Groom Touches Bride’s Heart by Reciting Wedding Vows in Her Native Language
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A touching wedding gesture left both the bride and her family deeply moved when the groom surprised everyone by declaring his wedding vows in Mandarin, the bride’s native language. The heartfelt moment took place at the wedding ceremony of Helen Wang and Kirk La on August 30 in California. As the couple tied the knot at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda, Calif., the groom, Kirk La, 29, took the opportunity to express his love and commitment to his bride, Helen Wang, 28, in Mandarin.
The significance of the gesture was profound as it resonated with Wang’s family members and guests from China who did not speak English. Wang expressed that her family was overcome with emotion as La began speaking in Chinese, sharing, “All my family started tearing up immediately after his first word in Chinese. No one expected that and they were also extremely touched by the effort and his words.”

Months prior to the wedding, La had diligently practised his vows in Mandarin, not only ensuring their accuracy but also perfecting his pronunciation. Wang, who was taken aback by the unexpected gesture, was moved to tears by the heartfelt moment. She shared her astonishment, saying, “I could not have expected that he prepared his entire vow in Mandarin because I know how hard it is to speak Mandarin.”
The careful planning and dedication La exhibited in preparing his vows in Mandarin showcased his commitment to Wang and her family. Wang mentioned that La had sought assistance from friends fluent in Mandarin to ensure the vows were articulated perfectly. The couple’s love story started seven years ago when they first met in college, bonding over their shared passion for dance. La proposed to Wang in 2024, surprising her with a celebration surrounded by their friends.
Wang expressed her gratitude for the effort La put into the thoughtful gesture, sharing, “But to have my family understand every single word of his vow in person, react to it, and feel how much we love each other at the wedding meant the world to me.” The sincerity of La’s vows and his promise to be a loving husband and father resonated with the couple’s shared values and commitment to one another.
Following the heartwarming moment, a video clip of the ceremony was posted by Wang on TikTok, quickly garnering millions of views and likes. The couple’s love story touched the hearts of many, with viewers commending La’s touching tribute to his bride. The profound gesture symbolised not only the couple’s love but also their respect for each other’s cultures and families.
The emotional ceremony and La’s heartfelt gesture highlight the power of love and understanding in bringing families together. The couple’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusivity and the beauty of celebrating different cultures and traditions. The heartfelt exchange of vows in Mandarin underscored the couple’s deep connection and the lengths they would go to in order to make their loved ones feel cherished and valued.
