I love storytelling (that’s why I work in media!) and I wanted a record of our wedding day that captured all the special memories that would fade over time. We don’t often gather the most important people in our lives to one place with the sole purpose to provide love and support. All the energy put into making our wedding day beautiful, intimate and ours culminated into a spectacular event. I’m so grateful that I connected with Chris and Oliver and trusted them with our story.

Chris and Oliver Cinema were the very first vendors I hired. I knew a wedding video sometimes gets cut when couples assess their budget so I struck fast and quick. I made sure I secured the VERY BEST before anything else could be decided.

We got our full length documentaries delivered on Thanksgiving Day and I’m elated to share our highlight reel with you. I have to thank my sister Lien for planning all the decor and details. She blew us away with her creativity and craftsmanship. Lien transformed the Peggy Notebaert Nature Musuem into our own magical love nest and offered Chris and Oliver plenty of visually stunning details to include.

I hope you enjoy the video as much as Eric and I do.
With love,
Mai

I’d also like to thank the other vendors who made 9.22.12 an amazing celebration.
Catering: J & L Evelyn Hitchcock went above and beyond the demands of just feeding us, which itself was a delicious feat.
Officiant: Rev. Rebecca Armstrong helped us craft a personal ceremony that was authentic to our values and love.
Lighting: Sound Investment They gave my sister a dedicated crew to help her set up the decor vignettes in addition to doing the lighting. When I walked into the reception area, my skin tingled from the pure magic of the twinkle and gobo lights.
Photographer: Allison Williams Photography. Allison and her second shooter Chris took lovely emotional photos.
Graphic Designer: Mon Thai is a friend of Best Woman Jean Ho. She helped us create custom invitations, red string favors, programs, table cards and many more details.
Makeup Artist: Sana from Sonia Roselli helped me look and feel ultra glamourous.
Florist: Cornelia McNamara is an artist and the table centerpieces were a wonder to behold.
DJ: Toast and Jam DJ Emily Agustin played “Hot Cheetos and Takis” and Ludacris’ “Area Codes” after announcing us Eric and Mai Ho. It was a party.
Dance Lessons: Courtney Runft at the American Tap Dance Foundation choreographed our first dance. Neither of us knew how to tap before we met her.
Cake: Bittersweet Bakery Our cake was coconut cake with creme brulee custard and fresh strawberries with white gumpaste ruffles. It was a Pinterest dream!
Transportation: Windy City got us to the Nature Museum and provided a shuttle service for our guests at the Palmer House Hilton to the museum.
Ao Dai: Cynthia Bui designed my red ao dai and it was my favorite of the three dresses I wore that day. I recommend Cynthia if you can go to her studio in Garden Grove, Calif. for several fittings. She shipped my ao dai overnight and I got it the Thursday before our wedding in Chicago. I’m so lucky that my sister Kim is a tailor and was able to make alterations – literally – the day before the wedding.