After the American ceremony in the gardens… Lisa and Ed held their wedding reception in the beautiful indoors of Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club.
Cocktail Hour ~ Signature drink was Pink Paradise {Coconut Rum, Amaretto. Pineapple Juice, Cranberry Juice}
“Our menu was made by chef Matt at the country club, who loved Asian Fusion”
Small Bites~ Pork Gyoza & Scallion Dipping Sauce. Vegetable Spring Roll with Thai Chilli Sauce. Lemon Grass Tuna, Cucumber, Nauc Chum
Entrée~ Banana Leaf Wrapped Grouper, Galangal, Cilantro, Curry; Jasmine Rice, Chinese Broccoli or Star Anise Roasted Filet of Beef, Tamarind Glaze, Snow Pea Salad, Crushed Okinawa Sweet Potato or Thai Marinated Breast of Chicken, Pan Fried Noodles, Baby Bok Choy
Wedding cake was by Chef Albert ~ White chocolate cake with buttercream icing and filling contained lemon curd folded with whip cream and raspberry preserves
First Dance ~ Love You For Sentimental Reasons ~ Nat King Cole
Lisa tells me “We love this era of music and we didn’t want a song that was overplayed. We didn’t have ‘Our Song’ picked out since we have been dating like some people do and we actually didn’t know what song we’d like to dance to until a few weeks before the wedding. This song is so special to us because when we heard it we both knew it had to be ours”
As well as the absolute enjoyment of learning about the Cambodian wedding culture, the exotic colours and how Lisa and Ed brought together in one day both a Cambodian and American ceremony… I was so very touched by Lindsey’s words about the lovely couple and their lives. Here in Lindsey’s words {Pure Photography by Lindsey} … they totally make you realise just how much a wedding photographer is inspired and touched by their bride and grooms… and yes, I dropped more than a tear when I first read this…
“After getting to know them throughout the last year and a half, I was so moved by everything they have victoriously lived and thrived through. I just love the human spirit and the absolute joy and love I get to see in my couples and their families.
Because her father has passed away, Lisa chose to dance with her mother and first gave a very moving speech about what a wonderful support her mother has been. When I first did their engagement session so long ago Lisa told me about her family history and I was embarrassed I knew very little about the Cambodian Genocide where nearly a third of the Cambodian people were killed in a horrible human tragedy.
Lisa’s parents escaped the Khmer Rouge and the genocide and came to the US where they were married in 1982 with no property. Lisa’s father, Heng Lim, had to abandon the medical school he started in Cambodia and worked as an electrician. Lisa’s mother was also stripped of her Cambodian education and had to work in warehouses and as a waitress. While on vacation visiting family in Philadelphia, Lisa’s father was the victim of a hate crime in the middle of the night and killed on Father’s day in 1990. I’m tearing up just writing about this.
Lisa’s mother, Mala, moved to Orlando because it was where she and Heng had wanted to move to before he died. She raised Lisa on her own, having difficulties being the first generation in America with fear of losing her daughter and learning the culture. Lisa told me a story of her first day of kindergarten knowing not a single word of English and being terrified of the policeman at the school. Obviously they were strong and successful together because Lisa now has a doctorate in pharmacology from UF and is a pharmacy manager. I have such an immense amount of respect for everything these ladies overcame to have a successful life in America, and because of the amazing person Lisa has become. She has such a genuine care for people that is amazing to watch“
Lindsey continues … “Edgar then had his dance with his mother and also gave a beautiful speech about what she has done for her family. His mother and father, Lourdes and Eduardo, were married in the Philippines and moved to America where Eduardo became a cook in the Navy. They raised 3 boys, Edwin, Edwardo, and Edgar (he was the miracle baby because Lourdes was not supposed to be able to have any more children and 7 years after her second child, she had Edgar in Naples, Italy).
When Edgar was 16, his dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. He was struggling through chemotherapy because he wanted to see Edgar graduate high school. He did not make it; as everyone thought he was getting better, he passed away. Edgar told of how his mother made a commitment to get all her children through college without debt and was able to achieve that goal as a single mother and how much respect he has for what she has accomplished.
