This couple had a unique souvenir for their guests on their wedding day!
Bride and long-time events planner Zsarina “Rina” Sarmiento-Bourin said that after working in the industry for more than a decade, she thought of the best way to give a second life for the flowers that they used during their wedding day.
“Being a wedding planner, I realized that I don’t want to waste all of the fresh flowers. So before we do this partying, you may take home the fresh flowers. I planned the flower arranging station there. If you want to bring home some fresh flowers, you may do so,” Rina announced during their wedding last March 14, 2024, in Tagaytay.
“Normal na kasing mag-uwi ng flowers sa wedding, but no one really announces it. The following day after our wedding, may flight kami nang maaga so ayaw ko nang isipin kung anong gagawin ko dun sa sobrang daming bulaklak. Also, I didn’t prepare for any souvenirs. Tapos ‘yun, nag-take home sila.Para walang masayang dun sa in-invest naming flowers. Number two, para introvert friendly. Kasi introvert din ako eh,” she told The Philippine Star during an exclusive interview.
Rina said that out of more than 300 weddings that she had as a planner, this one was the most memorable and special one. “After 300 plus weddings, I get to experience this being all dolled up and not stressed at all.”
She added that their wedding planning was smooth like butter since she has contacts with different suppliers. Her groom Xavier took note of his assignments in the planning.
“Para ma-experience niya [Xavier] rin ang wedding planning. Ang assigned sa kanya was alcohol, food and music. The rest sa‘kin.‘Yung theme namin na tropical, sa kanya rin galing ‘yun. Kasi ako gusto ko minimalist lang eh. He said na, Rina, most of my guests are coming from Europe so gusto nilang ma-feel na nasa tropics talaga sila. And it all worked out well naman,” she shared.
Back to their DIY flower arrangement souvenir, Rina said that she was happy that their guests enjoyed the moment.
“For me ang cute kasi the following day, they visited their parents, their grandparents, sa sementeryo. Some naman nag-send na ni-rearrange nila ‘yung flowers. Natuwa ako,” she noted.
“Ang daming nagtatanong kung business ko ‘yun, so sabi ko, “No. Actually naglagay lang ako ng station.” Sa sobrang daming nagtanong, nag-put up na ako ng business,” she added.
Rina and her now husband Xavier first met in 2014 when she and her sister studied for a short program in Europe, where Xavier was the student coordinator.
“Mixed group of people from different parts of the world. Mas nalapit siya sa mga Pinoy.Naging close friends kami pero walang anything na-develop noon,” Rina said.
They kept in touch even after the program and when she got back to the Philippines. Until Xavier reached out to her saying that he will stay in the Philippines for an internship for a year.
“He became a close family friend din. ‘Yung family ko ‘yung kumbaga guardian niya. Finally, after so long, naging kami. It was really straightforward lang. We were hanging out umalis na ‘yung friends namin. Tumabi siya sa‘kin, and then he said, ‘You know what, Rina? Don’t you realize na finally after so many years, sabay na tayong single? Ayaw mo bang i-try?’” Rina recalled.
“’Takot ako na baka mawala kita as a friend pero I feel like this is something special.’ Ako, hindi na ako pabebe girl. Sabi ko, ‘Okay.’ It was really smooth. Eight years kaming friends. Sa eighth year naging kami,” she added.
Xavier proposed to Rina on October 25, 2022. On March 12, 2024, they first got married in an intimate civil wedding followed by their garden wedding two days after.
“Focus on what you want. I-highlight n’yo kung ano ‘yung magre-reflect na anong gusto n’yo as a couple. Just enjoy the process. At the same time, para hindi kayo ma-overwhelm with wedding planning, i-by chunk n’yo siya, by milestone. Think about also the experience of your guests,” Rina stressed when asked about her message to brides and grooms.
