The joy radiates from every moment of Cat & Tan’s special day in Maryland, expertly captured by the talented Clarence Chan Photography From start to finish, their celebration was a true family affair, blending cultural traditions with DIY charm The couple kicked off their day with a vibrant Vietnamese ceremony, where Cat shone in a stunning red ao dai before slipping into a breathtaking Sottero & Midgley gown.
As they incorporated bi-lingual invitations, traditional signage, and Asian cuisine for cocktail hour, it was clear that this wedding was a heartfelt celebration of love, family, and heritage The party truly got started when the happy couple’s friends and relatives joined forces to create an unforgettable atmosphere, complete with beautiful floristry, chic style, and personal touches that made each detail truly special.
Wedding Day Snapshot
Our Wedding in Three Words
The Flowers
The wedding flowers played a crucial role in setting the tone for the special day The bridal bouquet featured an exquisite combination of Juliet Roses, the delicate fronds of Dusty Miller, the vibrant petals of Ranunculus, and the lush flowering Jasmine that added a touch of whimsy In contrast, the boutonnieres took on a slightly different character For the groom, hypernicum berries added a pop of color and texture, while for the groomsman, Dusty Miller provided a subtle yet elegant accent.
The Ranunculus used in both the bouquet and boutonnieres brought a sense of continuity to the overall floral design, tying everything together perfectly.
The Decor & Details
The rustic charm of Walker’s didn’t need much embellishment, as it was already a stunning venue on its own The newly installed globe string lights added a warm glow to the tent, exceeding our expectations Our centerpieces were understated yet elegant, featuring gold-embossed table numbers tied with navy blue baker’s twine around mason jars filled with white stock flowers Guests could take these beautiful arrangements home as a sweet reminder of the evening.
Meanwhile, my mom and I collaborated on the favors – adorable potted succulent plants that added a touch of greenery to each table My maid of honor crafted a custom acrylic board for our seating chart, while I personally cross-stitched our monogram onto the ring pillow The result was a harmonious blend of simplicity and elegance that reflected our unique style.
The Refreshments
To conclude the evening, we treated our guests to a delightful culinary experience My sister-in-law kindly prepared a spread of delicious Vietnamese dishes, while we also ordered Chinese cuisine to ensure that everyone’s hunger was satisfied Additionally, we enjoyed a more formal, sit-down dinner in the evening.
Our Favourite Moments
The essence of our wedding lay in the DIY elements and the collective involvement of our family members Every detail, from the invitations to the ceremony itself, was a testament to the love and effort we put into making it a truly special day I fondly recall the custom-designed invitations my maid of honor created, with my brother’s elegant calligraphy adding a personal touch.
It was heartwarming to see everyone in our family play a part in the celebration, making it an experience that will be etched in our memories foreverAmong the many cherished moments, one stood out – the first glimpse of each other on our wedding morning, surrounded by our loved ones The anticipation and excitement built up over the years had finally reached its climax, and it was a surreal moment to behold.
Being married in my husband’s childhood church, with God’s blessing, felt like a dream come trueThe talented niece who played Canon in D as I walked down the aisle, despite being unwell, added an extra layer of emotion to the ceremony Our brother-in-law did an exemplary job as master of ceremonies, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for all My father’s heartfelt toast is still etched in my memory, and our father-daughter dance was a poignant moment.
As we brought together our large families and friends to celebrate our union, it was wonderful to see everyone come together, laughing, dancing, and having the time of their lives The feeling of being surrounded by loved ones who were genuinely happy for us, supporting our journey, and looking forward to what’s to come is one I’ll treasure forever.
Advice for Other Couples
Don’t set your expectations too high – sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned Instead, focus on what truly matters most to you For us, we had a packed schedule and inadvertently left out some details, but ultimately, those minor oversights didn’t have a significant impact What’s crucial is finding someone who can help keep your day organized, someone who knows your timeline and can assist in keeping everything flowing smoothly.
Above all, remember to remain calm and savor the moment – it’s your special day after all.
The Honeymoon
As we didn’t rush into our honeymoon immediately after the big day, we were thrilled about it because it gave us a chance to visit our parents and catch up with them We wanted to settle into our new home and take everything in before embarking on our romantic getaway The wait is definitely worth it – we can’t wait to spend some quality time together Seeing Cat & Tan’s beaming faces throughout their special day was truly heartwarming, what a lovely couple.
Thanks to Clarence Chan Photography for capturing their beautiful family wedding, and of course Cat & Tan for sharing their joy with us Let yourself be inspired by even more stunning Real Weddings.