Both Lisa and Edgar’s mothers never want to remarry”
One of the traditions is for Lisa and Ed to go round each table and hand out their favours and collect their cards {what a fab tradition!}… I love this shot of Lisa and Ed…so cute!
So here we come to the end of Lisa and Ed’s totally and utterly stylish, cultured and unique Cambodian wedding… I have loved every moment of showcasing their big day. Although an end to their wedding on Smitten By Weddings… it is the beginning of their wonderful marriage. I want to congratulate you both and wishing you a lifetime full of happiness. Thank you to you both for your kindness in sharing your big day.
Lindsey at Pure Photography by Lindsey ~ Thank you once again for allowing us to share Lisa and Ed’s wedding that has been so beautifully captured… which I hope will also inspire many others who are planning their Cambodian wedding.
Thank you’s to the vendors from Lisa and Ed~ Videographer ~ CollabCreation Films by Eric Torres. Flowers & Décor ~ Unforgettable Events by Dan Hathcock. Hair ~ Manou Retting from New U Salon & Spa in Jacksonville, FL. American Wedding Coordinator ~ Melissa Distefano from Masterpiece Weddings. Cambodian Wedding Coordinator ~ Lisa Ost from Vannery Bridal in Long Beach, CA. Cambodian Master of Ceremony ~ Linh Srey from Jacksonville. With thanks to the Cambodian Temple. Ceremony Music ~ Bella Strings with Stephanie Bower. Venue ~ Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club. Cake ~ Chef Albert Barrett from Stella’s Modern Pantry
After the colourful and cultural Cambodian ceremony of Lisa and Edgar’s wedding {Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4}… Lisa and Ed then had their American ceremony to celebrate their roots on the same day… where Pure Photography By Lindsey went from capturing the Eastern ceremony to American in no less other than in her contemporary style…
Venue ~ Golden Ocala Golf and Equestrian Club
Being a typical girl… I was of course curious about Lisa’s white wedding gown… Lisa says “For my white dress, I bought a Sophia Tolligown at Minerva’s Bridal in Tampa – where they do not charge extra for alterations. At 5 foot tall, I definitely had a lot of altering! The bridesmaid dresses and flower girl dress I ordered online at TopsPartner. They were all tailored to fit my girls perfectly!”
Flowers ~ “I had peonie because of the softness and delicate nature of the blooms. Orchids were chosen because they are abit more exotic and hydrangeas for their fulness. The girls had pink roses because they were less pricey. In all honesty, I had little to do with the floral and decorating aspect of the wedding because Dan Hathcock from Unforgettable Events took care of everything. All I asked for was white roses for each of our moms in memory of our dad’s and my bouquet had a charm of a picture of me and my father, so he would be with me as I walk down the aisle with my mom”
The wonderful reminder of the Cambodian Sompeas Ptem {Knot Tying Ceremony} ~ Bride and Groom leave the knots until they fall off naturally…
“Our second ceremony took place in the garden of the country club. This ceremony was for us and brought us more emotion and tears than the first. My best friend married us in her own words and my mother walked me down the aisle. It was perfect. My favourite part of our wedding was finding out how much everyone loves us through their speeches. Ed and I also gave speeches to honour our mothers before we danced with them”
I love love love parasols… simply stunning …
We have more of Lisa and Ed’s American ceremony tomorrow… do not miss this remaining part of Lisa and Ed’s amazing wedding… Carms Xx
Lisa and Ed’s fourth and last … and just as striking ~ Cambodian outfit for the ceremony of Sien Doan Taa {Call to Ancestors} Bongvul Pbopul {Passing of Blessings} and Sompeas Ptem (Knot Tying Ceremony)… do not miss out on the significance of each ceremony… all these masterpieces captured by Pure Photography By Lindsey.
Sien Doan Taa (Call to Ancestors)
This ceremony calls forth for those who have passed away, both family and friends, to offer their blessings and observe the wedding, if not in body, in spirit. It is a time to reflect on those near and dear to our hearts and remember to include them in our happiness.
