Chinese Wedding Archives | Portrait + Wedding Photographer Carina Photographics

Pillsbury Mansion Wedding Photos

Suelen + Seth were engaged and looking for a venue that would fit well with their Lord of the Rings themed wedding ideas. They talked to Leslie at Charmed Petites Weddings, and she had the perfect venue for them – The Pillsbury Mansion in Minneapolis! And Leslie was absolutely right – the mansion was gorgeous and the perfect fit for their big day!

Themed Wedding Photography

Suelen + Seth started their event with a Chinese Tea Ceremony for Seth’s family. Once they were finished, they both changed into their Lord of the Rings themed outfits based on their love of the Lord of the Rings – woodsman/ranger attire for Seth, and elf/fairy attire for Suelen. They had everything perfect, down to Seth’s sword, Suelen’s gold elf ears, and even floral crowns for their guests!

After their wedding ceremony, they held a champagne toast and cake cutting. They were even able to live-stream the wedding to their family and friends who were unable to attend. We also captured some photos of them with their family on the iPad! The event ended with Suelen + Seth being driven away in a horse carriage to their downtown Minneapolis hotel.

Thank You!

Suelen + Seth, thank you so much for working with me for your spectacular wedding photography! It was so wonderful working with you on your big day. I wish you both a lifetime of happiness!

If you are considering a mansion and/or cosplay or themed wedding, contact me soon!

BONUS: Be sure to take a look at a few other mansion weddings I photographed too, such as this Van Dusen Mansion wedding, a Semple Mansion wedding, another Semple Mansion wedding, a St Paul College Club wedding, and a Cedarhurst Mansion wedding.

VENDORS:
Venue: The Alfred Pillsbury Mansion, Minneapolis MN
Wedding Planner: Charmed Petites Weddings
Florist: Charmed Petites Weddings
Decor: Charmed Petites Weddings
Carriage: The Hitching Company

Chinese Tea Ceremony Wedding

Today’s blog is a two-part story. Jing + Alex had a busy day planned for their wedding. Their big day featured not one but TWO wedding ceremonies! They planned for a Chinese Tea Ceremony for the first half of the day, followed by a more traditional American-style wedding for the second part. Today’s blog post features their amazing Chinese Tea Ceremony!

Saint Paul Hotel Wedding Day

We began their day with preparations for their Chinese Tea Ceremony. Jing used their suite at the Saint Paul Hotel, while Alex prepared at their home in New Brighton. Once everyone was ready to go, the guys traveled down and arrived at the suite’s door. They began an hour of fun and games to encourage Jing’s family and friends to “agree” to let Alex marry her! They asked Alex tons of questions about Jing, including her favorite movie stars, favorite color, birthdate and more. They hid her shoes and made Alex find them. They even had the groomsmen working on “feats of strength” including doing squats, lifting each other up, passing chopsticks without using hands, balloon-popping, and eating interesting and unusual Chinese foods!

Once the fun was over and Jing was given the “OK” to marry Alex, they held their Chinese Tea Ceremony right in the suite. Their wedding party and families were both witnesses to their fun event. Once their ceremony was complete, we had a chance to capture a few photos of them together as well as with their families. Afterward, they headed back to the suite to prepare for the second half of their day, their American-style wedding ceremony.

Stay Tuned!

Jing + Alex, thank you so much for including me as your wedding photographer for your amazing Tea Ceremony!

Be sure to take a look at Jing + Alex’s beautiful Como Conservatory Sunken Garden wedding that happened afterward! Also, be sure to take a look at another wedding that included a Chinese Tea Ceremony I photographed too!