Pat and Tduk's (pronounced d-oo-k) love story is stronger than most. They met in Thailand while Pat was on a short term missions trip. Tduk was working for the organization the team went to serve and unbelievably, those ten short days lead to three years of skyping, phone calls, texting, and an occasional visit from Pat to Thailand.
Eventually Tduk was approved for a passport and she was finally able to make her way to the states. Last Saturday these two finally tied the knot. Isn't that a remarkable story? I think it takes extraordinary people to have such a love story.
The ceremony was at Venice, Pat's home church, and the reception at Maggianos at the Grove. Here are pictures I've pieced together, sorry for the bad quality!
Vows
The beaming groom and the bride with her new family.
The reception was where it was at. Maggianos is really a great place to have a reception. There was sooo much food and because it was family style, you were allowed to asked for seconds! Our table got extra calamari and bruschetta :) The room was small but well appointed. Huge chandeliers hung in the room and rich wood paneling lined the walls. It was intimate but felt fancy.
Here are the girls at my table. We were sitting at a primo table because Pat's sister, Grace, was at our table (second from left). I think I've told her too much, but seriously, girl looked stunning. Streamlined and simple but beautiful and mature from head to toe. I can't get over it!
Some of the guys attempting their "sexy" pose.
But my all time favorite photo was this one. There really is nothing like older people in the photobooth. And can I just say, my mom never ceases to rock it (center blonde with blue electric guitar glasses).
I find there's usually one part of a wedding that stands out. For Aimee and Blane's it was the ceremony, and for Pat and Tduk's, it was the reception. Blane did a really great speech, he was funny but also heartfelt, Grace's Auntie was hilarious, Kiki's video was touching, the food was great, the dessert even better, the raffle really fun, and the MC was spot on perfect. But the icing on the cake was an impromptu speech by Pat's younger brother, Ricardo.
Being the oldest sibling in a family who immigrated from the Philippines, Pat worked hard from a very young age. And through the years he eventually gave up school so that he could help put his brother and sister through school.
Knowing that, maybe you can imagine what Ricardo's speech was like. There was not a dry eye in the room. And I think, looking at Pat as a whole, this wedding really spoke to the man he is - gentle, loving, devoted, supportive, tenacious, caring of others, hard working, and loved by many.
They're in hawaii right now and I hope so much for the two of them - because they're the couple you root for, ya know?
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