Popular and well-loved wedding planner Rhed Sarmiento celebrated her birthday last week amongst her closest friends in the wedding industry at Sitio Elena in Cainta, Rizal. 

Celebrations during the pandemic have become simpler, but it has certainly become more meaningful with few and far between meet-ups. 

Events are more difficult to execute since it requires another layer of planning with new guidelines. Gone for now are the multiple chandeliers one can swing from, out of this world themes, floor-length tablecloths, and cascading florals. A celebration made possible during difficult situations, albeit a simpler one makes for a more impactful memory. 

Some people hesitate to celebrate during these times. To view it from the other end of the spectrum—we have been through tough moments and the fact that we are all still standing and managed to whether the lockdown months are worth celebrating, especially when celebrated among kindred spirits or with cherished friends.

“I just wanted a simple party where my friends in the industry, who are amongst my dearest friends in life, can gather together and be with me because I’ve missed them all this time since the lockdown,” Rhed shared. 

This intimate dinner for twenty people at Sitio Elena may be small in size, but definitely not in terms of quality. Each guest was a wedding supplier as they were a good friend of Rhed’s—and aside from their presence, the loud laughter and stories shared that night—half of the guests contributed a professional service to the success of this mini celebration. 

“All I wanted was a simple barbecue with my dearest friends present! I asked my guests to come in pastel colors para yun na yung colors na masaya. Pero, ginalingan nila masyado,” Rhed reminisced.

Alex del Rosario of Juan Carlo Catering went all out in terms of food for Rhed’s twenty guests. He was hands-on and personally went to the market to buy the seafood. It took three trucks to deliver everything to the venue (tables, chairs, acrylic dividers, UV lights, food stations, etc). He was also a guest but was there from ingress after lunch to ensure that everything went well. 

Instead of a typical buffet, food stations were set up with acrylic guards. The wait staff served guests on their seats. Cutleries are placed in individual boxes next to the plates, as well as the customized envelopes for the face masks. Once everything was set up, they all got a UV light once over. 

Dave Sandoval created a “Muted Fall” look because “Rhed wanted a thanksgiving feel” to her celebration but didn’t like the usual orange that fall themes are associated with. “So I created a different approach. I used mostly dried, and bleached flowers in whites and creams then mixed it with fresh pine leaves and pinecones. For a playful effect—I added owls! And of course, candles. I still used pumpkins but sprayed them with white floral spray. Seeing Rhed happy with the set-up—I’m happy doing this for her kasi forever siyang appreciative. Nagta-trust siya talaga in my ideas when we work together,” Dave said.

“Ang daming meaning ng fall/autumn and feeling ko it really applies to me,” Rhed said. “Fall is special because it represents transformation. This season is the perfect time to reflect on and embrace change—and that change can be beautiful. It’s a kind of early Thanksgiving also. Because despite the pandemic, buhay pa rin tayo. And this group of friends—ibang klase ang support. Professionally and emotionally. Iisa ang bituka namin. And aside from my birthday, this is what we’re celebrating.”

The Mega team behind Rhed Sarmiento’s ‘Muted Fall ‘ celebration 

• Caterer Juan Carlo The Caterer, Inc. X Alex Michael del Rosario @juancarlocaterer
• Venue Sitio Elena Events Venue @sitioelenaeventsvenue
• Styling Dave Sandoval @eventstylistdave
• Flowers Fleur du Monde @fleurdumondeph
• Makeup Toni Aviles @toniaviles
• Hair Manilyn Moster @gorgeousamakeupstudio
• Photo Jayson and Jo Anne Arquiza @jaysonandjoanne
• Cake Honey Glaze cakes @honeyglazecakes

All guests tested negative prior to the event.

Venue is currently under MGCQ. 10% capacity of the venue was occupied for the party.