Bongvul Pbopul (Passing of Blessings)
Currently married couples are asked to gather in a circle around the bride and groom. Three candles are lit, handed from person to person clockwise seven times around the circle. Each participant passes his or her right hand over the sacred flame in a sweeping motion towards the couple, sending a silent blessing to them. It is believed that they will pass along the special quality which has preserved their union to the newlyweds.
Sompeas Ptem (Knot Tying Ceremony)
Close family and friends are invited to come forward to bring their best wishes and blessings to the new couple by individually tying blessed string around each of their wrists. The newlyweds are traditionally required to wear them for three days afterwards to preserve luck.
The sword here is from the overarching story that the Khmer Ceremony is based on, the marriage of the first Khmer prince, Preah Thong, to the naga princess, Neang Neak. Another suitor arrived and the price had to fight him off with his sword, thus why it is involved in the Ceremony now as well.
 
Lisa so kindly told us… ”The Cambodian ceremony honored my family and paid tribute to my culture. Surprisingly our crazy Cambodian wedding wasn’t as crazy as we imagined it being. It was still long and chaotic, but with the help of Lisa Ost and many loving aunts, it was a beautiful ceremony. So many beautiful costumes and jewelry, I felt like royalty. The only regret is that we didn’t have enough time to share ourselves with everyone. We definitely felt rushed trying to squeeze two ceremonies into one day”
I have been so in love with Lisa and Ed’s Cambodian inspired wedding… but I’ll let you into a secret… their Western style wedding is just as inspiring… where beauty meets contemporary… don’t be too far away… you are in for a gem… xox
I am sure your heart is fluttering over Lisa and Ed’s traditional Cambodian attire. One thing that struck me about all of them is the intricate detailing on them and how everything was perfectly matched. I asked Lisa “Where did you find all the traditional wedding attire?!”…
“ I couldn’t find a Cambodian Wedding dresser in Florida that had what I was looking for so I went to Long Beach, CA (home of the only “Cambodia town” in the US) and found Vannary Bridal. Lisa Ost was an amazing Cambodian Wedding coordinator that agreed to fly to Florida to do my wedding. She brought 5 suitcases full of attire and jewellery for our bridal party. Ed and I changed 4 times (though there were 2 more outfits I did not have time for!) and bridesmaids and groomsmen changed twice. Not only did Lisa dress us, but she also decorated my house, assembled our flowers, and helped organize the flow of the Cambodian wedding. She was a miracle worker!”
… the third dress change for Gaat Sah ~ Cleansing ceremony
Gaat Sah ~ the Cleansing Ceremony ~
Before marriage, the bride and groom must be properly prepared through an elaborate cleansing ceremony. The singers, representing visiting devada (deities who watch over the mortal realms), dance around the bride and groom. Their songs represent their enchantment with the beauty of the new couple, and they agree to personally cleanse and purify them to bring them good fortune, beauty, and grace for the rest of their lives.
The devada cuts the couple’s hair and shaves the groom, throwing away any misfortune. At the end of this ceremony, the visiting devada return to the realm of tansuor, the home of the gods and deceased ancestors.
Family and friends may take turns symbolically cutting the couple’s hair, representing a fresh start to their new relationship together as husband and wife.
…having loved Part One… you will feel just the same with Part Two… all images courtesy of Pure By Lyndsey Tropf
Soat Mun ~ Blessing from the Monks
Traditionally, three to five monks or up to as many as seven will invoke blessings which have been specifically chosen for the couple by the monks. On reading the Khemer Institute website, I learnt that guests should remain silent while the bride and groom receive their blessing.
A remarkable and calm blessing… a huge sense of love from their family and friends… seeing is truly believing that culture and tradition is still wonderfully respected… I love… and love to share… do not head too far away… we have more yet to see and say…
Forget A for apple… B for boy… today it is …
A is for Amazing. B is for Beautiful. C is for Cambodian
Oh yes, this is ‘The’ Amazing and Beautiful Cambodian wedding of Lisa and Edgar {hope you lovely peeps enjoyed their Engagement shoot yesterday!} Bride of Cambodian ethnic origin and her Filipino groom chose to have a wedding filled with Cambodian/Khmer traditions… and when my eyes spied their photographs for the first time… being in love is an understatement. I am really going to spend some time in talking through Lisa and Edgar’s wedding and traditions, simply because after talking to Lindsey from Pure Photography and to the sweet newlyweds, we all agreed there really is not enough out there to inspire couples who are planning a modern Cambodian {Americanized} wedding. Here at Smitten By Weddings, my heart flutters at every contemporary and cultural wedding… so, here you go SBW readers… this is a truly inspirational Cambodian culture celebration… and one you will feel like you celebrated with them.
