I usually leave wedding crashing to the professionals, like actors Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn in their 2005 buddy movie that featured two single guys who made a hobby out of hitting strangers’ weddings. Recently I delved in a little wedding crashing of my own at Sabrina Rendon and James Chapa’s Asian-themed wedding, complete with a lion dance, a Taiko drum show, and cheesecake to die for. Okay, I didn’t crash the wedding – I received an invitation from Sabrina, in order to give my account of their truly unique wedding more authentic.

Sabrina and James share a mutual military background, as Sabrina grew up all over the world, including California, Austin, and Japan, as an Air Force brat. James, originally of San Antonio, joined the Air Force Academy and later became a pilot. On November 12, 2005, their paths crossed when Sabrina hosted a party at her downtown loft in Austin and James attended the party, while visiting a mutual friend and partygoer.

“James was stationed in Tacoma, Washington, and was driving through Texas to Oklahoma for three months of training,” said Sabrina. “We met at the party, had dinner the following day, then sat outside and talked for 16 hours straight. I talk a lot, but I never thought that I could talk that much. We said our goodbyes and I knew I wanted to marry him. At that time, I was enjoying single hood, and James came out of nowhere and blind-sided me. Lucky me, I found my soul mate.”

For the next three months, James drove from Oklahoma to Austin to visit Sabrina. Two weeks into their courtship, he began planning the marriage proposal. “James shopped around and couldn’t find a ring that he thought was special enough for me,” said Sabrina. “So, he decided to design a one-of-a-kind ring. He drove between three different cities and two different states to work with different jewelry specialists who all assisted in the creation of my little treasure.”

On February 18, 2006, James created a trail of red rose petals in the house and played Sabrina’s favorite Disney movie, “Beauty and the Beast” in the background. He placed an upside down vase, similar to the one used in “Beauty and the Beast,” on a table, with a single floating rose placed inside it. Below the rose stem was a jewelry box.

“James bent on one knew and asked me to marry him,” said Sabrina. “He had a whole speech, but I was in shock and he had had to ask me twice. The moment was still romantic and special. Those funny little hiccups just reflect our unique relationship.”

Planning for a 2006 wedding began. Two months later, James was sent on a mission in Iraq and was reassigned to Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii for July 2006. Sabrina had three weeks to plan a wedding. Since downtown Austin was the couple’s meeting place, it was important to them that they wed in one of their favorite cities.

The couple’s November 11, 2006 wedding began at Central Presbyterian Church in the late afternoon. James and Sabrina decided against a wedding party, and stood together in front of the church. Sabina’s mother and father walked her down the aisle. “We both grew up Catholic, and it was important that our marriage was blessed,” said Sabrina. “Since both of James’ parents are deceased, we asked both of our extended family members to stand and give their support.”

A well-known Taiwanese designer crafted Sabrina’s gown. The hand-sewn dress incorporated pearls, sequins, and lace, as well as a 12-foot train. “I envisioned a princess dress,” said Sabrina. “I wanted something that stood out and didn’t look like every other wedding gown out there. Her design was based on the European monarchy, which definitely gave it the royal, princess feeling that I wanted. When the designer finished the dress, she had grown so attached to it that I wasn’t sure she was going to let me have it. She is an incredible seamstress and artist.”

At the ceremony’s end, the Chapas invited their 75 guests, who had traveled from California, Louisiana, South Carolina, Las Vegas, Alabama, Washington, New Jersey, Chicago, and various Texas cities, migrated to the Hilton Downtown for the reception.

Sabrina explained her methods for choosing vendors. “It was critical that every vendor be down-to-earth, sincere, real people,” she said. “Those are the kinds of people that I surround myself in my personal life, and it is who I wanted surrounding us on our special day.”

The couple held a pre-reception, with a butler who passed hors d’oeuvres and musical entertainment was performed by a comedy Mariachi band. Guests had a variety of choices for their plated meal, including a seven-ounce filet mignon topped with café de Paris butter, baked Chilean sea bass and pan seared soft shell crab, or chicken Florentine filled with spinach, mushroom, and boursin cheese. Cheesecake was served instead of traditional wedding cake, because it is one of the couple’s favorite desserts.

Vivian Miller of Fairy Tale Weddings kept the festivities moving. “Words cannot express the incredible job that Vivian did,” said Sabrina. “She was a dream come true.”

The Chapas chose to include lighting to add magic to the reception. Sabrina explained the effect. “Andres Salas of Presentation Services Audio Visual (PSAV) put the magic in our reception,” she said. “As a wedding gift, he added a photo of us on a plasma TV, and included the up-lighting in the pre-reception area. I can’t thank him enough for the incredible gift.”

The couple wanted an entertaining reception, which left their guests surprised. They created a setting for guests to sit and relax, as drummers, dancers, and a DJ performed. “I am half-Taiwanese, and first saw the Austin Taiko as a University of Texas student at a Chinese lunar new year’s festival, where several Asian cultures were represented,” said Sabrina. “Since I grew up in Japan, I love everything about the culture. The Taiko drums send chills up my arms and I thought they would be fabulous at our wedding.”

Eight members performed traditional festival songs and a war song for soldiers. “Since many of our guests were out-of-town military members, this added a personal touch,” said Sabrina. “Taiko drums were historically played during warfare to encourage soldiers, and through the centuries become a tradition at festivals.”

James’ best man gave a rousing speech, as did Sabrina’s maid-of-honor. Sabrina’s father gave a sentimental and touching toast to the couple, welcoming James into the fold. But it was Sabrina’s mother that kept the crowd entranced. She told tales of Sabrina’s childhood and jokingly called her daughter spoiled. Each heartfelt speech was delivered with love, and it was obvious that the family members and friends had long ago accepted the two as a couple, and wished them a happiness-filled future.

The second act was the Chinese lion dance, traditionally meant to repel evil and bring prosperity and luck to the newlyweds. The incredibly agile dancers flowed and moved with such grace as they wooed the audience and created a truly distinctive ambience.

Eric Doggett, of Eric Doggett Studios captured the night’s events for the couple’s photo album. “Eric really put his heart and soul into the photography, and stayed much later than required,” said Sabrina. “He had such a talent for putting us at ease, and capturing every moment so naturally.”

The upbeat tempo continued as local celebrity DV Mike Swing transitioned into the dance portion of the evening, with old-school turntables and 1980s beats. “DJ Mike Swing is one of the hottest DJs around the warehouse district,” said Sabrina. “He never plays weddings, so we were honored that he was a part of our wedding memories.”

The festivities ended at 11pm, as the newlyweds took a carriage around the capital city. The spent their wedding night at the Hilton Downtown. “Since we are stationed in Hawaii for the next three years, we plan to honeymoon everyday here in paradise.”

Austin Resources

Cake:
Cheesecake by Hilton

Caterer:
Hilton

Ceremony:
Central Presbyterian Church

Coordinator:
Vivian Miller of Fairy Tale Weddings & Signature Events

Entertainment:
Austin Taiko, Mariachi En Fuego, and the Texas Dragon Dance Team

Flowers:
Kathi Thomas of Kathi Thomas Design

Gown:
Glow from Taiwan

Hair and Makeup:
Tammie Garza and Adrienne Pitkin of Makeup by Adrienne

Lighting:
Andres Salas of Presentation Services Audio Visual (PSAV)

Music:
DJ Mike Swing

Officiant:
Dr. Tom Estes

Photographers:
Eric Doggett Studios and Rayna Mercer of Ray of Light Photography

Reception:
Downtown Hilton

Transportation:
Die Gelbe Rose Carriage