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Wedding Photography of a Chinese / English Fusion Wedding

June 8, 2024

I was really excited about photographing my first Chinese/English fusion wedding. I really wanted to get a deep understanding of all of the features of the day so that I could be in the best possible place to capture the action, so this meant meeting with the couple beforehand to talk through their wedding day.

I learned about door games, tea ceremonies, and more! I always meet with clients over video chat before the wedding, as my couples find this really helps with planning, and it helps me plan for the best photos.

I’m thrilled to share the stunning story of Jo and Adam’s wedding, a beautiful blend of Chinese and English traditions. After their memorable engagement shoot at the Malvern Hills, I anticipated a spectacular wedding day—and it exceeded all expectations.

Chinese Door Games

The festivities commenced with traditional Chinese door games, where Adam faced a series of entertaining challenges. These games are designed to test the groom’s devotion before he can meet his bride. Adam was an excellent sport, undertaking tasks such as plucking hair from various places and serenading Jo with a heartfelt Chinese song outside her bridal suite. This playful start set a joyful tone for the day’s celebrations.

I stayed with the bride to photograph her perspective and bridesmaids reactions to the games, whilst my 2nd photographer photographed candid photos of the games in action. This way, the photos tell the full story of this part of the day.

Tea Ceremony

Following the door games, we transitioned to the tea ceremony, one of the most poignant parts of the day. This tradition honors the couple’s families, symbolizing respect and gratitude. The ceremony was intimate and deeply emotional, with heartfelt exchanges and happy tears. Capturing these sincere moments was a privilege and a highlight of the day.

Wedding Ceremony

The next part of the day to photograph was the beautiful Civil Ceremony at The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club

Jo then changed into her wedding dress, looking absolutely radiant as we proceeded to the Meadow Barn at The Stratford Park Hotel & Golf Club. The setting was perfect for their civil ceremony, featuring personalized vows and meaningful readings. The love and warmth in the room were tangible, and every detail was beautifully arranged. The rustic charm of Meadow Barn added an enchanting touch to the ceremony.

Couple Portraits

My style of wedding photography is very relaxed and candid, and this flows through to the couple portraits. No cheesy poses here! Couples love being able to spend alone time together for a few moments, have a chat, and walk together whilst I create some gorgeous natural photos. Natural, playful smiles rather than anything formal.

Golden Hour Magic

Golden hour is one of my favourite parts of a wedding to photograph. Why? Because it’s the most beautiful light of the day. That said, it’s not guaranteed and it’s not really an hour – it’s more like 10 minutes! So if my couple would like golden hour photos, we figure out where in their timeline it might fall, and I’ll keep darting in and out to check what the light is doing.

Once the sun is low enough, I let the couple know and direct them to where the sun is setting. This changes as different times of year so I use my trust apps to suss out where it will be at golden hour in advance. For this wedding we did golden hour portraits just after speeches. We caught the last 5 minutes of it, phew! The golden hour provided a magical backdrop, casting a warm glow over the heartfelt words shared by family and friends. We captured some stunning portraits during this time, with Jo and Adam looking ethereal against the soft, golden light.

Dancefloor Celebration

The evening concluded with a lively dance session, accompanied by a fantastic live band. The energy was contagious, and it was delightful to capture everyone’s joy and excitement on the dance floor. The day was filled with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments, and it was an honour to be part of it.