📸: Caitlin Kershaw Photography // @caitlinkershawphoto
Marina and Garrett implemented several Cambodian wedding traditions into their big day, including the monk’s blessing and the robam jun por, or the “blessing dance.”
By: Tabitha Pereira
The Meet Cute: Garrett was one of Marina’s older brother’s best friends, and Marina’s brother relegated them to the “friend zone” when they met in 2010. It wasn’t until years later, after her brother lost his life in a car accident, that Garrett and Marina grieved together and formed their relationship a year or so after his death. Turns out Marina’s brother had actually given his blessing for their relationship several years beforehand, saying, “If my sister were to date any of my friends, I’d want it to be Garrett.”
The Engagement: During the pandemic, the couple took up hiking. “Hiking was our safe haven, and we tried to explore different paths each time,” Marina says. Garrett set up a beach picnic at one of her favorite hiking paths with the help of Marina’s younger siblings. Marina walked straight past the picnic during their romantic stroll — she urged Garrett to move away from “someone else’s beautiful picnic setup,” only to find him waiting for her by the picnic after she turned around. The couple enjoyed the picnic spread and reminisced on their relationship before Garrett asked, “So, you never answered me. Will you marry me?” “Of course I said yes,” says Marina.
The First Look: After tapping him on the shoulder for the reveal, “Garrett turned around and it was bliss,” Marina says. He leaned in for a kiss and the couple ended up banging each other’s teeth, “As if it were our first time,” she says.
The Traditions: The couple celebrated two different wedding ceremonies in June and September. During the June wedding, Marina and Garrett engaged in many Cambodian wedding traditions, like the soat mun, or the monk’s blessing ceremony; the groom’s processional; the knot tying ceremony and other traditions. The couple celebrated their June wedding with 300 guests at Marina’s parents’ house. During the September wedding, Marina and Garrett had two traditional Khmer dancers bless their wedding with the robam jun por, which translates to “blessing dance” and symbolizes health, wealth and prosperity for the couple.
The Highlights: Marina and Garrett’s wedding was a family affair, and one of the main highlights for the couple was the incorporation of family into the celebrations. Marina and Garrett were married by Marina’s cousin, who became ordained to officiate the marriage. Other cousins of Marina also showcased musical talents during the day, and her nephew walked down the aisle as the ring bearer. Another favorite moment was getting showered with flower petals as they exited the ceremony.
The Details
Ceremony, Reception and Catering: Kirkbrae Country Club in Lincoln | Hair: Yanna Yim Salon in Cranston Makeup: Bianca Corso of BMC Makeup | Bridal Attire: Ve’Lace Bridal Boutique in Bellingham, MA | Groom’s Attire: Carl Anthony Tuxedo in Cranston | Catering: | Florals: A Touch of Vermont in Cranston | Entertainment: Elite Entertainment; Moments to Capture | Cake: Wright’s Dairy Farm and Bakery in North Smithfield