Nick & Josephine are one of the sweetest couples I’m so thankful to have met through my photography! About a year ago, I had the lovely opportunity of meeting them both! Josephine and I had communicated a lot via email before I got to meet them in person for their engagement session (view it here)!

To catch you up on their relationship and how it began, Nick and Josephine’s met at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach! They both were in the same clinical lab at the time, but Nick had been there for a while longer and became Jo’s trainer. According to Nick, they “had an immediate chemistry, and the bickering began. It never stopped…”

They shared with me that their first date was a bit unofficial–Josephine didn’t know it was a date! Haha! They went to the Cabazon Outlets, which is where Nick played his first move. “She didn’t think it was a date, but I decided to throw my arm around her anyway. She didn’t fight me off and the rest is history.” Haha good move, Nick! ;)

The rest was history and the two of them grew to love one another more and more up to the day Nick decided to propose to Josephine and make their relationship even more official!

Fast forward to the day of their wedding! It was an absolutely beautiful day! Surprisingly it wasn’t too cold, but it wasn’t hot either! It was a perfect California day! John and I headed over to meet with Josephine, first, as she got ready for the first part of their wedding–a traditional tea ceremony!

This was my first time photographing a Tea Ceremony on my own! I had photographed one as a second shooter, but I discovered that they can vary depending on how the families decide to have one! It was awesome seeing how traditional Josephine and Nick did theirs, even wearing the traditional attire for it! :)

 

 

 

 

It was so cute to see Josephine’s lovely mom helped her get ready! There were all jokes and laughs between the two of them as Josephine got ready for her big day!

 

 

 

 

Part of the tradition is that first the groom has to in a sense “barter” to have the bride! This was so fun to watch! Nick and his brother came up to the door as Josephine finished getting ready, and came to give their offer for Jo! Allyse, Josephine’s maid of honor joined along with Josephine’s aunts to help officiate the exchange for Josephine’s hand. ;)

 

 

 

 

Along with the money that was given for Josephine, Nick and Clifton, Nick’s brother and Best Man, offered to do pushups for Josephine! And then it was time for Nick and Josephine to see each other for the first time in their traditional attire. :)

 

 

 

 

Josephine felt “so asian” in her wardrobe, so we had to take these next two shots of her! ;)

 

 

 

 

 

Sweet Archer wanted to participate in this part of their day, too! :)

 

 

 

 

 

To start the Tea Ceremonies off, Josephine and Nick started with Jo’s parents! Tea is offered to the family out of respect, and in turn, Josephine’s parents gave them words of advice and wisdom! :)

 

 

 

 

Afterwards we head over to Nick’s family’s house, where we met up with his side of the family for their Tea Ceremony! It’s always so great to see how two families mix together! :)

 

 

 

 

Josephine’s relationship with her brother was cute to see, and Nick’s relationship with his nephew, Brady, was cute to see, too! :) After a bit of mingling, the ceremony began and it was cool to see how everything played out!

 

 

 

 

For Nick’s side of the family, the ceremony was a bit more traditional! Since there was a bigger amount of family there, they started with his grandparents, then his parents, siblings, and aunts! After Nick and Josephine gave them their tea, they received a gift in return–most of the time it was jewelry to bless Josephine with! ;)

 

 

 

 

Josephine was covered in jewelry and love after the ceremony! :) Her mother definitely had to help her remove it all as she prepared for the wedding ceremony!

 

 

 

 

I loved Josephine’s dress from BHLDN! It was absolutely beautiful and perfect for Josephine! Allyse and Jo’s mom helped her slip into her dress!

 

 

 

 

Back at Nick’s parent’s house, Nick got ready with the help of Clifton!

 

 

 

 

 

Once they were all set, we headed to a nearby park for their First Look! The autumn leaves that were still there made it all the more perfect for the two of them, since the color scheme was Josephine’s favorite!

“My favorite part of the wedding was the first look with Nick. I was so excited to see his reaction in my dress.”

– Josephine

This is one of my favorite parts of the wedding day. :) Such an intimate moment between the bride & groom!

 

 

 

 

“My favorite part of the wedding day was the first look on the bridge. It was one of the rare moments that Jo and I could share alone. She looked beautiful. I couldn’t help but smile when I turned around.”

