While our main purpose of going to LA on Memorial Day weekend was for Megumi & Daniel’s wedding, we got to squeeze in some time to have some recreational fun of our own in between the wedding preparations and festivities. Here are some other photos and videos from our weekend in Los Angeles.
Afterwards we checked in at the Hilton in Glendale for the weekend, and the girls were so happy to get to the hotel room after being in the car for over seven hours!
On Saturday morning, we met up with Estella for lunch. While we had became close friends from working together at a web design studio in Oakland, she’s now attending Art Center in Pasadena, so it was great to see her again in a new city! I am always so inspired by Estella whenever I see her — her drive, ambition, and talent are all things I admire so much about her, and I cannot wait to see the places she’ll go! She’s also one of those friends with whom you can just pick up right where you left off and just chat and joke with so naturally — I so love and treasure that about my friendship with Estella. 🙂 I’m pretty sure we’ll still be like that fifty years from now.
After lunch, we said goodbye to Estella and drove over to the LACMA to see the Urban Light exhibit that I’ve always wanted to see in person. Of course, there were so many people there as it was a Saturday afternoon, but we still had fun looking around!
Sunday was a busy day as it was Megumi & Daniel’s wedding day, and while I was occupied with preparations as part of the bridal party, the girls got to cool down at the hotel pool before making their way over to the wedding venue.
The next morning, we had to get up super early at dark o’clock to get to LAX, return our car, and make our 8am flight back to Dulles. We were all pretty exhausted and sleepy, but thankfully everything went smoothly and we were able to make it back East without leaving any of our sanity or children behind.
A huge thank you to all the family and friends who made us feel so welcome and made everything so memorable and enjoyable while we were visiting California! It was truly a treat to see all of your faces, and we miss you all so much already. Hopefully we can make it over there again to visit soon! 🙂
After spending a week in Northern California, we drove down on Friday, May 22nd for the much-anticipated wedding of our dear friends Megumi & Daniel! The rehearsal dinner was on Friday evening, and the wedding was on Sunday, and we were honored that Megumi and Daniel had asked Mio and I to part of their bridal party — I was so touched that Megumi had asked me to a bridesmaid, and Mio a flower girl in what was to us the wedding of the year! We were all so excited to see them and our mutual friends again since it’s been so long since we were last together, but it was truly extra special to be there by their side as they tied the knot.
We drove down on Friday and got to Glendale in the afternoon, in time for the rehearsal at Vertigo, where the ceremony and reception would be on Sunday. The rehearsal went well, full of heartwarming moments and hugs with friends we had missed so much!
After the ceremony rehearsal, everyone was invited to Daniel’s parents’ beautiful home in Alhambra, where a taco truck catered a delicious rehearsal dinner, along with lots of amazing sides and desserts cooked up by Megumi and her family and friends.
They loved taking selfies with my camera, so I took a bunch of videos of the adorable kiddos.
On Saturday evening, we had dinner at Granville in downtown Glendale with some of the other bridesmaids and friends from San Francisco/Nakayoshi who were in town for the wedding. So glad we got to spend some extra time with them. 🙂
Sunday started bright & early for the bridesmaids, as we got breakfast together at the hotel and gathered in Megumi’s suite for makeup and hair.
Of course, I had to get it on video, too.
Because I was in the ceremony, and Dan was busy wrangling a cranky Mirei, we unfortunately don’t have any photos from the actual ceremony, but it was beautiful and tearjerking, and so fitting for Megumi & Daniel!
Afterwards, we had fun mingling with friends, and Mio had a ball playing with the photobooth props.
Megumi changed into a gorgeous purple kimono for the reception. It went perfectly with her wedding color scheme, and she looked absolutely beautiful in it!
During the reception, Megumi surprised Daniel by serenading him with John Legend’s “All of Me” during the slideshow. It was so romantic, and Megumi has such a beautiful voice. 🙂
Alas, we couldn’t stay too late into the wedding, as we had to catch a plane very early Monday morning, so we had to say our goodbyes and return to our hotel to pack and get a couple hours of sleep before we had to depart the following morning.
Congratulations Daniel & Megumi! We were so happy we could be there for your big day. Thank you for letting us be a part of it! ♥