Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto shed tears of joy when they tied the knot Monday afternoon in an intimate Christian garden wedding ceremony in Tagaytay Highlands, Tagaytay City, attended by some of society’s most popular, most influential and wealthiest figures.

Raymart cried first and guests speculated that it is partly because the date March 27 is also the wedding anniversary of Raymart’s parents, Pablo and Cielito Santiago. He probably missed his father who passed away years ago on this special occasion, observers said.

Those present at the event noted, “When Raymart and Claudine were finally asked to kiss, they kissed and hugged four times.” Attendees also witnessed a shower of rose petals from and ABS-CBN helicopter and fireworks towards the end of the entire celebration.

Claudine walked down the aisle with her father Miguel Alvir Barretto.

The bride and groom became emotional while reading their marriage vows, moving some of the guests to tears.

“A marriage made in heaven” was how actress Helen Gamboa, one of the principal sponsors, described the union.

There were 26 principal sponsors to the star-studded wedding. Among them were former Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto, Comedy King Dolphy Quizon, Lipa City Mayor and actress Vilma Santos, ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp. chairman Eugenio Lopez III and Mowelfund president and actress Boots Anson-Roa.

The other principal sponsors were GMA Network EVP and COO Gilberto Duavit, actress Susan Roces-Poe, Dr. Perfecto Palafox, Dr. Vicky Belo, Mayor Edmundo Jose Buencamino of San Miguel, Bulacan, restaurateur Glenda Barretto, former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada, ABS-CBN’s Charo Santos-Concio, GMA Network’s lawyer Felipe Gozon and Wilma Galvante.

Claudine’s hair was up in a bun, done by Celeste Tuviera. She looked so fresh with her make-up by Juan Sarte. Randy Ortiz came up with a bustier white wedding gown with a very long train with roses (same material as the gown) on the back. During the reception, Claudine took off the veil and wore a beaded bolero over the gown. Raymond Isaac was present to oversee the photography.

Because the couple wanted to keep their wedding private, only ABS-CBN was allowed to cover the event.

The ceremony, which was scheduled at 4 p.m. at the picturesque country club, was delayed for about 30 minutes because it rained just before the entourage began to march.

Some 300 guests of family and close friends shared Raymart and Claudine’s moment. Among them were Claudine’s sister Marjorie who was the matron of honor, while the couple’s daughter Sabina was among the flower girls; four pastors from Victory Christian Fellowship who offered prayers for the couple; Gary Valenciano who sang “The Prayer” during the ceremony; Raymart’s brother Randy who co-hosted the reception program with Agot Isidro.

Performers included Piolo Pascual, Kuh Ledesma and Gary.

Other guests were Sharon Cuneta, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, Anthony Pangilinan, Maricel Laxa, Sander and Mons Tantoco, Willie Revillame and Liz Almoro, Rica Peralejo, Nikki Valdez, Angelica Panganiban, Ketchup Eusebio, Richard Gomez, Bearwin Meily, Patrick Garcia, Wenn Deramas, Rory Quintos, Chito Rono, Olive Lamasan, Kris Aquino, James Yap, Onemig Bondoc, Luis Manzano, Chokoleit, Jacklyn Jose, Lito Pimentel, Manjo del Mundo, Ricky Lo, Ethel Ramos, June Rufino and JV Ejercito (proxy for his father Joseph).

The rest of the entourage consisted of relatives and friends of the couple in the entertainment industry, including groomsmen actor Bobby Andrews, and Raymart’s brothers, Rowell and Randy. The bridesmaids were actresses Assunta de Rossi-Ledesma, Jenny Miller and Ciara Sotto.

Secondary sponsors included Aga and Charlene Muhlach, Edu Manzano, Benjie Paras and Maricel Soriano.

The full coverage of the wedding and the couple’s fairy tale romance will be shown in a TV special titled “You Are The One: The Claudine-Raymart Love Story” on ABS-CBN on April 2.