The day began bright and early in a suite at the Army Navy Club, outfitted with furniture gifted to the United States by Chiang Kai-shek, overlooking Farragut Square. Amid the hairdressers, makeup artists, photographers and attendants, clouds of hairspray, and swirls of silk, satin, lace, sequins and tulle, CL was a picture of improbable serenity in this sunlight-dappled room.

MOB dress

Bride

The day passed in a whirlwind: the blooms, the groom’s tears, little boys in tuxedos, our maddeningly temperamental GPS, the tea ceremony, the toasts, the three-tiered wedding cake (cut with a naval officer sword!), the bride in her red cheongsam, the new couple’s first dance…

I’d never seen my friend so happy.

Bridal party

Chinese tea ceremony

Maybe someday.

Congratulations, CL!