I am going to begin with some ’Behind the Scenes’ photos that Lisa sent over to me… I think she did a fabulous job making her own stationery as she wanted to dedicate something personal towards her wedding. With her busy career, she had little time to give for full wedding planning and so, the results are these perfect pieces…
A sneak preview to their big day… Lisa and Ed’s classy invitations and map inserts…
I love Lisa’s creativeness in the program fans for their Cambodian ceremony. Contemporary yet Cultural.
For the tables, they chose to name them after places they have visited together… oh, I spy Hawaii… I want to go there too!
…. and Edgar working hard before their big day… Signs of the perfect husband in him!
Their wedding day is finally upon us… photography by the talented Pure Photography by Lindsey Tropf and their wonderful wedding planner was… Melissa Distefano of Masterpiece Weddings…
For Lisa and Ed’s wedding, they had both a Cambodian and American ceremony within one day. We begin with their incredible day of honouring their family and paying tribute to the Cambodian culture…
I go into some detail of the significance behind each step of their ceremony… typed in bold are the details of the Cambodian ceremony from Lisa’s programs…
‘Khmer weddings symbolize the legend of the origin of Cambodia and parallels the marriage of the first Khmer prince, Preah Thong, to the naga princess, Neang Neak. The prince was a foreigner exiled from his homeland, and during his travels, encountered and fell in love with the naga princess. As a marriage gift, the father of the naga princess swallowed a part of the ocean, and thus formed the land of Cambodia’
When I first set eyes on their wedding photos… I have to agree with Lindsey… Lisa looking truly like a princess. I am so happy to learn that both Lisa and Ed were treated just like a prince and princess throughout the day. Something that certainly captured my heart was of Lisa’s utterly beautiful and elegant traditional Cambodian wedding dresses. Yes, dresses… there are many more beautiful pieces to come! This dress is magnificent… the details and shapes formed completely got my eyes dancing …
Hai Goan Gomlah (Groom’s Processional)
At the beginning of the day, the bride usually waits at her parents’ house while the groom gathers a procession of his family and friends. The procession symbolizes the journey of the prince to meet his bride the princess. The groom’s procession approaches the bride’s home bearing platters of gifts, usually fruits and desserts, and is led by a band of musicians and singers.
Traditionally, the mai ba (a well-respected member of the bride’s family who serves as a representative) comes out to greet the procession. The various fruits and desserts are counted – the more, the better. If found to be satisfactory, the mai ba and ma ha (representative for the groom’s party) run through a humorous verbal parlay which ends with the groom and the rest of the procession being invited into the bride’s home.
The groom presents the bride with a bouquet and after introductions are made, they exchange rings.
Below, the groom leads his family and many guests out down the street to then travel back symbolically traveling from afar to meet his bride, complete with gifts.
Lisa suggested to me the most informative website for Khmer wedding traditions ~ www.khmerinstitute.org/culture/wedding.html~ I decided to take a good read to satisfy my curiosity. I was a little surprised but very much loved that during the ceremony it is not considered to be rude shall you decide to stand up and leave the room to stretch your legs…
Thank you to Pure Photography By Lindsey Tropf for the Wedding Day photographs…
…be sure to come back for Part Two all you lovelies!
