Two cultures stitched into one: Rockford couple’s unique wedding wear creates social media buzz

By Chelsea Meyer
B103 Rockford

ROCKFORD — One Rockford couple’s wedding turned into a local TikTok sensation thanks to their fashion-forward approach to tying the knot.

RVC Starlight Theatre Director Mychall Cornejo and Music Director Mark Miller were preparing for their big day after getting engaged on stage in 2023. Cornejo wanted to honor his Filipino heritage in a way that felt not just authentic but also special and meaningful.

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Filipino tradition calls for the male to wear a ceremonial white top that is typically ornate, Cornejo explained.

“It’s called a Barong, which is what my dad wore,” he said. “So, since he wore that, I wanted to find a way to incorporate that into our ceremony.”

Cornejo initially wanted to wear a green suit, but his fiancé urged him to wear white. So, he went with it. What Cornejo ended up designing was a beautiful white suit jacket with a cut out back laced with flowers and a flowing veil that swept from the shoulders to the floor behind his feet.

“You only get one wedding in your entire life and I wanted to find a way to make it special,” Cornejo said.

For Cornejo, the veil and suit weren’t just pieces of fabric — they were symbols of identity, pride and love. He set out on a mission with his sister, Elyssa, to find decals with intricate patterns by searching online and at fabric stores that would best represent the rich symbolism of this Filipino tradition.

After gathering the materials, they brought it to Tad More Tailoring, 6116 Mulford Village Drive, suite 15, a local shop that specializes in turning old garments into new treasures.

Amanda Davis, a bridal specialist at Tad More’s Tailoring, said this was all Cornejo’s vision.

“He did a lot of the heavy lifting; we told him where to find these premade lace decals that we could add to the suit and so he went out and found it and he sat down with his sister, and they figured out where they wanted everything to go and all we did was pin it onto the suit for him to wear,” she said.

Davis said being able to create something unique that you can’t find anywhere in a store is the most rewarding part of her job.

“I spend my days trying to make people feel happy in their clothes, and feel good in their clothes, and feel like they are a real representation of themselves,” she said.

Cornejo stepped out for his wedding day on Saturday in an all-white grandiose ensemble with touches of Filipino flair. Sophia Fanara, a friend who attended the wedding at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa in Galena, said she “audibly gasped” when she watched Cornejo walk down the aisle.

As for Miller, his first look at Cornejo was outside on the patio overlooking the lake.

“There were tears and not a ton of words at first,” Miller said. “It sounds cliche but I was a little speechless for a minute.”

Together, the couple was a visual symphony — a celebration of love, culture, and the beautiful fusion of two worlds. Miller said the first look was an intimate moment amidst the nerves and anxiety of making sure the big day went smoothly.

“It was like catch your breath, find your calm, and now turn around and see your husband in an hour, to be,” he said.

A single video that captured this moment was posted on Tad More Tailoring’s TikTok, and it has now been played more than 121,500 times and generated more than 35,000 likes. The video showcased not just a garment, but the craftsmanship that Mazen Qassab, Amanda Davis and the rest of the team at Tad More Tailoring poured into it.

Sarene Alsharif and her team at Tad More Tailoring are all about giving old clothes a fresh start.

Instead of letting them gather dust or becoming wasted textiles, they work their magic to turn them into stylish new outfits or cherished keepsakes. It’s like they’re giving your wardrobe a second chance while also doing their part to reduce clothing waste.

For those getting married soon, Tad More Tailoring is upcycling magazines and creating wedding day vision boards with couples for their big day. Couples will be able to ask wedding planning questions and enjoy light refreshments at this Wedding Vision Board Creation Event on from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on May 25.

The second event is a Sustainable Wedding Decor DIY workshop where couples will be able to join in on making upcycled wedding decorations. This event will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on June 27 at Tad More Tailoring.

Tad More on Tik Tok

Check out the video below:

https://www.tiktok.com/@tadmoretailoring/video/7363354446119669035

This article is by Chelsea Meyer of B103’s Morning Routine. Contact her at chelsea@b103rockford.com.