They return to The Wedding to celebrate their love

Couple Roberto Villanueva and Roman De La Cruz went back to the scene of their wedded bliss, The Lincoln Center’s “The Wedding,” to celebrate their one-year anniversary.

A year ago, dance artist and higher education administrator Roberto and Roman, a hospitality professional, got married in Buffalo, New York, followed by an elegant and intimate reception for family and close friends. Weeks later, the duo also attended The Wedding as their way of sealing their matrimony, Manhattan-style.

In this year’s The Wedding, they were again joined by hundreds of couples including a pair who met in high school and have been together for 64 years. The Wedding, on its third year, was held at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.

“Roman and I attended the event for the second time. Basically, right after last year’s event, I told Roman we should attend the event yearly to renew our vows and to show our never-ending love for each other. He happily agreed,” shared Roberto in an interview with The FilAm. 

Vows made at The Wedding are not legally binding. The website says The Wedding “offer(s) New Yorkers the chance to celebrate love—from couples getting symbolically married for the first time, to those renewing vows or simply celebrating their love for the city.”

To make the event memorable, the couple made sure they stood out from the crowd with their attire:  extra-large bow ties and corsets with their shirtless tux. Roberto, who wanted the two of them to look sexy and stylish for the occasion, designed their look.

“It was a great hit from the time we entered the David Geffen Hall. Roman made the big bows that got everyone’s attention,” he said.

The couple invited their friends to attend. “They really enjoyed the experience and said they would do it again with us next year,” he added.

They got a kick out of the 360 photo-taking stations where they posed and kissed atop a revolving platform. They were drawn by a caricaturist and went home with Sephora Swag bags. There was also a henna tattoo station at the venue, which they decided to skip.

The program featured artists such as The Dance Cartel, Juilliard’s Alumni String Quartet, Street Beat Brass, Isaac Oliver, César Alvarez, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis, Harolyn Blackwell, Joshua Henry, and DJ Lina.

Toward the end of the performances, a short ceremony was held where all the couples joined hands and wrapped a loose ribbon on their wrists while they recited vows. The program was followed by a champagne toast and a dance at the promenade.

Unfortunately, everyone had to leave the dance early due to the rain. Nonetheless, people left with smiles on their faces.

“Roman and I are very much looking forward to attending next year’s event,” said Roberto.

Roberto and Roman met through a dating app and agreed to meet in person in the Philippines in 2018.

It was instant connection. Roberto was drawn to Roman’s sweet disposition.  Roman, who grew up in the coastal province of Pangasinan, enjoyed Roberto’s candor.  Their  journey from the Philippines to New York City was filled with adventure and laughter.  

In August 2020 at the height of the COVID pandemic, and with his mother’s blessing, Roberto proposed to Roman virtually via Google Meet. They wed April 22, 2023 in Buffalo, New York. Homebodies both, they enjoy spending time together at their Manhattan apartment. – Cristina DC Pastor