Jenny + Tola’s Chinese Ceremony, Wellington

I first heard about Jenny + Tola from an amazingly talented Wellington photographer Sarah McEvoy. Jenny has a Chinese background and Tola has a Cambodian background and grew up in New Zealand so naturally they have chosen to have a Chinese ceremony, a Cambodian ceremony and a Western style wedding. Sarah is photographing their Cambodian ceremony and Western style wedding which I am also second shooting at.

I arrived to find Jenny looking radiant in red having had her hair and makeup beautifully done in town. She was being chief makeup artist to her Mum and Aunties. While Tola was hiding out in a bedroom, we moved to the living room of Jenny’s family home where Jenny’s Mum combed and placed a beautiful piece of greenery in her hair. Her close relatives attached little envelopes by red string to her wrists and adorned her with rings and gold bracelets and necklaces. It was very moving.

Jenny left her house with her Mum, they walked out the front door and came back in again and Jenny retreated to her bedroom. Tola was invited to knock on her door and see his beautiful bride!

The remaining close family and celebrant arrived and the ceremony began. Afterwards, everybody left Jenny’s home but her family stayed behind and we drove to Tola’s family home. The newlyweds made Tola’s bed with bedding from Jenny’s Mum that had been carefully tied with red string and greenery. The light in the bedroom was to stay on and it was complete!

Tola and Jenny and their close family then went out to dinner to continue their celebrations. 

Congratulations Tola and Jenny! I was so happy to be a part of your day x