There are moments in your life when you wish you could just stop, and remember always what you just experienced. After Yoko and George’s ceremony and reception, we had a moment to rest before we headed out for more photos. While George was trying to catch his breath, he said, “What just happened?” It’s not unusual for newlyweds to feel this way. Everything happens so fast on a wedding day that it feels like you just wake up from a dream. Sometimes you remember bits and pieces of it. But soon after, the memory becomes blurrier and blurrier.

Yoko and George, your wedding, your vows, and your love, are all too beautiful to be forgotten. I hope these photos will give you a lifetime of sweet memories!

Many thanks to An All Inclusive Event who made every detail beautiful.

Enjoy more photos in this slideshow!

I feel that God treats us too well when we get blue sky, white clouds in a city like San Francisco. It was my second wedding this year in San Francisco. I love everything about this city except for the lack of parking everywhere we go. I even love that I have to wear a warm wool jacket in the summer.

It was one of those weddings where we got to see a few familiar faces, and that always makes Ricky and I feel warm and welcomed. Margaret is my good twin friends’ sister. She is so true and genuine, who always wears her big heart out on her face with a huge smile. I met Wilson for the first time. Little did I know that he is a comedian. He is funny and hilarious. I feel so honor that they invited us to ride along with them in their limosine. It was such a relief for us not having to drive up and down the unfamiliar streets of San Francisco, not to mention we escaped the most unwanted parking craze.

There was so much going on at Marg and Wilson’s wedding that I wish there were three of me to capture everything. It was a 16-hour wedding shoot and I won’t hide the fact that I was exhausted towards the end. But it was all worth it. I had much fun with the two and the wedding party. Here, enjoy a little of their happy day…

Wilson was reading his “love declaration” to Marg before seeing her…

Margaret was listening to Wilson’s entertaining pledge…

After tea ceremony is when the bride gets to be decorated as a tree of gold. Even a little girl knows those are good stuff…

A shot by Ricky while I was with the girls…

These guys love to have fun…

You ladies look GORG!!

We got to see some pretty awesome lion dance…

To see more photos from the wedding, play the slideshow below:

Last week, I photographed the most intimate wedding I have ever attended. I felt so special and honored because I got to play three roles at Kristen and Klaus’ wedding. Not only that I was there to document their ceremony, I also happened to be their official witness who signed on their marriage license application, and the only guest.

Okay, enough about me. It really was THEIR civil wedding ceremony at the Laguna Hills Civic Center. The wedding might be fast and simple, but their commitment is big. Kristen was beyond nervous as she stood in front of Klaus and the officiant. I could hear Kristen’s heart beating from across the room when their 4-minute ceremony was over. Then we hung out together for a few more photos.

I would like to tell you how much I appreciate Emilie and Edwin, from the bottom of my heart. I did not know them until they booked me as their wedding photographer a year ago. And yet, Ricky and I were being treated as two of their honored guests on their wedding day. They are a couple with big hearts, big smiles. Two of the most loving people on earth. They are the type of people who say “thank you” for everything possible because they truly mean it. It’s amazing how far those two little words can go with me.

Even their family treated everyone like family. They were warm, caring and truly joyful. I cannot forget Edwin’s dad telling me at the reception, “Drink water. You must drink some water.” And my heart melted, right into my cup of water.

At the ceremony, there were several moments that I shed a few tears because their love for one another was overwhelming in the best possible sense of the word. My tears could not hold but rolled down my cheek as I heard those words that Edwin sang to Emilie.They had dated each other for almost a decade but their love has not faded for a single day.

My favorite part of the day was at the reception that took place at the Universal City Hilton.  Edwin’s best man honestly gave the most epic toast I have ever experienced, people were rolling. The chicken dance was no doubt highlight of the night. I was all having fun and dancing right along.

I can’t say enough about the amazing quality of Emilie and Edwin. No wonder they were so loved by everyone at their wedding. They love, because God first loved them.

Edwin and his sister. One of my favorites of the day…

Their idea to take photos in a laundromat. Everyone here was totally cute!

They have all sorts of fun ideas at their wedding. This “photo booth” was one of them…

Emilie is simply gorgeous inside out…

These two were hilarious…

See more photos in this slideshow.

I knew Hanns because he used to live in Southern California and we went to the same church.  But after he met Winnie, he followed her all the way to San Fransisco, got a job there, and decided to spend a lifetime with her. This is the engagement session I shot for them last summer in San Fransisco.

What an ideal day we had for their wedding. It was the first time I went to San Fransisco with so much sunshine. The weather was perfect and could not have been any better. I think because God knows Hanns was a perfectionist. What also amazed me was the amount of efforts Hanns and Winnie’s friends put in to help organize and arrange every detail of their wedding. It’s like they’re willing to climb up the mountain and dive into the sea for this newlywed couple. That’s what friends are for.

Door opening game: Hanns was a kangaroo…

Click here for the slideshow.

Winifred and Dave had asked me to photograph their wedding which took place in January of 2009. It was the first wedding I shot and I was thankful that they trusted me enough to even pay me, with REAL MONEY dude! Fifteen months later, Hanns, the garter catcher, fulfilled his responsibility and tied the knot. That was how I spent my last weekend with Ricky, traveling to San Fransisco to shoot his wedding. Good catch Hanns!

My Finao album arrived yesterday! I am more than impressed with its top of the line quality. I chose Finao because of the unique two-tone leather cover that they offer. There are so many options to choose from, and the colors are all fabulous! I decided to try this combination of textured accent and distressed leather, which gives it a modern and unique look.

The album was lovingly packaged in handmade paper made from recycled pineapple leaves and mulberry leaves.

Main leather: biker chic. Accent material: femme noire.

I like the seamless spread pages which make full page spreads look wonderful!

