A Defining Moment

Location and Caterer: Cicada, Los Angeles, CA; Cake: Cake & Art, Los Angeles, CA; Florist: Commerce Flowers, Commerce, CA; Stationery: Celia Cho; Band: de Bois Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA; Makeup: All Made Up Team, Los Angeles, CA; Suit: Halston; Jewelry: Givenchy; Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Wedding Gown: Robert Rodriguez; Videographer: A Joyful Noise Production, Los Angeles, CA; Photography: Bliss & Chic Wedding Photography, Los Angeles, CA

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Harry Wong met Eileen Wong through mutual friends in 2007. They started talking and quickly realized some interesting parallels in their lives; it was like a puzzle coming together. First, Eileen learned that Harry had actually attended her sister’s wedding as a friend then they found out that they shared the very same last name. They both thought it hilarious and it became a defining moment for their relationship.

Harry muses: "There are so many reasons why I love Eileen, but if I had to pick one thing, it’s because she makes me laugh.” It turned out that they also both had a profound love of gourmet food. Throughout their relationship they made a point of dining at the most exquisite restaurants in California and abroad.

Like a true foodie, Harry proposed in February of 2010 after he and Eileen consumed a 10-course tasting menu. "The dessert plate came out and 'Eileen will you marry me?' was written out in chocolate,” recalls Eileen. Before she knew it, Harry got down on one knee and proposed. Eileen recounts: “Although it was very simple I didn’t see it coming and it ended up being a total surprise.”

In her capacity as Director of Operations in Design/Manufacturing for fashion designer Robert Rodriguez, Eileen lives and breathes fashion. When Robert sketched a wedding dress for her on a whim, Eileen thought he was joking. But to her amazement he was serious. In fact, totally dedicated, Robert made it a true haute couture project. More than 100 hours was spent sewing the dress made of 150 yards of pristine silk tulle. Four fittings and lots of intricate custom work later, and Robert took it upon himself to give the dress a delightful finishing touch: adorning the back of the dress with a custom-made floral design.

It didn’t stop there: he and his partner, Nicola, took Eileen shoe shopping, where Eileen had an incredible Cinderella moment. "We actually stood in the Christian Louboutin store for hours trying on shoes, but couldn't decide until Robert spotted this one shoe in the corner all by itself," recalls Eileen. "It was the only shoe left and it was my size." As it turns out, the store associates revealed that it was actually the last pair in the states. "I tried it on and it fit perfectly,” says Eileen.

On their wedding day, the couple stopped at the Ambassador Mansions and Gardens in Pasadena for a blitz photo session before proceeding to the First Congrational Church for their ceremony. A reception at Cicada in downtown Los Angeles followed. Known for being a beautiful Art Deco venue, it was the perfect backdrop for their 300 guests.

To pay respect to ancient Chinese tradition, Eileen changed into a beautiful hand-embroidered wedding dress embellished with a golden phoenix and dragon later in the evening. While she and Harry held hands, a traditional symbolic Chinese lion dance was performed to the delight of their guests for procuring good fortune for their marriage.

A mecca for food and fashion aficionados alike, they chose Paris for their honeymoon destination followed by an excursion to Rome.

Location and Caterer: Cicada, Los Angeles, CA; Cake: Cake & Art, Los Angeles, CA; Florist: Commerce Flowers, Commerce, CA; Stationery: Celia Cho; Band: de Bois Entertainment, Los Angeles, CA; Makeup: All Made Up Team, Los Angeles, CA; Suit: Halston; Jewelry: Givenchy; Shoes: Christian Louboutin; Wedding Gown: Robert Rodriguez; Videographer: A Joyful Noise Production, Los Angeles, CA; Photography: Bliss & Chic Wedding Photography, Los Angeles, CA