Knotted in Love: How does this bride turn her wedding dream into reality?

In a world where tradition and innovation coexist, couples embark on a journey to weave their love into every stitch, loop, and knot — resulting in the embroidery of memories as unique as they are. The beautiful world of not ordinary crochet-themed weddings, where exquisite patterns and delicate textures decorate every part of the celebration.

In the realm of weddings, the preparation is not easy and it brings too much hustle and bustle. Indeed, every detail holds significance. From selecting the perfect venue to curating exquisite mandala arrangements, from crafting personalized vows to orchestrating a symphony of flavors in the menu, each element plays a vital role in the journey of a couple's union.

A 30-year-old entrepreneur, fiber artist, and also a crochet pattern designer, Alyssa Gene Madriaga makes it look hustle-free as the day she waited for a long time came beautiful and beyond perfect.

Madriaga brought her crochet skill sets and supplies to her fantasy wedding, featuring a crochet wedding motif. From choosing the yarns for her bouquet that blooms eternal, not ordinary confetti, special bridesmaids' gowns, her fiancé, and now her husband's jackets, to her wedding gowns, everything was done with fancy yarns, creativity, and her artisan hands.

"Crochet" is a handicraft that employs yarn to create patterned fabric by looping it with a hooked needle, which produces clothing, socks, and other fabric items. Crocheting has traditionally been reserved for adults because of the time commitment, and it has never been easier to make.

Every aspect of the crochet-themed wedding of Madriaga and her husband Clifford Jan Manaois speaks to the artistry and dedication of the couple and especially the crafter herself.

“Designing my crochet-themed wedding brings me back to the old memories I had when I was young,” she said.

The crochet pattern designer has been crafting and crocheting since she was only 7 years old.

It is still vivid in her mind that his father was the first person in her life who supported and believed in her crocheting.

“Siya [her father] yung ano, siya kasi yung unang nagsupport sa akin sa pagkocrochet,” she said.

("He [her father] was the first to support me in crocheting.")

“My father bought me the 1st crochet yarn and hook, and ever since that day, I have never stopped crocheting.” Aly further mentioned that, even though their money was hardly enough to cover their basic needs at home at the time, her father still purchased her first yarn and hook even though it cost too much.

That's why having a crochet wedding theme was so meaningful to her. Aside from this is her way of escaping the chaos in life, it also reminds her of her dad.

“Crocheting has become a part of my lifestyle. The results of everything I create are heavily inspired by my life experiences as a fiber artist and crochet designer,” Madriaga expressed.

Aly said she crocheted every day. At first, it was only her hobby. Eventually, it became her source of income by selling her crochet products not just in the Philippines but also internationally.

She shared that to master crochet, crafters must be consistent, focused, and committed to learning.

“Yung crochet continous learning siya. So, hindi siya [crocheting] agad na magaling ka na porket natuto ka ng ilang stitches, nakanood ka na ng ilamg tutorial. Kailangan talaga everyday nagkocrochet ka.”

("The crochet is continuous learning. So, it's not [crocheting] that you're good right away because you've learned a few stitches, you've watched a tutorial. You really need to crochet every day.)

She further explained that “Being able to craft means a lot to me because it is my creative self-expression, and turning my imagination into reality is fulfilling.”

With each thread meticulously stitched into every aspect of the wedding paradise, they have crafted an eternal knot that links them together in a union as beautiful and lasting as the art of crochet itself. Their love stories are ingrained in the fabric of time. Where crocheting becomes a thread connecting their past, present, and future.