Ceci & Joe | Bella Sera Weddings | Chinese Tea Ceremony | Pittsburgh Wedding Photographers

Ohhhhh my my my....FINALLY the finishing touch on our lovely story with Ceci & Joe! It's been a fun ride with these two: a beautiful winter picnic engagement session followed up by a low-key summer session and now, their emotion-filled wedding day jam-packed with laughs and tears. John and I really enjoyed ourselves with Ceci & Joe's wedding day because they incorporated some Chinese traditions so it was fun to capture some things we haven't quite seen yet. Like.....the most fun First Look ever. Like, ever. It is Chinese tradition that when the groom shows up at the bride's house to start their wedding day, the family of the bride is to give the groom a hard time before he gets to see his future wife. Ohhhhhh....let me tell you: there were push-ups, throwing candy to be caught in the mouth, a treasure hunt for the ring and even the singing of songs. I didn't get to see any of it because while John was capturing Joe's torture session, I was upstairs photographing Ceci while she listened to everything going on downstairs.

And then Joe made it! And when he came thru the door blindfolded it was one of the sweetest moments. Ceci went right for the blindfold but Joe told her to wait just a moment. He took a deep breath, gave Ceci a big hug and kiss and then the big reveal began. And you can see by Joe's expression that he was quite pleased by Ceci's look for the day. I simply could not quit giggling behind my camera. So so so sweet.

Then off to Bella Sera we went for a lovely and very touching ceremony that was spoken in Chinese. I didn't need to know what they were saying; the tears of both Ceci & Joe throughout their handwritten vows was enough for me. The evening continued with dancing and having fun and ended with hugs and handshakes.

Ceci & Joe: it has been our sincerest pleasure getting to know you both over the last year. From our first meeting till the day we saw you commit for the rest of your lives, we have enjoyed every step. Congratulations!