What they say is absolutely true – it goes by so, so fast. Our wedding week feels like a series of barely-focused snapshots, a string of moments that wink like fairy lights: B2’s parents’ living room in the 6am blush of a quiet Honolulu morning, ironing the iridescent folds of a hanbok for our paebaek ceremony. Hearing my bridesmaids before I saw them as they pulled into the parking lot on their first morning in Hawaii, whooping with their hands stretched out their rolled-down windows. The liquid billows of the most beautiful dress I’ve ever worn. The look on my dad’s face just before our processional, his eyes tinged red at the edges. My brother pressing a glue dot to an Instax mini for our guestbook. B2’s mother, singing along to their mother-son dance with tears streaming down her beaming face.
The caravan of last-man-standing after-afterpartiers, piling into a karaoke room and yelling tunelessly to Blink-182, our baby siblings all grown-up and out with us til the very end, climbing into an Uber at 4 AM. Standing in our hotel room just before dawn, shoveling leftover kimchi fried rice into our mouths with disposable cups from the hotel coffee bar.
And then there are a few things that are hyper-focused, indelible: B2’s shoulders in his wedding suit just before he turned around for our first look, and his Christmas-morning smile a few seconds later. His vows, his hand in mine, the reassuring squeeze because oh my goodness was I going to forget my vows, not forgetting my vows because the only person who needed to hear them was right in front of me. The feeling that no matter what went awry, anything and everything that happened that day would be perfect, because what I’d be getting out of it is all I need in this life.
Falling asleep almost 24 hours after we began our wedding day, the fullest, best 24 hours of my life, an arm slung across my adorably well-soused husband. And feeling in my heart of hearts that I’ve come home.
Literally the best vendors in the entire world: Christie Pham Photography, SPROUT, Flowergirls, Leanne Marshall, Faith & Beauty, Les Saisons, Pacific Party Rentals, DJ Troy Michael, Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute, & CakeWorks Hawaii. More photos and wedding talk to come!
movita beaucoup
Perfectly lovely in every way. xox
Meisee
Made my day seeing these beautiful and heartfelt pictures of your wedding. Stunning!
Alyaka
What a beautiful wedding!!
Best regards from Alyaka!
Kathryn
Oh Cynthia, you look so beautiful + you both look so incredibly happy <3 <3 <3 Huge congratulations to you guys, here's to many more happy days ahead of you! xo
Jessie Snyder | Faring Well
Just gorgeous!!! Congratulations to you two!!! Making my heart feel so full, reminds me of our wedding. Enjoy EVERYTHING <3
caitlin | back2spain
so so sweet. congrats 🙂
Renee Kemps
My GOD, Cynthia. You are so amazingly beautiful. And your husband. And the location, the flowers, the cake (!!), everything. This is just the most perfect wedding. I can’t stop staring at the photos and wishing I will marry like this one day, too. Congratulations to both of you and keep enjoying all those precious moments (you wrote down). <3 <3
Lindsey
this is all too stunning, and you two are beaming so much i can feel the love through these images! congrats a million!!!! all the xo’s to you!
Nik@ABrownTable
Congratulations, Cynthia! You guys look beautiful and perfect. Have a wonderful trip in Japan!
vikalinkafood
These are so lovely! You make such a beautiful bride, Cynthia!! Congratulations and wishing you years and years of happiness!!
Shobelyn
your wedding looks so elegant . And you look so happy. Best wishes!
themoonblushbaker
Your wedding looks like it should be a wedding Magazine feature! Everything is so elegant, natural and simply beautiful. I am sure you heard this many time before but you to look stunning. Congratz!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
Oh goodness this is gorgeous! I do admit, I started tearing up just reading about the happy moments that were a part of your pretty, fabulous day. You are one pretty lady my friend! xoxo
Betty | le Jus d'Orange
Oh my gosh. I’m tearing up – this is so beautiful. YOU are so beautiful, and your words tugged at my heartstrings. The love between the two of you really shine through – I’m so happy for you <3.
