Chinese Wedding, Wedding

Elizabeth & Alex @ The Robey & Lee Wing Wah

Elizabeth and Alex filled their wedding weekend with culturally important moments and their friends and family.

6.15.-6.16.24

I love a wedding weekend. Elizabeth and Alex planned a weekend full of amazing food, drinks, and city views at the beginning of summer. They started with an intimate tea ceremony and cocktail hour at The Robey in Wicker Park on Saturday, followed by a huge reception at their family’s restaurant in Chinatown on Sunday. The couple got ready together, forgoing a first look and spending as much time together as they could. Elizabeth wore a traditional red and black Cheongsam (Chinese wedding dress) with a beautiful dragon design, while Alex wore a suit and a traditional red boutonniere.

On Saturday, friends and family gathered at The Robey in the late afternoon for Elizabeth and Alex’s tea ceremony. The purpose of the tea ceremony is for the couple to honor the family elders by pouring tea for them, and the elders in exchange often present a gift or words of wisdom. Family members on both Elizabeth and Alex’s sides sat and let the couple pour tea for them, while friends enjoyed cocktails and snapped pics. After the ceremony, guests moved outside to eat dinner and catch the sun setting over the city. The Robey has the most beautiful views of the skyscrapers downtown.

The next evening, even more family and friends met in Chinatown at Elizabeth’s family’s restaurant, Lee Wing Wah. The couple rented out the entire top floor, and Elizabeth’s family pulled out all the stops. Huge plates of chicken, fish, rice, and vegetables donned each table. The couple toasted family and friends at each table, and the guests were quick to stand and clink their glasses.

A couple hosts a traditional Chinese wedding reception at Lee Wing Wah in Chinatown, Chicago.

This was one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever captured on film, particularly the reception at Lee Wing Wah. The colors and atmosphere of the restaurant were made for film, and I only wish I’d brought more rolls with me. I had a perfect weekend with Elizabeth, Alex, and their entire family.

Congratulations, Elizabeth and Alex!