I am feeling super honoured to be able to feature this couple. In fact, I am still as high as a kite after seeing their photos a couple of days ago. Thank you to Pure Photography By Lindsey Tropf, who so kindly agreed for me to share with you all. Not only is Lindsey ridiculously awesome at her job, she just loves, loves, loves wedding photography! She is so passionate about it and I believe it truly shows through every single shot she has captured. I don’t need to ask anyone for their judgement because I just know you will all agree! {but of course, all agreements, please comment below ~ we love your loving supportive words!}
So all you lovely readers, please pour yourself a glass of wine and take a seat for one couple and their wedding you shall never forget…
A big hello to the very pretty Lisa and the good looking and intelligent Edgar. Lisa, who is just as intelligent by the way… is Cambodian/Khmer and Ed is Filipino. They met back in school but it wasn’t until they attended University of Florida did they get to know one another better. Being a true gent, Ed helped Lisa move to her first apartment… eight years later, he was still by her side. Having become the best of friends, they spent all their college years together and Edgar graduated with a Bachelors in Finance and is now a successful accountant. Lisa later graduated with her pharmacy doctorate and is now just as successful as a pharmacist.
The Proposal ~ With this proposal, you just realise how well Edgar knows Lisa!
Edgar’s Monday started out with his alarm clock not turned on and Lisa frantically waking him up, as she thought he overslept. He pretended to call in sick and Lisa scolded him for not making up a better excuse not to go to work. Nevertheless, she was excited that they had a free day to plan one of their many random trips. She decided to take a spontaneous trip to the St. Augustine. Being foodies, they brought clothes in case they wanted to change for dinner. After a great day of exploring the St. Augustine Lighthouse, they changed and went to Opus 34, where Lisa did not know Ed had made reservations. The restaurant was empty except for them and the staff and the food was amazing. Lisa, obsessed with her digital camera, took pictures the whole day until Edgar took a picture of her and the dessert. She reached out to look at the camera screen and on it was a photo of Edgar in a suit and ring box with “Will You Marry Me?” in the backdrop. She was caught off guard and so speechless, she left him kneeling beside her for a few minutes at the dinner table before she realized she had not answered him yet. The answer, of course, was yes… and the rest is history”
Lisa and Ed along with Lindsey took a trip back to St Augustine to have their Engagement shoot. Although the restaurant where Ed proposed to Lisa was closed, the staff were delighted to open for them to have their memories captured!
Do come back for their wedding which I really will need to share in many different parts. The jaw dropping details captured are more than I could have ever imagined {and I have so struggled to choose from all the photographs!} … the really pretty and perfectly-suited newlyweds you won’t want to take your eyes off… and if like me, you will love every cultural element to this one day…. do read till the end as there is one story behind their wedding day that touched me so deeply…
Today, the last photo I leave you with is of one of my favourite moments captured of the bride and groom for their E~Shoot … enjoy…
I was on top of the World when I tapped into Brian Khang Photography’s blog… he has captured many beautiful cultural weddings and so I just had to swiftly shoot him an email. When Brian told me he loved being part of such beautiful weddings, I was ecstatic that he also knew what gets my eyes dancing. One wedding which I really want to share with you all is of Jackie of Brian. Actually, this is not just about their wedding… it is a very romantic love story of a wonderful couple…
 
The bride with such a gorgeous smile is Jackie, who is Vietnamese and her handsome groom Brian, is half Irish and half Vietnamese. They met back at college 12 years ago… so now all the way from Redwood City in California… let me share with you their oh so sweet love story…
The Proposal ~ Oh, I do love this… and Brian you are just so sweet! Here Jackie shares with us…
“Brian’s original plan was to visit ”Lover’s Beach” near the famous Arch in Cabo but we got to the harbor too late for a water taxi to take us out there. So then Brian and I got into our rental car and drove around town to some scary parts trying to reach the north side to see the sun set over the ocean. Seeing that I was grasping onto the door handles for dear life and after Brian losing hope of reaching the north side beach in time (or rather not wanting to get mugged as it was getting dark), Brian drove about 2x the speed limit to get back to the Westin Resort. Brian and I went for a walk on the beach in front of the fabulous Westin on our second night in Cabo. We both stopped to enjoy the breathtaking view of the ocean. It turned out just perfect. Although the sun had already set, the sky color was still a beautiful fireball orange…
Brian first asked me if I knew what Pirates spend their lives looking for…….I yelled multiple guesses: Bad Guys! Money! Gold! (He was hoping that I would say, “Treasures”!)
