The second weekend we did back to back weddings with Keya’s on Saturday and Jenny’s on Sunday. Jenny and David’s wedding was unlike any other. Firstly, the morning began at the home of Jenny’s parents outside Greenville, SC. I had been tipped off by our astute wedding coordinator, Allie from Upstate I Do, that this wedding would be a unique day. Jenny wore a traditional red Asian dress while her bridesmaids wore their Western-style dresses that would remain for the American ceremony later. The groom arrived around 8AM with his entourage. He was driving his BMW with little groom/bride teddy bears mounted like a hood ornament. This was the first time I have ever seen a wedding party, particularly the groomsmen, ready for a wedding dressed with bowties on at 8am. They were game and ready for fun. The lead bridesmaid had devised a number of games and challenges the men had to accomplish before being allowed admittance to the home for the traditional Cantonese Tea Ceremony. The girls had them bring coffees, money, sing, do pushups, eating contests and David had to shout up to Jenny 5 things that he particularly loved about her before being allowed to see her for the first time on their wedding day. Everyone was having fun and laughing throughout. The tea ceremony was surprisingly fast and graceful. We repeated the same ceremony at the home of David’s parents in another part of Greenville. Then the festivities at the Hilton began. We have filmed a good number of weddings at the Hilton, but had not seen it since the renovations that took place this past summer. It really looks good. Jenny changed into her wedding dress at the hotel. We conducted pre ceremony interviews, the ceremony was in one of the ballrooms and was followed by a cocktail hour and then the plated lobster tail dinner reception. At the reception I enjoyed their tradition of the bride and groom toasting each table as they made their way through the hall. More games followed the first dances as a blindfold was placed on the bride and later the groom. They were forced to find their respective spouse only by touch in the crowd of reception guests. Everyone enjoyed the frivolity. The rest of the night went off without a hitch. Clearly, the bride and groom had a great time with their friends and families. We enjoyed shooting with Aperture Vision on this day. We thank Allie and her team from Upstate I Do for referring us to these clients.
