Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      5 Kitchen Cabinet Paint Colors That Will Never Go Out of Style, According to Interior Designers

      Choose a shade that works with a range of backsplash and countertop materials. Read More
    • Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Let Go of These 8 Household Items as We Start the New Year

      Reclaim your space by parting with things in your home you no longer use or have been damaged over time. Read More
    • 93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

      From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    93 Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes to Make Any Night of the Week

    From chili and chicken cutlets to spaghetti and meatballs and sheet-pan salmon, consider this your ultimate guide to making a fast weeknight dinner.
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    40 Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes That You'll Fall in Love With

    The sweetest way to say "I love you" is with one of these heartfelt, homemade Valentine's Day desserts. Whether you're looking for a treat for your partner, your Galentine's crew, or the co-workers who adore your home baking, you'll find plenty of inspiration in this collection, filled with heart-shaped cakes, cupcakes, and cookies—plus, easy chocolate truffles and decadent mousses and parfaits. Our recipes include desserts for two to share and sweets that feed a crowd. We rate them all above a bunch of red roses any day.
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    6 Things to Always Clean Before Guests Come Over

    You don't have to give your house a top-to-bottom scrub before guests arrive, but there are a few areas you should pay attention to.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Halloween Party Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • Adult Halloween Costumes
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    6 Kitchen Paint Trends to Consider in 2023

    Bolder tones, like cherry red and deep olive green, will dominate in the heart of the home.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    How to Winter Sow—Plus, 6 Expert-Approved Seeds to Plant During the Cold-Weather Months

    These blooms are tolerant to the chilly conditions, which will allow you to get ahead on your spring flower garden.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    How to Remove Hard Water Stains From a Glass Shower—and Prevent Future Build-Up Before It Forms

    The spots develop when water dries on glass and leaves behind the minerals that were trapped inside.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    Experts Say These Are the 7 Things Happy Couples Regularly Do Together

    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    Ready for a New Hobby? These Are the 8 Craft Trends to Try in 2023

    From disco ball art to punch needle embroidery, these are the projects that will dominate the DIY world in the new year, experts say.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    The Truth About Slugging: Will Applying Petrolatum Jelly to Your Skin Really Make It Glow?

    In short, yes—should you have a skin type that might benefit from an occlusive product.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    9 Dog Breeds That Look Like Puppies Even When They're Fully Grown

    Puppies are irresistible. We fall in love with their big eyes, little button noses, fluffy tails, and clumsy paws. And yet, like any pet, puppies grow up and turn into dogs. Some breeds, like the Old English Sheepdog or Great Dane, will grow to become larger in size than most people. But not all dogs are destined to become giants. There are some breeds that stay small in size even when they're fully grown. You may want a forever puppy if you are used to smaller animals. Maybe you have a small apartment or just want a canine companion that you can easily carry along with you anywhere you go. Small dogs are also great for families with young children or those of senior age who are best matched with a breed they can physically handle. Fortunately, some specialty dog breeds are mixed to look like puppies throughout their entire lives—and they are sure to melt your heart the second you lay your eyes on them. 
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Real Weddings
  4. Wedding Styles
  5. Seasonal Weddings
  6. Fall Weddings
  7. This Couple Embraced Tradition and Nature During Their Elopement in Japan
Martha Stewart Weddings

This Couple Embraced Tradition and Nature During Their Elopement in Japan

martha stewart logo
By Martha Stewart Editors
Skip gallery slides
Pin
addie richard wedding japan couple holding hands
Credit: KT Merry

The bride and groom tied the knot in the city of Nara, then celebrated by visiting the area's sacred wildlife and exploring the area.

Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
addie richard wedding japan couple holding hands
Credit: KT Merry

While some couples go back and forth about the number of people on their guest list, Addie Ly and Richard Lee decided quickly that theirs would have just two: a bride and a groom. To Addie, whose sister, Quinn, had married in a "wedding for two" in Vietnam five years before, the number seemed ideal. Richard was hesitant, he says, "but Addie explained that this would be just for us, and a chance to commit our lives to each other without distractions."

Two weeks after they were engaged, the pair traveled to Japan for a vacation. "We fell in love with the country, the culture, the people, and the history," Addie says. "We knew we wanted to get married there." Once both sets of parents were on board—his, who told him to "do whatever makes you happy," and hers, after Addie and Richard promised to host a wedding reception closer to home—the couple called on Lisa Vorce, who had planned and designed Quinn's wedding. The bride had two requests: nature and traditional architecture. Tsukihitei, a ryokan (inn) in the mountains of the city of Nara, checked both boxes.

One year later, on November 17, 2017, the couple woke together in Tsukihitei on their wedding day, then dressed in separate rooms. When Addie was ready, she met her groom outside. "I'll never forget what she looked like stepping through the doorway in her white dress," says Richard. "It was so intimate, and she was very beautiful. It was surreal."

The two exchanged vows—"Richard's were very 'him,' with Star Wars references," recalls Addie—and then changed into traditional wedding kimonos. Lisa surprised the newlyweds with a rickshaw ride into town, to Nara Park, where they fed the sacred native deer (a designated national treasure) and posed for pictures under a bright-red parasol. "A lot of people were taking pictures of us," says Addie, "I remember thinking, 'Oh, my God, I'm here with you, and we're just so lucky.'" If he'd had any lingering doubts, Richard knew by then that their tiny wedding was perfect. "It felt like everything was exactly the way it should be," he says.

1 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Seeing Red

addie richard wedding japan japanese maples temple
Credit: KT Merry

The crimson leaves of Japanese maples—including one in front of the inn—made for a bold backdrop.

