Congratulations go out to Joan & Ben, who celebrated their wedding with close friends and family at the beautiful Glenview Mansion. While the day was among the hottest this summer, everyone was in great spirits who attended their outdoor ceremony nested among the trees just outside the historic mansion. The couple decided to see each other prior to the ceremony so they could enjoy some private moments together and also take advantage of the opportunity for some portraits so they could join their cocktail hour after the ceremony. They handled the heat like real troopers and we had visiting a few of the shady spots on the grounds.

Joan was decked out in a gorgeous Amsale gown, Stuart Weitzman shoes and her her grandmother’s stunning ring – she looked amazing. Both Joan & Ben are beautiful, inside and out and we so enjoyed photographing their glow and love for each other. The ceremony faced the lawn east of the mansion and provided guests with great views during their vows, which were customized and written on scrolls handed to them by one of the boys who proceeded along with four children involved in the wedding. That was the first time we had seen that and thought it was so cool! Just afterwards, everyone moved to the front of the house for a brief group photo with a twist–one bridesmaid led a “wave” by running across the front with everyone raising their arms and cheering at just the right time.

White House press photographers had nothing on these happy folks, as there were seemingly dozens of camera-wielding guests around, including one young woman who had a friend nearby to help haul her gear, so we’re pretty sure that just about everything got documented two or three times at different angles by their guests. They also had the bevy of frolicking kids who, while eschewing the heat outdoors, made the most of the A/C and danced around in all corners of the mansion during the reception, when they weren’t playing video games, that is! Joan and Ben had arranged for bocce ball and croquet to be set up on the lawn out front, but sadly the games went unplayed in the summer heat and humidity, overlooked by a sole and quite lonely bartender outside on the back patio. No worries though, as the champagne was a favorite drink among guests, especially during the toasts. Joan’s maid of honor offered hers, filled with anecdotes from their college days, in both English and Chinese so everyone could enjoy the tales. As an added bonus, we got to see Lilly & Dan, whose wedding we documented last July, there as guests and friends of Joan & Ben.

The day couldn’t have gone more smoothly, thanks to the efforts of Vicky Choi of Event Accomplished, who helped set up all the decorations as well. She was so calm, cool and collected – if the heat was bothering her, we never saw it. The decor, as expected, was beautiful, thanks to one of our favorite florists, Marianne of Helen Olivia, who provided everyone with bright orange flowers accented with a light blue. Such a fun and striking color combination! The gerbera daisies were gorgeous and held up very well throughout the day. As late afternoon came, the happy couple departed to a gauntlet of bubble-blowing friends and family leaving through the mansion’s front entrance to a waiting Rolls Royce. Soon they would be joining everyone again for a dinner that evening to continue the festivities. We could have not been happier to have the opportunity to document their wedding, and loved it! Thanks, you two, for having us out, and congratulations!