Sothir and John’s tropical, multicultural Lakeland wedding beautifully blended elements from their diverse backgrounds, featuring rich Cambodian traditions, lush tropical decor, and vibrant Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine.

“Our theme was tropical jungle with vibrant, contrasting blooms,” the bride shared. “We chose this theme to honor my Southeast Asian heritage. We wanted our guests to feel as if they had stepped into a Cambodian jungle. We incorporated lots of textures, bamboo, and other natural elements to complement the look and feel. Our colors were dark green, magenta, orange, and yellow.”

The Washington, DC based bride and groom celebrated their December destination wedding in Central Florida, a place deeply connected to Sothir’s family history and roots.

“We chose to celebrate our wedding in Lakeland because it’s my hometown and holds so much meaning for my family,” the bride detailed. “It’s where I grew up, attended St. Paul Lutheran and Lakeland High School, and where my family found a new beginning after surviving the Khmer Rouge genocide. Over 35 years ago, St. Paul Lutheran Church sponsored my family’s migration to Lakeland, and it’s been home ever since.”

Sothir and John chose lush, immersive décor inspired by Cambodian jungles, incorporating rich textures, bamboo accents, and natural elements to create a stunning atmosphere for their celebration. Neutral sage green table linens were accented with palm print napkins courtesy of Over The Top Rental Linens, offering a perfect setting for woven chargers, tropical centerpieces, and floral-motif menus.

“Planning and collaborating with Sothir and John was such a joyful experience. We infused their wedding with the vibrant colors and the tropical essence of Cambodia, harmoniously blending it with hints of American elegance. From the intricate details to the flavors of a traditional Cambodian menu, every element was intentionally and thoughtfully pieced together to tell their unique love story,” Shadow Anderson, Owner and Lead Planner, of The Chaos Coordinator shared. “One of our favorite moments was John and Sothir walking into their tropical-inspired reception. Their reactions will forever be a core memory for us!”

Southeast Asian culture was woven throughout the day, particularly in the couple’s thoughtful choice of cuisine. To honor their heritage, they selected a Laotian immigrant-owned catering service that prepared an authentic, family-style Southeast Asian menu. Sharing food this way symbolized community and togetherness, reinforcing the spirit of unity that defined their wedding. The live band enhanced the atmosphere with Cambodian songs, connecting the 135 guests to the cultural significance of the celebration.

“We selected a caterer with a similar heritage who provided a personal menu of Southeast Asian cuisine served family style. Our live band also played some Cambodian songs for our guests,” the bride revealed. “We also chose personalized stationery to thank our guests, honor our loved ones, including our grandparents and beloved fur babies, and provide a bilingual menu for our guests who feel more comfortable speaking in Cambodian.”

“My favorite elements of the day would have to be the traditional Cambodian wedding and attire,” Alex Williams of Alex Michele Photo beamed. “I love being a part of different cultural weddings and seeing how beautiful other countries and religions celebrate their love. Seeing the two families come together and love the couple is truly amazing.  They chose such a versatile venue and it was so easy to photograph. The natural light that comes in makes photographing ceremonies inside so beautiful and easy!”

In a departure from tradition, Sothir and John opted out of the first dance. Instead, they began the reception with heartfelt remarks about their journey and expressed their gratitude to their guests, which added a meaningful touch.

“We decided to skip traditional wedding events, such as the first dance since I was still recovering from prolonged ankle surgery. Instead of a first dance, we kicked off the wedding reception with remarks about our journey and gratitude for our guests,” Sothir explained.

The couple chose a multicultural wedding that honored Sothir’s Cambodian heritage through traditional Khmer-Buddhist ceremonies, including the knot-tying and hair-cutting rituals. These ceremonies allowed family members and guests to participate directly, offering symbolic blessings for the couple’s new life together. The hair-cutting ceremony stood out as a joyful moment, as the groom’s side took the tradition literally, turning the ritual into a playful and memorable part of the day.

“The Khmer ceremonies were so meaningful yet fun. Our family members and guests were able to actively participate in the ceremonies,” the bride reminisced. “During the hair-cutting ceremony, family members came behind us in pairs to symbolically ‘cut’ our hair. Of course, the groom’s side decided to take things literally when cutting the groom’s hair.  It was so touching to receive their blessings and kind wishes.”

The Proposal:
We went hiking in Banff national park, part of the Canadian Rockies. On the second day of hiking, John proposed at the end of a particularly difficult trail!

What advice would you give to other Central Florida couples?
Find a reputable and well-connected wedding planner who understands and supports your vision and needs.