Ever have that couple you just fall instantly in love with? Well Jesse & Susan are that couple for me! & When you love a couple & find out their Wedding is gonna be nothing like any other Wedding you’ve photographed….. the butterflies are in full force! This was my first Chinese/Western Wedding & I wanted to photograph it perfectly! I had to have an entire run down of the day from start to finish, because this was literally nothing like I’ve ever done before! & I was SOOOO excited!

We arrived at their cozy home in Calgary to Susan finishing up hair & makeup. She had previously told me she had two dresses on hand, one being a traditional red dress & the other a traditional white dress – both insanely beautiful! We photographed the dresses & all her little bits & pieces, then headed down to photograph the unreal decor Susan handmade for their Tea Ceremony. They kept things fun & traditional still, with the groom arriving at the home of his new bride & going through a set of games put on by her bridesmaids. As Susan waited upstairs, her bridesmaids put Jesse & his groomsmen through a series of tests to prove himself worthy to marry her. They provided them with Hawaiian dresses & made them eat pepperoni sticks, rap + dance & even made Jesse protest everything he loves about his beautiful bride to be, in front of both their families. Jesse passed the test & was able to go upstairs to fetch his bride & it was so sweet to witness! They walked down the stairs hand in hand, which is like “walking down the aisle”, & all their guests congratulated them. Then they began preparations for the Tea Ceremony, which is one of the most significant events. They offer their parents/loved ones tea & if they drink it, that signifies that they accept the marriage. They then offer the couple a red envelope or the bride receives jewellery.

After the beautiful Tea Ceremony, it was time to get ready to head to their second Ceremony! Susan came down in her gorgeous white dress & her bridesmaids put all the finishing touches on her. The ceremony was emotional & sentimental, with not a dry eye in the room! Then they gathered to mingle with guests before heading back to their house for some lunch! They cut up all the meat that was offered at the Tea Ceremony & dived right in. Raelene & I basked in the traditions & got to learn all about the culture while we enjoyed lunch too!

We finished up portraits across town at two locations then headed to the restaurant for the reception! Jesse & Susan’s bridal party lent their helping hands to set everything up before people arrived, & the room looked incredible! With their 10 course meal, Raelene & I had our hands full photographing each dish that came out – having NO idea what anything was haha! At lunch everyone was telling us that there was going to be Jelly Fish at dinner. So when the Jelly Fish came out, Jen from the Bridal Party called us over to try some! I was not game enough too, but Raelene tried some & was shocked that you could actually eat it! As the plates were continuing to come throughout the night, we enjoyed speeches from their loved ones & hilarious poems from their friends. They even had an incredible treat for their guests that I was excited for, which was the traditional Lion Dancers! They were so cool & fun to watch, not to mention photograph! At the Reception of a chinese Wedding, it’s tradition to go to each table & have a toast, so Jesse & Susan with their bridal party & full bottles went & toasted each guest & thanked them for coming! Which I thought was such a nice touch.

Jesse & Susan, I am SO happy that I was the one chosen to document this joyous occasion full of love, culture & family! I was able to venture out of my comfort zone & take on something I haven’t done before…. walking away having learned so much, & with a huge smile on my face! I’m so honoured to have shared this day with you & I can’t wait to cross paths again soon! xx

Ceremony Venue: Cranston Century Hall

Reception Venue: Forbidden City Restaurant

Dress: Privately Bought

Veil: Vera Wang

Bridesmaids Dresses: Essence

Hair: Michelle Wai, Quirkstar

Makeup: Preet Nijjar, Studio 150 Make Up & Esthetics

Men’s Tuxedos: Derks

Florals: Handmade by the Bride

Rings: Neil Lane

DJ:  Bo Khanh

Limo: Ambassador Limousines

Photo Booth: John Garcia Photography

Lion Dancers: World Pak Mei Hup Ging Do Martial Arts

Second Shooter: Raelene Schulmeister Photography