Dorothy and Teddy are engaged!
September 7, 2009From the moment I received their first email, I knew this couple would be awesome to work with. With adorable names like Dorothy and Teddy, how can you go wrong? Needless to say, Geoff and I were not disappointed. They are a super cute, super sweet couple that are completely made for each other. We started off their engagement session in the gorgeous Discovery Park in Sacramento.
I think I am beginning to have a tiny love affair with bridges. Not only are they symbolic of the journey the couple is starting off into, they add just the right amount of texture and interest.
I loooove this one below. It’s how I imagine them walking together through the park when they are a cute elderly couple.
After spending some time in the park, we headed into downtown for some urban-type shots. I always love shooting in an urban setting. There are different colors and textures everywhere you turn!
Jim-Denny’s had some bomb milkshakes. I recommend dropping by! I hear they have some pretty great burgers too!
Then we headed up top of our favorite 10-story parking structure to get a view of the Sacramento skyline at sunset.
Dorothy and Teddy we had a great time with you and know your wedding is going to be fabulous! We can’t wait!
Preston and Trudee were so cute. They were a bit shy about all the “public displays of affection” we had them do (i.e. lots of K-I-S-S-I-N-G!). Once they got warmed up they were juuuuuust fine.
Geoff and I seriously have the best jobs on the planet. We get to hang out with happy lovey-dovey couples all the time! Preston and Trudee were no exception to the cute lovey-doviness.
I will never forget Trudee’s reaction when Geoff showed her this picture right after he took it. I think we can all agree what a pretty girl she is and how amazing she looks. She saw the photo, gasped and turned to Preston. With a lump in her throat she asks him “Is that what you see when you tell me I’m beautiful?” I almost died (and cried), it was so sweet. Such a special moment. I love how photography can help people see themselves in ways they might not normally (or ever) have seen themselves. I had warm fuzzies all day long from that comment. Trudee, you are one in a million!
Preston and Trudee, Geoff and I are incredibly excited to see you two as Mr. and Mrs. It’s so easy to see it’s going to be a long happy marriage! Only a few more weeks to go!
Mandy look so beautiful on her wedding day…just like a princess!
What happened next was completely unexpected and absolutely hilarious. The groom and all the groomsmen showed up and the bride’s front door. Before the groom could see his bride, he and his guys had to perform a few outrageous tasks to prove his love. The first was to pull berries out of a bin of ice cubes using their bare feet. As you can see from the photo, the guys were all less than willing to perform.
The guys had to parade Lawrence down the street as he screamed at the top of his lungs, ” I LOVE MANDY!”
Then they enjoyed a breakfast of wasabi sandwiches. MMMM…eat the whole thing now! Afterwards they had to wash it down with a baby bottle of soymilk. Yummy!
Then they had to pass a lifesaver to each other using half a toothpick.
Finally they made it inside, but Lawrence was stopped at Mandy’s door and forced to sing “Unchained Melody” to woo his fiancee.
Success! She approved his serenade and was allowed to greet his bride.
Then it was time for the traditional Chinese tea ceremony. The bride and groom presented their parents and other honored family members cups of tea and then were presented with gifts in return.
Then they were off to Lawrence’s house for another tea ceremony.
After the tea ceremonies, it was time for an american-style wedding ceremony held in Mandy and Lawrence’s backyard.
Between the ceremony and reception we had a nice chunk of time to head to a local park and take some fun portraits with Lawrence and Mandy and their bridal party.
The we headed to the restaurant where the amazing reception/banquet was to be held.
The venue had the coolest sparkly pink floors, which made for some great ring shots.
Mandy’s sister Iris did an amazing job planning the entire wedding.
The pretty and delicious cake was made by Ettore’s.
After the cake cutting it was time for the FEAST to begin!
We tried a lot of food I never would have tried on my own including jellyfish, abalone, sea cucumber and a very delicious traditional shark fin soup.
As the banquet went on, occasionally guests were called up to participate in games. In the photo below the young men had to stand in a line while the blindfolded Mandy had to guess which rear-end belonged to her new hubby.
There were some heartfelt speeches…
…and more games! Including “suck-and-blow” with seaweed paper. (men only of course!)
The newlyweds and their family walked around the room and toasted with every table. I really liked all the differences there were compared to an American wedding.
Mandy even got to wear three dresses that day! Fun!
On behalf of Geoff and myself, I cannot express how happy we were to experience and be a part of Mandy and Lawrence’s wedding day. We’ll never forget it! Congratulations to the happy couple. We wish you the best in your marriage and in life!