2 of 17

3 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Surprise for the Couple

addie richard wedding japan gifts
Credit: KT Merry

Lisa Vorce surprised the bride and groom with a basket of fresh fruit, tea, local treats, and a Japanese wedding headpiece for Addie, all wrapped in Japanese paper.

3 of 17

Advertisement

4 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Looking Elegant

addie richard wedding japan couple
Credit: KT Merry
Is a Destination Wedding Right for You?

The bride wore a wedding dress by Ines Di Santo; the groom, a Giorgio Armani tux. One of Richard's most special moments: "Putting up Addie's veil and seeing her face," he says. "She was very happy."

4 of 17

5 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Pretty Accessories

addie richard wedding japan accessories jewelry
Credit: KT Merry

Addie's wedding-day accessories included earrings, a necklace, and bracelet from Van Cleef & Arpels, which was also the jeweler behind her wedding band. Her beaded headband was from BHLDN; the flower-topped hair pin was from Lisa Vorce.

5 of 17

6 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Getting Married

addie richard wedding japan ceremony for two
Credit: KT Merry

Despite the chilly temperatures, the couple exchanged vows outdoors, on the grounds of Tsukihitei.

6 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Tied Together

addie richard wedding japan ceremonial cord
Credit: KT Merry
25 Creative Wedding Rituals That Symbolize Unity

Richard vividly remembers the Japanese cord ceremony: "The cord wrapped both of our fingers, symbolizing our unity and the bond we hold with each other," he says.

7 of 17

8 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Her Bridal Bouquet

addie richard wedding japan bouquet
Credit: KT Merry

Addie told her florist, Saipua, that she wanted a very simple bouquet. "I wanted all the flowers to look like she had picked them nearby," Addie says.

8 of 17

9 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Furry Friends

addie richard wedding japan deer in park
Credit: KT Merry
10 Things to Consider If You're Thinking About Getting Married in a Public Park

More than a thousand deer roam Nara Park, at the foot of Mount Wakakusa. After nibbling "deer crackers"—which are sold at the park— the deer would bow, Addie says.

9 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Traditional Attire

addie richard wedding japan bride kimono
Credit: KT Merry

Getting dressed in a traditional wedding kimono was one of Addie's favorite parts of their day. (Plus, she appreciated the warmth that the layers provided, since they hadn't realized temperatures in the mountains can dip into the 30s in fall.) She donned a kimono featuring cranes, which symbolize luck.

10 of 17

11 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Getting Around Town

addie richard wedding japan rickshaw
Credit: KT Merry

After the ceremony, Lisa surprised the newlyweds with a rickshaw ride through the streets of Nara, which was one the most memorable parts of the day for Richard.

11 of 17

12 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Portraits Around the Area

addie richard wedding japan visiting shrine
Credit: KT Merry
15 Amazing Destination Wedding Photos

The couple posed for pictures and then explored nearby temples. They also visited local shrines, where they wrote wishes that were blessed by monks.

12 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Dinner for Two

addie richard wedding japan table for two
Credit: KT Merry

After a day spent exploring the city of Nara, the newlyweds returned to Tsukihitei for a traditional multi-course dinner at a table set for two.

13 of 17

14 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Beautiful Table

addie richard wedding japan table setting
Credit: KT Merry
These Japanese-Inspired Centerpieces Are the Florals Your Minimalist Wedding Needs

A single floral-and-berry arrangement by Saipua decorated the middle of the table, which was set with tea cups and chopsticks.

14 of 17

15 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

An Intimate Meal

addie richard wedding japan post wedding meal
Credit: KT Merry

The bride and groom ended their wedding day with a traditional multi-course meal.

15 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Tiny Cake

addie richard wedding japan cake
Credit: KT Merry
60 Fall Wedding Cakes We're Obsessed With

Addie requested a white wedding cake, decorated with fall colors.

16 of 17

17 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

addie richard wedding japan kimono
Credit: KT Merry

Location and dinner, Tsukihitei

Event design and production, Lisa Vorce Co

Flowers, Saipua

Photography, KT Merry

Officiant, Yoshie Matsumoto of Matsuyoshiya

Bride's gown, Ines Di Santo

Bride's accessories, White by Vera Wang veil; BHLDN headpiece; Van Cleef & Arpels earrings, necklace, wedding band, and bracelet; Jimmy Choo shoes

Hair and makeup, Bridal Port

Kimono rentals, Tinkerbell

Groom's tuxedo, Giorgio Armani

Groom's accessories, Eton shirt; Dolce & Gabbana bow tie, Salvatore Ferragamo cuff links and shoes; Harry Winston wedding band

Rickshaw, Yamatoya-Nara

Local production support, Serendipity Flower & Wedding

Parasol, Kasagen

17 of 17

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Martha Stewart Editors

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • 9 Wedding Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2023, According to Wedding Planners and Event Designers
    • 7 Wedding Dress and Accessory Trends Every Bride-to-Be Needs to Know About in 2023
    • Princess Eugenie Is Pregnant With Her Second Child—and Is Due This Summer
    • How to Tell Your Loved Ones—Especially Your Parents—That You're Engaged to Someone They Haven't Met
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 17
    2 of 17 Seeing Red
    3 of 17 A Surprise for the Couple
    4 of 17 Looking Elegant
    5 of 17 Pretty Accessories
    6 of 17 Getting Married
    7 of 17 Tied Together
    8 of 17 Her Bridal Bouquet
    9 of 17 Furry Friends
    10 of 17 Traditional Attire
    11 of 17 Getting Around Town
    12 of 17 Portraits Around the Area
    13 of 17 Dinner for Two
    14 of 17 A Beautiful Table
    15 of 17 An Intimate Meal
    16 of 17 A Tiny Cake
    17 of 17 Sources

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    This Couple Embraced Tradition and Nature During Their Elopement in Japan
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.