Los Angeles Times Wedding l Shantel Vachani + Audel De La Torre

                                     

  Shantel Vachani and Audel De La Torre

                                       Shantel Vachani and Audel De La Torre (Lawrence, Harvard Photography)

Shantel Vachani and Audel De La Torre first met on MySpace in 2006, but when it was time to think about commitment, Vachani wasn’t sure they had enough in common. “Don’t worry,” De La Torre told her, “In 50 years we’ll have everything in common.”

In 2010, De La Torre proposed at the Taj Mahal in India. Then on July 23, the Indian-American bride and Mexican-American groom tied the knot at Pasadena City Hall — twice. First came a Hindu ceremony in honor of Vachani’s roots, where De La Torre made the traditional entrance on horseback. During the second ceremony they were married again — by a Buddhist minister.

The reception was the first one ever held at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. Two hundred fifty friends and family attended, as well as Lady Gaga and Johnny Depp — or at least lifelike wax replicas of them. And as guests walked an awards-style red carpet to the rooftop gala, a photographer snapped their photos paparazzi style.

Coordination of both ceremonies and the reception was smoothly achieved by Beverly Harris Weddings & Events. “This couple is so vibrant,” said Harris, “and it was so touching to see the different cultures coming together so beautifully.”

Vachani, 32, is a lawyer for Public Counsel, a nonprofit public interest firm. De La Torre, 32, is an engineer with Southern California Edison.

—Maxine Nunes
Custom Publishing Writer

Los Angeles Times Wedding l Rebecca Klass + Gian Tullao

    Rebecca Klass and Gian Tullao

                                      

Rebecca Klass & Gian Tullao (Kacie Jean Photography)

When Philippines-born Gian Tullao was introduced by friends to Rebecca Klass in 2007, he wound up falling in love with her — and her Jewish heritage. Gian took openly to Judaism and eventually converted from Catholicism.

How did his Catholic family feel about this change of religion? Well, when Klass joined Tullao’s family for Easter breakfast, his mother served bagels, lox and cream cheese.

Klass, however, found it harder to adapt to Filipino food and will never forget one Christmas dinner when she couldn’t quite bring herself to eat a special dish called dinuguan — coddled pig’s blood.

Tullao, 28, is currently assistant manager at Toys ‘R’ Us in Porter Ranch. He recently graduated from Casa Loma College and will soon be a Licensed Vocational Nurse. Klass, 26, is a retail merchandising assistant for Guess? Inc. in downtown L.A.

The Studio City couple were married on September 4 at Temple Aliyah in Woodland Hills. The ceremony was traditional — but the 200-guest reception was, said Klass, “like a cocktail hour on steroids.”

Beverly Harris Weddings & Events transformed the Agoura Hills backyard of Klass’ grandmother into a Hollywood-style lounge, with white couches and ottomans, a circular cocktail bar, private cabanas, a dance floor and an array of food stations that included a sushi chef and a mac ‘n’ cheese bar.

In one great “Fiddler on the Roof” moment, the bride and groom were lifted in their chairs high above the partying crowd.

—Maxine Nunes
Custom Publishing Writer