(From left) Ria Atayde and Zanjoe Marudo. Image: Nice Print Photography via Instagram/@onlyzanjoemarudo
More than a month after announcing their engagement, Zanjoe Marudo and Ria Atayde tied the knot in a private ceremony witnessed by their loved ones on Saturday, March 23 — which also happened to be Atayde’s birthday.
Marudo announced the intimate affair on Instagram, calling Atayde his “wife” following an intimate wedding in an undisclosed location.
The actress looked radiant in her elegant off-shoulder gown with bell sleeves, holding a simple bouquet of flowers, while Marudo looked dapper in his simple black tux. In another photo, the couple were all smiles while a confetti of petals surrounded them.
“03.23.24. Happy birthday my wife,” he said in the caption, where the date apparently referred to their wedding date.
The couple exchanged “I dos” in a civil ceremony in Quezon City, officiated by Mayor Joy Belmonte, per an exclusive report by entertainment journalist MJ Felipe on his X (formerly Twitter) page.
Atayde’s family, as well as fellow celebrities such as the actress’ sister-in-law Maine Mendoza, Marco Gumabao, SexBomb member Jopay Paguia, Kaye Abad, Jane Oineza, Kyline Alcantara, and Jake Ejercito congratulated the couple.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@onlyzanjoemarudo
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@onlyzanjoemarudo
Images: Screengrab from Instagram/@onlyzanjoemarudo
Photography studio Nice Print Photography shared more glimpses of Marudo and Atayde’s civil wedding on its Instagram page.
Marudo’s surprise wedding announcement comes after Atayde confirmed their engagement last Feb. 20, which was followed by the actor in a separate post.
The couple’s relationship was confirmed by Atayde’s mother, screen veteran Sylvia Sanchez, in an October 2022 interview with broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez. Sanchez also pointed out that she’s supportive of the actor as her daughter’s partner.