A teenage girl's dream: Inside a student's 'Crazy Rich Asians' themed 18th birthday party - complete with two fairytale ball gowns and a $5,000 eight-tier cake

Christine Lim, a journalism student and aspiring actress from the Philippines, celebrated her 18th birthday with the party of a lifetime, treating 350 guests to a lavish 'Crazy Rich Asians' themed bash which featured two fairytale ball gowns and a towering eight-tier cake worth over $5,000 alone.

Her dream was brought to life by six fashion designers, two celebrity hair and makeup artists, a stylist, professional cake decorator and one of the country's most famous actors over the course of two years before the party on October 12.

Christine told Daily Mail Australia it took a lot of careful consideration to settle on her chosen theme because she wanted the event to 'look and feel like it was lifted from a fairytale'.

Journalism student and aspiring actress Christine Lim (pictured) celebrated her 18th birthday with the party of a lifetime, treating 350 guests to a lavish 'Crazy Rich Asians' themed bash which took two years to plan

The towering eight-tier floral cake (right) was made by Aileen Conde from Honey Glaze Cakes, a bakery in the Filipino capital Manila and cost $5,346 AUD

Festooned with hanging flowers, glittering chandeliers and a sea of dining tables exquisitely decorated with candelabras and silver cutlery, the grand ballroom looked as if it had been lifted straight from a movie set

What is the significance of an 18th birthday - or 'debut' -  in the Philippines? 

In the Philippines, an 18th birthday - known as a 'debut' - is one of the biggest events of a woman's life. 

Several generations ago in the Philippines, debuts were a way of introducing a young lady to society as a woman - who became eligible for marriage at the age of 18.

Of course today, the age of marriage is notably higher than in the past, but the Filipino debut lives on. Over the years it has become less marriage-oriented, and more about celebrating the debutante's life and entry to adulthood. 

For many Filipino parents with daughters, the debut is a serious consideration, and one they plan and save for many years in advance.

Traditionally, the debutante wears a grand ball gown and is surrounded by family and friends throughout a program that includes a rehearsed cotillion by the entourage, an '18 roses' segment, where the important men in the debutante’s life present her with a rose and invite her to dance, and an '18 candles' segment, where the important women in her life give individual speeches and well wishes.

Meticulously planned over two years, Ms Lim was involved in every stage of the preparation, from booking the venue to taste-testing food.

'It took me a little time to pick a theme before finally settling on a Kevin Kwan novel-inspired party,' she said.

'As any other debutante would, I wanted my party to look and feel like it was lifted from a fairytale, but at the same time, I wanted it to have a dash of spunk.'

Christine wore a staggering six dresses on her special night, including three 'prep' numbers by Natz Palad, Rop Syquia and Eve the Label, a 'five-in-one' dress from Black Code Manila and two immaculate ball gowns.

Christine worked with famed Filipino designer Mak Tumang to create her show-stopping dress for the main event - a Cinderella-inspired ball gown with a ginormous three-tier skirt and diamonds embellished across the bust (pictured)

Christine wore a staggering six dresses on her special night, including three 'prep' numbers by Natz Palad, Rop Syquia and Eve the Label, a 'five-in-one' dress from Black Code Manila and two immaculate ball gowns (pictured left and right) 

Custom made invitations featuring a colourful sketch of Christine were sent to guests in luxurious burgundy envelopes

THE PEOPLE  BEHIND CHRISTINE'S CRAZY RICH ASIANS DEBUT

Stylist: Badang Rueda

Photography: Nice Print Photography

Hair: Antonio Papa

Makeup: Effie Go

Dress designers: Mak Tumang, Michael Leyva, Natz Palad, Rop Syquia and Eve the Label.

Cake: Aileen Conde at Honey Glaze Cakes

Celebrity guest: Joshua Garcia 

Venue: The Clark Marriott Hotel in Central Luzon, northern Philippines

She worked with famed Filipino designer Mak Tumang to create her show-stopping dress for the main event, a Cinderella-inspired ball gown with a ginormous three-tier skirt and diamonds embellished across the bust.

Tumang is the designer behind the iconic lava gown worn by Filipina Miss Universe Catriona Gray in 2018. 

Her second dress - an equally elaborate red ball gown by Filipino designer Michael Leyva - featured an expansive skirt, sweetheart neckline and layers of jewels.

Celebrity hair stylist Antonio Papa and makeup artist to the stars Effie Go created Christine's stunning beauty look, which centred on natural, glowing skin, shimmering bronze eyeshadow and a glossy nude lip.

She wore her dark brown tresses in soft curls, with two strands of waved hair perfectly framing her face.

Festooned with hanging flowers, glittering chandeliers and a sea of dining tables exquisitely decorated with candelabras and silver cutlery, the grand ballroom looked as if it had been lifted straight from a movie set. 

Crazy Rich Asians trailer stars Constance Wu & Henry Golding

Her second dress - an equally elaborate red ball gown by Filipino designer Michael Leyva -  featured an expansive skirt, sweetheart neckline and layers of jewel embellishments

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While Christine is unlikely to have another birthday as spectacular as her 18th, she said her wedding could be an even grander affair

Guests were treated to a towering eight-tier cake, covered in edible flowers and lashings of forest green icing, which took pride of place in the centre of the room.

The extravagant creation was made by Aileen Conde at Honey Glaze Cakes, a bakery in the Philippine capital Manila, at a cost of $5,346 AUD.

But the best was saved until last when Filipino actor Joshua Garcia made a surprise appearance to serenade Christine with her favourite song, 'Everything' by Michael Buble, and dance her into her 18th year. 

'Honestly, I was speechless when he showed up. It felt like I had butterflies in my stomach!' she said.

'Joshua was my 18th dance during the 18 roses part of my celebration. It was definitely the highlight of my night, especially when he sang my favourite songs.'

Christine felt 'butterflies' when Filipino actor Joshua Garcia surprised her and serenaded her with her favourite song, 'Everything' by Michael Buble (pictured, Joshua presents Christine with her 18th and final rose, part of the Filipino debut tradition)

Celebrity hair stylist Antonio Papa and makeup artist to the stars Effie Go were responsible for Christine's dramatic hair and glam look

'That really meant the world to me. I admire his humility and his goodness to people - his charm was really irresistible that night!' she said. 

The photography, taken by Manila agency Nice Print Photography, captured the magic of the night.

And while Christine is unlikely to have another birthday as spectacular as her 18th, she said her wedding could be an even grander affair.

Source: DailyMail.co.uk