Loading...

This WulingYuan Wedding Honored Chinese Heritage Beautifully

October 9, 2024 | justine

Laurel and Mike’s Wulingyuan wedding wasn’t just a celebration—it was a stunning tribute to Chinese heritage and the special memories tied to the location. For Laurel, this place held deep personal meaning, as it was where her grandmother used to take her as a child. Although her grandmother passed away when she was young, Laurel found a beautiful way to honor her memory on their wedding day. The couple masterfully blended heartfelt traditions with their modern love story, creating an unforgettable celebration that perfectly wove together their roots and shared future.

Wulingyuan, a UNESCO World Heritage site, set a breathtaking backdrop for their vows, with its stunning quartz-sandstone spires towering above. Mismatched white garden gates adorned with flowers and lush foliage added a whimsical garden theme to the celebration. Their hotel reception continued this enchanting vibe, featuring tables overflowing with blooms and cascading greenery from above. A highlight of the evening was the rave cave—a unique stalagmite cave that housed the hotel’s restaurant—where they brought in a local DJ from the San Francisco Bay Area to keep the energy alive all night long.

If the vibe was off the charts, the fashion was even more spectacular. The bride stunned in a striking red gown for the ceremony and later changed into a chic white strapless dress for the reception. With the help of their talented vendor team, they brought their vision to life and executed it flawlessly. To see how this couple infused their big day with their unique styles while honoring tradition, scroll through these beautiful images captured by Junebug vendor Katherine Elyse.

The Couple:

Laurel and Mike

The Wedding:

Wulingyuan, Hunan Province, China

 

Embracing Culture Through Fun Challenges for the Groom

The most memorable part of the day was the door games. In Chinese culture, these games are like a playful “hazing ritual” where the groom has to prove himself through various challenges to be accepted by the bride’s community. Traditionally, this happens as a parade to the bride’s family home, but we wanted to share the experience with our friends who traveled worldwide, so we held it on stage. Each bridesmaid presented a challenge to the groom and his groomsmen, ranging from “Can you handle sweet, sour, salty, and spicy foods?” to “Let’s wax your legs!” The games ended with an exciting tug-of-war and arm wrestling match featuring some of my strongest aerial dance friends.

Choosing a Meaningful Location to Honor Family Heritage For Their WulingYuan Wedding

We chose this location because it holds special meaning to me—it’s where my grandmother used to take me when I was a child. Sadly, she passed away when I was young, but I wanted to honor her memory. The overall design was meant to celebrate the unity of Chinese and American cultures. Since Wulingyuan is a UNESCO World Heritage site, we followed certain guidelines to respect the environment. We sourced everything locally, from agricultural towns, and only used food vendors from the area—nothing from big cities. We embraced a “leave no trace” mindset, avoiding items like balloons or plastic plates and only choosing things that could be composted or reused. Even the flowers were picked from nearby, and our chosen colors blended perfectly with the natural scenery. In Chinese culture, we created an idiom for our wedding: 龙蛇金约, which means “from dragon to snake, from San Francisco to New York.” Mike was born in the year of the dragon, and I’m the year of the snake. My family immigrated from Mainland China to San Francisco, and his family is from New York.

 

The Importance of Hiring a Wedding Planner and Day of Coordinator

There were only three things that truly mattered to me at the wedding: the food, photography, and music. My mother, who’s big on events, handled most of the aesthetic details. If there’s one thing worth investing in, it’s a day-of wedding coordinator and planner. I had a wedding planner, but without a day-of coordinator, my family and bridesmaids had to manage what they could. Since the staff didn’t speak English, I ended up handling a lot myself. Despite these small issues, they didn’t take away from the things that really mattered to me. I just wish I could’ve enjoyed the day more instead of focusing on organizing everything.

A Culinary Journey from Grandma’s Kitchen to their WulingYuan Wedding Table

I wanted to share the local food I grew up on, the kind my grandmother used to cook for me as a way of showing love. I didn’t want fancy dishes like lobster or sushi. Instead, I wanted sticky rice shiitake mushroom shaomai, tang you ba ba (sweet gluten balls), all kinds of noodles, and more. The locals thought I was crazy for choosing street food over something extravagant, and I had to fight for it several times because I really wanted to support the street vendors. For me, sharing food is like sharing my culture, and watching our friends try new dishes they’d never experienced in their own countries made it all worthwhile. One of my favorite moments was seeing a good friend from New York City go back for three plates of tang you ba ba—she loved it so much it was all she ate the entire night!

