Boston Wedding Photographer | Nicole Chan Photography

When I first started talking to Monica about her wedding, she laughed about the part in my wedding contract where I require a slice of wedding cake.  Monica mentioned that she wasn’t a huge fan of cake and that I could have her portion.

I was shocked.

WHAT KIND OF A PERSON DOESN’T LIKE CAKE?  Oh boy.  :)

I’ve really enjoyed getting to know Monica and Mike.  After a decade of dating, Mike finally proposed and gifted a beautiful shiny rock to Monica.  I loved everything about their wedding, especially their friends!  They’re a seriously hilarious group of people – especially her bridesmaids (Shoutout to Wendy, Victoria, Susanna and Diane!).  I even ran into a few of my friends at their wedding.

The day started at the Royal Sonesta Hotel for bridal prep and kicked off early with an energetic round of door games.  There were a handful of non-PG-blog appropriate images that I, unfortunately, shouldn’t publish.  For those unfamiliar with Chinese Door Games, it’s a tradition where the groom and his dudes arrive at the home of the parents of the bride.  In this case, it was the bride’s hotel room.  The groom and his groomsmen proceed to undergo a series of tests often administered by the bridesmaids and/or female members.  These are tricks or tasks set on the groom as he attempts to collect the bride from her home on the morning of the wedding.  :)

The day continued with a tea ceremony, an American ceremony, and then lots of fantastic food  as well as a kickass Lion Dance over at China Pearl of Quincy, MA.

 

Photography:  Nicole Chan Photography 
Special thanks to Simon Gee and Amber Marsch for assisting 

Chinese Tea Ceremony Venue:  Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA

Ceremony Venue:  Royal Sonesta Hotel Cambridge, MA

Reception Venue:  China Pearl Quincy, MA

Wedding Coordinator:  Trang Spratt (Royal Sonesta)

Florist:  Richard, Cedar Grove Gardens

Cake:  Konditor Meister

DJ:  Joe and Ellen Chan

 

 

Clearly not enough cash for these girls.

Level 1 of Door games accomplished.  Level 2 is a tad too risque, so we’ll keep those off the public internet for a while.  :)

The Chinese wedding tradition of the red umbrella is held by a female elder called the “good luck woman”.  The tradition literally translates to “raise the bark, spread the leaves”.  The red umbrella protects the bride from evil spirit, and the rice and beans thrown towards the bride are to attract the attention of the gold chicken.

The Chinese tea ceremony is performed to express respect and appreciation to the couple’s family.  In the olden days, it was a way to introduce the newly wed to the extended family.  After the bride and groom serve tea to their families, the family members often provide red envelopes filled with money and give gifts, usually gold pieces of jewelry.

So much goes into the tea ceremony!  The order in which tea is served to relatives, whether the bride and groom kneel or stand, the type of tea, the way each member of the family is addressed, etc.

After the Chinese tea ceremony, Monica changes into a STUNNING white bridal gown.  She actually had it tailored to be a sweetheart neckline, and it looks ridiculously perfect on her.

During portraits, I turned around… and saw a ton of handsome dudes with spiffy cameras.  Life is pretty sweet.

Monica had a custom banner made and even DIY-ed some wicked cute props.  More to come below.

Richard over at Cedar Grove Gardens outdid himself in the floral designs!

After the ceremony and portraits at the Sonesta, we headed to Quincy, MA (where I grew up!) to China Pearl (in Kam Man Plaza) for their 350+ person reception.  The night kicked off with a kickass lion dance.I’m a huge fan of off-camera flash and it’s dramatic lighting effects.  

The couple in the bottom left caught the bouquet and garter.  HOW CUTE ARE THEY?  I have no idea who they are, but if anyone knows them… tell them I think they’re adorable together.

I love Monica’s brother and all his dance moves.

Don’t be fooled.  This guy singing can sing in CANTONESE!  I’ve never seen him before, but I’ve heard of “this black guy that sings in perfect Chinese”.  Upon passing him later that night, I saw that he was READING Chinese.  Holy crap.  

I love this shot.  :)  Congratulations, Monica and Mike!