WEDDING BLOG

For Suzanne and Marco, wedding planning wasn’t about sticking to tradition—it was about creating a day that felt meaningful and personal. Their celebration began with an emotional Chinese tea ceremony and unfolded into a relaxed oceanfront reception, blending heritage and modern style with ease. One of the most striking elements of the day was their fashion: Suzanne wore a custom red Chinese wedding dress, styled as a contemporary Qipao, complemented by the classic influences of the Cheongsam, creating a beautiful balance of old and new. While Marco wore a coordinating Tang suit with intricate embroidery. Their outfits didn’t just honor tradition; they reflected who they are as a couple. With intentional design choices and heartfelt nods to family, their day was rooted in love, legacy, and connection.

What We Love About This Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony: 

• Suzanne’s radiant red Qipao with symbolic embroidery, personalized with hidden portraits of the couple’s beloved dog and cat
• Marco’s black Tang suit featuring an intricate gold dragon motif, that matched the bride’s design in both elegance and meaning
• A tea ceremony setup framed by red florals, lanterns, and symbolic “double happiness” accents
• A generational fashion tribute featuring the bride’s mother in a custom modern Qipao, thoughtfully recreated from the original one her parents gifted her and that she wore on her own wedding day
• A light-filled coastal wedding reception with charcuterie, cocktails, and sunset portraits

Custom Chinese Wedding Attire Inspired by Love and Legacy

For their special day, Marco and Suzanne turned to JINZA to design their one-of-a-kind, matching Chinese wedding outfits. Suzanne wore a radiant red silk Cheongsam, hand embroidered with gold dragons—longstanding Chinese symbols of strength, protection, and good fortune. Their zodiac sign is the Year of the Rabbit, a symbol often associated with peace, harmony, and new beginnings, adding yet another layer of meaning to an already symbolic design.

Marco’s Tang suit was tailored from the same luxurious red silk and featured matching dragon embroidery, visually tying his look to Suzanne’s and showcasing their unity as a couple. His cuffs were finished with red piping and echoing motifs, details that honored heritage while feeling modern and intentional.

The hidden touches made both outfits even more memorable: embroidered portraits of their beloved pets, Libby, the Corgi, and Simon, the Persian cat, discreetly stitched into the garments. These sweet inclusions reflected the couple’s quiet devotion to their furry family and brought an extra smile to everyone’s faces.

Suzanne reflected, “Wearing these outfits wasn’t just about looking beautiful. It was about carrying pieces of our story, our heritage, and our loved ones with us. JINZA and the team  captured all of that perfectly.”

An Emotional Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony Steeped in Tradition

The couple’s Chinese wedding tea ceremony was held in a visually stunning and culturally rich setting. A red satin-covered table was adorned with fresh flowers and gold accents, complemented by a red-and-gold traditional tea set. Symbols of “double happiness” hung throughout the space alongside red lanterns and curated decorations that signified harmony, prosperity, and long life.

Marco and Suzanne began by serving tea to the groom’s family, kneeling on red cushions, and exchanging smiles, blessings, and even a few tears with their elders. It was a profoundly moving moment. A blend of tradition and personal expression, bringing generations together.

The couple included their parents’ wisdom and blessings in the ceremony, adding another layer of intimacy. It wasn’t just about ritual but meaning, connection, and shared gratitude.

A Qipao Passed Down as Family Heirloom 

One of the most touching moments of the day unfolded during the tea ceremony when Suzanne’s mother stepped forward in her own custom Qipao, designed from the very dress she wore on her wedding day 30 years earlier.

The team at JINZA preserved the original embroidery and fabric, reimagining it into a contemporary silhouette that felt both timeless and elegant. As Suzanne’s mom joined the tea ceremony wearing a piece of family history, it became a poignant reminder of how weddings can bridge generations and carry the tradition forward in new, beautiful ways.

JB Tip: Make Your Outfits a Part of Your Story

The couple’’s wardrobe was not only stunning—it was a living expression of their values, family, and story. The red Qipao and Tang suit, paired with modern reception wear, allowed their day to flow organically. While maintaining cultural depth and emotional resonance.

If you’re planning a multicultural wedding, consider working with designers, like JINZA, who understand more than just aesthetics. Suzanne, Marco, and Suzanne’s mother each wore something that honored their roots while feeling fresh and entirely their own.

A Seamless Transition from Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony into Coastal Elegant Reception

After the tea ceremony, Suzanne and Marco changed into modern, minimalist reception wear. Suzanne slipped into a sleek, one-shoulder gown paired with a sculptural silver necklace, while Marco wore a tailored charcoal-gray suit. The wardrobe shift marked a gentle move from the formality of tradition to the easy flow of celebration.

Their coastal wedding reception was held in a light-filled venue by the ocean. Guests gathered around grazing tables stacked with fruit, cheeses, and pineapple chicken skewers while sipping cocktails. The mood was casual, elevated, and full of joy.

And the couple? They were right there in it—eating, laughing, and soaking in the love.

One of the most special parts of the evening came as the sun began to set. The pair walked along the beach, hand-in-hand, letting the breeze carry their laughter. Their portraits during golden hour are cinematic and full of feeling—playful and intimate, grounded and glowing.

It was less about doing everything “right” and more about being present, together.

How to Celebrate Tradition Without Compromising Style

Suzanne and Marco’s wedding is a beautiful example of how honoring tradition doesn’t have to mean compromising your style. Their Chinese wedding tea ceremony was heartfelt and rooted in generations of meaning. Their modern coastal wedding reception was relaxed, elegant, and perfectly them.

With the help of thoughtful planning, intentional fashion, and subtle design choices, they created a celebration that will stand the test of time. One that was filled with color, culture, and, most importantly, connection.