f. duncan reyes events by design: JOHN & PEI

One day, Jay and Marisol Puerta, for reasons that are beyond us, insisted on introducing his friend John Casas to her friend Pei Chen. Feigning interest in Mixed Martial Arts, Pei met John at a group gathering and took immediate liking to him because of his self-directed jokes and his disdain for conservatives. John instantly liked Pei, for her ability to keep up with the random topics he would pick to talk about.

Pei's Side of the Story:  Your heart will always know, unmistakably, when it is consistently, tirelessly happy. For Pei, who is emotionally, eh, interesting, John has been an antidote to negativity. She has never been happier in her life. It's hard to pin-point why John makes her so happy. Maybe it's because John is mentally energetic, emotionally tender, and so freakishly wise. Or maybe it's because of his off-tune singing, his creative insults, his curly red hair, or his ability to fix squeaky doors. Two people full of goofy cynicism, existential despair, mysteriously deep rooted love will eventually find each other and find the meaning of why life is. Love is a mystery.

John's Side of Things : When John met Pei, he hadn't imagined that he could find someone so driven, and yet so kind. During their first few dates, John tested Pei with his outlandish thoughts and claims, to see how much of "him" she could take. John found a patience and generosity that soon humbled him into behaving. John is in awe that two people can have such opposite viewpoints when it comes to the little things, yet come to perfect agreement on the larger issues. Pei has a pure soul, and John is grateful for her support, her loyalty, and her companionship.

So, thanks to the Puertas, to mixed martial arts and its glorious violence, Pei and John stumbled upon each other and will never, ever need a reason to be apart.

Thanks to the following Vendors for creating a memorable Wedding Day they'll never forget. And thanks to my fabulous Associates, Mimi Renfro-Rodriguez and my Mom, Erlinda de Vera, for all your hard work to make this special for them.

Cake: Chef Bala Subrahmanyam with The Cakemaker

Catering: Lynn Box, Chantel Ginocchio and Peter McCaffrey with Wine Valley Catering

Entertainment (Ceremony): Rachel Turner-Houk with Synchronicity Strings

Entertainment (Reception): DJ Jason Mitchell with Music Solutions Disc Jockeys

Floral Design: Amy Burke with Amy Burke Designs

Hair and Make-Up: Giselle Phan

Hotel Accommodations: Kathryn Hom with Hyatt Summerfield Suites

Lighting Design: Stefania Contreras with Atmosphere Lighting

Officiant: Fr. John Mabry, Ph.D.

Photo Booth: Dennis Menendez with Lightsky Photobooths

Photography: Loic Nicolas with Loic Photography

Printing & Design: Mimi Renfro-Rodriguez with Creative Designs by Mimi