Rusty Pelican Restaurant

Rehearsal Dinner

Chua Lien Hoa Temple

Wedding Ceremony

Ceremony

City Cruises - Newport Beach

Wedding Reception

Our Wedding

The Pig and the Dragon

In a quiet valley beside the lantern-lit rivers, there lived a gentle young Pig named Thanh Loan. Her coat shimmered like morning sunlight on rippling water, and when she walked through the paddies, dragonflies followed her as if she were a moving sunrise. Thanh Loan was unlike the other pigs in the village. While the others spent their days rolling happily in muddy fields, Thanh Loan loved peaceful things: floating lotus flowers, warm rain, and listening to the old fishermen sing beside the river at dusk.

She lived in a tiny bamboo cottage surrounded by banana trees and bright orange birds of paradise. Every morning, she carried baskets of herbs and fruit to the market while humming softly to herself. Every evening she would climb the little hill behind the bamboo grove and watch the sky turn amber, imagining the world beyond the mountains. Far away in the misty mountains lived Nông Dân, a proud wood Dragon. His scales were polished wood, layered like ancient tree bark, and tiny leaves sprouted along his spine. His eyes glowed a warm mossy green. Nông Dân soared above forests and clouds with fire in his breath and thunder beneath his wings. Villagers told stories about him during storms. Some feared him. Others admired him. But despite all his strength and power, Nông Dân often felt lonely. The Dragon wanted something he could not name.

One year during the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, Nông Dân flew down from the mountains to see the glowing river of Hoi An for himself. Lanterns shimmered across the water like fallen stars. As he landed clumsily beside the riverbank, his giant tail accidentally knocked over an entire fruit stand. Mangoes, coconuts, and dragon fruit rolled everywhere. “Oh dear,” said a voice nearby. Nông Dân looked down nervously and saw Thanh Loan the Pig staring up at him. Instead of screaming in fear like everyone else usually did, she simply sighed and began gathering the scattered fruit. Nông Dân watched her graceful, rhythmic movements, intrigued. “You’re very large,” she said politely. Nông Dân blinked. He had never met a golden pig before. Her voice reminded him of warm sunlight spilling through the forest leaves at dawn. “You’re...not afraid of me?”, Nông Dân nervously asked. Thanh Loan shrugged. “You look more embarrassed than dangerous.” This made the Dragon laugh and snortle. It sounded like distant thunder rolling across the mountains. From that night on, Nông Dân kept returning to the riverside village. At first, he arrived with excuses. “I only came to see the lanterns again,” or “the mountain winds pushed me this way”, he would claim. Thanh Loan always smiled knowingly but never argued. Soon they spent their evenings together beside the river. Thanh Loan taught Nông Dân how to fold paper lanterns with his enormous claws, though he accidentally burned several of them. Nông Dân carried Thanh Loan high above the clouds on his back so she could watch the sunrise over the sea. The villagers were shocked. “A Pig and a Dragon?” they whispered. “Impossible.” But Thanh Loan never cared what others thought. And Nông Dân, for all his pride, listened only to her. Whenever the Dragon grew angry or restless, Thanh Loan calmed him with gentle words and bowls of sweet rice soup. Whenever Thanh Loan doubted herself, Nông Dân reminded her that kindness was its own kind of strength. One rainy evening, while they sheltered beneath a banyan tree, Nông Dân lowered his great wooden head sadly. “I can command storms,” he said quietly. “But I do not know how to keep someone I love.” Thanh Loan stepped closer and touched his nose softly. “You don’t have to command love,” she whispered. “You only have to protect it.” The Dragon’s eyes shimmered like firelight. From that day on, Nông Dân stayed beside the river instead of returning to the lonely mountains. Together, the Pig and the Dragon built a beautiful life. Nông Dân used his fiery breath to light thousands of lanterns during festivals. Thanh Loan planted gardens overflowing with lotus flowers and herbs along the riverbank. Travelers came from distant villages just to see the strange and wonderful pair who loved each other so completely. Years passed peacefully. And every night, as lanterns floated across the water beneath the moonlit sky of Hoi An, the Dragon curled protectively around the Pig while she rested against his warm wood scales. The villagers eventually stopped calling them strange. Instead, they called them lucky. For everyone knew that where the Dragon’s strength met the Pig’s gentle heart, happiness would always follow.