Choosing Authenticity Over Tradition in Wedding Photography

I was familiar with the typical mainland Chinese photography style and knew I didn’t want to look like a made-up princess. Katherine Elyse, my photographer and dear friend, has an unmatched “naturalism” style that I absolutely love. I needed someone who could take away all the stress—whether it was about the location, posing, lighting, editing, or photo selection. These photos would be the ones I’d hang on my walls, share with my child, and look back on for years to come, so it was important to me that everything felt effortless and authentic.

Bringing the Party to Life With a Bay Area DJ in the Rave Cave

After the reception, we moved to a unique party spot we affectionately dubbed the “rave cave,” a stalagmite cave that housed the hotel’s restaurant. No rave cave would be complete without great music, so we flew in a local DJ from the San Francisco Bay Area to spin for us. The vibe was incredible, and the music added an unforgettable energy to the celebration.

Celebrating Community with Thoughtful Guest Gifts

Every guest received two thoughtful items: freshly made ginger candy—one original and one spicy—from a local candy maker and a travel tea set. It’s been my favorite thing to see how everyone is using the tea sets; some take them to work, some use them to infuse their sweet tea, and others even make their overnight oats with them. The candy was delicious, and many friends asked where they could buy more, but unfortunately, they couldn’t because a local street vendor made it.  

Private Rooms for Couples to Connect During the WulingYuan Wedding Celebration

We set up “conceiving private rooms” right outside the rave cave to give our friends who were trying to conceive a private space to escape to on our wedding day. It was a thoughtful touch, and fun fact—two of our friends actually succeeded in conceiving.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Katherine Elyse
Ceremony Venue – WulingYuan
Reception Venue – Harmona Resort & Spa
DJ – Daniel Imani
Rings – Gigi Gruber

 

Congratulations to Laurel and Mike on their WulingYuan wedding.Their special day showcases how a wedding can seamlessly blend traditions while remaining truly unique. A heartfelt thanks to Junebug vendor Katherine Elyse for beautifully capturing all the love, beauty, and magic from every angle. To see more of her talent and photography style, check out her profile in our curated directory of the world’s best wedding photographers.

The most memorable weddings are those filled with genuine details that reflect the couple’s journey and love story. Wondering how to add these personal touches to your big day? Our guide has all the inspiration you need to create a truly unique and unforgettable celebration.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

This Intimate Peter Pan Bistro Wedding Was the Definition of Cozy

October 7, 2024 | justine

Jenn and Matthew’s Peter Pan Bistro wedding was a cozy, sentimental affair focused on community, delicious food, and timeless elegance. Opting for a late fall event, they drew inspiration from autumn walks, fondue parties, and intimate gatherings with friends. Prioritizing a small guest list and simple logistics, they skipped a wedding party and chose the charming Toronto restaurant for the evening. With DIY touches, mismatched secondhand decor, and a warm color palette, their big day was a perfect blend of personal memories and classic romance.

The couple selected a charming 1980s heritage building, an ideal backdrop for their day. After officially tying the knot at Guelph City Hall the day before, they held a symbolic ceremony framed by stunning fall florals and stained glass windows. The seamless transition to the reception welcomed guests into a cozy and inviting atmosphere, where tables were beautifully decorated with lush blooms and glowing candlelight, setting the stage for a truly intimate and magical evening.

These stunning images, captured by Junebug vendor Jennifer See Studios, beautifully showcase the love and joy that filled their wedding. As you scroll through, you’ll discover unique fall ideas for creating your own seasonal celebration.

The Couple:

Jenn and Matthew

The Wedding:

Peter Pan Bistro, Toronto, Canada

Incorporating Meaningful Items into Their Peter Pan Bistro Wedding

In keeping with our personal values of reusing and incorporating meaningful items, we designed our rings by reworking an inherited ring set. My outfit included lace from the dress my mom and baba wore, and I also wore some of their jewelry. Matthew wore a navy suit and tie he already owned, only treating himself to a new pair of socks.

