The Wedding... Mike + Meredith

I absolutely LOVE this couple. Meredith is one of the sweetest people you'll ever meet and Mike is SO talented! Here is their story in her words:

"We met in the summer of 2004 on a humanitarian trip to Hitachinaka, Japan, a small town outside of Tokyo. We were in Japan building churches in the inner city among urban poor, and teaching Japanese children the English language. After developing a deep friendship and both realizing our shared passion for traveling, God, and helping the urban poor, we began dating a couple of years later. Another year after that, Michael proposed to me at Carpinteria State Beach on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This beach held many special memories to us because it was the first place we expressed our love to one another. Once engaged, Michael, a fashion designer by trade, expressed to me his desire to design my wedding gown. After nearly twenty five fittings, several hundred beads, and hours of labor by Sok Tea, my dress was completely breathtaking. The dress, mixed with the overwhelming love shared by family and friends from all over the world, made the wedding day picture perfect."

I also wanted to add that I've had the pleasure of getting to do two weddings with these wonderful bridesmaids and they are so incredibly fun!!! I love these girls!!! Congratulations Mike and Meredith! Enjoy each other always... xoxo Shannon

Wedding Gown: Designed by Michael Abe, the groom, and made by Sok Tea in Hacienda Heights
Shoes: Made and bought from a street vendor in Brazil, South America
Grooms Suit: Custom designed and made
Location: Ambassador West Campus in Pasadena, CA
Wedding Planner: Meredith Abe, the bride
Floral: Sara Marroquin of Los Angeles
Cupcakes: Dots Bakery of Pasadena
Cinematography: Steve Opperman
Linens: Unique Party Rentals of Glendale
Lighting: Unique Party Rentals of Glendale
Invitations and Programs: Kristi Wolford of KW Designs in Glendora, CA
Wedding Coordinator: Kristina Schwartz in Covina, CA
Event Design: Meredith Abe, the bride
Catering: Johnny Carinos of West Covina, CA
Hair: Marcos Garcia of Tu La Diva Salon in Glendora, CA
Makeup: Michelle Kelley in Los Angeles