Laurel and Mike’s Zhangjiajie Forest Park Wedding Part 3 – The Ceremony

FINALLY. The big day. (Holy sh*it, we were excited!)

After the immaculate welcome BBQ, the rowdy door games, and the amazing breakfast, I was STOKED to get to the main event. Mike and his boys were well into their suits by the time we arrived for photos and were already starting in on their second bottle of wedding wine. If ever there was ever an indication of how awesome this day was going to be, that was it. Their get-up gave a nod to traditional Chinese styling and fused the past with the present with slim-fitting garments and modern dress shoes. The crazy socks were a must, signaling how wild and wonderful they all felt.

Now, I had heard for months about Laurel’s custom-made red wedding dress but NOTHING prepared me for the sheer perfection of it. Her gown looked like something off the MET Gala carpet and I was HERE for it. Not only did Laurel look stunning, but so did all of her bridesmaids. Their dresses all sported a different cut for each but created from the same gorgeous navy blue floral pattern. I don’t know about you, but I think this is one of the hottest bridal parties ever!

The ceremony was held at the Zhangjiajie National Forest park in the Hunan province of China. If this epic backdrop looks familiar, it’s because this is the same spot James Cameron filmed his 2009 epic Avatar. The floating mountains were absolutely breathtaking, I couldn’t believe this was the backdrop for the wedding! Of course, the decor of the aisle and altar matched the stunning neutrals of the fog-filled background with an abundance of white flowers, walkways, terraces, and arrangements. Watching Laurel stride down the aisle in her electrifying red dress is a surreal and beautiful moment that I will truly never forget. The ceremony was performed in both English and Chinese to accommodate for all the guests and involved traditional Western vows as well as a tea ceremony with the parents of the couple. It was sealed with a kiss, some dancing, and lots of joy!