– Nick

Nick & Josephine’s love for one another is so evident! From the first time I got to photograph them, their love for one another just oozed onto my camera! :)

 

 

 

 

As we headed back to take pictures with the rest of the bridal party with the beautiful foliage, Nick helped Josephine out! He definitely discovered how heavy bridal bouquets are! (If you didn’t know, they’re super heavy!)

 

 

 

 

We also took a picture with one of their best friends, Tyler, who actually was also their officiant! I met Tyler at their engagement session! He’s such a kind and generous friend! He was Archer’s keeper during their e-session! :)

 

 

 

 

Their wedding party was so fun! :) After their shots we took a few of just Josephine & Nick! They’re such a beautiful couple!

 

 

 

 

“My favorite thing about Jo is her thoughtfulness. She always makes decisions that are the best for both of us. There’s also the perk of having my breakfast smoothies and lunches all packed for me to go work too.”

-Nick

 

 

 

“I love that Nick is so caring to everyone around him.”

– Josephine

 

 

 

 

After the portraits, we headed to a gazebo in Irvine for their intimate wedding ceremony with their families.

 

 

This little guy, Brady, was the just the cutest. :)

 

 

 

 

Archer was all ready, too!

 

 

 

 

As the wedding began, everyone looked absolutely great! :)

 

 

 

 

“No person or relationship is perfect, but Nick teaches me to be more understanding and makes me want to be a better person when I’m around him.”

– Josephine

 

 

 

 

 

Tyler did great personalizing their wedding ceremony! :)

 

 

 

 

“I’ve learned that life is so much more rewarding when you can experience life events with the one you love. These life events may not have been spontaneous or planned, but the fact that I am are able to share them with someone makes them that much more special.”

– Nick

 

 

 

 

Seeing the way Nick constantly looked at his bride was just so sweet. :)

 

 

 

 

 

After the ceremony I had a little time to take a few more portraits of Josephine & Nick! :)

 

 

Soon after the ceremony we headed off to 888 Seafood Restaurant where their reception was held! It was so cool to see the decoration pieces Josephine worked so hard to make! She made all the cranes you’ll see in the next few shots!

 

 

 

 

The jarred paper cranes were my favorite! Such a cute and creative piece!!

Josephine & Nick greeted their friends and family before the reception began! It was so great to see how they made an effort to spend time with as many of their loved ones as they could!

 

 

 

 

As the speeches began and food was served, I got to hear a great deal of how Josephine & Nick fit together so sweetly, and how their relationship helped change them in great ways! :)

 

 

 

 

Let me just take some time to say how DELICIOUS the food was! :) Josephine joked around with me saying she wanted photos of the food, but I took her seriously. ;)

Special shout out to the families John and I got to sit with during the reception! They were patient enough to wait for us to take photos of the food before digging in!

 

 

 

 

Instead of a cake, Jo & Nick opted for Egg Tarts, which were de-licious! John and I definitely got to eat some of them! ;)

 

 

 

 

It was so exciting being able to finally witness the marriage between these two love birds! John & I are SO happy for the both of them! :)

I asked Josephine and Nick a few questions about their wedding planning experience! First, I asked them what their favorite part of wedding planning was! :)

“My favorite part of the wedding planning process was getting to take the engagement pictures. People always say that weddings are for your friends and family. I felt like the photos were for Nick and I.”

– Josephine

Josephine & Nick’s engagement session was so sweet! I could definitely tell that they thoroughly enjoyed their session together! View their e-session here! :)

“Honestly, Jo made wedding planning so easy on me that I feel pretty guilty. Jo really planned the whole thing, but she came and asked for my input on aspects she thought I would really have an opinion on. So I guess my favorite part was the relaxation.”

– Nick

Aww good job Josephine! :) I also asked them if they had any advice for the future brides & grooms that are going through wedding planning!

From Nick’s point of view:

“Start early and anticipate changes. All future brides and grooms HAVE to be prepared for some compromise. Input and opinions on the wedding come from everyone and everywhere. You will need a thick skin to handle all the aspects. Consider a wedding planner too. (hint hint…Melissa Tran)”

Josephine added onto this, too!

Lastly, I loved their bits of advice that they’ve learned, too! :)

“Love is when the other person’s happiness is more important than your own.”

– Nick

CONGRATULATIONS JOSEPHINE & NICK!!! We are so happy for you both! :)

Happy Friday!