Wedding of Lori & Lorenzo Leonardo

By Lori Bernardino-Leonardo

On Friday, April 4, 2014, Lorenzo Leonardo III asked for my hand in marriage in front of family members and close friends at E+O Restaurant in Mount Prospect, Illinois. Thus began months and months of planning sans a wedding planner. I knew some were just waiting for me to become a “bridezilla.” I was a little nervous but I enjoyed planning every single item, from booking vendors to putting together the day-of timeline.

Well the shoe finally dropped the day before the wedding. The day was filled with a rollercoaster of emotions – from raising my voice to get everyone’s attention to crying while practicing our wedding vows.

I’ve heard that a wedding will never be perfect. That even with countless hours of planning, there are certain aspects that would still go awry. It happened that morning–like ripped shirts, arguments, late transportation and then some.

But at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 25, the previous 24 hours no longer mattered. I married the love of my life, Lorenzo Leonardo III, at Saint Hubert Church in Hoffman Estates, IL. The ceremony was officiated by Father Robert Rizzo who imparted a most memorable message in his homily– “to view situations as opportunities, instead of obstacles”–which Lorenzo and I will always remember and try to follow in the years to come.

 

From thereon, the day went on as most wedding celebrations usually go: cocktail hour, cutting of the cake, dinner, open bar, money dance etc. But there were a few memorable moments I want to recall: My father, Orlando Bernardino, Sr. proposed a toast that ended up being a roast.  He let all 300 guests know a few secrets about me that I won’t divulge here. As they say, you had to be there! Many thought my

father would go for the tears, but he definitely went for the laughs. It was my maid/matrons of honor Sarah Krizz Yolo and Tiffany Arias and the best man, Nino Leonardo, who went for the tears. And lastly, my husband surprised me during our first dance with a special performance by Darrell Seegmiller from Drop ‘N Harmony, who sang “You,” which he wrote and composed for his wife when they got married.

 

We partied until midnight and wished the night would never end. Our wedding day was everything that we hoped for–with close friends and family–a wonderful and new beginning in our wedded life.

One of the many kisses for the night by the Bride & Groom, Lori & Lorenzo Leonardo.

Lori Bernardino and Lorenzo Leonardo III pose with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Orlando and Lourdes Bernardino, Sr. on the left and Mr. and Mrs. Lorenzo and Tessie Leonardo, Sr. on the right.

Lori Bernardino and Lorenzo Leonardo take a group photo with Lori’s extended family, the Bernardinos and Cuyugans.

Lori Bernardino and Lorenzo pose with their bridal party. Back row (L-R): Angelica Cuyugan, Lorraine Barnedo, Rochelle Laxamana, Tiffany Arias, Nino Leo Leonardo, Francis Perfecto, Richard Alimboyoguen, John Lee. Middle row (L-R): Gabrielle Cuyugan, Sarah Krizz Yolo, Melissa Yabes, LoraleeMapili, Lori Bernardino, Lorenzo Leonardo, Bryan Balbuena, Matthew Saavedra, Alex Barnedo, Ngoc Le. Front row (L-R): Erin Yolo, Chloe Bernardino, Jayann Camargo, Aleko Trinidad, Arneff Santos .

Lori Bernardino and Lorenzo Leonardo take a group photo with Lorenzo’s extended family, the Leonardos and Calings.

 

From L-R Front row Principal Sponsors: Dr. Alice Joaquin, Island Sikon (Proxy for Tessie Sagun), Veronica Leighton, Alice Ramos, Rose Trinidad, Manolito Ramirez, Greg Cuyugan (Proxy for Ely Sagun), Neil Bernardino (Proxy for Alejandro Bernardino, Sr.), Angel Jimenez, Jun Joaquin. From L-R Back row: Rita Tallud, Priscilla Quetua, Purita Ramirez, Elizabeth Makabali, Leti De Luna, Lori Bernardino, Lorenzo Leonardo, Jun Ramos, Jaime De Luna, Rudy Fortes, Bert Cuyugan (Proxy for Alfonso Bascos), Rico Tallud.