Our Story

Photos

The wedding ceremony will be held at Chùa Liên Hoa Buddhist temple, 9561 Bixby Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92841, at 2:00pm in the afternoon. The temple is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, and parking is available on the residential streets. The wedding ceremony will be held in the main prayer hall, and seating is limited. When entering the main hall, please remove your shoes. There are seats and viewing windows around the hall exterior where you can view the ceremony from outside. We request that you dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Also, please speak quietly and be respectful to maintain the tranquility of temple grounds. There is limited parking available in the temple's parking lot, but we request they are reserved for the senior attendees. Parking along Bixby Avenue is recommended. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

Chùa Liên Hoa Temple, 9561 Bixby Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92841

Wedding Cermony

The wedding ceremony will be held at Chùa Liên Hoa Buddhist temple, 9561 Bixby Ave, Garden Grove, 92841, at 2:00pm. The temple is nestled in a quiet residential neighborhood, please speak quietly and be respectful to maintain the tranquility of temple grounds and the surrounding neighborhood. The wedding ceremony will be held in the main prayer hall, and seating is limited. When entering the main hall, please remove your shoes. If the main hall is full, there are seats and windows around the exterior of the temple where you can view the ceremony from outside. We request that you dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Limited parking is available in the temple parking lot, so we request they are reserved for our senior attendees. Parking on the street along Bixby Avenue is recommended. Light refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

The wedding reception will be held aboard the Wild Goose yacht, located in Newport Beach, CA, and operated by City Cruises. The wedding reception is a dinner cruise within Newport Beach harbor, and it will feature dinner, drinks, and dancing. We're turning part of the yacht into a tiki lounge, so bring your best tiki and tropical vibes along! Boarding for the Wild Goose will begin at 5:30pm, and the yacht will leave the dock promptly at 6:00pm. The yacht will return to the dock at 10:00pm.

About Parking 

Parking is available on a first-come first-served basis at the City Cruises lot at 2431 West Coast Highway, Newport Beach. Additional parking is available within walking distance at a city-owned pay lot on the corner of Avon Street and Tustin Avenue. That lot is managed by <a href="http://us.parkmobile.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://us.parkmobile.com/</a>

About Gifts

Suzie and George thank you for thoughtful consideration of gifts, however gifts are not necessary. Your attendance at our wedding is the most important gift we can receive. Please note that due to Coast Guard regulations, guests are not allowed to bring gift boxes on board the yacht. However, gift envelopes are ok.

About The Wild Goose

The Wild Goose is best known as the private yacht of John Wayne. For nearly two decades, the Wild Goose was John Wayne's private retreat, social club, and floating home in Newport Beach. Many people who knew him said they understood the real John Wayne best when he was aboard this yacht. The Wild Goose became a floating gathering place for his celebrities and friends. Guests included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., and Bob Hope. Poker games, drinks, storytelling, and late-night conversations were legendary. People often said Wayne was far more relaxed and humorous on the boat than in public. The Wild Goose was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 2011. Read more about the Wild Goose here: <a href="https://www.museumships.us/other/wild-goose" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.museumships.us/other/wild-goose</a>

Travel

The wedding reception will be held aboard the "Wild Goose" yacht

Things To Do

Registry

The wedding ceremony will be held at Chùa Liên Hoa Buddhist temple. Buddhist temples are sacred spaces, and dressing appropriately demonstrates respect for the spiritual environment and its practitioners. Here are some key principles: Cover Shoulders and Knees: Both men and women should wear long pants, skirts, or dresses and tops with sleeves. Sleeveless tops, shorts, and short skirts are considered disrespectful Modesty and Simplicity: Avoid tight, revealing, or flashy clothing. Neutral or muted colors are preferred, while bright colors, bold patterns, or denim may be inappropriate Comfortable Clothing: Loose-fitting clothes are recommended for ease during meditation, walking, or sitting on the floor. Minimal Accessories: Limit jewelry, makeup, perfume, or cologne to avoid distraction and maintain a respectful presence. Footwear and Accessories Shoes: Remove shoes before entering temple buildings. Slip-on shoes or sandals are practical for easy removal. Shawls or Scarves: Some temples provide cover-ups if your attire is insufficient, but carrying a light scarf or wrap is advisable. Practical Tips * When in doubt, overdress slightly rather than underdress.* Avoid using mobile phones excessively or drawing attention to yourself.* Maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor, keeping in mind that temples are active places of worship. Following these guidelines ensures a respectful and mindful visit, allowing you to engage with the temple environment appropriately and harmoniously.

Our wedding reception dinner cruise will have a tiki lounge for your tropical drink enjoyment. Guests are encouraged to dress "Island Chic" or "Smart Casual". The goal is to balance fun, tropical prints with standard dining etiquette. Men should wear a collared or floral shirt with nice shorts or linen pants, while women can opt for breezy sundresses or tropical jumpsuits. Keep these practical styling and comfort tips in mind to ensure a great night: For the Tiki ThemeMen: Hawaiian shirts (the louder, the better), linen button-downs, and neat, casual shorts. Women: Flowy tropical dresses, maxi skirts, or jumpsuits. Bright colors and floral prints are highly encouraged.Accessories: Think leis, tropical hair flowers, or straw hats to lean fully into the vibe. Cruising EssentialsFootwear: Flat, non-slip sandals or boat shoes are best for walking around the deck. Avoid stilettos, which can be dangerous on a moving boat. Bring a Layer: Evenings on the water get breezy. Always bring a light sweater, cardigan, or denim jacket. What to Avoid: Skip dripping wet swimwear and beach flip-flops in the dining areas. Most dining cruises strictly prohibit tank tops, athletic wear, and ripped jeans.

Suzie & George

Suzie & George

Wedding Ceremony