Michelle and Khoa
Photographing a Vietnamese/Chinese wedding is quite different than Western weddings, and we always look forward to the variety. One of the main difference is the time involved due to the intertwining of Western and Eastern traditions. Often most wedding preparation start at around 4:30am and continue until midnight. Lucky for us we don’t normally have to start till 6 or 7am :). For Michelle and Khoa’s wedding, we arrived at Michelle’s parent’s place at 7am to photograph the girls getting ready.
Soon after, Khoa and his family to arrive to pick up his bride Michelle. Khoa and his groomsmen presented his gifts covered in red cloths to the bride’s family and was given permission to greet the bride and whisk her away for the tea pouring ceremony which was held back at his parent’s house. Traditionally the groom’s family gives gifts covered in red cloth, as the colour red is considered to be lucky in both Vietnamese and Chinese traditions.
Once we were back at the groom’s house a tea ceremony took place in front of the family altar. Michelle and Khoa bowed their heads to the altar asking for their ancestors’ blessing before taking part in the tea ceremony, where Michelle and Khoa served tea to their parents and relatives. In return their family presented them with gifts and gave their guidance to the soon to be newlyweds.
We then had a short break for lunch before Michelle changed into a beautiful layered wedding dress. Next we headed to St Michael’s Church in Leederville for the Catholic ceremony. After the formal ceremony we went to John Oldman Park on Mounts Bay Road and the Crawley Edge Blue Boatshed to photograph some bridal party shots. With plenty of time left we tried to sneak to the roof of a car park to take sunset photos but were foiled by security. But we had managed to take some stunning cloud pattern photos during the day which more than made up for it.
After sunset, we drove to the reception which was held at Xintiandi Restaurnt in Northbridge, formally known as Old Jade Northbridge. Michelle changed into a third outfit, a stunning red dress. The guests were treated to a 10 course meal and then celebrated the night away.
I love those first two pictures of her alone – such great light. And that smoke is awesome!!
Love that first frame!
You were all over the place with the couple! The dock portraits are so beautiful.
Wow — seriously gorgeous! Love the ones of her walking out to the boathouse. And those precious flower girls.
Wow! Both ceremonies are so beautiful, but your use of light throughout is just amazing. Well done.
BEAUTIFUL cloud shots! I also love the bridal photos ofher and the blue boat house is perfect!!
Really great shots here– all throughout! The dramatic off-camera lit ones (that’s what it looks like at least) are stunning!
Wow!! so beautiful! I agree with Heather, your use of light is amazing, great set!!
These are great. Love the tea ceremony!
The photos and the people are so full of life and laughter – I just want to celebrate with them!
I really love the shot of the bride walking out towards the building at the end of the dock.
What a lovely bride. That boathouse portrait is sweet. Great coverage all around!
Always refreshing looking at your incredible work Richard. Your mastery of OCF is epic.
Love that boat shed. It’ll never grow old.
Stunning work, too many good ones to pick a favourite…but the dock ones (and the first dance ones) are fantastic !
Such a pretty and beautiful wedding. I love the concept and the themes used in here.
Oriental weddings are so cool! Love the pics on the dock
Both ceremonies are so beautiful, but your use of light throughout is just amazing. Well done.seriously gorgeous! Love the ones of her walking out to the boathouse. And those precious flower girls.
I love your use of color, and love the ring shots in this set.