All photos courtesy of Sara Jordan Photography.

Kevin and I were an anti-wedding couple. In fact, we were planning to get hitched at a local Court House, the painless way. I was never one of those girls who dreamed of a perfect wedding growing up. Just between you and me, I actually disliked weddings because I found, not all, but most of them to be unbearably corny.

Then, on Thanksgiving Day last year over turkey dinner, we got trapped by our families into having a formal ceremony and reception (Japanese mothers can be very convincing, I tell you). We fought the idea for a while, but we soon realized that the wedding is not just for us, but for our parents as well, who have perhaps dreamed of this day for many, many years.

We decided to give them the gift of appreciation by granting their wish.

We agreed to have the wedding but Kevin and I figured that if we are going to have it, we were going to do it our way, on our own terms. This meant no traditional things like cake cutting, first dance, garter and bouquet tosses, slide shows, speeches, chicken dance … none of those cheesy stuff.

Instead, we decide to incorporate everything that we love – good friends, good food, good drinks, good dessert, and of course, our beloved Los Angeles Kings  – into the theme, and make it as less wedding-like as possible. For a long time, we didn’t call this event a wedding (the evil “W” word) and referred to it simply as dignified luncheon with friends and family.

Now looking back (even though it’s only been a few days), having the wedding was the best decision we’ve ever made. The day was perfect … just perfect.  The moral of this story?  Listen to your mothers.  They know what they’re talking about.

Our friend Gabriel officiated the ceremony and delivered the most heart-warming vows.

Bailey, the Los Angeles Kings mascot, made an appearance at the wedding.  I think Kevin and I were more excited to see Bailey than the actual wedding!  We LOVE him so much!

Instead of the traditional grand entrance, ours was the players introduction like the one at a hockey game.  The wedding party entered the room with a hockey stick in hand!

Never mind the first dance! This is our first faceoff!

Here’s to best friends anyone can ever have!  Lots of love to Winston, Daichi, Liwei, Saori, Maya, and Tiffany, for making this an amazing day for me and Kevin!

I will post about amazing vendors (photographer, florist, DJ, the venue, alternation, makeup artists, photo booth, etc.) in separate posts!

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Speaking of LA Kings, how about those boys!  We are the Western Conference Champions!  WOOT WOOT!  I’m so excited about the Stanley Cup playoffs that’s about to kick off next week.  I’ve waited many years for this moment. Winning the Cup this will be the ULTIMATE wedding gift! Go Kings go!