Once permission and approval have been given, the festivities begin.  Out come brigades of waiters carrying the first of an eleven course meal of fine Hong Kong style cuisine.  It starts with shark fin soup, includes braised noodles (for longevity) and ends with various delicacies.  Interspersed during meal time were various "events".  In addition to the introduction of the wedding party, first dance,

We "open up" during our first dance.  Cindy's intrically beaded dress (borrowed from friend Celine) in made of woven Pineapple leaf fiber.

bouquet toss, garter throw, cake cutting

What goes around comes around.  Cindy replays Tom's joke from the first wedding.

and toast from the best man,

During the evening, Cindy would periodically disappear and  return wearing another outfit.  All told, she would wear five dresses during the evening: the western wedding gown, a traditional Filipino wedding dress made of pineapple fiber (thanks Celine), a bright red Cantonese style wedding gown, a bright red Mandarin style dress with long slit up the side of the thigh, and a glamorous iridescent evening gown.  I was a bit of a fashion plate myself, changing from black sweater with Chinese emblem medalion, to black tie for the greeting of guests, to red tie and vest for the tea ceremony.
 

Other events:

Cindy takes the stage to talk about her first years in America and the influence of her ESL teachers.  She shared lovely stories of each as s/he was called to the front to receive a rose.   On Cindy's right hand side (black dress) is Helena (mother of the bridesmaids), who became so dear, that Cindy refers to her as "my American mom".
 

By popular demand, "the white Sammy Davis" takes the stage to once again sing "The Way You Look Tonight". Groomsman Rich Manzell and Best man Herman provide back up as they did on the reception yacht at the Niagara Falls wedding.
 
 

Cindy dances with Tom's brother Mike while Tom dances with his Mom.  Cindy has changed to the Mandarin style dress.
 

Cindy's brother Mark takes over the dance floor and gives lessons to the crowd.

As is the tradition, the entire wedding party moves from table to table offering and receiving toasts.

To your health and wealth!

Tom decides that it's time to celebrate his heritage too, donning a kilt.  Cindy was posing for the cameras when Tom came up from behind and surprised her.  (Celine, the woman who first wore the Filipino wedding dress passes by)
 

Thanks for sharing in our celebration, whether you were there in person, or in spirit.
 
 
 

Click here to go to the pre-wedding events

 

Click here to go to photos and description of the "Tea ceremony" (wedding)

 

Click here to go to the studio photos