Ian Day and Kenny Oshita, now the Day-Oshitas, envisioned their nuptials as traditional with an infusion of their personalities. They began dating just after they met in 2014, during their first week of law school, and moved in together in 2015. Their ceremony was truly a family affair, officiated by Ian’s aunt, one of the first people he came out to in college and whom he described as a “bright light in their lives.” In addition, both sets of their parents and the wedding party, made up of their closest friends, also took part in the ceremony. It was followed by a cocktail hour in the courtyard of the historic Ebell of Los Angeles. Ian and Kenny’s primary source of inspiration came from the romance and grandeur of the venue, with shades of green as their color palette. Florals were flowing and elegant, in shades of blush and champagne, and accented with greenery. These arrangements complemented the historic architecture and the wedding’s Japanese elements, which drew upon Kenny’s heritage. Kenny’s mom made the wedding favors, origami kusudama flowers, by hand. She also folded origami wisteria for the welcome sign, which matched the paper wisteria in the dining room as well as the figures on the guests’ name cards indicating their chosen menu item—cranes for chicken, samurai hats for beef and flowers for vegetarian. Back in law school, Kenny had doodled a drawing of the couple that Ian loved, and it inspired the wedding logo that was used on their favors and as a projection on the courtyard wall during the reception.