Navigating Legalities and Embracing a Symbolic Ceremony 

The day before, we went to Guelph City Hall with our parents to take care of the legalities. We surprised them by sharing vows we had written for them. We decided to have a symbolic ceremony on the day, with a close family friend officiating. He’s a great storyteller and always knows how to make us laugh. Both ceremonies reflected a humanist perspective, and we wrote our own vows, which made them very special. It was a full expression of who we are and included surprises for each other.

How Their Florist Brought Their Peter Pan Bistro Wedding Decor Vision to Life

Once we visited Peter Pan Bistro, the vibe of the upstairs event space and the main floor restaurant was exactly what we were looking for. The historical building perfectly blended the outside with the inside in an elegant yet understated way. With its fantastic bar, cozy booths on the main floor, stained glass, fireplace upstairs, and tall punched tin ceiling, it felt right for a big dinner party on a cozy winter night. The florist played a crucial role in bringing our vision to life. With all the venue’s character, we focused primarily on florals for our decor. Mackenzie of Fable Floral Design embraced our ideas, incorporating mushrooms and a mix of secondhand bud vases we could send home with guests. She also managed candles and rentals, making it a one-stop shop for us. Her recommendations for linen rentals for napkins and runners helped create a cohesive and streamlined decor plan.

Overcoming Design Challenges with DIY Solutions

The card box was a collaborative DIY project. We discovered a traveling card box shaped like a charming little wooden house used at numerous weddings and events across the province. Made by someone’s aunt, it was sturdy and unique enough to be shared. We added our decorations, giving the “Just Married” bunting a fresh twist by labeling it “A Life Event,” as we affectionately referred to our milestone. We also used a digital pack from Pulp Templates Company on Etsy to design our menus and print signage. This creative outlet was enjoyable, and the user-friendly WYSIWYG online editing tool made it much more accessible, especially after facing challenges with Adobe Illustrator for our original e-invites.

Creating Lasting Memories with Friends and Family

Walking into the space and seeing all the flowers set up for dinner was unforgettable. We were in awe, smiling at how the dreamy atmosphere made all the effort worthwhile. It truly felt like a special day, and everyone looked fantastic. Although we didn’t rehearse the first dance, we had always known the song “Postcards from Italy” by Beirut. Riding the day’s high, we spun and swayed together, smiling the whole time. The banter between our dear friend who attended the event and the family members and friends who gave speeches was hilarious. The smaller, more intimate vibe made it feel even more meaningful.

The Power of Asking: Finding Flexibility in Planning

Whether it’s about timing, extra cleanup, sound equipment, or bar menu options, you might find more flexibility than you expect; though it may come with a cost, all you have to do is ask. Many items, like event chairs and candles, are priced as if you want everything to match or be brand new. If that’s not a priority for you, plenty of simple and less wasteful alternatives are available. Be sure to explore reuse boards and marketplaces for unique finds. Regarding accessibility, while we loved our venue, the layout across two floors was complicated, especially with only a long flight of stairs and no elevator. Fortunately, there were washrooms on the second floor with the event space. We also chose to skip many traditional elements. We received helpful advice to start with a blank slate and build up what you want rather than feeling like you’re subtracting things.

Why a Peter Pan Bistro Wedding Was the Right Choice

We chose a restaurant for our wedding to ensure high food and drink quality while accommodating dietary restrictions and allergies. Supporting a restaurant after the COVID shutdown was vital, but we were cautious about potential closures and focused on established venues. Some places we considered could only accommodate 40 guests or fewer, so we adjusted our search for venues that could fit 60 to 75 for a seated dinner within that number. We appreciated that the location was transit accessible and relatively central, although the final-mile traffic did create some challenges on a Saturday evening. The building’s history and the restaurant’s charm ultimately won us over, especially after enjoying a delicious meal on our first visit, which included a savory truffle crème brûlée appetizer. We also liked that the event menus featured unique options, including excellent gluten-free and vegetarian choices.

