Our Story

Growing up, I always felt like I had a foot in both cultures. One part of me was deeply proud of my Chinese heritage, its rich traditions and culture. Another side felt uniquely American, inspired by the freedom to create my own path. I gave equal weight to both parts of my identity, because I am not one without the other. 

A few years ago, I helped my sister plan her wedding. Through joyous rituals like a Chinese tea ceremony and banquet dinner, my sister wanted to honor her heritage in front of family and friends. 

We struggled to find a wedding invitation that embodied who she was — a Chinese American. In many ways, everything felt like a sacrifice of identity in which she had to choose between languages, relinquish cultural imagery or settle for dated designs that did not fit the style and spirit of a modern bride.

Like many love stories, Airen was born out of that sacrifice. We set out to create beautiful bilingual invitations so that couples can celebrate all sides of themselves, never having to sacrifice who they are on life’s biggest day. 

Christina Shih
史雅婷