Not long after we settled back in Hong Kong, beaming from the best wedding and honeymoon ever, it was time to get back on a plane and fly to the US for more celebrations.
We were so so lucky to enjoy our wedding in Bali with a small group of close friends and family and even luckier that we could have another celebration in the US for those who couldn’t join us in Asia (add in extra luck that we both have jobs we love that allowed us the flexibility to do both! Although Peter’s boss can be a bit difficult.. 😉 )
Mill Valley
My new aunt and uncle, Suzanne and Guy, kindly hosted our wedding reception in their beautiful garden in Mill Valley. Peter and I were really excited about having the party there. Living overseas means we don’t get to spend as much time with our closest friends and family and as wish we could, so Peter and I knew we wanted our wedding in Bali and our reception in the US to be intimate and very personal.
Not only was the location in Mill Valley gorgeous, but it was a place Peter and I already had fond memories of from our previous visits to California so it was very meaningful.
We were so thankful that both of Peter’s grandmothers were able to make the trip to Mill Valley spend the day with us.
Granny and Grandmama
Our guests were mostly family members and I loved seeing Peter’s family and my family all mix and mingle.
The Remolonas
The Minettis
Mom & Mum
The kids especially had a great time frolicking outside with their new quasi-cousins. Can you tell they love their Uncle Peter?
Ceremony
Later in the afternoon we had a short Tatar wedding ceremony. The ceremony was extra special since as it turns out, Mullahbsi was the same Mullah that led Guy and Suzanne’s wedding nearly 32 years before.
Mullahbsi and two of his happy couples
Mullahbsi and his wife were so wonderful and kind! I’m no expert on the traditions and religious aspect of the ceremony, but I loved that while Mullahbsi was prepping Peter and me for the ceremony he 1. reminded me to put my wine glass down (oops!) and 2. explained that the ceremony used to have the bride say (in Arabic) something along the lines of– “I give myself” to the groom, 3 times, and the groom would say that he “takes her”, 3 times.
Luckily Mullahbsi reassured me that in 2016, both men and women “give themselves” to each other –rather than just the bride.
After the ceremony, there were more toasts, canapes and cake before Peter and I snuck away to Old Mill Park with the always wonderful, Ken Kienow.
Old Mill Park
Mr and Mrs Lampard
