Our Big Day · The Murnans

The Bear and the Tiger were joined together in marriage and continued their shared path hand in hand, and we truly appreciated our friends and family celebrating our vows with us.

01 / The record

Thirty-six minutes, and then dinner.

Ceremony 36 minutes Vows said, rings exchanged.

Guests 50 celebrating Indoors, outdoors, everywhere.

Venue Pig Beach, Brooklyn 480 Union St, Gowanus. Closed since. RIP.

Weather August in New York Which is why nobody wore a jacket.

02 / Keep it

The whole thing, on tape.

We asked everyone to put their cameras down so we could see your faces. A professional caught the rest. Here it all is.

The photographs Watch the ceremony

03 / The vows

What we promised each other.

David to Yinja

When I am down, you listen. When I need help, you help. When I need opinions, you give them. When I need love, you love me. When you are feeling down, I promise to lift you back up to seize the day. When you are scared, I promise to comfort and protect you. When you need an opinion, I promise to give you honest and open thoughts.

Yinja to David

You have supported me and loved me in dark times, even when I made it so challenging for you. And most profoundly you believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. You're my best friend, my cheerleader, my favorite travel and gym partner. Our relationship will have its ups and downs, but I promise to grow with you and I know we will always come out stronger!

04 / The speeches

And what friends and family said.

Five people, one microphone, no rehearsal. An officiant, a former boss, two friends, a sister-in-law and a father, all of whom had opinions. This is the part of the tape we replay most.

But most of all, we search to find the person who loves us unconditionally.

Melissa Officiant, Yinja's former boss Read the speech

I would venture to say that there's nothing better in this world than to find the people with whom we feel safe, seen, and free to be unapologetically ourselves. We search to find the person who supports our dreams, even the crazy ones. We search for the person most accepting of our quirks, even the ones we try not to show until at least the fifth date. But most of all, we search to find the person who loves us unconditionally.

… you deserve each other more than anyone in this walk of life.

Yao Yinja's friend Read the speech

When you introduced David to me, I felt genuinely happy from the bottom of my heart that there is someone who can do that for you and love you deeply. I can see from those joyful as well as perilous moments you guys journeyed and persisted together that you deserve each other more than anyone in this walk of life.

When you see someone that much in love with a partner, you know you can't let him go.

Adam Pookie Read the speech

When you see someone that much in love with a partner, you showed not only a genuine interest in his passions, but also in his friends and their passions, too. You know, you can't let him go.

I feel like I am seeing his most happy and authentic self because of Yinja.

Jen Sister-in-law Read the speech

I have obviously always known David over these past ten years, but I feel like I am seeing his most happy and authentic self because of Yinja. You can just sense happiness and true love in their presence. I am so glad to be here today to celebrate you both and I wish you so much happiness as you begin your lives together.

But know that the love you share … and David being a traffic engineer, will always get you back on the smooth, smooth road.

Dad David's father Read the speech

In closing, I will share that the new stretch of the road that you've begun today will have its bumps. It'll have its curves and splits. But know that the love you share, your affinity for craft beer that you both love, and good food, and David being a traffic engineer, will always get you back on the smooth, smooth road. God bless you both!

Five cards, going past. Open one for the whole speech.

05 / The pile