Lia and Artie ran into a tough challenge while planning their wedding, but that didn't stop them from tying the knot. Their faith, love, and steadfastness proved that they were ready to stay together through thick and thin. With the help of family and friends, they enjoyed their lovely Japanese cherry blossom-themed wedding.

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• Read about their love story
• Find out more about their wedding preparations
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Love Story

Lia met Artie back when they were both in college. They were introduced by a common friend and instantly became inseparable. Yet their quick connection didn't translate to a wedding as easily--instead, the couple's walk down the aisle was almost a decade in the making.

On their eighth year as a couple, during one of their usual DVD dates, Artie suddenly blurted out that he wanted to sing Karen Carpenter's You. Thinking that Artie was just being his usual goofy self, Lea just laughed it off. But by the end of the song, Artie held out a ring to Lea and popped the question.

Three months before their scheduled wedding, the couple went through a challenging time. Doctors found that Lia had a tumor between her skull and spinal cord and had to undergo an operation immediately. Overwhelmed by surprise and fear, the couple thought they would have to cancel their wedding. Fortunately, Lia's surgery was successful and she recovered well in time for their big day.

With a love that bound them so readily and so strongly, nothing could stop Lia and Artie from spending forever with each other.

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Wedding Preparations

Lia and Artie's modern Japanese-inspired wedding had all the makings of a fun celebration. The theme was well reflected throughout their various wedding details.

The couple channeled their wedding's theme by asking their entourage to wear traditional Japanese attire. The bridesmaids csported elaborate obi belts and held bold cymbidium blooms. The flower girls also donned traditional Japanese garb: yukatas with cherry blossom prints and geta slippers.

At the reception, cherry blossom trees with round paper lanterns greeted Lia and Artie's guests. Pink décor gave a romantic vibe to the couple's reception.

While their reception details were amazing, what stood out amidst the pink blooms were the 1,000 paper cranes that were hung around the reception venue. The cranes were personally folded by the bride's sister over a period of almost two months. The couple's families also involved themselves with the preparations as they made 300 origami chopstick holders for all the guests.

Not to be outdone in preparations for their own wedding, Lia and Artie produced the guestbook alternatives--bottled strips of pink paper where the guests wrote their wishes for the couple. All these DIY projects not only tied the couple's wedding details together, but more importantly, pulled their loved ones closer to one another.

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Read about their love story