How We Pulled It Off: A Calamansi-Scented Wedding in Cebu, Philippines

When Maulik Joshi proposed to Erika Sabalvoro in Paris around Valentine’s Day in 2024, it didn’t take long for the New York City-based couple (he's a vice president in finance; she's a vice president of social media for a bank) to settle on holding their wedding in the Philippines: It’s where Erika was born and lived until 2016, and where much of her family and friends still reside. “Obviously, my roots are there, so it made sense to (1) pick the Philippines, and (2) pick a place known for relaxation, because we wanted it to feel like a vacation and celebration for everyone,” says Erika. Maulik Joshi and Erika Sabalvoro, seen here in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower, were engaged in Paris around Valentine's Day, 2024. Given Erika's family hails from the capital city of Manila, the couple pondered celebrating around the beachy hubs of Boracay or Cebu before settling on the latter, which is the nation’s second-largest city. While the couple were familiar with the culture and language, planning a wedding from 8,000 miles away wasn’t exactly a walk on the beach. Ahead, the newlyweds share how they arranged their January 2026 nuptials for 73 guests at the Shangri-La Mactan,