Christina & Joekarl make the most of tradition at Filipino wedding

Planning a wedding can be a stressful process, but Sydney’s Christina Joson and Joekarl Diaz swear it brought them closer together.

“We enjoyed every bit of the planning and the preparation together, it brought out the best of us as a couple,” Christina says.

Joe, 35, and Christina, 31, stayed true to their heritage for their Filipino wedding and had a Catholic ceremony at St Thomas Aquinas, Springwood on May 31, 2014.

This was followed by a rustic, garden-themed reception at Loxley on Bellbird Hill, Kurrajong for 120 guests.

“What we absolutely loved most about this venue is the scenery and the foliage reminding us of our engagement in Borneo,” Christina says.

Joe proposed at the peak of Mount Kinabalu, Borneo, two years after the pair got to know each other playing on the same mixed basketball team.

Christina says their wedding day could not have been better.

“We wanted our wedding to reflect much of whom we are as a couple – and the ambiance, the intimate setting and being surrounded by an abundance of flowers and nature attested this.”

Photos courtesy of DC Images.

“I have always loved green,” Christina says of her Alannah Hill bridesmaids’ gowns. “I wanted the girls’ dresses to complement mine and this heart-shaped strapless tulle dress was perfect.”

When asked what she loves about Joe, Christina says she has never met anyone with as much honesty and integrity. “Being with him makes me want to be a better person every day,” she says.

Joe and Christina first got to know each other through church and their work volunteering in the Philippines, but it wasn’t until they were in the same basketball team that they really hit it off.