Yana & Kenny’s Carlson Towers Rotunda wedding was another great wedding photography experience that Joannie and I will never forget.
This was a really fun filled wedding day with lots of unique (to us) Chinese traditions and wonderful people to be around all day. A Carlson Towers Rotunda wedding is a majestic and stunning location, both indoors and out.
We once again have more wedding photographs than could possibly fit into one highlight music video, so we will have a Part One and a Part Two. Here’s Part One.
We begin the wedding day at Yana’s home where she and the girls got ready for the day. But this is where this day is quite a bit different than most weddings that we have photographed throughout our careers. Yana would wear a beautiful Chinese wedding gown for this part of her wedding day. Kenny would arrive a short time later and have to “earn” his way into the house by passing by the bridesmaids at the front door. It would take cash to do that. Lot’s of cash! I’m not sure just how much money it took, probably millions. Right Kenny?
Once Kenny was allowed in, he then had to pass several tests to see if he was worthy of Yana’s hand. Again the bridesmaids had a hand at making sure Kenny and his groomsmen could pass the test. He and the boys had to entertain them, eat a variety of foods (some on the very spicy hot side; thank goodness for milk to put out the fire) and finally write some poetry to Yana. It was really all in fun and technology was used to make sure everyone could see what was going on. Yana viewed all of the events going on upstairs on her iPad using FaceTime. It had to be pretty entertaining for her!
Once Kenny passed all of the tests, we was given permission via a note written on origami to have his first look and he ran downstairs to his waiting bride. Pretty sweet.
Back upstairs there were many Chinese traditions to be upheld. I’m sure I’m missing some of them but I know that everyone enjoyed the festivities due to all the laughter and fun. Everyone had an opportunity to exchange gifts and well wishes at the Chinese Tea Ceremony with Kenny and Yana.
Yana and Kenny in their Chinese wedding attire.
When the Tea Ceremony was completed, we had a few moments to photograph Yana and Kenny and the wedding party in the front yard before heading off to Kenny’s house for another Chinese Tea Ceremony with Kenny’s family. That’s where we will end Part One. Watch for the finale of this wonderful wedding in the next day or so.