Yes… he’s carrying a huge roasted pig!!!  =)

Jan and Kim had a hybrid wedding:  a traditional Vietnamese and a Western-style wedding.  Their day started early with a Traditional Vietnamese Ceremony.  In a traditional Vietnamese wedding ceremony or a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony, the groom’s family would come over (to the bride’s family) and receive her.   They would line up in a specific order with the first person being a representative from the groom’s family, followed by the parents of the groom, the groom himself and then his friends and family.  The groomsmen would carry different trays of gifts representing the wealth that the groom’s family will bring to the brides family.  There are about 6 to 8 different trays filled with goods (i.e. fruits, cakes, wine/tea, fabrics,  an abundance of jewelery for the bride… and of course a ROASTED PIG!! ).  Can’t forget the pig!  Gavin (my fiance) would always jokingly tease me by saying… ” All I need is a pig for your hand in marriage?!?!  You realize your parents are switching you for a pig!!!”  Silly Gavin…

Upon arriving at Jan’s house, the groomsmen would then hand over the trays to the bridesmaid.

The bridesmaids would then carry the trays in and place them on Jan’s ancestor’s altar.

The ceremony begins with the Jan and Kim lighting incense sticks and asking for a blessing from the ancestors.

Following the prayers, Kim and his mom gave Jan the jeweleries that were brought over.

A formal tea ceremony is a must in a Vietnamese wedding ceremony.  Jan and Kim served both sets of parents tea.   However, in a Chinese wedding ceremony, the bride and groom would have to serve tea to both sets of parents, grandparents, as well as aunts and uncles.

After the Vietnamese wedding ceremony was over, Jan and Kim changed out of their Ao Dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) and got into their American wedding attire.

Love the dress!!!  Simple…. yet so elegant!

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What’s a blog entry without my famous ring shots!?!?  =)

Before their church ceremony, I did a quick session with the bride and groom and their bridal party.  I love the contrast in the two colors that Jan had selected for her girls… red and black!!  It is definitely one of my options for our wedding.

It was raining on Jan and Kim’s big day, but these two love birds did not let the rain bring them down one bit!  Jan and Kim are awesome!! I really adore their friendliness and down-to-earth attitude.

Kim’s uncle was their officiant and he did an awesome job.

Here are a few detail shots at the reception hall

Jan and Kim had an awesome… I mean…. AWESOME grand entrance!!!

It’s so sweet how the entire bridal party joined hands, embracing Jan and Kim with lots of love!!  Great group of friends!!

You can tell how much a man really loves you from the way he looks at you.  And from this… I can feel the love that Kim has for Jan!  You both are an amazing couple.  I wish you nothing but the best for the rest of your lives.

Oh yeah… and the tiger too!! Khoa is Kim’s brother and his tiger costume was a total HIT at the reception !!

Grrrrr… show ‘em what you got Khoa!!!  LOL…

Of course… I HAD to pull his tail!!!  Thanks Doug (of furious photographers) for the picture!!  Hahaha…

Jan ended the night wearing a lovely evening gown and dancing to “Lady in Red”…

Congratulations Jan and Kim!!!  Thank you for having me and Doug be a part of your special day!!

Click here to see their engagement session at the Mondrian and the Standard Hotel in Hollywood.

Jan and Kim’s wedding was a great way to end year 2009!!  I am super excited to step into 2010 with many more exciting wedding stories!!!

Cheers everyone!!!