Amy and Jeremy’s wedding at Chihuly Garden and Glass

It’s been a while since I’ve shot a good, solid Chinese wedding, complete with tea ceremony and groom games, so when Amy and Jeremy told me their big plans for their wedding at Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle, I WAS STOKED.

Firstly, Chihuly is an iconic Seattle venue at which I’ve wanted to shoot for the LONGEST time. I shot at the EMP a few years ago, and now Chihuly. If I book the Space Needle next, the trifecta is complete! Anyone game?

Fun and games

Amy and Jeremy had their tea ceremony at Amy’s since Jeremy’s family lives in San Francisco. What I was super excited about was the Chinese wedding tradition of groom games where to show the groom’s commitment to the bride, he and his posse has to get through a series of “obstacles” designed by the bride and her bridesmaids. This is SUCH a fun tradition which sadly, I didn’t get to make my husband go through when we were married 15 years ago. In Malaysia, this is HUGELY popular and gets pretty intense and crazy with each wedding!

I shoot a lot of fun weddings, but I must say Amy, Jeremy and their wedding party and family are SUCH a fun bunch, and funny as heck. I don’t think I’d laughed as much as I did that day with these guys. By the end of the night, we were more like friends, looking forward to the next time we’d hang out, which incidentally was at Ilana and Christoph’s wedding a few months later, who I’d booked independently of Amy and Jeremy, and found out they’re good friends! Small world indeed.

Thank you!

I’m always filled with gratitude when I realize how lucky I am to get such awesome couples. Gracious, kind and generous, Amy and Jeremy were focused really just on spending time and having fun with their loved ones, leaving all the details to their fabulous planner Rebecca Grant of New Creations and the rest of us vendors. The permission to do our jobs – and to do them well – truly made it a successful and BEAUTIFUL day, so THANK YOU!

Coming up with a good wedding hashtag is not easy. I love Amy and Jeremy’s!

Amy’s mom prepares the altar for the Chinese tea ceremony at her home. This altar pays respects to Amy’s ancestors as part of the wedding tea ceremony.

Amy, dressed in a traditional qipao (a Chinese wedding gown), chats with her bridesmaid before guests arrive for the tea ceremony.

Jeremy, the groom, asks to be let in to see his bride. This is a fun Chinese custom, where he has to overcome a series of “obstacles” designed by the bridal party before he can see his bride.

The groomsmen have to pass along seaweed using only their mouths. This is game #1 if Jeremy is to see his bride.

Jeremy puts on lipstick. This is part of Game #2.

Jeremy’s sister, a bridesmaid, tells the groomsmen what they have to do as part of Game #2.

One of Jeremy’s groomsmen kisses a poster as part of Game #2. He has lipstick on.

Amy and Jeremy got ready with their wedding party at the Alexis Hotel in downtown Seattle.

All paper goods by Chic Ink.

I swear, Amy has the best laugh. A girl after my own heart!

Love those kimonos! Such a fun bunch of girls. Makes me hope my daughters share lifelong friendships as Amy and her gal pals!

Amy’s beautiful florals are by Bash and Bloom

Rebecca Grant of New Creations, one of Seattle’s favorite wedding planners!

This AMAZING dessert spread is by The Sweet Side.

Amy, Jeremy, Jeremy’s mom and Amy’s mom perform a unique parent dance instead of the usual father/daughter mother/son dance at their wedding reception.