Last weekend, I shot Teresa and Scott’s wedding with Richelle Dante at the Arboretum in Fullerton.  Richelle was so kind to hire me and trust me to be her second shooter.

Knowing that Scott is a photographer himself, the opportunity to shoot his wedding is an honor. It’s a nice change to be a second shooter except that I don’t get the privilege of Ricky carrying half the lenses for me. So the stress that usually lies on my back turned into 10 lbs of equipment that was hanging on my shoulder. You can imagine how much I missed Ricky!

I am sure Richelle will be posting her amazing shots on her blog. In the meantime, here are some that I captured…

The groomsmen found the perfect prop…

While I could not keep my eyes off these fabulous colorful shoes…

…Scott could not keep his eyes off her beautiful bride…

Scott really wanted a picture of the windmill, so here it is…

Snapping a few while Richelle was changing card…

Teresa is so lovely that the look on Scott’s face totally makes sense (making sure no one will take her away)…

The sun was setting behind the head table…

For the following two photos, I could not decide which one I like better…

Sylvia and Ivan are married! They had an intimate, simple yet cozy wedding with about 50 guests. Ivan was Ricky’s elementary school classmate and neighbor when they lived in Hong Kong. He was Ricky’s best man at our own wedding. Best buddies are the two words to describe them.  It was only the second time I met Sylvia, but I felt like I was seeing a good old friend.

Sylvia and Ivan were made for each other. They both have exceptional taste buds and high expectation for food. Food is their lives. And that’s how he won her heart. They also share the same occupation: risk management in the financial industry. Yup! Smart people. I can imagine their kids being little Einsteins who can do Calculus by the age of five.

Back to the wedding. It was pouring rain the night before. Weather forecast said there would be thunder storm the next day. Ricky and I prayed, and God answered. There wwere only some drizzles in the morning, and by the time we wanted some portraits outside, the sun smiled at us. God is good.

Sylvia and Ivan, I most truly know how much I appreciate the two of you. I think both of you are incredibly smart, kind, and giving! I was so proud to be able to attend your wedding as a guest and to document it at the same time. We enjoyed it so much! Thank you for trusting us.

Here are the images from their big day. I have to warn you, there are a lot of them. So I hope you enjoy!

Oops! Sylvia was running late for the ceremony.

This is her running at 85 mph into the church, not wanting to take the chance of seeing a wedding ceremony start without a bride.

A mother’s look of satisfaction and pride, “how beautiful is my daughter!”

Oh no, this is not the groom yet! He’s the father of the bride.

Now, here comes the groom…

…and the best man, writing his speech at the last minute, which turned out to be remarkable!

The pastor was so thoughtful to bring an electronic game for everyone to play together. He was like a prophet who knew for
sure there would be time to kill.

I could not stop laughing about this. It seemed like Ivan had forgotten what his real mission was for the day. I love their expressions!
This makes Photo of the Day.

My favorite Orchid.

I had a blast with the wedding parties. They were so awesome!

Good job, groomsmen! For giving Sylvia a blast.

My favorite shot of the bride. She looks so graceful.

The reception was held at Tarry Lodge. I knew for sure this tiny romantic Italian restaurant served good food even before I
went there. That’s because Sylvia and Ivan picked it. They would never let their guests down with bad food.

It was showtime for the best man. That was the funniest best man speech I’ve ever heard. No wonder he made everyone laugh
so hard.

Ivan, you clearly were the winner of the day.

See the slideshow for more photos.

I was invited to shoot Sylvia and Ivan’s tea ceremony before their wedding day. This is a common Chinese wedding tradition that even the younger Chinese generations in America still do now, with their own modifications.

What’s in it?

Tea is used because it is China’s national drink and serving it is a sign of respect. Using tea is practical because not everyone can drink alcohol. There are two ingredients to put in the tea to make this tea super special. Lotus seeds and two red dates, and this is why. The words “lotus” and “year,” “seed” and “child,” and “date” and “early,” are homophones, i.e. they have the same sound but different meanings in Chinese. Therefore the ancient Chinese believed that putting these items in the tea would help the newlyweds produce children early in their marriage and every year, which would ensure many grandchildren for their parents. (In case you don’t want children or not too soon, drink at your own risk.) Also, the sweetness of the special tea is a wish for sweet relations between the bride and her new family.

How to serve?

Traditionally, the bride serves tea on the wedding day (holding the teacup with both hands) to her parents at home before the groom arrives . She does this out of respect and to thank her parents for raising her. The tea at this time does not need to have the lotus seeds or dates, and the bride does not need the assistance of a “lucky woman.” She pours and serves the tea by herself without the groom.

After the wedding ceremony, the newlyweds serve tea (holding the teacups with both hands), inviting the groom’s elders to drink tea by addressing them by formal title, e.g. first uncle or third aunt. The general rule is to have the woman on the left side and the man on the right side. The people being served will sit in chairs, while the bride and groom kneel.The newlyweds serve tea in order, starting with the groom’s parents then proceeding from the oldest family members to the youngest.

In return, the newlyweds receive lucky red envelopes stuffed with money or jewelry. The helpers, who are usually women blessed with a happy marriage or wealth and chosen by the fortune teller or bride’s mother, also get lucky red envelopes stuffed with money from those being served. These envelopes are placed on the platter which holds the teacups.

Nowadays, this tea ceremony takes place whenever the wedding schedule allows. Most of the time, the couple serves tea to both the bride’s and the groom’s parents. I’ve been through this on my own wedding day. It was summertime and my mother-in-law’s house had no air conditioning. So we were sweating the whole time kneeling down. But it was all worth while for the blessings, red envelopes and jewelry we received. And I became a Christmas tree after wards!

A sneak peek at the wedding…