At some point during the riddle, Brian secretly buried the treasure box in the sand. I eventually found it! After saying a heart-melting speech, Brian then got down on one knee and popped the question!
I screamed YES YES YES!!!! For the next 3 Days!!!”
Wedding Day
Jackie began their big day at The Avia Hotel, Long Beach, CA.
  
Jackie looks incredible in her elegant white bridal gown designed by Rivini and she fell in love with it at Unique Bride in California. Brian certainly looking the perfect groom in the suit he had chosen by Prada. Their wedding planner was Jennifer Yamauchi who Jackie says “She was an absolute Godsend!”
 
It seems a truly emotional and happy marriage ceremony. You immediately sense the closeness Jackie has with her father and the newlyweds are most Smitten with each other. Jackie’s vision for her flowers were simple yet romantic… there is definitely nothing more romantic than the red roses she had picked for her big day.
  
Their wedding at The Reef Restaurant Long Beach was simple and elegant with the wedding cake being no exception… designed by Rossmoor’s Bakery in Long Beach, CA. Jackie so kindly let us into more of her wedding. This is what she had to share with us…
“Our wedding was the perfect size of 175 total guests made up of parents’ friends, friends, but mostly family. We wanted to personalize our wedding with details that were important to us such our passion for marathon running. Our Table Names were named after races and we had a beautiful wishing tree that was made by my bridesmaid, where guests can write a personalized note or message to the couple. Most of our family and friends were local or a 2 hour drive, but we were lucky enough to have some friends make the trek from the east coast to attend our special day. My bridesmaid were amazing and were a great source of support and strength. My wedding planner shared that she’s never worked with group of girls so sweet, caring, protective of the bride. The celebration was beautiful, touching, and a day we will remember for the rest of our lives”
The lovely couple also chose to wear the stunning traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai wedding outfit. I adore this traditional attire and to see Jackie and Brian celebrating their big day in both Western and Eastern style attire really makes it a wedding that celebrates who they are. For Jackie and Brian, their wedding was a celebration with their family. Brian Khang noticed that throughout their engagement right up to their wedding day it had many personal and family touches, including a photograph of Brian’s late father who was a CEO of an airline company. Jackie also began her dance with her father who then gave her hand to her groom for the Bride and Groom’s First Dance. Some of their favourite details to their wedding involved personal touches from her bridesmaid who made the favours and another bridesmaid dedicated a song to them as part of her toast . One of my favourite photos here includes of Jackie and Brian in the photo-booth and as Jackie tells me “The photo-booth was a smashing hit!”, which I am sure has left them with many amazing memories of their wedding. They even had a very fun and entertaining dance-off competition among 4 couples!
I always like to find out how a bride and groom bring cultural elements into the day where all guests will feel comfortable… for Jackie and Brian it was Jackie’s uncle. He was the MC for the beginning of the evening and had the honour of introducing the immediate family from both sides. Jackie says “My uncle did a wonderful job translating Vietnamese to English”.
A little advice for couples from Jackie for planning their wedding is quite simply …
“It’s very important to have a dedicated wedding planner on top of everything and can handle impromptu difficult situations with grace and wisdom. My wedding planner was a GODSEND! Brides, if you want to enjoy your day, hire a wedding planner! I want to also take this opportunity to thank our wedding planner Jennifer Yamauchi, Brian Khang our photographer and our DJ Tim Coy”
Jackie and Brian ~ thank you so much for sharing your wonderful wedding on Smitten Wishing you both huge congratulations and wishing you a very happy marriage for life. Jackie, you have been so sweet. It has been lovely to chat with you.
Brian Khang~ Once again, thank you for allowing us share your amazing talent. There is no doubt that Jackie and Brian have such love for your photographs and I certainly do!
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xoxo
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1 comment
Gorgeous again – love the vivid pink against the dark wood in the reception room! OMG, the story about the bride and the groom and their mums bought a tear to my eye…how moving! Thanks for sharing such a lovely wedding with us!
xx