Wedding Party
Hali Riber-Smith
Bride
Praise the Lord immensely for the great gift that the Lord has given to me in Hali. She is a wonderful, beautiful, godly woman, and she is God's perfect provision of a best friend and a helper for me. I know she will make a great wife and mother. - Alan
Alan Yau
Groom
"Words could never express, actions could never convey, thoughts could never fully fathom the immeasurable grace bestowed upon me by the Lord. His unmerited favor has permeated every area of my life; today, my heart and mind are focused on the particularly sweet blessing of one of the godliest men I have ever known, who I am soon to become one flesh with. After many years of waiting faithfully on the Lord, He has answered my prayers in a way that far exceeded my desire for a husband. I am eternally grateful to God for Alan, and am overjoyed at the privilege and honor of spending this life (and the next) with him!" Yours truly, Hali
Robert Shalda
Father of the Bride
My grandfather took me under his care and raised me as his own daughter, even though I was not. I thank and praise the Lord for His provision of a God-father who "adopted" me as his own, just as God will adopt me (a Gentile) as His own! I am so happy to call him "Father of the Bride"! With love, Hali
Lik Yau
Father of the Groom
My dad has been a great dad to me and to my sister our whole lives. I know he has made innumerable sacrifices for me and my family. I am greatly thankful for him. - Alan
Terri Shalda
Mother of the Bride
My grandmother (alongside my grandfather) has cared for and raised me since I was 7 years old. I could never earn or deserve the grace that God has shown me by providing a God-mother who has sacrificed so much for me; I cannot imagine a more fitting title than "Mother of the Bride"! With love, Hali
Liang Zhou
Mother of the Groom
I am so thankful to the Lord for my mom. She has been a great blessing to me my whole life! I don't have words to express the blessings the Lord has bestowed upon me through my mom! - Alan
Grace West
Matron of Honor
After being saved in 2016, I waited many years for a godly friend to come beside me; to sharpen, encourage, edify, and love each other with the joy of Christ in our hearts. Just two weeks after moving to Tampa last year, the Lord answered my prayer with Grace! She has been an incredible blessing to my life (both physically and spiritually) and I cannot imagine this wedding without her as my Matron of Honor! With love, Hali
Jay Uy
Best Man
I have known of Jay since middle school at church in Tampa but got to know him better in college in Gainesville. He has always been a slightly older but not too far off brother in Christ. We have been friends for a long time and the Lord has used us to sharpen each other on many occasions. I am very thankful for this brother. - Alan
Paige Snedeker
Bridesmaid
Throughout my walk with Christ, I have often been sweetly surprised by His mysterious interworking of undeserved grace in my life; Paige is no exception! By way of a series of unexpected events, I was introduced to her, and God has grown our relationship consistently ever since! Her desire to serve, study, and please the Lord in all of her ways continually sharpens me and keeps me accountable as we strive to grow together. What a blessing to have Paige as my bridesmaid! With love, Hali
Teru Kondo
Groomsman
Met this brother after he joined our Custodial Crew at Grace Community Church. We quickly became friends after working together, and we had plenty of Bloodrage and fun and encouraging times. Even though Teru is slightly younger than me in age and was slightly behind me in finishing seminary, he has proven to be a very mature and faithful brother in Christ, in our interactions and otherwise. Truly thankful for this brother. - Alan
Julie Snedeker
Bridesmaid
Loving, caring, kind, compassionate, tender-hearted, servant - these are all words that describe Julie Snedeker! Her presence in my life has brought great joy and has reminded me of the love that God has for us, every time that I am around her. Ms. Julie truly is the aroma of Christ, and I am so blessed to know her and call her my sister in Christ! It is a pleasure to have her as my bridesmaid! With love, Hali
Tyson Snedeker
Groomsman
I met Tyson about a year ago after moving back to Tampa from seminary. As I have been learning to communicate with him and have been studying the Bible together more and more, we have become good friends. He has also shown himself to be a faithful brother in Christ whom I have learned does care and can be counted on to pray for the needs of others. He is a great and godly man in Christ. - Alan
Savannah Samec
Bridesmaid
Savannah was the second person that I met during my first visit to Grace Bible Church of Tampa. Her kindness and willingness to befriend & disciple me has filled my heart with joy! I have gleaned much wisdom from her, as I watch her faithfully follow Christ and love her family. I am thankful to God for providing me with the godly, gracious friend that is Savannah, and I'm excited to have her as my bridesmaid! With love, Hali
Stephen Samec
Groomsman
Met this brother when I started visiting and (fairly soon after) attending GBCT (Grace Bible Church of Tampa) in early 2016. We have been talking about preaching, pastoring, and life since then, even after I left for seminary in December of the same year we met. He is a dear brother in Christ and a faithful friend. He is also well known as a faithful husband, father, and pastor. - Alan
Susanna Yau
Bridesmaid
I think Susanna and I have a fairly typical older brother-younger sister relationship, according to my guesstimations. I am thankful that the Lord gave me a sister, and particular her. She is a great (younger) sister. -Alan
Ben Hsu
Groomsman
Ben and I have known of each other since middle school at church in Tampa but got to know each other better at college in Gainesville, and became good friends then as we went to church together, and even roomed together for a year. He has been very hospitable to me in my returns to Tampa while I was studying in seminary, treating me to meals on multiple occasions, and we always got back to speed quickly. He is a good friend indeed! - Alan
Pastor Mike Sprott
Officiant
A man who makes little of himself and much of Christ. We are very blessed by our pastor's devotion to his people (God's people), and it is truly an honor for our marriage to be officiated by this good and faithful servant of our Heavenly Father. Thank you for all that you do for the Lord and for us. We love you!