Mail-a-Bride, Philippines (1986)
In April of 1986, Arlie Paterson, age 58, an American from Long Beach, California, married Evangeline Flores, age 23, from Cebu, an island in the Philippines.
They met through an international matchmaking service called Pacific Overtures, one of 100 organizations introducing American men to Asian women. Arlie’s mail-order romance began soon after receiving a catalogue (for a fee of $120.00) listing over 300 possible candidates. Arlie selected more than 90 women from the catalogue and, after numerous introductory letters, singled out Evangeline to be his mate. After exchanging four more letters, Evangeline accepted his proposal.
Exactly one year later, Evangeline and Arlie were married by a judge in a Chinese restaurant before family and friends.
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie Paterson, upon his arrival to meet his future bride. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie Paterson and Evangeline Flores in a taxi from the airport to a nearby hotel. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie meets Evangeline's family at their home. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie and Evangeline playing with her veil, bought at JC Penny's in the United States. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie and Evangeline playing with her veil, bought at JC Penny's in the United States. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Evangeline Flores prepares for her wedding at the home of her godmother. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie & Evangeline at their wedding ceremony, which was held in a local Chinese restaurant. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie & Evangeline at their wedding ceremony, which was held in a local Chinese restaurant. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie & Evangeline at their wedding celebration. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie & Evangeline at their wedding celebration. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie & Evangeline leaving the restaurant where their wedding was held. 1986
Cebu, Phillippines. Arlie, in the traditional American manner, carries his bride ovr the threshold of their hotel room. 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie & Evangeline in their hotel after the wedding celebration. 1986
Tearsheet from Asia Magazine, 1986
Tearsheet from Asia Magazine, 1986
Cebu, Philippines. Arlie & Evangeline in their hotel room the day after their wedding. 1986
Exactly one year after the correspondence began Arlie Patterson (58) arrives in Cebu to meet his mail-order bride Evangeline Flores (23). She will be his 4th wife.
They get married in a local Chinese restaurant and honeymoon at a nearby hotel.
The morning after they planned their future.
