Lunar New Year Inspires Gorgeous Editorial Showcasing Asian Wedding Culture

Conceptualized by Rithy H. Tamba of RTFaith Photography, a group of supremely-talented Pacific Northwest wedding professionals joined together to actualize a design paying homage to the Lunar New Year, and more broadly, Asian wedding culture. The Lunar New Year is celebrated across the world and in much of Asia where rich traditions and festivities are a marker of the holiday. Celebrations for the new year often feature an homage to that year's Chinese zodiac sign, and this year's dragon found itself interwoven into this gorgeous wedding design. A cake crafted by Dream Cakes PNW was one of the most spectacular details curated for the day, featuring a fondant dragon spanning across three tiers of cake and a sleek red collar lined with gold leaf. 

There were nods to tradition throughout this stylized design, which paired crisp whites and deep reds with golden accents. Red is considered a lucky color featured in many Lunar New Year celebrations, and in Chinese culture, red envelopes (hongbao) with monetary gifts are often given to loved ones as a gesture of good fortune in the upcoming year. Some of these envelopes found themselves elegantly hung from florals for a truly magical look framing our models. The florals crafted by Isafloral Design Co. infused a clean space with cohesive splashes of color and texture. Orchids and roses were paired in a sophisticated take on tradition, and a soft splash of pastel pink flora in one of our bride's bouquets paired modernity and subtlety in style.  

Handmade gowns and accessories from East Meets Dress were showcased with style in three different looks paying homage to Asian culture. The Cheongsams, white lacy gown with a modern collared neckline, dramatic open back and string of jade pearls accenting the bodice was a vision of elegance. A second look, the Qun Kwa, is a more traditional ode to traditional Chinese customs, accessorized with glitzy accents and a chic pair of white heels. A final take on wedding day fashion is a sprawling red gown, the Cheongsams, featuring an embroidered dragon and phoenix and delicate floral detailing down a fabulous flowing train. RTFaith photography captured the entire day with a refined eye, capturing both digital and film shots of our models and décor that kept things feeling modern.  

I have always felt the Asian wedding culture has been overlooked in the Western industry for too long. This shoot is an embodiment of my fervor to illuminate and integrate this culture in a manner that resonates with the contemporary world.
— Rithy H. Tamba, RTFaith Photography