Last week I posted photos of Jenny and Ke’s Chinese Tea Ceremony at Lyman Estate. I’m so excited to post their Western ceremony and reception. Photographing the two of them was so much fun. The bridal party and the all the guests were mostly consisted of friends so everyone was around the same age. It was like a big frat party. In fact, Jenny and Ke were in the fraternity when they went to Harvard. Since the day I met Jenny and Ke, I knew we were a good fit for each other. They were young, fun, and hip. You can tell from their Harvard Square engagement session. Take a look at their wedding photos and see for yourself…
Thanks Angie for taking these awesome detail shots.
First look!!!
Did I mention she looks absolutely stunning?!
Marilyn Monroe style…
The parents’ speeches were really moving. Jenny’s dad actually choked up while giving his speech.
Jenny had two maid of honors. One was a best friend since childhood, and the other was a best friend since college.
Capturing moments that the bride/groom didn’t see on their wedding day is what I love most about photography. When you hug someone, you don’t always see their face; it makes these photographs priceless when a quick moment turns into timeless memory.
I love the creativity here. Instead of a traditional guest book, guests wrote messages on small note cards and tied them on the little tree. One of the notes said “Don’t forget to eat the street food in Thailand”, which is where they spend their honeymoon I’m assuming. There was also Jenny and Ke’s parents’ wedding photos. I just loved it.
These guys were hardcore break dancers.
Last dance!
The guys were smoking cigars outside and I had to grab this shot. I feel like this is the kind of photographs that would be hung on walls in the living room. It was a candid moment but still somewhat arranged. I’m obsessed with this shot.
What was the most memorable moment of your wedding celebration?
Jenny: There were so many moments to choose from…it’s difficult to choose just one. The most emotionally memorable moment was when my father was making his toast. I don’t think he anticipated tearing up, but the raw emotions of his speech touched everyone. I have never seen him that emotional in my entire life, and I know I will always cry every time I re-watch his toast. The best fun moment was when we managed to do that final lift in our dance perfectly. We have been practicing for weeks (since before you photographed some of those failed attempts at our engagement shoot), and at first we both thought it was because Ke wasn’t strong enough that we couldn’t do the lift. After many practices, we realized that it wasn’t so much Ke’s strength but rather the technique that counted. This involves jumping forward and pretending to dive over Ke’s head; then, Ke would lift me up, and I would lean downward until my feet point to the sky, higher than my head. The secret to all of this is trust–trust that he is going to hold me and trust that he would catch me if I fall.
Ke: Our first dance, and the cypher (break dancing in a circle).
Any advice for future brides/grooms?
Jenny: Don’t sweat about the little stuff–like the fact that floral arrangements are not in the exact place or that toasts didn’t end on time–no one will notice. In the end, all eyes are on the bride and she will always look stunning. Brides and grooms, make sure to enjoy every second of the day, because it goes by so quickly!
Ke: Grooms: let the bride do whatever she wants, no questions asked. Bride: don’t be stressed, things will get done.
What was so emotional about the Chinese Tea Ceremony?
Jenny: During those moments, all I couldn’t think, only feel. I felt my parents’ love and their bitter sweet joy at my marriage — on the one hand, happy that I found the man of my dreams, and on the other hand, sad that I’ve grown up and will start my own family. I felt loved and anxious to tell them that our relationship won’t really change, that I will always remain their daughter and that no matter what happens, I will always take care of them.
Ke: How much I loved my parents (both sets), and how wonderful they are.
Funniest memory of the night?
Jenny: This is probably when they blasted gangnam on the dance floor and everyone broke out into the dance.
Ke: My best men’s speech, spilling all the stupid stuff I’ve done in college that my parents didn’t know about.