Enhancing the Tablescape with Forest-Inspired Favors that Doubles as Decor

To enhance the tablescape, we gave out beeswax candles in various forest-inspired shapes, such as pine cones, morel mushrooms, and delicate lotus-like droplets. Our goal was to offer a consumable, local product that was easy for our guests to transport.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Jennifer See Studios
Venue – Peter Pan Bistro
Floral Design – Fable Floral Design
DJ – DJ Roy and Smayzee
Makeup Artist – Rebecca Smith
Wedding Dress – Labl Couture
Bridal Accessories – Sixpence Bridal
Rings – Kim Drosdick
Rentals – Nayos
Favors – Huckleberry Hives + Eastern Woodlands Trading

 

Congratulations to Jenn and Matthew on their cozy Peter Pan Bistro wedding. A special thank you goes out to Junebug vendor Jennifer See Studios for capturing every detail that couples can use as inspiration. To see more stunning celebrations like this, check out her profile in our directory of the world’s best wedding photographers

Whether you choose a seasonal color palette, set the mood with themed invitations, or align your signature cocktails with the overall decor, you can elevate your celebration with these warm and inviting ideas for a beautiful autumn event.

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings

17 of the Best Texas Wedding Photographers

October 6, 2024 | riley

In a state as diverse and vibrant as Texas, the options can be overwhelming! From the sprawling landscapes of the Hill Country to the charm of big cities like Austin and Dallas, Texas offers a wide variety of options for every wedding vision and theme. Whether you’re drawn to candid shots or elegant portraits that look like they belong in Vogue, Junebug is lucky enough to work with some of the most talented professionals in the world–and we want to help you find the photographer of your dreams. That’s why we’re rounding up 17 of the best Texas wedding photographers we know you’re going to love.

17 of the Best Texas Wedding Photographers

1. Amy Karp Photography

Photography style: Timeless editorial

Good for: Couples who want a photographer who’s been in the biz for almost 20 years

Review: Amy is without a doubt the best wedding photographer out there! From day 1, when I inquired about her services all the way to gallery delivery, Amy was organized, professional, and great to work with. She is an absolute joy to be around. Her associate shooters are equally as amazing. They made my husband and friends feel extremely comfortable and at ease during their portraits. I fully trusted them to capture our wedding weekend perfectly, but they knocked it out of the park and exceeded my expectations. If Amy is available on your wedding date, put down your deposit as fast as you can. You won’t regret it!”

2. Laning Photography

Photography style: Editorial documentary

Good for: Couples dreaming of timeless photos that will never go out of style

Review: Hannah and Nick are not only the best wedding photographers but some of the most kind people! They were easy to work with from start to finish! They were communicative and extremely detailed. Our wedding planner recommended Laning Photography to us, and it was a no-brainer after seeing the work they do! Our photos turned out incredible and were exactly what we wanted! We got our sneak peeks literally the next day, and we were totally obsessed (and once we got our whole album, we were even more obsessed)! If you’re looking for two cool people to shoot your wedding/event, Nick and Hannah are them. We felt so comfortable with them shooting our wedding, and wish we could relive it again! Thank you, Laning Photography, for creating long-lasting memories!”

3.  Erin Marcin Photography

Photography style: Refined documentary

Good for: Couples who are always up for an adventure

Review: Erin is amazing. My wedding would not have been the same without her. We love her, not just as a photographer but a person as well.

4. Mandi Roach Photography

Photography style: Timeless editorial

Good for: Couples who want the unscripted, in-between moments captured

Review: “Working with Mandi was the BEST investment my husband and I made for our wedding. We had our photographer fall through at the last minute, and Mandi took us in, and my oh MY, do I now believe everything happens for a reason! Not only is she the most kind, attentive, passionate, and fun photographer I have ever met, but she also has a beautiful eye and talent for creating magic and making the moments come to life via pictures. There are so many moments that are quickly forgotten during the craziness of a wedding day, and being able to comb through her art and relive those moments is so tender and so treasured by myself, my family, and my friends. I recommend Mandi for every event and moment in life that you want photos of. Everything she touches turns to gold and truly makes you feel like you’re in Vogue!”

