Yesterday was a very special day for our family, as my younger brother Ted got married to his girlfriend of four years, Elisa! Their wedding was at beautiful Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna. I had the honor of being a bridesmaid in the wedding, and it was great being a part of the lovely celebration of the happy couple’s love!

Mio and I before the wedding.
Mio and I before the wedding.

 

It rained a little in the afternoon, but the sun came out just in time for the ceremony!
It rained a little in the afternoon, but the sun came out just in time for the ceremony!

 

Mio sharing a moment with her favorite uncle before the wedding.
Mio sharing a moment with her favorite uncle before the wedding.

 

Oh the excitement!
Oh the excitement!

 

The ceremony begins with the mothers lighting the unity candle.
The ceremony begins with the mothers lighting the unity candle.

 

The groom Ted enters with his groomsmen.
The groom Ted enters with his groomsmen.

 

Processional of the bridesmaids
Processional of the bridesmaids led by myself.

 

Here comes the bride!
Here comes the bride!

 

Ted and Elisa at the altar
Ted and Elisa at the altar

 

Reading their vows together... they had each other in tears. (A rarity since I haven't seen Ted cry since he was a child!)
Reading their vows together… they had each other in tears. (A rarity since I haven’t seen Ted cry since he was a child!)

 

Exchange of rings
Exchange of rings

 

Officially husband and wife!
Officially husband and wife!

 

Happy groom!
Happy groom!

 

Happy bride!
Happy bride!

 

Cupcake tower at the wedding!
Cupcake tower at the wedding!

 

Loved their cake topper!
Loved their cake topper!

 

Mio got to sneak a mini cupcake before the cake cutting!
Mio got to sneak a mini cupcake before the reception began!

 

Entrance of the bride and groom at the reception
Entrance of the bride and groom at the reception

 

Mr. & Mrs. Ted & Elisa Yokoyama
Mr. & Mrs. Ted & Elisa Yokoyama

 

The couple sharing their first dance.
The couple sharing their first dance.

 

...which then turned into the Harlem Shake!
…which then turned into the Harlem Shake!

 

The couple coming around to our table. Mio gets some love from Uncle Ted!
The couple coming around to our table. Mio gets some love from Uncle Ted!

 

Congratulations Ted & Elisa!
Congratulations Ted & Elisa!

 

Love this picture!
Love this picture!

 

The bride & groom with our parents.
The bride & groom with our parents.

 

"Bottoms up!"
“Bottoms up!” This picture of Mio cracks me up.

 

Another gem of Mio... take note of her expression.
Another gem of Mio… take note of her expression.

 

They even had goodie bags prepared for the kids at the wedding!
They even had goodie bags prepared for the kids at the wedding!

 

The cake-cutting!


 

Mio had so much fun on the dance floor!
Mio had so much fun on the dance floor!

 


 

Glowsticks in hand.
Glowsticks in hand.

 

...and in her hair.
…and in her hair.

 

Mio and Mama dancing.
Mio and Mama dancing.

 

"Congratulations Uncle Ted!" Mio loves her uncle. :)
“Congratulations Uncle Ted!” Mio loves her uncle. πŸ™‚

The whole wedding was a beautiful celebration that reflected Ted and Elisa very well. We wish them the best in their new life together as husband and wife. Welcome to the family, Elisa! Congratulations to the couple on this wonderful start to their happily ever after. ♥