aimee @twigg studios
Wow what a beautiful day you had it all looks so amazing congratulations xxx
Sara @ Cake Over Steak
Cynthia!! You look positively radiant and your wedding looks amazing and picture-perfect, which is nothing less than what I expected. Your life seems to radiate happiness and beauty in the best way. I know SO WELL that feeling of shoveling food into your mouth at an ungodly hour in a hotel room on your wedding night, and that peaceful feeling of happiness after everything is over, and how perfect it was … and the strange sensation of having a HUSBAND. Ah!! Sending so much love your way xoxo
nancy @ gottagetbaked
Holy shizz, lady, you looked absolutely gorgeous! All of these photos are stunning. Kudos to your photographer but let’s be real – you and Bowl #2 are ridiculously good-looking. I’m so happy to hear that everything went as wonderfully as you hoped it would. Congratulations, dearest Cynthia! I wish you both a lifetime of love, happiness, fun, laughter and good food! xoxoxox
sophie // the cake hunter
Congratulations guys! You look beautiful. What a stunning wedding. I hope you have many happy years together xx
Aysegul
Gorgeous photos. You guys look beautiful.
Congrats! Enjoy your honeymoon.
Cheers..
Kristin | Tasty Joy
What a fairy tale… 🙂 Congratulations!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul
What absolutely beautiful memories! And what STUNNING photos!! I’m so glad you had a perfect day! You were a beautiful bride!!
Her Heartland Soul
http://herheartlandsoul.com
Gerlinde @Sunnycovechef
Your happiness shows in your words and in your pictures. You will always have the memory of this beautiful day. Congratulations!
Stardancer
So amazing. I’m so happy for you both.
Brooke Bass
Oh my goodness. It’s all so beautiful, I can hardly stand it! The words, the photos, the dress, the FOOD! I can’t say that I’m surprised, tbh. Everything you do is visually and emotionally stunning. I’m just so happy you shared it with all of us AND so happy for you and B2! xoxo
Sydney | Modern Granola
Yay! Congratulations! Your wedding looks lovely, elegant, and positively beautiful.
Best wishes for you both!
xx Sydney
Valentina @Hortus
OMG. All of this is so beautiful. I don’t know…seeing these photos kind of makes me tear up. It feels good just seeing them! You both look gorgeous and you have the most beautiful smile! And that table. Hawaii looks like such a gorgeous setting for a wedding. I’m so happy for both of you!!!
Monica
Everything and everyone looks beautiful (love your dress and everything)! Congratulations and much, much happiness to you both for a long lifetime. Enjoy your honeymoon!
Eliza
Congratulations Cynthia (and B2)! 🙂
erika
OH MH GOD CYNTHIA YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL GORGEOUS STUNNING MODEL OF A GODDESS!!!! Seriously, I’m almost speechless at how beautiful everything looks in this little sneak peek. Except not at all. Omg!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I can’t wait to see ALL the photos. Your hair–gah! Your dress–amazing!! The two bowls–SO CUTE!!! So glad to hear you had a phenomenal day!!!! ❤️❤️❤️
katie @ butterlust
Congrats, Cythia and B2!! This might be my favorite post of all! It’s so beautifully written, I’m sitting at my (very public) desk holding back tears. And THAT DRESS! You look absolutely stunning! Have an amazing honeymoon, I can’t wait to see what kind of foodie inspiration you find in Japan!
molly yeh
ohmagod. omgomgomg. i’m crying. this is beautiful, so so beautiful (i’m craving kimchi rice now??) you are SO STUNNING!!!! that dress is amazing, your smiles are amazing. i love this so much!!!!!!!!!
stephanie
ah!!! i am so in love with you two and your love for each other. you and andy radiate happiness!! you are such a beautiful bride and the details of your wedding…so gorgeous 🙂 seriously, one of the BEST weddings i’ve seen
wishing you and andy all the best. xoxoxo
ps – have a blast in japan!
