2013: A Year of Weddings

When it rains weddings, it pours. 2013 started out and ended off with a total of four of our friends' weddings. All these couples had attended ours! We're so happy to spread the love and share in their joy.

In March, there was Duy and Madeline, who got married at Dynasty Restaurant where Duy's live band often performs.

A lineup with mothers

Cake time

In June, Chip and Evo had their ceremony at San Francisco's City Hall and had a guest reception at Tarragon Restaurant in Downtown Sunnyvale.

Happy Couple

Tables named after sci-fi/fantasy characters

Guest entertainment: Cards Against Humanity being one of the favorites

In the last weekend of September, David and Ayami had their guest reception at Palmdale Estates, after they've flown to Hawaii and Japan to do their ceremonies. Talk about a powerhouse couple--I could only manage to do one wedding, and that's plenty enough for me!

Guest photos in the Best House

Very rare sighting of David dancing

A unique wedding with a kyudo demonstration by Ayami's Sensei

Hand-calligraphy placecards with wildflower seeds as party favors

A picture from their wedding in Japan

Ayami's kimono was passed down by her mother

Back-to-back with David's and Ayami's wedding was Andy's and Agnes's wedding in the first weekend of October. What made this one so special was that the couple asked me to preside over their wedding as their officiant. I was floored when they asked me earlier in the year, and it was definitely a memorable and special experience to be able to join two people in matrimony.

We snapped this picture right before the ceremony. The black leather portfolio was used by our friend Kate Evans to officiate Tung's and my own wedding.

Ceremony at Pulgas Water Temple

Groom's vows

A lot of details in their wedding were DIY, and equally special was spending time with Huong and Ellen (my cousin and mutual friend of the couple) to work out the details leading up to their wedding. We had Agnes's bridal shower in a glass art studio where we made trivets and had lunch at Oasis Bar & Grill in Downtown Pleasanton. Then we had a karaoke/dance party to practice making cake-pops, and we also met again at Andy's place to put together wedding decor and practice for the big day.

The backstage crew done setting up

Placecards

Andy and Agnes visit tables at Pampas during their afternoon reception

Andy and Agnes both got bears made at Build-a-Bear, to be showcased on their welcome table at the reception. Agnes' bear sported a pink ballerina tu-tu and held a medicine bottle as a nod to her pharmaceutical career. Andy chose to have his bear dressed up with a gi for his practice of aikido. The hakama was custom-sewn by another aikidoka.

There is one common thread to all four of these weddings aside from all the couples having attended ours: I have done aikido with all the grooms, from college and beyond...

Including with my very own groom, of course! Here are some couples selfies. Congrats to all the newly married couples this year! May you forever enjoy the love and light of matrimonial bliss.

At Duy's & Madeline's - 3-9-13

At Chip's & Evo's - 6-6-13

At David's & Ayami's - 9-28-13

At Andy's & Agnes's - 10-5-13