5. Courtney LaSalle Photography

Photography style: Natural storytelling

Good for: Couples that want their photos to have a playful feel

Review: Courtney was amazing with our wedding photos. She made amazing accommodations for us and delivered sneak peeks and our entire album in an incredible time. I never imagined our albums would be so big, but Courtney captures every perfect moment, even the little ones. She always produced more photos than I ever thought I would receive. This woman is a complete sweetheart and knows how to make every session unique and comfortable. I would 100 percent work with her again and recommend her to anyone who listens.”

6. Alexandra White Photo

Photography style: Timeless documentary

Good for: Couples who are afraid to be in front of the camera

Review: Alexandra did both our engagement and wedding photos. Both times she was great to work with—very communicative and open to giving us great direction to get the best photos. We had a very small micro-wedding at a family member’s house, and she was great about giving us an hourly rate (as opposed to buying a full-day package). I was afraid that we’d look awkward and stilted in a lot of our photos (just because of who we are as people), but she got so many great candid shots where you can tell how happy we are. We also had some animal guests that Alexandra was excellent with—she got some super cute shots of just the dogs and horses. We love the photos we got back and would recommend Alexandra to anyone!”

7. The Ramseys Photography

Photography style: Realistic documentary

Good for: Couples who don’t want a wedding album full of awkward poses

Review: “Where to even begin?! Having Wil and Paige photograph our wedding, our engagement shoot, and my bridal portraits was the best decision we’ve ever made. They were so fun to work with, professional, and made everything so easy. Plus, the photos are stunning. Works of art. We are so excited to have them photograph everything else we do for the rest of the time and are so lucky to call them not only our photographers but also our friends! Cannot thank them enough.”

8. Leah Turney Photography

Photography style: Documentary editorial

Good for: The eternal romantics who want their photographer with them throughout the entire planning process

Review: Leah was amazing! We requested to take our couple photos at a national park before the wedding, and she immediately embraced the idea and all of the logistics that came along with it. My husband and I consider ourselves not to be photogenic people, so we were really worried about our photos looking awkward or too posed. But Leah truly made us feel at ease and comfortable when taking photos, and we absolutely love all of the photos that we have seen so far! She even brought two film cameras during our photo session which I have not seen photographers do before. Overall, Leah was kind and genuine and truly made us feel special on our wedding day! She even went out of her way to capture some special moments for us which we are so grateful for.”

9. Kayla Jane Photography

Photography style: Natural editorial

Good for: Couples who want a photographer who doesn’t take themselves too seriously

Review: “We had the pleasure of working with Kayla Jane Photography for our wedding photos. Grace was our photographer, and she was fantastic. Communication leading up to the big day was prompt and straightforward. On the wedding day, Grace was extremely flexible when our schedule changed unexpectedly during the reception. She kindly accommodated all of our requested shots. Grace chose beautiful locations for our photos and let us pull in friends and family for impromptu pictures, capturing many special moments. Her warm demeanor kept everyone at ease while posing for photos. The results aren’t back yet, but we’re very excited to see them, knowing that Grace worked hard to document all aspects of our special day in her signature artistic style. We wholeheartedly recommend Kayla Jane Photography!”

10. Brownie Photography & Production

Photography style: Photojournalism

Good for: Couples who seek beauty in everything and are looking for something different

Review: Ashley was amazing! She made me feel so comfortable during my bridal portraits, and my now husband and I had so much fun during our engagement pictures! The pictures we got back from our wedding came out better than we could have imagined. She worked great alongside our videographer and was super professional. Communication was always on point, which is very important for a vendor when your wedding planning, so keep that in mind! If you’re debating booking Brownie Photography, DO IT!”

11. Ama by Aisha

Photography style: Modern photojournalism

Good for: Couples who want gorgeous wedding photos and a beautiful wedding video

Review: From the very first interaction with Ama by Aisha, I was very impressed with the responsiveness and professionalism, but this team is so much more than that. Aisha and Claudia are both so incredibly artistic and talented . Every picture we got was captured authentically and emotionally. Both our engagement shoot and wedding day were so much fun! We felt comfortable with our photographers and trusted the creative process, even if posing felt a bit awkward at first. I cannot recommend Aisha and her team enough, wherever you are getting married!

