Madison explains. “The first thing we said during our welcome toast was that this weekend is not just about Aron and me, but it’s also about the relationships that we’ve built and the family that we have in this room.”
As a sweet gesture of thanks, the couple also left personal messages on each guest’s plate—a reminder of how much they meant to them. “We heard some speeches from our siblings that night and gave out personalized hand-painted paper fans for our guests to use the next day,” the couple recalls.
For the ceremony, the couple (who are both Roman Catholics), invited their family’s close priest to preside over their marriage vows and rites. It was a deeply meaningful moment; tears were shed not only by the couple but also by their loving family and friends. Seeing everyone they love in beautiful Bali, with joyful smiles on their faces, meant everything to them.
It’s Celebration Time!
“To kickstart cocktail hour, we had daylight fireworks after the petal toss. Following this, we had a live portrait painting, a saxophonist, and a DJ playing chill house music that got our guests to dance around a bit while waiting for the reception to start,” says Madison.
The reception was filled with so much love and laughter, from dancing with family, games, and short and fun performances from people whom they adore. Not to mention, the good food.
It meant so much to the couple that guests came up to them during and after the festivities to say how deeply they felt the love throughout the entire celebration. If they had to describe their wedding in a few words, it would be: an unforgettable reunion of love.
They also hosted a farewell brunch for all their guests to send them off. Additionally, there was an awarding ceremony and a few games to mark the end of the three-day celebration. After everyone went home, what stayed with Aron and Madison most wasn’t the grandeur or beauty of their Bali wedding, but the experience of love, connection, and happiness they felt—not only for each other, but also from everyone around them, every single day they were there in paradise.
Photographer Sriwijaya Story
Venue (Ceremony and Reception): Conrad Bali
Events Planner Varawedding
Wedding Dress Designer Monique Lhullier Bride
Wedding Suit Designer Common Suits PH
Hair and Make-Up Makeup by Yve Galang, hair by Chichi Manantan, assisted byCharming Magalong
Caterer Conrad Bali
Stylist Silverdust Decor
Illustrator Illy Paperhouse
Welcome party and after party dress designer Mark Bumgarner
Entourage gowns and suits Bianca Cordero
