Aileen Mae & Peter Martin, The Phillips-Tsai Union

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

The drive to Meyer’s Castle in Dyer, Indiana was a quick one, 45 minutes from downtown Chicago. The air was a little nippy and fall was definitely not far behind. At the famous landmark where many weddings come to fruition, Fred Tsai had his hands full as guests started coming in for the post-wedding reception of newlyweds Aileen Mae, lovingly called “Mei-Mei” by friends and family and her handsome, towering husband Peter, (6’6” tall) from New York City where the wedding took place last September 27. Because not everyone was able to go to the Big Apple for the nuptials, Fred and Nora Tsai decided to host an Indiana event for their Illinois based friends, family and colleagues, so that everyone had a chance to extend their greetings to the happy couple. It was a beautiful day filled with love, laughter and music. Nora painstakingly made all the arrangements, as Fred attested, and with the help of her “amigas” and family members, gave her daughter Mae, and new sonin- law Peter, another wonderful party to honor their union. Members of the Philippine Medical Association which Fred and Nora consider to be some of their closest friends, along with neighbors from Chicago, former colleagues of Fred from Sargent and Lundy engineering firm, relatives from Manila, and a whole throng of well-wishers dined on filet mignon and salmon, while the attentive staff of Meyer’s Castle made sure everyone’s glasses were filled with wine for toasting, as DJ Expo Taghap with his lovely wife Evelyn, kept the guests dancing the whole time. I was again invited to emcee this touching event, and I had the privilege of meeting most of Fred and Nora’s family members and circle of friends. The bride was glowing with love and still giddy from all the celebrations as she and Peter made their way to make sure they thanked each and everyone for being there that day. Love songs from Freddie Alba and Expo added that romantic touch, but the highlight of the day was a song from mother of the bride, Nora Tsai, who sang from her heart a love song dedicated to the newlyweds. It was the perfect finale after Father Mario Quejadas’ blessing and prayer for the couple. Father Quejadas quipped that when he received the wedding invitation, he thought he just received a new phone book, alluding to the size of the invitation that invited the guests to the actual nuptials in New York, the second service held October 11 in St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, Kankakee, Illinois, officiated by Fr. Quejadas, and the third and final post-reception where we were, in Dyer Indiana. A tri-state grand affair, someone said, and indeed it was. To Fred and Nora, congratulations for a great and sentimental post-wedding reception for the happy couple Mei-Mei and Peter, and to the newlyweds, may God bless your union and guide you to marital, as well as spiritual bliss all the days of your lives together.

The newlyweds Mei & Peter Phillips at New York Botanical Garden where the NY wedding took place, backgrounded by its famous dome.

The Tsai family, front, from left: Grandkids Lauren, Lily, Emily, Olivia. Behind: Bob/Tracee, Fred/Nora, Brian/Annalisa.

The principal sponsors at the Mei/Peter Phillips wedding in New York.

(1) The Tsai family at the wedding rites performed by Fr. Mario Quejadas at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Kankakee, IL. last Oct. 11; (2) Bride and Dad dance at the wedding reception held at Meyer’s Castle, Dyer, Indiana.

 

The bride and groom posing with some of the guests that attended the wedding reception at Meyer’s Castle in Dyer, Indiana.