Amado and Carmela Fores in a sweet moment before the reception at Araneta Coliseum (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
The wedding last February 19 maintained a low-key elegance, no matter that the groom is the son of the late culinary icon Margaríta Araneta Forés. True to his intensely private nature, Amado, founder of his own restaurant company, AF Hospitality, opted for a celebration that valued intimacy over spectacle. This restrained atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for Inno Sotto’s designs, which centered on his signature minimalist sophistication for the bride, Carmela Fortuna.
Carmela walks down the aisle with her parents, Aloysius and Natasha Fortuna (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
Bridal bouquet bears the rosary. (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
The couple at the altar, right before the nuptial rites: Inno Sotto designed an empire-cut silhouette in fine duchess satin. (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
The nuptial rites at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
At the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral in Cubao, the bride wore a strapless empire-waistline wedding gown and carried a lush bouquet of exotic orchids. This silhouette was held by a structured bodice that held the shape of the body. The fabric flowed into an extension at the back, creating a regal profile that highlighted the bride’s svelte frame.
The radiant bride
Bride Carmela Fortuna Fores in an Inno Sotto bare-back bridal gown (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
A dramatic detachable train measuring more than 10 yards was added to provide a grand entrance. Sotto has long favored duchess satin, because its inherent thickness and structural integrity allow the bridal gown to hold its shape and look without the need for excessive ornamentation. The fabric provided a subtle glow that looked regal in the church lighting, amid camera flashes. Sotto avoids overdecorating this material, because having too many elements can detract from the design’s premium feel and might make the design seem cheap or cluttered. Because Carmela is petite, the challenge was the weight of the dense fabric. Yet she managed to wear the weight with grace.
The newlyweds before the Coliseum facade (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
As the celebration moved to the huge reception at Araneta Coliseum, the look transitioned to a more accessible ensemble. The bride walked around in a shorter version of the dress by simply removing the massive train.
Newlywed Amado and Carmela Fores welcome guests to the reception. (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
The second part of her look featured a fully beaded cropped top, paired with long skirt whose waist sat three fingers below the navel. Despite these proportions, the ensemble looked modest and did not expose much skin. Sotto added a layer of fine tulle over the beaded fabric to mute the flashy beads. He described the taste of the bride as understated, noting that Carmela reflects a preference for simplicity common among women today. This preference stands in contrast to his clients from earlier generations, who often insisted on far more intricate details.
This philosophy of refined simplicity likewise defined the Sotto’s creation for Carmela’s civil wedding last May 2025. For that more private rite, he designed a strapless empire silhouette using a delicate mix of silk, organdy and organza. The dress was in a unique shade of “coffee with a lot of latte,” said Sotto. Delicate silk flowers enhanced the hemline. The designer observed that while a loose, strapless silhouette is commonly believed to be fattening, it actually serves to keep waist and hip measurements a mystery.
Chandelier-lit moment reveals the resplendant detachable train. (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
The success of the civil wedding gown led to three orders of a similar style. Though Sotto keeps a low profile and avoids social media, he still maintains a steady stream of clients from old money circles. His work for the Forés-Fortuna wedding extended to the aunts of the groom, Maria Victoria or Veána Forés and Mercedes “Bledes” Forés Legarda, co-managing director of Cibo, of which Amado is the president and CEO.
Choosing caramel over chocolate brown for Veána, Sotto made a nuanced decision that softened the official wedding palette. The shade felt lighter than deep brown yet richer than beige, allowing the gown to stand out while remaining in harmony with the theme.
The gown was defined by a clean, square neckline. Her upper frame appeared sharpened and streamlined. A subtle bias fold swept across the bodice, creating a line that added dimension to the fabric. This angled detail was purposeful, as it drew the eye inward to visually narrow the waist and elongate the figure. The look reflected Sotto’s architectural approach to couture. Instead of relying on surface decoration, Sotto used precise seam placement and the natural tension of the fabric to sculpt the body.
Bledes wore a blush pink gown with a one-shoulder silhouette that framed the neckline, drawing attention upward to lengthen her figure. The structured draping created a smooth, sculpted line that defined the waist. A standout feature was an extended draped panel with strips of fabric flowing from the shoulder. This cascading accent added movement, balancing the streamlined cut with a mix of softness and drama.
