8.8.88.8.08 was a very popular day around the world and for Hybrid Moon. I spent the day with Aki and Verne celebrating their wedding. The ceremony was at the First United Methodist Church in southwest Portland. It was my first time shooting in this location and the sanctuary definitely made my job easy. The dramatic ceiling sloped down to a wall of stained glass pouring in tons of warm light. An Affair to Remember added elegant simple touches to the room by lining the aisle with stands holding candles and dripping flowers. After the ceremony, the couple was whisked away to the Benson Hotel downtown.
Verne mingled with guests during the cocktail hour while Aki changed into her traditional kimono. Eric Wright, from All Wright Music, ushered the guests into the Crystal Ballroom to announce the couple and begin the dinner. The evening was an elegant and warm affair with guests coming from across town and across an ocean. There were many people who made a long journey from Japan to celebrate this special day. It is always so nice to be a part of a wedding with so much support and love around.]
Aki & Verne, as well as the Chinese Olympic Committee, chose the date August 8, 2008 for a very specific reason. In Asian cultures numbers play a big role in day to day life. For example, the number four sounds very similar to the word death in Chinese. Therefore, it is very common for buildings omit that number; they may rename the floor or just skip from three to five. On a less ominous note, the word eight sounds very similar to the word prosperity. This is precisely the symbol for August 8th, 2008; it translates to Prosperity, Prosperity, Prosperity! Aki & Verne hoped to bestow prosperity upon their marriage and their guests on this very lucky day.