the love story (from the hilarious bride)
We met by mistake.
JK.
Our mutual friend, Ivan, brought 4 boys to hang out with my roommate, Jackie and I during our final quarter at UCLA. We hung out and played card games and two of the boys ended up loosing. Since they lost the bet, we made them model in our tightest shirt and shortest skirt and took pictures for memories. Peter wrote down his email and asked me to send over the pictures for future “blackmailing” purposes.
Later, he asked me out. On our very first date, he showed up at exactly 6pm with the weirdest roses bouquet ever. The bouquet has every single color rose you can imagine. He had this clueless look on his face as he said, “I don’t know what color you like, so I got you everything.”
romantic proposal (from the bride)
The year was 2014, I had finished my dental residency in West LA and decided to move back to Fountain Valley to be closer to family add friends. We were so excited to attend a Halloween party that Friday night because we have planned our costumes for a year. We were sure to win that Halloween costume contest.
He was going to dress up as Jasmine and I was going to be Aladdin. We even had our own magic carpet and genie lamp.
To be honest, I thought Peter as Jasmine was more beautiful than most girls there. We were so exhausted after the party, we passed out right after we got home. The next morning, I discovered Peter was nowhere to be found. I was very surprised to see my brother and first thing I said to me was “Get up and read this!”
Next thing I knew he tossed a piece of wood and an envelope at me. It was only 5am in the morning! He told me to figure out the clue and that I had 30 minutes to pack all my essentials.
The letter inside said:
“Many times before, you’ve asked me how long I want to stay with you. I once thought “forever” might be exactly what I want. However, that really depends on how far we will go, and the things that we will do for one another. I’ve done what I think is best for us. I’ve gone far in order to prove to you how much you mean to me. Now it’s your turn to prove yourself. I’ve left you a clue, and a Hunter License. With this, I’ve granted you the rights of a Hunter. Now prove to me whether you really are a hunter or are you just a loser? COME FIND ME.”
In an envelope was also “Hunter License” from our favorite anime, Hunter x Hunter.
After reading the letter, I thought to myself, “Is he nuts? I don’t remember him falling and hit his head the day before.”
With that thought I went back to bed. My brother yanked the blanket off and literally kicked me off the bed. So I packed and figured out quickly the next clue was at my parent’s place and it was hidden underneath the sofa.
The 2nd clue hinted Santa Monica at the my old college apartment where we first met. My brother drove me all the way to LA and then dropped me off at my college apartment and drove away. There, I saw my roommate, Jackie, waiting for me with the 3rd clue.
The 3rd clue hinted my dental school, which is in San Francisco and I thought to myself, “Now he’s crazy.” Indeed, my roommate dropped me off at the LAX airport where our mutual friend, Ivan, was waiting for me. Then we found out our flight was cancelled and we rushed to the other end of the airport to catch the alternative flight. We were delayed by 3 hours.
When we got to San Francisco, it was 2pm and we were greeted by a poster board that said “lil Baby Bear” (it’s me). Behind the board was another friend, Truong, and he gave me a clue and drove to me to eat lunch at my favorite dim sum restaurant, the Hong Kong Lounge.
Then they gave me another clue which I figured was at my favorite shopping mall, Union Square. The boys drove off and left me stranded to look for the next clue. I walked around Union Square to find my friend Tammy and she made me look for the clue in the bushes.
Then she left me another clue that led me to my apartment that I stayed at during dental school at UCSF. The final clue was at the Mosaic Steps and I had to walked up hundreds of steps, hiked up a hill and each stop there was a picture of us and our friends together attached to the rail (there were 8 pics for a total of 8 years that we have been together).
At the very top of the hill I found Peter shivering in the cold.
Honestly, I don’t remember what he said to me because it was so damn cold on that hill. Later, he did tell me he spent the whole day rehearsing the speech because he was so nervous. This is how the speech ends:
“…how much I care about you, how much I love you, how far I will go for you, and how cannot live without you. And I truly hope that you feel the same way that I do. This journey with you has made me a stronger person, but yet so weak…so weak that my knees are buckling in your presence.”
With that, he knelt down and said, “Elaine, will you take this ring, help me up and be my strength for the rest of my life?”
My response, “Uh….” long pause.
What he didn’t know that he wasn’t the only one with the engagement ring.
I also went out and got an engagement ring and carried it around in my purse to wait for a moment like this (lame, I know).
After I found the box, I knelt down and said “I will only say yes if you say yes to me, too.”
So we both ended up with our engagement rings =).
the wedding day
This couple is absolutely unforgettable and one of a kind from the moment we met them. Their wedding was that and more. We’re blessed to share with you the beautiful wedding day of Elaine and Peter.
Firstly, how gorgeous is Elaine?!
We have to share that this is probably one of the most hilarious and unique weddings we’ve ever photographed. These photos…omg…
You’ve been warned!
Sometimes families fight.
And sometimes the bridal party is just freakin’ awesome.
She put a ring on it.
Then there’s Elaine and Peter, who are one of the most adorably in love couples ever.
Love all the gorgeous spots at the Turnip Rose Celebrations venue.
LOVE
Beautiful reception space
The VERY first time we’ve ever seen this kind of a grand entrance!
The groom insisted, “They’re going to carry me in like a pig.”
Awesome surprise karaoke song from the groom to his lady
Personal favorite mother of the groom and son moment
The reception games got crazy.
A bouquet toss like you’ve never seen.
Best large group photo!
congratulations
Congratulations, Elaine and Peter! OH MY GOODNESS, we know no two people like you. You two are amazing! Seriously, we were laughing and having such a blast from the moment we met. I hope you two know how much joy you bring to everyone around you. We pray immense blessings and love for your future and your family!
With all our hugs and love,
The DPARK Family
wedding vendors
- Wedding Photographers | D. Park Photography and Associates Russell + Cara
- Getting Ready Venue | Avenue of the Arts Hotel | 3350 Avenue of the Arts, Costa Mesa, CA
- Wedding Ceremony Venue | Heritage Museum of Orange County | 3101 West Harvard St, Santa Ana, CA 92704
- Cocktail Hour/Reception Venue | Celebrations by Turnip Rose | 1901 Newport Blvd, Costa Mesa, CA 92627
- Heritage Museum Coordinator | Jamie Hiber
- Celebrations by Turnip Rose Coordinator | Chrissy
- DJ | Alex Espinosa of Extreme DJ
- Officiant | Alan Katz of Great Officiants
- Hair/Makeup | Grace Lin Makeup and Hair Studio
- Florist | Oceanic Flowers
- Cake | Givral Bakery
- Video | PNFIV5 Studio
- Photobooth | Foto Cabina
- Bridal Gown | Kara Wedding
- Bridal Heels | Kate Spade
- Bridal Headpiece | Enze Bridal
- Custom Rings | Bride’s ring from JAJ Jewelry and Groom’s ring from Mark Schneider
- Thai Traditional Dress | Custom made from Thailand
- Vietnamese Traditional Dress | Ao dai from Thai Nguyen couture
- First Dance Dress | Rent the Runway
want more?
Check out their breathtaking downtown Los Angeles engagement here:
And their incredible Laguna Beach engagement here:
Capture your gorgeous love story with the DPARK family today!
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