#hmongwedding

Five years ago, my sister and jumped into my car from Fresno and headed to Portland to visit our aunties for a girls weekend right before Labor Day. We had a wonderful time and at the moment we both had the craziest idea to pack up our lives and move there because she had lived there before for several years and loved the city but we both new we would have the time of our life growing old together. In between jobs and with nothing to hold her back, when we got back home — she immediately started packing and looking for work. I started applying for work too but said I’d only move if I found work. As fate would have it, I met a guy... who knew if it was going to lead anywhere then but I had a gut feeling that I couldn’t let this one go and so I let my sister head up by herself as I figured things out. And that guy I met those many September’s ago was... Deth, and life has been so beautiful since for me. As for my sister, if she hadn’t made that impulsive move, she would have never met her husband. Life has a funny way of leading you exactly where you need to go so I just know good things will await us on the other side of this pandemic! 📷 Photo I took at my sisters Hmong Wedding. #hmongwedding #blendedbliss #hmongamerican #lifeisgood #unexpectedblessings #lifeislikeaboxofchocolates #helloseptember #quarantinelife #livetgroughthis #spruitlovevang #pdxweddingphotographer #pnwweddingphotographer #traditionalwedding #culturalweddingphotographer #culturalweddingtraditions #weddinginspiration #loveauthentic #brideandgroom #bridalportraits #hmoobtshoob #tshoob #interacialcouple (at Sherwood, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEnXz2hDYUL/?igshid=17uwtuw134u0f

It’s National Best Friend Day Idk what day it is anymore but... since everyone is spreading what little moments of love they are still seeing in the world, thought I’d share this moment with my sister and I from her traditional Hmong Wedding last year. Mai had just learned that she had cancer a couple weeks prior to this celebration and she carried her pain by herself because she did not want anyone to feel sad on that day. I’m so happy she shared with me first because after that day, we both decided that life is worth living to it’s fullest now, not tomorrow or another day... but now. If you are lucky, you have a sister. You are even more lucky if she is your friend. I’m blessed that she is both. 📷: the hubs #nationalbestfriendday #mysisterisbetterthanyours #mysisterskeeper #hmongwedding #traditionalhmongwedding #hmoobtshoob #hmongsister #betweensisters #cancersurvivor #loveissimple #poc #asianamericanstories (at Fresno, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CBMdv1hDoY6/?igshid=1siv0waodapqv

It’s Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month! Haven’t posted anything about it yet and the month is almost over so I thought it fitting to share something today on Memorial Day to thank all those who served. Little unknown fact: My dad served in the military during the Secret War in Laos towards the end of the Vietnam War in a ground force along side other Hmong soldiers to assist remaining US influence in South East Asia. Dad doesn’t like to talk about it much and sometimes modestly replies that he didn’t play a significant role because the war was almost over at that point but I like to think that it was his efforts that allowed my family to come to America. Although there is more info out there and it’s so easy to research things on the web these days, a lot of people still don’t know about the secret war. I won’t get into details since you can just @wikipedia it but just that: my family had to escape Laos in order to survive. After seeking refuge in Thailand, this little lady (me) was born in a refugee camp in 1984. So every time I tell someone I was born in Thailand, they’d ask if I speak Thai but nope! I’m Hmong. I’d love to share more with you over coffee someday and tell you what I know.. if you’re interested. Love my heritage!! Sharing this photo from Susan + Gary’s Traditional Hmong wedding from ages ago! #hmongwedding #traditionalhmongclothes #traditionalhmongwedding #loveissimple #asianpacificislanderheritagemonth #asianamericanheritagemonth #asianamerican #asianwedding #tshoobhmoob #hmongamerican #simplejoiephoto #bayareaweddingphotographer #pdxweddingphotographer #fobpose #fobbyhmongmusic #hmoob #hmongpeople (at Simple Joie) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAnsEE3DChX/?igshid=dod13gc1ek47

Today my best friend was born. May your day be filled with love and happiness! Can’t wait to hang out with you soon! #loveissimple #hmongwedding #sisterlove #mybestfriend #sisters #traditionalhmongclothing #hmongfusion #bayareaweddingphotographer #lightandairyphotography #love #fineartphotographer #ethnicwedding #hmongclothes #hmongfashion #nooneintheworldlikeyou (at Sherwood, Oregon) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8RKyUBD3io/?igshid=gpmvj1wuiw8z

The dress of the Hmong tribe in the north of Thailand that is about to enter the wedding ceremony. ©Thanaphat Phongpoon / Bangkok ,Thailand Thanaphat Phongpoon / Photographer in Bangkok,Thailand. Email : [email protected] Mobile : +66 86 868 6972 Line ID : thanaphat86 Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/thanaphat.phongpoon #hmongclothes #hmong #hmongphotographer #hmongwedding #hmongtribe #hmongtribes #localphotographers #localphoto #localphotography #chiangmaiphotographer #chiangrai #chiangraiphotographer #wedding #weddingphotography #weddingphotographerthailand #storytellingwedding #storytellerphotographer #bangkokphotographer #pattayaphotographer https://www.instagram.com/p/BywxbHXHcE5/?igshid=jom1f4nd8f6i

Today’s the big day for their Hmong ceremony! Here’s a quick photo from today for our families who couldn’t be here today! So happy for Mai + Neil!! #spruitlovevang #hmongwedding (at Clovis, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5RgsrjDMf/?igshid=plba4xpxmzay

On March 18, 2017 my sister and my brother in-law (Choua and Mor) tie the knot. It was a beautiful Hmong/American Wedding. I’m so happy for both for them. It was an honor to plan their unforgettable wedding on this special day. Planning any kind of wedding is no joke but I’m happy everything turn out amazing! My greatest wish for the two of you is that through the years your love for each other will so deepen and grow, that years from now you will look back on this day, your wedding day, as the day you loved each other the least. Congratulation!