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Hi everyone! We wanted to emphasize that this is a small, 40-person wedding. Its also a 2-day affair and we’re suggesting for guests to change into traditional garb according to their own heritage for a portion of the reception!
Hi everyone! We wanted to emphasize that this is a small, 40-person wedding. Its also a 2-day affair and we’re suggesting for guests to change into traditional garb according to their own heritage for a portion of the reception!
June 2, 2022
Nags Head, North Carolina

Lijia & Yanda

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Our Story

The Wedding Website of Lijia Zhang and Yanda Chen
Here's our story! Click on the photo to read little blurbs and explanations!
This blurry picture was taken at our APO brotherhood bonding week. Coincidentally we were in the same team and had to pose with this statue for points :)
This blurry picture was taken at our APO brotherhood bonding week. Coincidentally we were in the same team and had to pose with this statue for points :)
We met at a service fraternity at Duke called Alpha Phi Omega (APO). Funnily enough, our facial expressions also showed how much we enjoyed our time at university (haha).
We met at a service fraternity at Duke called Alpha Phi Omega (APO). Funnily enough, our facial expressions also showed how much we enjoyed our time at university (haha).
Years of shenanigans later, we somehow graduate sitting next to each other. I actually fell asleep during my graduation ceremony and Yanda didn't wake me up (haha)
Years of shenanigans later, we somehow graduate sitting next to each other. I actually fell asleep during my graduation ceremony and Yanda didn't wake me up (haha)
Sometime in my gap year, I ended up asking Yanda out. Then I had to ask him out again 6 months later (thanks to the help of Alex and Eden). Here's us at our first date (finally)
Sometime in my gap year, I ended up asking Yanda out. Then I had to ask him out again 6 months later (thanks to the help of Alex and Eden). Here's us at our first date (finally)
And so, our shenanigans began. We made sure to travel as much as possible before and during medical school
And so, our shenanigans began. We made sure to travel as much as possible before and during medical school
Often times, these shenanigans included our close friends :)
Often times, these shenanigans included our close friends :)
We visited philly for the first time. This was also when Yanda found out how much of a sore looser I am when playing games.
We visited philly for the first time. This was also when Yanda found out how much of a sore looser I am when playing games.
Our love for adventure and nature continued
Our love for adventure and nature continued
And so medical school started. Although we were in a long distance-relationship at the time, that did not last long. Yanda soon found a job in Charlottesville and moved down
And so medical school started. Although we were in a long distance-relationship at the time, that did not last long. Yanda soon found a job in Charlottesville and moved down
Even with the rigors of medical school, we found time for some sunshine :)
Even with the rigors of medical school, we found time for some sunshine :)
We even managed a Duke reunion or two :)
We even managed a Duke reunion or two :)
If you ever visit our home, you'll see this couple's painting hanging in our living room. Can you believe we painted this separately?
If you ever visit our home, you'll see this couple's painting hanging in our living room. Can you believe we painted this separately?
We also attended the annual "friendsgiving" at our Best Woman's place in DC. Does the contrast in our facial expressions remind you of any earlier pictures? haha
We also attended the annual "friendsgiving" at our Best Woman's place in DC. Does the contrast in our facial expressions remind you of any earlier pictures? haha
This is us attending Yanda's company's holiday party. It was a first for both of us.
This is us attending Yanda's company's holiday party. It was a first for both of us.
Our first medical school Gala
Our first medical school Gala
We finally achieved my dream of going to Japan! Yanda has already been so in a way, he acted as a tour guide
We finally achieved my dream of going to Japan! Yanda has already been so in a way, he acted as a tour guide
Yes, Yanda was a tour guide for my whole family haha
Yes, Yanda was a tour guide for my whole family haha
Our Japan adventures continue, can you guess what I am?
Our Japan adventures continue, can you guess what I am?
I bet you can guess what Yanda is! :)
I bet you can guess what Yanda is! :)
You bet that we made time for birthday celebrations (also, sorry for the crop, Aishu)
You bet that we made time for birthday celebrations (also, sorry for the crop, Aishu)
Featuring my grandfather's 80th birthday!
Featuring my grandfather's 80th birthday!
We even spent a weekend moving Anddy into Richmond :)
We even spent a weekend moving Anddy into Richmond :)
We also enjoyed "wow-ing" everyone at the gatsby gala. This photo also signifies the transition to clinical rotations for me
We also enjoyed "wow-ing" everyone at the gatsby gala. This photo also signifies the transition to clinical rotations for me
This is us after snorkeling in the beautiful waters of Belize, big thanks to Yanda's family!
This is us after snorkeling in the beautiful waters of Belize, big thanks to Yanda's family!
Two weeks into my clinical rotations, things came to a grinding halt with COVID. But we managed to find other ways to connect with friends and preoccupy ourselves
Two weeks into my clinical rotations, things came to a grinding halt with COVID. But we managed to find other ways to connect with friends and preoccupy ourselves
We took time to enjoy spring
We took time to enjoy spring
And we discovered our new hobby of mushroom foraging (thanks Eliot!)
And we discovered our new hobby of mushroom foraging (thanks Eliot!)
I even canoed for the first time! Yanda can tell you how scared I was!
