Lele Zheng
&
Richard George Stephens
Welcome to our Trans-Atlantic Fairy Tale
LEEDS WEDDING DAY
When
Saturday, November 11th, 2017
Wedding Ceremony: 11:00
Wedding Reception: 19:00
Where
In October 2014, an American girl and a British boy both logged onto Tinder and matched. Over the next few days they started a journey that would take them all across the world.
A relationship of fun, love and humour kept them together despite the Ocean between them.
Now they come together in matrimony, another step on their wonderful journey together.
Our Story
Bridal Party
Anna's Awesome Bridesmaids
Maid of Honor
Jennifer Day
Jennifer has been Anna's best friend for over 16 years. They bonded over anime, tennis, and some late night girl gossiping. She has been the constant factor in Anna's life and was with her during some of her toughest moments. They promised to be each other's Maids of Honor in high school, to be the god mother of each other's children, and one day retire together to somewhere warm. They share many memories together, but some of their favorite are attending anime conventions, but being too poor to get a hotel and having to sleep in Anna's car. They partied until 2am and then tried to walk to McDonald's for some fries. They went canoeing in Hawaii, but got sunburned on their legs and Jennifer did most of the canoeing. The memories they shared are infinite and they look forward to the future together.
Bridesmaid
Katherine Kim
Katherine is Anna's pledge sister in Alpha Sigma Rho. Chance brought them together and faith in each other allowed them to become sisters. Katherine has always been there for Anna, especially in her college days where they enjoyed going out to 6th street, helping their sorority grow (Anna is the god mother to Katherine's pledge babies), and their random trips to the many good eateries in Austin. After graduation, Katherine and Anna both served on their sorority's National Board and traveled together to many National Conventions. Today they have weekly dinner get togethers and vacation to many places around the world.
Bridesmaid
Julie Lee
Julie is Anna's sorority little sister. Although they weren't matched together during the new member education process, after Julie become a member of the sorority, Anna and her bonded over their love for Korean food, traveling, and having a good night out in Austin. Julie took Anna back to Korea and showed her all the awesome places that they filmed Korean dramas at. They also had an amazing time in Las Vegas together and made some extraordinary memories! Julie and Anna also journeyed to Harry Potter World, where Julie entertained Anna's childish side and used her selfie stick. Whether it is to listen Anna's frustrations with work or provide helpful advice for her life's dramas, Julie is always there when Anna needs her the most.
Bridesmaid
Onanong Sasiponganan
Onanong is Anna's pledge sister in Alpha Sigma Rho. The first memory that pokes into Anna's head when she thinks about Onaong is how Onanong introduced herself, "On and on and on and on..." Onanong always keep Anna busy by getting lost in shady neighborhoods after taking the wrong bus and calling Anna to pick her up, or making Anna go back to McDonald's drive thru again for some honey mustard sauce. But Anna's favorite memory is when she served as Onanong's bridesmaid and watched Onanong and her husband getting married in Thailand. Chance brought them together, but faith in each other allowed them to become sisters for life.
Richard's Rambunctious Groomsmen
Best Man
Blake Dalina
Blake and Richard met when they taught English in the big H-O, Japan, in '07-'08. They bonded over massive night-long musical sessions behind karaoke microphones and a ukulele. When they first met, Blake pronounced that they would be good friends. Richard thought it was a strange statement to make, but Blake was correct, they became very good friends indeed. A wise man beyond his years, Blake's calm serenity makes him an easy person to be around, but be warned, once alcohol is involved, fun times are guaranteed. Richard will forever be grateful for Blake installing Tinder on his phone, the vessel for which he met Anna. Now that Richard is in Houston, he expects there to be many more nights of Vodka-fueled karaoke ahead.
Groomsman
Nick Bell
Nick and Richard met thanks to their shared love of video games. Both fans of the Final Fantasy series growing up, they first spoke on an internet forum back in 2002. Over the next few years they played many video games together, and even though they don't play together as much as they used to do, they still share a passion for games. They traveled to Japan on several occasions, and have had some very interesting times on these trips. Nick has a tendency to do weird things, such as throw up in a sink instead of toilet, but Richard likes that...uniqueness. With Civilization 6 recently coming out, they're likely to spend more gaming time together...well, once they fix the dodgy AI.
Groomsman
Noel Dalina
Noel and Richard met during Christmas 2007 when Richard was living in Japan. Noel came to visit his brother, and Richard third-wheeled with them on a trip to Nikko (he had the car, so was needed). They celebrated New Years Eve together a week later before Noel returned to the US. They didn't really speak to each other again after that, until Richard went to visit Blake in Houston in 2013. It was then that the two got to know each other better. Noel too loves karaoke, and he showed Richard the great nightlife of Houston. Their most epic moment involved a car, roundabout and a lot of shouting. Noel has a great spirit and always brings the party to life, and Richard can't wait to experience more of the Houston underworld with him.
Groomsman
Ian Stephens
Ian is Richard's big brother, so they met before Richard even knew what a big brother was. Ian always looked after his little brother growing up, and Richard always wanted to be like his big brother. So much so that when he was 16 he borrowed Ian's leather jacket so he could look old enough to go out drinking on the town in Leeds. It worked, and Richard had many great nights thanks to that jacket. Even though Richard went his own path and didn't really end up like his brother, he still looks up to him. Ian found a great wife and now has a wonderful family, and that is something Richard wanted too. Whenever they hang out these days, they have a good time, and Richard is reminded of some of the similarities they do have - their Yorkshire accent, their ability to follow the "See-food" diet and their growing intolerance for alcohol in their old age. And whatever happens, their mother will always continue to mix their names up.