Our niece, Leslie Leonard, tied the knot with Chuck Hou on Saturday, May 18, 2019 on the terrace of the Peachtree Club in Atlanta.
They had been dating for years and we all felt like Chuck was family even before he proposed this past Christmas. He is a serious tech expert, a great cook, a formidable ping pong player, and a kind hearted person on top of all that.
Since Chuck's family is still in China, most of the attendees were either friends and family of the Leonards and/or Waugamans. However, because there is a 12 hour time zone difference between Atlanta and China, the Hou family celebrated the wedding locally at 6 a.m. - basically in real time with us.
You Are Invited
The invitation was a little work of art - a pencil sketch of a photograph that perfectly captured the joy of the occasion.
Signing In
Continuing the motif, everyone could write their well wishes on the enlarged picture at the front desk on the way in.
Terrace View
This was the view from the terrace of the Atlanta skyline. I don't know the names of the buildings, but it was a wonderful view.
Melissa, Maid of Honor
Melissa waits for the rest of the bridal party to enter. She was maid of honor. Jerry Watts was best man. Abby Martin and Simone Watts were flower girls. Melissa's husband, John Muñoz, and George Verano were the ushers.
Tears of Joy
As Leslie and Richard were walking in, there was a moment that made her laugh and cry at the same time. We all felt it, too.
First Kiss
I just happened to take this shot of their first kiss, with the two of them framed by the backs of the heads of Chuck's father Mao Lin Hou and Leslie's grandpa (our dad) Jerry Leonard.
Mr and Mrs Hou
Fresh off their first kiss, the couple turns to begin the first walk of their life as a married couple. Congratulations!!!
Family Photo
Our new family. L-R: Jill Leonard, Richard Leonard, Jaiden Stafford-Muñoz, Leslie Hou, Chuck Hou, Mr. Mao Lin Hou, John Muñoz, and Melissa Muñoz.
Cool Shot
I think Dan took this shot. Diane and the people in the foreground are looking at the bride and groom, Richard looks at the camera, and we see the first dance in the window reflection.
Click the picture to hear Richard's toast and words of wisdom for the newlyweds.
Elegance
Jill raises her champagne glass with the others in a toast.
Father Daughter
She's the last daughter to get married. I know this must have felt like one of the shortest dances in his life.
What's the Opposite of Father Daughter?
Whatever you call it, Jill and Chuck flowed beautifully together on the dance floor.
OK, enough about them..
THIS is why we came! To dress up and have a good shot for Facebook! Ha!
The Dress
The back looks as good as the front. Well, at least one of us does!
Julie and John
The Eidsons came up along with Jacke Wilder and Lena Montgomery to represent our Tallahassee friends and family. Julie wore our Mother's turquoise studded watch with matching accessories to the wedding.
Karen and Fred
It just wouldn't feel like a Leonard gathering without our unofficial family members - Fred and Karen Baumbach.
Celebrate!
Phyllis and Jim Waugaman get right into the spirit of things with their flashy glasses!
Cheeze!
Great shot of our other unofficial brother, Joe Baker, with Dan and Hannah!
Tampa in da house!
Matt and Joanna Waugaman pose alongside Leslie and Chuck. They drove up the day before from Tampa.
I said, "Look important"
Dad rests for a spell after the ceremony.
Next stop was the bar which featured, among other things, servers walking around with Nova Scotia oysters that they prepared on the half shell "on the spot" with a toolbelt of four sauces - cocktail, hot, horseradish, and mango pepper.
Click the pic for the experience.
Facebook Cover
See how awesome that looks? Two beautiful faces in front of a sprawling Atlanta skyline? Kiki and Blake show how it's done.
Decisions, Decisions
Which to drink next? The champagne or the wine? And speaking of wine, that's a Caymus that Beth's holding in her left hand. Delicious!
Paparazzi
I guess Don had had enough cameras in his face for one night.
Rock It!
And THAT'S how you dance cheek to cheek! Leslie and Chuck do a dip for the lens.
Click the pic for a taste of the party.
Cupcakes!
Not wedding cake! The flavors were amazing! Margarita, Raspberry Lemon.. I wish I could remember more.
G'night y'all
Chuck and Leslie have a relaxing moment together before they dash off under a canopy of sparklers.
The Last Shot
You know it's a good party when the last shot you take is with people you have just met, and it looks like you've known them all your life. And we even got a photo bomb from Joe!