It was the best Christmas gift ever. Hanalei Ho, the prettiest girl he knew and the only one he ever felt shy around, emailed him with her phone number and an invitation to hangout. The weekend before school started again Austin took up Hana’s offer and called her to hang-out.

Hanalei and Austin first met the summer before their senior year in high school; SOAR, a recruitment camp for BYU brought them together. Hana remembers sitting next to him during one of their orientation meetings and was immediately attracted to him. Realizing how much their families were alike she kept him in the back of her mind, but it wasn’t until halfway through freshman year when Austin and Hana finally started dating each other. Although the two were soon separated for two long years for Austin’s mission and then another two long years for Hana’s mission, these two kept growing their relationship through written letters despite being halfway across the world.

I wish you all could have witnessed this beautiful “handmade” wedding. It was perfect in so many ways and I love how everything from Hana’s dress to the flowers to the details on the cake (..and photography!) was made and done by close family and friends. Here is part one of A+H’s wedding! : )

Hana, you are SUCH a beautiful bride! No wonder Austin was shy around you : )

Beautiful detail shots that Loretta Wang took! Thanks for being such an awesome 2nd shooter! : )

Hana’s wedding dress was handmade by her aunt-the delicate details and lacing were just breathtaking!

Austin’s turn! hehe . He was VERY nervous…

and now, off to the temple (they are so cute!).

byeeee! The last picture before Austin and Hanalei became Mr. and Mrs. Gene!

Stay tuned for part 2 and 3 of A+H’s wedding day!