12. Elisa Lopez Photography

Photography style: Candid documentary

Good for: Couples who want a photographer who’s going to narrate your day the way you want

Review: “We knew we wanted a wedding that was colorful and bright, and it was important for us to find a photographer who would honor those decisions. And Elisa definitely did! She and her assistant were on time, around, and posed us when needed, but otherwise unseen and captured the best candids throughout the day. We received our photos promptly and have been enjoying them with our family and friends. We also used Elisa for our South Congress engagement photos. We knew from that photo shoot we picked the right photographer for us, and we will definitely use her again in the future!”

13. Anna Claire Beasley Photography

Photography style: Documentary with a focus on nostalgia

Good for: Couples who want their photos to transport them right back to their big day 50 years from now

Review: “We seriously cannot recommend Anna Claire enough. We were drawn to her because of her incredible skill and her selfless support of our ideas. She weaves flexibility into her schedule in order to host adventure sessions for her clients at some of the most beautiful locations in the country, which allows for an extremely fun and personal experience while capturing engagement photos or portraits with your partner. She also supported us in our decision to have an unconventional wedding, and she helped capture it through her great dedication and thoughtfulness as a photographer. She is professional but also ridiculously fun and she did whatever it took to take care of us throughout the whole experience, from wedding advice to shared conversation over a meal of breakfast burritos to carrying six different cameras on our wedding day. The photos are honest, beautiful, and romantic, and they are more than anything we imagined. Choosing Anna Claire as a photographer was easily the best decision we made for our intimate wedding, aside from choosing to marry each other (obviously). We cannot recommend her enough, truly!”

14. Breathless Wedding Chronicles

Photography style: Artistic documentary

Good for: Couples toying around with a destination wedding

Review: Gab and Chris did a fantastic job shooting our wedding. They were able to both accommodate our style preferences and propose ideas for photos that were fun and creative. They are so friendly and invested a lot of time in getting to know us and our preferences before our wedding and welcome party. We were so happy with how the photos from our wedding turned out and with the first look that they planned and shot for us. They took some iconic photos of us and our friends and family that we will treasure forever.”

15. Philip Thomas Photography

Photography style: Documentary storytelling

Good for: Couples that want to avoid wedding photography cliches

Review: “I cannot recommend Philip enough! My husband and I are not people who love taking pictures, but Philip made us instantly feel comfortable! He captured every little moment from our wedding that we will cherish forever. Not only were the candid photos amazing, but the group photos/staged pictures were incredible! Philip is so kind and fun. He made a very daunting process feel like a breeze. He even sent our wedding photos earlier than we expected. Hire him, you won’t regret it!”

16. John David Weddings

Photography style: Romantic storytelling

Good for: Couples that want photos that look like they belong in a magazine

Review: “First and foremost, JD is an artist, and his collection of work is truly fine art. When I worked in the wedding industry, I would frequently recommend JD to my clients because of his personality and aesthetic. I’d tell my couples that there are many wonderful photographers out there, but choosing a photographer that you vibe with, is kind to your wedding party, and isn’t a diva is IMPORTANT! 6 years later, and it was finally my turn to hire JD for my engagement shoot and our destination wedding in New Orleans, and while I knew he would knock it out of the park, he far exceeded my hopes and dreams.”

17. Gloria Goode Photography

Photography style: Photojournalism

Good for: Those who want a wedding photographer and a best friend

Review: “The. Best. Photographer. Ever. I have so much to say about Gloria. She really made my dreams come true! First of all, she is just great and so personable. Everyone loved her. My partner wasn’t excited about pictures, but she made it SO easy and fun. She took my ideas and ran with them and had even better ideas of her own. She worked so well with other vendors (film, planner, etc.) She captured candid pictures like no other. I could go on and on… but just look at her work!!! I would get divorced and remarried all over again just to work with her.”

These incredibly talented wedding photographers are just the beginning. If you’re on the hunt for a planner, florist, videographer, etc. in Texas, we’ve got you covered. Check out our highly vetted directory of wedding vendors in Texas!

Image by Light as Gold

Sponsors
Email [email protected] to advertise on Junebug Weddings