Real Weddings

East-Meets-West Celebration: Allison Long & Spencer Pettine

June 30, 2012

By Tessa Woolf February 1, 2013 Published in the January 2013 issue of Park City Magazine

NAMES Allison Long and Spencer Pettine LIVE IN Solana Beach, California OCCUPATIONS She works in venture capital; he works in medical device marketing HOW THEY MET They became friends in 2005 while working together for a venture capital firm in New York; eventually, she came to her senses and realized he had been the one all along WHERE HE PROPOSED On a hike to Lake Blanche in Big Cottonwood Canyon during a surprise trip to Utah; afterwards, they had drinks at High West Distillery and Saloon, where both families were waiting to surprise the bride WEDDING WEATHER Sunny, clear, and warm NUMBER OF GUESTS 185 THEME East Meets West FAMILY ELEMENT Adrian Pei, the bride’s brother-in-law, officiated the ceremony CULTURAL ELEMENTS They had a traditional Chinese tea ceremony during the cocktail hour and a lion dance performance during the reception; dozens of white Chinese lanterns decorated the setting Wedding style Black tie Colors White, red, pewter Wardrobe details The bride wore a Monique Lhuillier gown and a traditional red dress made in Shanghai; the groom wore a black tuxedo and a traditional Chinese jacket ALL TIED UP Twenty minutes before showtime, the groom and his groomsmen realized no one knew how to tie a bow tie RECEPTION MENU FAVORITES Duo of beef tenderloin and herb-crusted sea bass, and a signature cocktail created by the couple DESSERT Wedding cake and a candy bar with the couple’s favorite treats FIRST DANCE SONG “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison FAVORITE CEREMONY MOMENTS The speeches and dancing with friends to DJ Michael Antonia FAVORS FOR GUESTS Pashminas for gals, personalized water bottles for guys THE DAY IN THREE WORDS Joyous, blessed, fun HONEYMOON TBD