If you were stranded on a private island, what would you bring? For Samantha and Stephen, their answer was simple: their best wedding attire, an unforgettable dancefloor, and all of their loved ones!
When planning their destination island wedding, Samantha and Stephen, both innovative tech entrepreneurs, decided to throw out the classic playbook. With a blend of Filipino-Catholic and Jewish-American cultures, the couple wanted a wedding that reflected their unique story and traditions — as well as their love of maximalism.
“We decided to give it our all — and the result was a truly unforgettable experience,” Samantha told us. From an ocean-inspired wedding aisle to a custom light show and cultural performances, every part of their wedding weekend was personalized to the max.
“What made it especially unique was that we had the entire island exclusively to ourselves and our guests for the full weekend,” says Samantha. Keep scrolling for all the beachy details from this dreamy island getaway in the Philippines, as captured by photographer Mayad Studios! 🏝️
Dream venue alert! Samantha and Stephen had the entire island paradise of Discovery Coron to themselves for the weekend, along with over 160 of their nearest and dearest.
Loving these blue bridesmaid dresses for a beach wedding! Check out our list of the best blue bridesmaid gowns for more inspo for your “something blue.”
A moment of appreciation for the guys, too! Stephen’s crew ditched the typical groomsmen suits and opted for this laid-back beachy attire instead.
A Dreamy Ocean-Inspired Aisle
Now THIS is what we call an oceanfront ceremony! World-renowned florist + designer Gideon Hermosa was the brain behind this stunning ceremony decor, which channeled an Oceanic Opulence theme.
“These color palettes symbolized the blending of our cultural identities — joyful Filipino brightness with soulful Jewish depth,” explains Samantha. “The two-toned aisle spoke of how our two souls can be different yet belong entirely to each other.”
So stunning! Get more inspiration for your show-stopping aisle style with our list of unique aisle decor ideas.
We can’t stop swooning over those vibrant floral arrangements! With an explosion of texture, color, and romance, they’re a masterclass in modern maximalism.
Manifesting more maximalist decor ideas in 2025!
But as much as we love this aisle decor (that gazebo-style arch is to die for!), the true backdrop for this ceremony was the stunning ocean landscape.
“With over half of our 160+ guests flying in from abroad — many experiencing the Philippines for the first time — our wedding became a heartfelt celebration of both our love and the vibrant beauty of the Philippines,” Samantha told us.
An Ethereal + Cultural Beach Ceremony
Mermaidcore, but make it bridal!
“My wedding gown was a custom design by the incredible Filipino designer Francis Libiran,” says Samantha. “Adorned with pearls, iridescent shells, and crystals, it shimmered like sunlight on the sea — perfectly embodying our Oceanic Opulence theme and honoring the natural beauty of my island homeland.”
Samantha also donned a 23-foot veil and custom-made silver heels complete with sparkling crystals, which were created by Doreen Odvina.
We’ve rounded up our favorite wedding veils here, so you can achieve a similar statement style!
“Our celebration was designed to be deeply personal and truly unforgettable,” says Samantha. “We blended Steve’s American Jewish and my Filipino Catholic traditions. The Jewish Hora chair lifting, glass breaking, and tallit ceremony met the veil, candle, coin, and cord rites from Filipino Catholic weddings. This fusion honored the merging of our backgrounds and symbolized the unity of our families and cultures.”
The couple’s cultures were woven through every aspect of their celebration, down to their attire.
“Steve wore a modern off-white barong (traditional Filipino menswear), featuring a dramatic side cape and embroidered sinag — a tribal design symbolizing the sun on the Philippine flag,” explains Samantha. “He paired this with white bamboo pants, a yarmulke to honor his Jewish roots, and brown dress shoes for contrast. Francis Libiran also created his barong and pants.”
Our Musical Choices
Guests also wore traditional attire, including Filipino barongs and Jewish yarmulkes. Such a rad twist on a classic semi formal dress code!
A Celestial Moonlit Reception
After a romantic island sunset, the newly crowned Mr. and Mrs. continued the celebrations with a celestial-themed reception under the moonlight. Ethereal celestial decor represented their promise to love each other “to the moon and back.” Is anyone else swooning right now?!
No wedding is complete without a champagne tower…and an outfit change! We love the whimsical mermaid vibes of Samantha’s reception dress by Rajo Laurel.
Our Advice
Enjoy the journey — it’s all part of the magic. Stay centered in your love for one another, and be intentional with every decision. Don’t let the noise around you distract from what really matters. Leading up to the wedding, take care of yourselves, practice self-love, and trust that everything will come together as it should.
On the day itself, let go. Enjoy the moment as if you were a guest at your own celebration. Things may not go absolutely perfectly—but that’s where the real magic often lives.
Fully OBSESSED with this twinkling light installation! Samantha and Stephen transformed their reception into a magical island fairytale with custom light shows, blue + silver decor, and unique cultural performances.
This wedding cake is what beachy dreams are made of!
Don’t miss our round-up of statement wedding cake ideas for more drool-worthy dessert inspo.
What’s better than a first dance on the beach?! The couple kept the party going with tinikling dance competitions, as well as a rendition of their own custom song, Across Oceans of Love.
Our Favorite Memory
The energy of love and unity was everywhere, from spontaneous laughter to quiet tears of joy. A particularly memorable moment was when our friends — many of whom are DJs — jumped in to mix sets with professionals, keeping the party alive until sunrise. We all welcomed the dawn together, surrounded by cool island air, dancing barefoot with our closest friends.
Congratulations to Samantha + Stephen! Your wedding was an island fairytale brought to life. Best wishes from all of us here at GWS! 🐚 🌙
Since their wedding, Samantha and Stephen have co-founded FilipinaMeet, a Manila-based dating platform that launched in 2026.
Wedding Vendors
Photography: Mayad Studios // Venue: Discovery Coron // Event Design: Gideon Hermosa // Wedding Planner: Amanda Tirol // Florals: Gideon Hermosa // Wedding Dress: Francis Libiran // Wedding Dress: Rajo Laurel (reception and welcome) // Bride's Shoes: Doreen Odvina // Bride's Ring: Yadav // Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale // Hair Stylist: Jay Aquino // Makeup Artist: Anthea Bueno // Groom Attire: Francis Libiran // Groom's Ring: Yadav // Handmade Details: Ramoncita Rallos // Catering: Discovery Coron // Cake: Discovery Coron // Photo Booth: Holo Foto