Amado and Carmela Fores make their way down the staircase, her sweeping train trailing down the steps. (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
Asked about the peak of that red-letter day, Sotto described his experience as exhausting yet exhilarating. His work began at 11 am in Carmela’s suite at the Novotel Hotel, and when the reception started at the Araneta Coliseum at 10 pm, the bride had transitioned into her second look.
Designer Inno Sotto described his experience as exhausting yet exhilarating
The influence of the late founder of Cibo and style maven, Margaríta Forés, was felt throughout the planning. In the months leading up to the wedding, Margarita herself curated various elements, from the bridal shoes to the linens from Europe. While she originally envisioned a dramatic black palette, Sotto advised against it, noting that black could disrupt the soft, cohesive atmosphere. He suggested midnight blue as alternative; however, Margarita ultimately decided on chocolate brown. This choice set the tone for the rest of the party, with other guests wearing a palette of nude, ivory, caramel, and tan.
The bride with her mother Natasha (Tatin) and grandmother Amelia Miranda (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
Carmela with her bridesmaids (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
Carmela’s mother, Natasha “Tati” Miranda-Fortuna, a fashion designer and manufacturer herself, maintained this color story, executing the chocolate brown shades for the bridesmaids’ gowns and the barong for the male entourage.
The ceremony began as soon as special guest President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. took his seat among the principal sponsors. Amado then made his way down the aisle, accompanied by his father, retired banker Eduardo “Danding” Yotoko.
The principal sponsors were drawn primarily from the inner family circle and close friends. First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos walked with her second cousin, former Cabinet member Manuel “Mar” Araneta Roxas II. The connection is rooted in the Araneta lineage: The First Lady’s father, Manuel Araneta Jr., was first cousin of Judy Araneta-Roxas, Mar’s mother and Margaríta’s aunt.
Family patriarch Jorge Araneta was flanked by his nieces, Veana Forés and Maria Lourdes “Ria” Roxas-Ojeda, Mar’s sister. Joining the march was Edith Yotoko-Villanueva, a prominent figure in philanthropy and the sugar industry, who was paired with the bride’s uncle, Karl Miranda, Associate Justice of the Sandiganbayan.
The medical profession was well-represented as Dr. Gerard Forés Henson, Dr. Catherine Fortuna, and Dr. Clarissa Fortuna marched together, followed by Dr. Leticia Miranda-Masui and Mimi Fortuna-Lachina.
Leaders of the culinary world were paired, as well. Eliza Antonino, co-founder of The Moment Group and a close family friend, walked with Jorge Vicente “Oye” Forés, executive vice president of Cibo. Prominent business leader Rosanna Tuason-Forés marched with banker Manuel Legarda, Bledes’ husband, while restaurateur Ma. Lourdes “Malou” Forés was paired with Margaríta’s best friend, Mark Gonzalez, the agenda-setting fashion retailer.
Amado and Carmela Fores (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
The wedding and reception flowed seamlessly under the direction of Bride’s Maids & Co., the pioneering events coordination firm favored by those in established social circles. Margaríta’s presence was felt from the start of the ceremony, when Bledes walked down the aisle carrying a portrait of her sister clad in a Pucci dress. She was escorted by her brother, Jose or Joe, Amado’s baptismal godfather. The venue was adorned with arrangements from Margaríta Florals, the business Margarita founded.
The ceiling of capiz panels lends a visual frame to the reception venue to create a compact, cozy atmosphere. (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
High-energy vibe reflected on the capiz ceiling (Photo by Aya Cabauatan)
At the reception, a special chair was reserved in her honor. Joji Duque styled the space to feel intimate and residential, incorporating Persian carpets, palm trees, and capiz square panels to diffuse the light. Ohm David served as consultant for the set design, helping to scale the vast area for over 700 guests, while Gina Godinez of Fullhouse Asia Production oversaw the technical execution. Given the clan’s place in the country’s culinary history, the food was abundant.
The evening’s program featured a performance by Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the rock band Journey, along with the AMP Band. Adding fire to the festivities, the Australian electronic music duo Flight Facilities provided the DJ sets.
By late evening, the ceremony’s formality had softened into something warmer. For Amado and Carmela, the day felt personal and meticulously organized, a celebration that remained their own even as it carried Margaríta’s touches.
