Last September, I had the opportunity to photograph an exquisite Chinese Tea Ceremony and wedding at Woodcliff Spa in Rochester, NY. While I travel all over New York (and beyond) for weddings, I always hold a special place in my heart for weddings so close to home. More than that, I loved the fusion of Chinese wedding traditions with American traditions, as you could feel two families becoming one throughout the day. There were also plenty of special moments and surprises – so keep scrolling to see some of those!

Wedding Ceremony at St. John The Baptist Orthodox Church

While Kim and Justin currently live and love in Los Angeles, they headed back to Rochester for to have their wedding day surrounded by family and friends. Their wedding ceremony took place at a stunning and intimate church in Rochester, NY. In lieu of a first look, the couple locked eyes from across the aisle for the first time. After exchanging vows and saying their I Do’s, these two were officially married!

Outdoor Wedding Portraits at George Eastman Museum

In Rochester, George Eastman Museum has to be one of my favorite locations for outdoor wedding portraits. With an intimate wedding party of just two on either side, it felt as though their wedding portraits took no time at all, and I soaked up every moment.

Chinese Tea Ceremony at Woodcliff Spa

Kim changed into an absolutely stunning red silk gown for their Chinese tea ceremony at Woodcliff Spa (where they would spend the rest of their wedding day). The weather was perfect for their outdoor tea ceremony.

After the ceremony, I snuck Kim and Justin inside for a private first dance between the two of them before their wedding reception began. When time allows, I will always recommend including a few private moments. They also had a chance to enjoy their reception setup before guests arrived – and their seating chart, in particular, was a show-stopper! I loved their soft blue elegant color palette.

A Fun Wedding at Woodcliff Spa

The evening continued with the same joyful energy Kim and Justin embodied throughout their wedding day. There was nothing left to do but enjoy their evening with their family and friends, although I did steal them away (with permission) to capture a few sunset photos too. Halfway through, guests were surprised (and DELIGHTED) with a performance from lion dancers. It was one of my favorite wedding day surprises to date!

There was no better way to end Kim and Justin’s spectacular wedding day than with fireworks. This wedding will forever be memorable for so many reasons, and I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing just a glimpse of this incredible wedding on the blog today. For more day-to-day wedding inspiration in Rochester (and beyond), make sure to find me on Instagram next!