An Intimate Chinese Wedding at the Arcadian

We love an intimate celebration! This small, Chinese wedding began with a tea ceremony at the super fun Arcadian Hotel in Brookline in the couple’s hotel room, followed by family photos and couples photos.

Tea ceremonies are a traditional of a Chinese wedding. Sin-Lei and Yushi bowed and served tea to their parents and grandparents as a sign of respect, gratitude, and appreciation. Their elders then take a sip of tea and offer blessings to the couple. The tea is often served in a beautiful, traditional Chinese tea set and the bride wears red, which symbolizes luck and joy.

After tea is gifts! It is customary for guests to bring gifts, such as red envelopes and jewelry, and are often presented to the bride and groom during the tea ceremony.

This beautiful symbol of the couple's commitment to each other and their families is such a joyous moment. Afterwards we laughed during family photos (so important to capture the bride in her red dress AND white dress!) before heading out to take couples photos around the hotel and Brookline Village.

The couple’s ceremony was at the Swedenborg Chapel in Harvard Square. It’s a beautiful stone building with tall stained glass windows, a Gothic Revivalist interior that wows, and a cute little garden blooming with tulips out front. We got lots more family photos afterwards in front of the church, and although the light was strong, the bride just GLOWED!