All about Genevieve and Patrick’s wedding

By Susan Palmes-Dennis

Rockingham, North Carolina---The heavens agreed and the angels came out playing their lyres and blaring their trumpets to welcome the happy union between Genevieve Megan Cordery and Patrick Hang. The couple said their ‘I do’s’ last Saturday in the presence of family and friends. 

The chosen wedding venue, Morning Glory Farm, was perfect for the occasion not because of the present pandemic situation but to allow the attendees to commune with nature while listening to the beautiful music selection played as a prelude to the ceremony. 

The stage was adorned simply with just the top and side columns with flowing white cloth. The trees and the pond in front of the guests made for the perfect backdrop for the occasion. 

Genny, a beauty title holder and model looks radiant as she marched with her left arm hooked to the arms of her doting father Richard ‘Rich’ Cordery to the tune of ‘Somewhere In Time’. Genny carried her bouquet on her right arm and everyone in attendance certainly felt emotional as the march to the wedding altar went on. 

Dr. Cris Villapando, PhD was the officiant. Later I came to know that Dr. Cris was present in the important events of the bride’s life as mirrored in his reflections on the first and second reading. He  emphasized the importance of love, kindness and understanding among husbands and wives. 

After the exchange of vows and rings, Dr. Villapando shared the importance of the two candles lighted earlier by the mothers of Genny and Patrick (Boua Chang  and Malou Tabada Tadeo Cordery). 

Dr. Cris said the two candles represent the unique individuality of Patrick and Genny and their full individuality. The lighting represented unity between Pat and Genny. 

Story behind the gown 

Genny is the first bride to wear the dress after it was showcased at the New York fashion week for the 2021 bridal collections. Designed by Ahm-Sala, it was in the Ladies of Lineage boutique in Charlotte who got the first pick of the dress. 

Genny’s gown is laced with materials such as embroidered cherry blossoms and lots of tulle. But the kicker was that it was Genny’s Dad who chose the gown after he was allowed to enter the boutique. Only three people were allowed to enter the store due to last year’s pandemic. 

In October last year, Genny the bride, her mother Malou and sister Allyson were in the boutique sorting out the gowns while her father stayed outside. Genny didn’t want a flashy gown but she didn’t like any of the dresses at first. Malou said when the owner learned her husband was outside, he was allowed to enter the boutique and he eventually chose the gown. 

‘So when Richard came in he stood there and looked around. Remember that all gowns are hung from the sides so you can’t see the whole outfit unless they take it out for you. So then Richard sat next to me and whispered to my ears, saying ‘honey I liked one of the dresses that hung in the front third from the right. So I asked the stylist if we could try that dress for our daughter. Once the curtain was opened and Genevieve saw herself in the mirror she fell in love with the gown and started to cry as they placed the matching cathedral length veil on her head. Without looking at each other the whole family started to tear up and we all said ‘Wow’ at the same time,’ Malou said. 

The proposal

Malou recounted to me how the proposal went down so to speak: ‘On Father’s Day eve of 2020,  Patrick came to our house to ask Richard and me for our permission for him to marry our daughter. He showed us the beautiful ring he designed himself. He wanted it to be a surprise for Genny so we kept the proposal a secret for three months while he planned a special day for the wedding.’ 

The couple met years ago at the search for Miss Asia Carolinas where Genevieve became the first official to hold the title, according to Dr. Eumelia Nini de Bautista.  

Since then, they became inseparable. Patrick Phoo Hang is the youngest of eight born to Chong Hang and Boua Chang. He is a senior software developer for many high profile clients.

Patrick double majored in Mathematics and computer science at UNC-Charlotte. An award winning break dancer, Patrick started a company with friends to teach the youth about breakdance culture. He also started a game design company which is an ongoing passion for him. 

The bride

Genevieve majored in Mass Media Communications and minored in journalism and women studies, graduating with high honors. 

She landed a job and bought a house and now runs her own business making handmade goods and art, while running a blog full time. 

She also does products photography for big brands like Giorgio Armani, Cover Girl, Laura Mercier, Peter Thomas Roth, Root Candles and more.

The maid of honor is Alyson Cordery, Genevieve’s younger sister and best friend whose sage green gown just only highlighted her beauty while the best man was Francoise Hang, Patrick’s 11-year-older big brother. 

Rounding out the wedding contingent were the bridesmaids Jacqueline Wu, Tyler Wardrop, Megan Brooks, Kasey Chang, junior bridesmaid Emily Chang and groomsmen Joseph Hang, Tufong Hang, Steve Hang and Kyle Hang. Oh and the ring bearer and flower girl was Jason and Rosey Nguyen respectively. 

The groom’s father Chong Hang was all smiles during the whole ceremony. Among the guests were Guia Villapando, May and James Armstead (who emceed the second part of the program), Venancio Tadeo, Jamie and Rica Cruz, my husband Ronnie Dennis, Richard Cordery's brother-in-law Mike Godknecth (husband to Richard's late sister Cathy) who came all the way from Texas and my new found cousin from Albany, New York who just flew to the wedding Resma Aguiman and husband Kyle Infante, who’s connected with General Electric. 

Of course, the family and friends of the Hang clan and classmates from the UNCC Charlotte were likewise in attendance at the beautiful wedding. There are more stories to tell, so see you next time.