REAL WEDDINGS-February 2013
Photographs by Beth Fitzgerald of Blush Imagery
October 29 | Camden

Chieu and Ying first caught each other’s eye almost ten years ago while Chieu was visiting his sister, Ying’s friend. Despite their mutual attraction, the timing wasn’t right, and they lost touch. When they saw each other from afar in the Houston airport six years later, they knew without a doubt that they would be married someday. One rose-petal-filled day, years later, he proposed. Having grown up in Florida, Ying had always been intrigued by Maine, and the couple fell in love with Camden and the Camden Harbour Inn. It snowed on the day of their fall wedding, which delighted the bride. They held the ceremony in the Vesper Hill Children’s Chapel, perched over Penobscot Bay, and continued the festivities at Natalie’s at the Camden Harbour Inn. Ying and Chieu kept the total cost of their intimate, 60-person wedding down through various DIY ventures, which helped them treat their family and closest friends to the outstanding dining experience Natalie’s has to offer. Ying and her parents made hundreds of origami birds out of gold paper, and sprinkled the tables with rose petals. During the reception, the couple held a tea ceremony by the fire at the inn, and Ying changed into an ivory and gold Chinese reception dress.

“I WAS INCREDIBLY TOUCHED BY THE WORK MY MOM AND DAD PUT INTO MAKING THE PAPER CRANES. EVERY NIGHT FOR WEEKS THEY WOULD SCHEDULE IN A SESSION OF CRANE-MAKING.”

Why…
those colors?
The couple went with a gold and red color scheme, traditionally auspicious Chinese colors for weddings. The combo suited Natalie’s decor perfectly.

that menu? 
Having eaten at Natalie’s at the Camden Harbour Inn before, Ying and Chieu trusted the chef Geoffroy Deconinck to create a beautiful meal from fresh, local produce. They did not want a traditional cake, so they chose red velvet cupcakes instead, which were baked on the premises.

a DJ? 
Music was one of the things Ying and Chieu wanted someone else to take care of. Their family and friends love to have a good time—dancing was a must.

the paper cranes? 
“Cranes have very beautiful significance in Asian culture,” Ying explains. They are a symbol of longevity, soaring spirit, health, and happiness—all lovely ideas to incorporate into the wedding.

that dress? 
Ying knew the minute she tried the dress on that it was the one. “It’s got a bit more personality and flare,” says Ying, “without being ostentatious.” The dress came with a crystal belt, which she chose not to wear.

Click for a full list of resources from the 2013 Wedding issue.