Christina + Andy: Celebrating in triplicate

A couple of weeks ago, we introduced you to an incredibly adorable couple, Christina and Andy. If you missed how they met and fell and love, read this first!

Andy is Jewish and Christina’s background is Cambodian. Both of their families remember the loss and hardship that they and their loved ones have endured due to genocide and persecution. To honor their families, cultures, and departed loved ones, C+A chose to have two distinct, traditional ceremonies. Their third, “legal” marriage ceremony in Hawaii reflected their unique relationship.

The Cambodian ceremony was the largest wedding function. It was hosted on September 21 by Christina’s family at her childhood home.  The ceremony was conducted according to Cambodian traditions, which included various rituals and lasted about 6-7 hours!

Guests arrived in colorful, traditional garb, while the bride, groom and wedding party dressed in royal-looking threads of blue and gold. They were blessed with a beautiful day; the rain stayed away until after all the proceedings had concluded!

C+A ordered their matching Cambodian invitations and bi-fold programs from The American Wedding. Since the Cambodian ceremony wouldn’t be familiar to all of the guests, the programs were quite detailed so that everyone could follow along with the many rituals.

Their favorite aspect of this particular wedding ceremony was that the attendees could directly participate in the blessings for their union — it was a group effort!

Since the celebration took place at a private residence, Christina opted for a “backyard chic” theme, with colors of blue and gold for “pop,” accented by various rustic, handmade elements.

The food for the Cambodian reception was made by Christina’s mother, aunties and great aunties. This was no small feat, as Christina’s family hosted well over 300 guests that day! Served buffet-style, the exquisite and authentic Cambodian dishes had guests coming back for additional helpings.

The Jewish ceremony, held on October 6, was hosted by Andy’s parents at a favorite Italian restaurant, Amici Miei in Potomac, Maryland. A rabbi presided over the ceremony, which took place beneath a chuppah held by their siblings.

The weather that day was warm and sunny, and the restaurant was beautifully transformed with crisp white linens and touches of pink, all illuminated by soft candlelight. Andy’s mother adorned the white candelabras with soft pink & white lace bows. The event’s invitation, menu and place cards — also ordered from The Green Kangaroo — reflected the same color scheme.

Christina donned a beige, floor-length dress decked with beads and sequins, and Andy sported a fitted blue suit. (Is this not the most beautiful couple ever?!)

Again, food was an important part the wedding, and this one featured a delicious spread of memorable Italian cuisine!

Christina’s family enjoyed the opportunity to witness a Jewish ceremony, and Andy’s family was fascinated to be a part of a Cambodian ceremony — it was a first for almost all of them!

The Hawaii Wedding took place on November 9 at Na ‘Aina Kai Botanical Gardens on the island of Kauai.

The color scheme for the Hawaii celebration was grey and pale yellow, which their American Wedding invitations and stationery reflected via the Tropical Orchid design. The bridesmaids and groomsmen wore grey with accents of pale yellow, and wore/carried pale yellow flowers. Christina wore a traditional white wedding gown, Andy wore a dapper dark grey suit.

Christina and Andy’s friend had gotten ordained in order to preside over the legal marriage ceremony in Hawaii. There were serious rain storms before and during the wedding, so they had to move the ceremony to a different location that offered some cover; they’d originally planned to have the ceremony in an intimate tik forest. It started raining lightly as they finished up the vows and shared their first kiss as husband and wife, but they were anything but perturbed!

The reception was held in the same area as originally planned, but with all the rain the venue had received, the ground around the reception site turned into a mud pit! (Said mud can be seen on the hem of Christina’s dress in the photograph above!)

As for reception decor, each name card was displayed in a wine cork stand (made by C+A), and since Andy is an ice cream fanatic, the tables were named after their favorite Ben ‘n’ Jerry’s ice cream flavors! The centerpieces were yellow orchid arrangements surrounded by candle votives, which created a soft glow atop the grey table runners.

The food was just as much a top priority in Hawaii as it was in the previous weddings; Kauai Cuisine catered a lavish dinner that guests still rave about today!

Christina and Andy are currently living happily ever after in Maryland and work as CPAs for their families’ business.

If you’d like us to feature your unique event, please email us at blog@theamericanwedding.com!

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