Tropical flowers adorned the stage while snow fluttered outside the picture window behind the couple. The processional walked gracefully down a long aisle led by a Scotsman in cultural attire playing bagpipes.

“We were very intentional about making our ceremony and reception a multicultural event,” said Dorina [Lazo] Gilmore. “We incorporated many different traditions representing each of our family’s cultures.

During the ceremony, Scottish bagpipers played, guests participated in a Hawaiian wedding dance, an Italian Tarantella and a Filipino money dance. Among the night’s food offerings was Paklava, a traditional Armenian dessert.

The reception itself boasted four buffet lines filled with ethnic foods celebrating the couple’s ethnic backgrounds including Hawaiian, Italian, Filipino, Spanish, Armenian and Scottish.

“The reception was unbelievable,” said Dorina. “It was the most fun party I have ever been to in my life and that was always my dream.”

Dorina Gilmore wore a floor-length organza gown with intricate beadwork and pearls at the bodice. For the ceremony, she donned a floor-length Italian “mantilla” veil with lace edges.

The bridesmaids wore apple red dresses in all different styles with organza ball skirts. The groomsmen wore black tuxes with vests. The ceremony was decorated with rose petals down the aisles and tropical flowers over the arch ? all within the setting of the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, a mountain resort.

“The wedding far surpassed any of my dreams,” Dorina said. “There were so many unexpected things that happened that really made the day unique and memorable.”

One unexpected event was the snow that had recently fallen in Yosemite Valley. The bride said she had envisioned the wedding on a sunny day with spring wildflowers. Instead, it was snowing during the ceremony.

“Still, it was absolutely beautiful,” said Dorina. “One of my mentors was reading Proverbs 31 and a part that talks about the Godly woman who clothes her children in scarlet to protect them from the snow. At that moment, my bridal party was standing up on stage in scarlet dresses as the snow fell outside. We never could have planned something like that.”

Following the ceremony the couple was whisked off to Hawaii, where they spent their honeymoon.

“The highlight of our honeymoon in Kauai, Hawaii, was kayaking down the Wailua River and then hiking to a remote waterfall for a swim,” Ericlee said. “The low point had to be when I lost my ring on Easter Sunday while body surfing. I will never forget that moment when I looked down and my ring was gone.”

Best man and long-time friend, Christopher Schultz, for years had thought Gilmore may never get married. In fact, Schultz said that Gilmore’s search for a perfect girl might never be successful.

“I once thought that either Jesus would have to have a sister (for Gilmore) or he would have to change Ericlee’s mind on what perfect meant,” Schultz said. “I’m glad Ericlee found Dorina.”” “Greg Stobbe” “With the Tenaya Lodge at Fish Camp as the backdrop, Ericlee Gilmore married Dorina Lazo on April 13. The wedding highlighted a celebration of cultures as the 300+ guest heard I Corinthians 13 read in four languages, Scottish bagpipes played while the wedding party walked down the isle and the couple gave Hawaiian leis to their parents.” “Greg Stobbe” “After their ceremony in the Tenaya Lodge, the Gilmores treated their guests to a multicultural meal including Armenian, Italian, Hawaiian and Scottish foods. Following the reception, the couple was whisked away to Hawaii, where they spent their honeymoon.” “