Jane Y.
Beautiful! Congratulations!
Stephanie
Congratulations! Love your dress!
Laura @ Blogging Over Thyme
OMG. these photos are spectacular! the entire wedding (and YOU) are stunning. love it and can’t wait to hear more!!!!
Christine
ABSOLUTELY STUNNING and heartwarming! So beautiful. So happy for you. From one newlywed to another, wishing you nothing but THE BEST.
Erika
Oh so Stunning!!! Congratulations.. I’m so happy for you.
sundiegoeats
Stunning pictures you look like a wood nymph fairy princess. And the way you summarized all the moments was beautifully written. Congrats!!!!!
P.S. Some of the pictures turned out all skinny, please make them larger so I can properly covet your ‘tablescape’. This entirely confirms my belief that I want an ivy leaf type thing-y runner as a table centerpiece for my hypothetical future wedding 🙂
Abby | Lace & Lilacs
Oh my goodness, Cynthia! These photos are GORGEOUS. Your dress was absolutely beautiful, and you & B2 are the cutest couple. Congratulations x 10000! Have a fabulous time on your honeymoon! <3
Razana
Congratulation! Fabulous pictures, stunning dress!
Haruka
Oh, Cynthia. Where to begin. Aside from all the things I said whilst bawling like a crazy woman I cannot thank you enough for allowing me to be a part of this beautiful celebration. The setting, the people, the vows – everything about this wedding was perfect in every way, possibly because we ALL felt “the feeling that no matter what went wrong, anything and everything that happened that day would be perfect.” We are all head over heels in love with you, dear Cynthia, and were beyond honored to be able to join you during this defining moment in your life. Enjoy Japan; let me know if you need any travel tips! I think you’d really enjoy Maru Sankaku Shikaku in Kyoto, lots of traditional Japanese ceramic pieces there. Sending you so much love. Let me know when you’re back so I can give you a big hug and drop off a little sumphin sumphin x
Summer
Cynthia, you guys look so lovely and these photos are pure happiness! So happy for you two, hope you’re having a wonderful honeymoon in Japan!
Karen
Absolutely stunning! You, the dress, the story. The simplicity made this THE most elegant wedding!
Congrats! I wish you both the very best that life has to offer. xo
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Absolutely gorgeous, a dream! Congratulations to you both! 🙂
lilian
oh cynthia, every detail is picture perfect! and the two of you, romantic and gorgeous. so happy that it all came off so beautifully. blessings to you both! xoxoxo
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
Cynthia, I’m getting chills just looking at these stunning photos. And your description of your wedding just brings me back to my own — so foggy in some ways, so crystal clear in others, even six years later. I wish both of you so much joy. xo
conniechoi
Oh Cynthia. Your wedding, these pictures, your writing and you are all so incredibly beautiful. I absolutely love how intimate this post is – I feel like I was there too. And funny how regardless of me being there, your wedding reduced me to tears. So much love to you and B2. Have the best time in Japan <3<3<3<3
Tieghan
Cynthia!! You look stunning on so many levels!! WOW!! These photos are the best and you guys just look so incredibly happy! CONGRATS!!
Sarah // The Sugar Hit
What an absolute dream. You look absolutely incredible, and so happy. I wish you both all the love in the world! Gah! So beautiful!
Alanna Taylor-Tobin
Cynthia! This is unbearably sweet, and too beautiful for words. Congratulations!!!!
Meghan Faulkner
Oh my goodness, Cynthia. This is too much for words, I can’t even imagine how you’re feeling right now. So many congratulations to you and B2; both of you such beautiful people in & out. Have the time of your lives in Japan, you so deserve it. xo
Sini
You both look so incredibly happy and gorgeous! Gosh, I got all tiery reading your words. Sending you a ton of love and sunshine all the way to Japan ! xoxo
Betty Bake
you look AMAZING! so very beautiful. congratulations and many beautiful years of marriage to you both. awww this is a truly stunning blog post
Erica
These are the dreamiest wedding pictures I have ever seen. Congratulations Cynthia!!! You look absolutely beautiful.
