Kara Coleen

Team Helminski - Gloria and Brian

Gloria and Brian's wedding weekend was so amazing that I didn't want it to end. One incredible event after another, the final being their Chinese Wedding. The day began with the tea ceremony which is the most significant event in a modern Chinese wedding. The newlyweds serve tea to their "elders" in order, starting with the parents then proceeding from the oldest family members to the youngest. In return, the newlyweds receive lucky red envelopes (“lai see,” which means “lucky”) stuffed with money or jewelry. The elders also gave Brian and Gloria very valuable advice on how to have a happy marriage.

My favorite piece of advice was, "Never argue or undermine the other in public. Always fight for and defend one another. Remember that from here on out, its just you two. You're a team."

Is this not the best looking team you've ever seen?

Tea Ceremony time!

I can't remember the last time I ate this good! Yum!

How cute is this?! This little guy was so not on board with the whole organized family photo deal.

Ending with this pic because it pretty much sums up why these two are so awesome together. They love to be silly and have fun.

Special thanks to Gloria's brother Ernie and sister-in-law Jenny for planning this amazing day.

Brian, welcome to the family brother!
And Gloria... "Thank you for being a friend."

*****

If you like my work please follow me on Twitter or Facebook and feel free to email me any time! I would love to hear from you. :)

Posted in: Chinese Wedding Ceremony, Los Angeles Wedding Photography, weddings on at on Thursday, September 27, 2012 0 comments

Together Forever - Rachael and John

I love the story of how John proposed to Rachael. John, a graduate of Ohio State planned a trip back for some live football fun and brought Rachael with him. Rachael just thought she was going to see a football game and get a tour of the campus where her love spent four years of his life. She didn't know about The Oval or the tradition...

The Oval is the quad, where students congregate to study or relax. Tradition has it that if you take a long walk from the seal at the east end to the William Oxley Thompson statue on the west end holding hands with your loved one, you’ll be together forever. He took her on this walk, hand in hand, and in front of the William Oxley Thompson statue, asked her to be his one and only.

The two of them are amazing together. They truly complement each other in the best way and I was so honored that they selected me to capture their special day.

Enjoy this sneak peek of Rachael and John's Brooklyn Wedding

Photobucket

Since the guys did not have hair and makeup to worry about, they got to hang out and enjoy watching Ohio take Cal. John joked that he wasn't going to start getting ready until an hour before the ceremony... Men... All I have to say is must be nice. :)