Theera & Kevin in Philadelphia, PA

Theera and Kevin celebrated their traditional Thai ceremony with a reception at The Rittenhouse Hotel in Philadelphia. The Bride Theera Vachranukunkiet, 27, a physician The Groom Kevin Du, 27, a PhD candidate in cardiovascular biology The Date May 5 When Kevin Du asked Theera Vachranukunkiet's father for permission to marry his daughter, Kevin was welcomed with open arms-but there was one caveat. We had to have a traditional Thai ceremony, says Theera, and that begins with a traditional Thai engagement. Completely separate from the actual wedding, the traditional engagement featured a ceremony all its own, where Kevin and his family offered precious bridal gifts to the bride on golden flower-laced trays. Afterward, over one hundred friends and family members joined together for a festive ten-course Thai dinner at home of Theera's parents.