Laura
You loom so beautiful, Cynthia! Congratulations on your big day. Biggest hugs 🙂
frolicchocolate
everything looks SO gorgeous and you look like a dream! beauty beauty beauty. oh i love LOVE! best wishes to you two and congratulations on finding each other in this mad world! here’s me wishing you two fierce joy and a whirlwind of good luck. XO!
Michelle @ Hummingbird High
Beautiful. You two. Everything. CONGRATULATIONS!
alanafixfeastflair
Oh my gosh. This is so beautiful. You are beautiful. And your words are beautiful. Gosh. Just gosh. I’m so happy for you two. Hope you’re loving every minute in Japan!! xoxo
Fork to Belly
Congratulations, Cynthia & Andrew! This is the sweetest, most beautiful post I’ve ever seen/read.
And on a side note… these gorgeous photos popped up on my Facebook feed and I realized I actually went to highschool with your brother’s sister! Such a small world!
Ellie@fitforthesoul
Ohhhh Congrats, you guys!!!! Omgness I’m totally (inwardly) squealing from the cuteness and delight of these photos! You are STUNNING girl~and the setting, the candid shots, all so stunning. 😀
Sherrie
Cynthia I can’t stop looking at these photographs. The smile on your face and the way the two of you are looking at one another says it all. What a magical, dreamy, perfect day. So much love to you both, XO XO XO !!!!
Millie | Add A Little
Cynthia!!! Massive congratulations! You look like an absolute beautiful goddess forest nymph (in a good way!) Hope you are having a ball in Japan! xxxxx
Emily
Breathtaking. Thanks for sharing all of these gorgeous images. You are truly a beautiful bride!
genevieve y
Congratulations Cynthia! You are absolutely glowing in those photos. Beautiful dress, beautiful wedding, beautiful photos… and I know you have had and will continue to have a beautiful life ahead with B2. I feel all warm and smiley just reading this post and looking at the photos :’)
JoAnn Farmer Talley
Just beautiful!!!! Congratulations to you and a happy life!!!
Magda | My Little Expat Kitchen
Congratulations Cynthia!!! All the best to you and your husband. You both look stunning and so so happy!! 🙂
Kaitlin
Congratulations from all of us over at The Woks of Life! The photos are gorgeous and you both look so happy! And I think we’ll have to give those macadamia nuts a try 🙂
Tamsin @ A Certain Adventure
Congratulations Cynthia! These beautiful pictures and your memories of the day brought a little tear to my eye. You look so in love! xxx
Our Food Stories
Congrats dear Cynthia!! The most beautiful wedding i ever saw, looks like you had a great time. Stunning pictures!! <3
cococakeland
oh man. you are a beautiful writer. perfectly captured, dear cynthia! kimchi fried rice, drunken karaoke, the surrounding love of family and friends … sounds like the most perfect of days… i love too that i attended my cousin’s wedding at that same insanely magical place so i can truly imagine the beauty, feel the warm hawaiian air… and the photos are gorgeous. so much love and congratulations to you guys!! XO
The Indie
These shots are AMAZING! Thank you for sharing your special day with us! Your dress is so simple and beautiful. Ugh, I have so many feels right now lol. Congratulations to you and your hubby. May this be the beginning to many many many years of love and happiness for the the rest of your lives together <3
Jessica (Coco and Mingo)
Congratulations you guys!! The wedding looked SO SO SO dream-like and perfect! Ahhhhh it makes me miss Hawaii so much! I’m seriously ooh-ing and ahh-ing at your photos, it was the perfect day! I’m so happy for you guys and cheers to many amazing years ahead!! <3
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen
You – and your photos and your wedding – EVERYTHING was just so magical and beautiful. Congratulations to the both of you!! You put together a fairytale wedding! <3