It rained throughout the day during Cindy & Shoki’s wedding. Most times, we fear rain because it makes everything messier and colder, but the rain did add a special element to this beautiful Los Angeles wedding. Initially, the wedding was set to be an outdoor wedding in Palos Verdes Estates, but due to the rain, plans had to be changed last minute and the wedding moved indoors to Gardena Valley Baptist Church about a week before the wedding!

Seeing everything come together, despite any roadblocks or difficulties was so amazing! All the guests, vendors, and especially C & S came together to overcome changes and celebrate together. The day truly was one full of joy and bittersweet emotions.

Being with the girls as they were getting ready, I loved seeing the raindrops on the clear window glass, as if they were gently painted across like watercolor.

The guys arrived at the church hours after the girls did, and were able to enjoy some laughs together, as the girls were putting the finishing touches together. Shoki wore a super cool Hawaiian ti leaf lei over his white embroidered dress shirt. After the girls were done getting hair and makeup done, Cindy’s bridesmaid helped her with her dress and her little sister put on her shoes. Then, Cindy had a few quiet moments to herself taking in all the emotions of the special day before the first look. What a surreal moment of anticipation, one that never gets old to witness.

When I asked Cindy and Shoki how they met they told me that they met at the very same church they got married at, back when Shoki had just started going to church. They both didn’t think anything of each other, but eventually Cindy started to like Shoki when she had a dream where she felt she got direction from God to do so. Eventually, Shoki did an internship in San Luis Obispo where Cindy went to college and their friendship continued to grow. The two shared “we can say with confidence, God was the one that orchestrated everything!! We wouldn’t be here if it were not for Him using people in our lives to point and encourage us towards one another.”

Many of these people were present when Shoki proposed to Cindy. Shoki took Cindy to the Long Beach Aquarium where they had had a really fun date a year before. Nearing sunset, when they got to a certain point by the harbor/lighthouse walk area Shoki started reading a card. He then took out a turtle ringholder (since Cindy LOVES turtles) from his sunglass case, and “got down on one knee to “ask a very important question.”

On the day of the wedding, since it was pouring the entire day, we had to scrap our original location for bridal party and family portraits, and almost did them all completely indoors, which would have been ok! But right as we got ready to take photos as a group, we were blessed with some time to venture outdoors and take advantage of the beautiful nature and light. The church courtyard was filled with wispy trees that were in full bloom, sporting purple flowers. Such a lovely space its own respect. There was a lot of fun and laughs during this time, exactly what Cindy and Shoki wanted to remember from their wedding—the “smiling faces” of “good friends and family.”

And…I have to say, I always get a REAL GOOD laugh looking through the groomsmen portraits. So many of our dudes already have something in mind, which almost always includes a good ole jumping photo. There were several series of these Mario-Kart inspired jumps; I really had to resist the urge to make each of them into a GIF.

Slowly, the guests started trickling in where they were greeted by friends of the couple, wearing these intricately patterned kimonos. As guests filled the sanctuary, the dimmed lights set the stage in preparation for the ceremony to start.

Even though I couldn’t understand the praises sung in Japanese during the ceremony, it was so emotional and touching. It was also so evident the love and support the guests showed for the couple. They traveled near and far to attend the wedding and offered words of encouragement and prayer.

Throughout the reception it was also so beautiful to see the love and care between Cindy and Shoki and their community.

The rain meant that we had to improvise, not venture to original locations as intended, and work with the wetness. But while plans may have had to be changed on short notice, and things may not have gone exactly as envisioned, the wedding was no less beautiful. There was an abundance of love as everyone came to celebrate the union of two sweet souls!

And at the end of the day, a rainbow emerged just as we were taking bride and groom portraits—seriously the most perfect timing! The beauty and symbolism of the rainbow captured us all in awe. It was reminiscent of the story of Noah’s Ark, where a rainbow came after the flood to signify God’s promise. Seeing the rainbow was the cherry on top of the day and for Cindy & Shoki I hope it marks the start of a life together full of abundance!

With Love,

Anna

VENDORS:

Second Shooter: Benson Wu // Venue: Gardena Valley Baptist Church // Florals: With Flourish // Paper Goods: Michelle Sakamaki // HMUA: Mariel & Kit // Videographers: Hiroki Sano and Ueno Tatsuya // Wedding Officiant: Eiji Osato // Cake: Izumi Kawasaki // Wedding Dress: Simply Bridal // Ice Cream: Kansha Creamery