I even canoed for the first time! Yanda can tell you how scared I was!
Our pictures also became less posed and polished (I actually have too many photos of Yanda sleeping in weird positions on my phone but as I shouldn't post them, here's a nice picture of him haha)
Our pictures also became less posed and polished (I actually have too many photos of Yanda sleeping in weird positions on my phone but as I shouldn't post them, here's a nice picture of him haha)
COVID made us realize just how important voting is. This is us dropping off our ballots at Charlottesville City Hall.
COVID made us realize just how important voting is. This is us dropping off our ballots at Charlottesville City Hall.
If you know us, then you'll know about our love for food
If you know us, then you'll know about our love for food
We REALLY love food. This is a picture of after I restarted clinical rotations and I was doing an away rotation in Salem, VA. Yanda came to visit me and we found some DELICIOUS restaurants
We REALLY love food. This is a picture of after I restarted clinical rotations and I was doing an away rotation in Salem, VA. Yanda came to visit me and we found some DELICIOUS restaurants
Here's us celebrating a beautiful Christmas with Yanda's family!
Here's us celebrating a beautiful Christmas with Yanda's family!
We used our artistic skills to make a beautiful snowman, named "Bob"
We used our artistic skills to make a beautiful snowman, named "Bob"
Yanda even achieved the impossible feat of carrying him home! A good 10 minute walk without the snow and ice
Yanda even achieved the impossible feat of carrying him home! A good 10 minute walk without the snow and ice
Thankfully 3rd-year clerkships came to an end. And we zipped up to Hawaii (after getting COVID tested). Here's us enjoying some sugar cane
Thankfully 3rd-year clerkships came to an end. And we zipped up to Hawaii (after getting COVID tested). Here's us enjoying some sugar cane
We also learned about (and personally experienced) the different strains of pineapples in Hawaii!
We also learned about (and personally experienced) the different strains of pineapples in Hawaii!
We also got to listen to an GPS tour guide as we drove, and managed to learn a great deal more about the history of Hawaii
We also got to listen to an GPS tour guide as we drove, and managed to learn a great deal more about the history of Hawaii
We both needed the break from school/work and from being stuck at home most of the time thanks to COVID
We both needed the break from school/work and from being stuck at home most of the time thanks to COVID
Can you believe that we drove through the "divorce highway" (road to Hana) THREE TIMES? And once backwards (where this was taken).
Can you believe that we drove through the "divorce highway" (road to Hana) THREE TIMES? And once backwards (where this was taken).
While we had to go back to the mainland, we took advantage of the time and flexibility my fourth year gave us. And we continued to travel and explore
While we had to go back to the mainland, we took advantage of the time and flexibility my fourth year gave us. And we continued to travel and explore
Sometimes this came in the form of impromptu shopping sprees (because we are adult children at heart).
Sometimes this came in the form of impromptu shopping sprees (because we are adult children at heart).
Sometimes this came in the form of us helping Aishu assemble her furniture. (Does everyone's posing and Yanda's lack of posing remind you of any other photos? haha)
Sometimes this came in the form of us helping Aishu assemble her furniture. (Does everyone's posing and Yanda's lack of posing remind you of any other photos? haha)
Summer came and we began berry picking, and hanging out with our neighbor and her kid. Yanda said it reminded him of growing up in the states with his mom
Summer came and we began berry picking, and hanging out with our neighbor and her kid. Yanda said it reminded him of growing up in the states with his mom
In the meantime, he proposed! :)
In the meantime, he proposed! :)
We also began the process of getting a poodle (Yanda's dream). Look at the love in his eyes.
We also began the process of getting a poodle (Yanda's dream). Look at the love in his eyes.
We then began the arduous process of wedding dress shopping. (This isn't my dress haha). I think went to 12 boutiques and tried on around 50 wedding dresses
We then began the arduous process of wedding dress shopping. (This isn't my dress haha). I think went to 12 boutiques and tried on around 50 wedding dresses
And then our Cucumber was born!!!
And then our Cucumber was born!!!
And this was the magical day when we acquired our son, Cucumber. Notice that he's the only one looking at the camera haha
And this was the magical day when we acquired our son, Cucumber. Notice that he's the only one looking at the camera haha
Our first-ever family Halloween costume (also the first time Yanda and I had a matching Halloween costume). It's Queen's Gambit! I'm Beth, Yanda is a King chess piece, and Cucumber is a Knight!
Our first-ever family Halloween costume (also the first time Yanda and I had a matching Halloween costume). It's Queen's Gambit! I'm Beth, Yanda is a King chess piece, and Cucumber is a Knight!
I told you we love food :)
I told you we love food :)
Adjusting to life with a puppy is hard - especially with one as intelligent, active, and curious as Cucumber
Adjusting to life with a puppy is hard - especially with one as intelligent, active, and curious as Cucumber
However, he's more than worth it. And with him, our family feels complete
However, he's more than worth it. And with him, our family feels complete
Looking into the now-not-so-distant future, we're excited for our wedding and for you to join us :). Props to you if you've made it all the way here!
Looking into the now-not-so-distant future, we're excited for our wedding and for you to join us :). Props to you if you've made it all the way here!
For all the days along the way
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