No stopping Richard-Sarah wedding despite COVID scare

Newlyweds Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Richard Gutierrez and Sarah Lahbati decided to forego the wedding celebration they had originally planned, and opted instead to tie the knot in a “simple and intimate” civil ceremony last March 14.

“I have you and it’s enough. It’s everything. Thank you, Lord, for today,” the newlyweds wrote on their respective Instagram pages along with some photos of their union, which was attended by family and a few close friends.

They intended to hold a grander event at Shangri-La at the Fort, where setup and decorations were already being mounted as early as March 12, according to event stylist Gideon Hermosa.

However, that same day, President Duterte announced that, beginning March 15, Metro Manila would be placed under a community quarantine.

“It led us to postpone the event,” Hermosa related on Instagram. “Richard and Sarah decided to have a simple civil wedding… I’m truly happy and grateful that this wedding came to life—not as big as we expected it to be—but it was as beautiful as their love for each other.”

Still, Richard and Sarah—who have two sons, Zion, 6, and Kai, 2—hope to have the celebration they had envisioned once the crisis comes to pass. Safety remains the top priority.

“The big gathering to celebrate with our loved ones, friends and colleagues will have to wait, because we care more about everyone’s safety and health,” stressed the show biz couple, who also wished safety for everyone.

“Lord, heal the world. Let’s spread love and kindness,” they added. —ALLAN POLICARPIO