Anni and Rich are originally from opposite ends of the world, but when it came time for them to choose a wedding venue, California’s Shelter Cove called to them. Being a wedding photographer herself, Anni knew she wanted a low-key wedding weekend that included events and details that are special to her and Rich’s past, present, and future! The couple held a traditional Baci ceremony as well as an intimate Black Sands Beach ceremony to reflect their cultures and honor their family and friends. Photographer India Earl captured Anni and Rich’s Shelter Cove wedding weekend with the newlywed couple’s adventurous spirit in mind.
The Couple:
Anni and Rich
The Wedding:
Black Sands Beach & Seadance Vacation Rental, Shelter Cove, California
The night before our wedding, we had a Baci ceremony which is a traditional Lao blessing ceremony used to celebrate important occasions. During this ceremony Rich‘s dad, and our officiant, unites our khwan (our souls) as our heads touch together. Then everyone is given a white, cotton string to tie on our wrists to wish us good luck and well being. It was such a deep, emotional, and meaningful moment shared with all of our friends and family. I get emotional just thinking about it!

Rich grew up in Laos, and I grew up in India, so we wanted to incorporate some meaningful cultural traditions into our wedding. The whole weekend we ate Lao food and Indian food, drank chai and danced to Bollywood music! Ou...