(Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

Denise Duong, Matt Seikel were at the party at JRB Art at the Elms Gallery. Hostess was Joy Reed Belt.  (Photo by David Faytinger).

A reception for Denise Duong and Matt Seikel was held at the JRB Art at The Elms Gallery. The exhibition featured Duong’s narrative artwork and Seikel’s ceramics.

Tacos and quesadillas, Chicken Satay, shrimp and assorted desserts were on the buffet table which was decorated with a tall vase of sunflowers, blue hydrangeas and red cockscomb.

Among those at the party were Martha and Ron Bradshaw, Phil Clayton, Lucky Jabara, Mary and Mike Mahaffey, Peter Dolese, Julia Kirt, David Phelps, Nhan and Rang Duong, Tina Duong, Linda Trippe, Julie and Brian Tibbs and Nancy and Bob Anthony.

WEDDING VOWS EXCHANGED

Denise Duong Seikel and Matt Seikel and the wedding party. (Photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

Denise Duong and Matt Seikel were married April 11th in a  6 p.m. small family wedding and then celebrated with friends at a wedding reception at the Asian Restaurant. Joy Reed Belt was the officiant at the ceremony.

The colorful Asian Restaurant was filled with people.  Following the Vietnamese tradition, the bride and groom and their families went to each table and  welcomed all the guests who were there for the eight course dinner. Toasts were given for the couple’s happiness and  etched champagne glasses were used for the toasts and were also party favors for the guests.

There was a photo booth for guests and pictures taken that night were put in the couple’s memory book.

The bride wore a white suit that she designed herself. She also created the beaded hat that she wore. Bridesmaids wore lilac dresses covered with lace overlays. Groomsmen wore tuxes with silk cream shirts with purple medallions. In the wedding party were Tina Duong, Trayc Tran, Natalie Mai, Emily Seikel, Beau Brand, Thomas Elliot Bowman, Dereck Duong and Nick Mettry.

On the menu was Asparagus crab meat soup, Vietnamese Lotus Salad, Stuffed Crab Claw with Shrimp, Barbecued Quail, Fried Salted Shrimp, Seafood in Bird’s Nest, Steamed Fish, Yang Chow Fried Rice and Fresh fruit and wedding cake.

The three tiered wedding cake had different flavors, strawberry/green tea, peaches and cream and cherry brandy. It was covered in fondant icing and top layer had the invitation art re-created in icing. (Denise designed the wedding invitation). The groom’s cake was a chocolate drum cake.

Parents of the couple are Jeary and Mike Seikel and Nhan and Rang Duong.

The wedding cake featured peacock plumes.

Mother of the groom Jeary Seikel and sister of the groom and bridesmaid Emily Seikel enjoy the party.

Dr. Kent Cohenour and Patty Cohenour were at the dinner.

Table settings included chopsticks.

Ron and Linda James are ready for the champagne toasts.

Dr. Mike Seikel and Brian Tibbs celebrate the wedding.

Denise designed the wedding invitation and it was printed both in English and Vietnamese.