Mark & Tina's Traditional Tea Ceremony
Much like parents, it’s difficult for us to definitively say who our favourite couples are
But we can all agree that there isn't a single thing about Tina + Mark we didn't like; from when we first started talking over email, to when we met at a cafe-bar-juicery in the East end, to their tea ceremony where both their families were incredibly warm and inviting, to their wedding where didn't even have drive!
Some couples like to opt out of taking engagement photos and when they do we always encourage them to have us cover something else for them: day after wedding couples session, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, something that allows us to be around for a couple of hours to get to know them. When Tina + Mark decided not to shoot an engagement session but rather their traditional tea ceremony we. were. thrilled! We absolutely love being apart of family events- it allows us to get to know more than just the couple we're shooting, and it also helps us familiarize ourselves with who will be at the wedding day!- and we also love traditional events in general. Between us 3 we don't have very many (ok, any) friends who will be having a traditional Vietnamese tea ceremony any time soon so we love being able to immerse ourselves in cultural events we otherwise wouldn't be apart of!
We headed to Tina's family's home in Richmond Hill where Mark, his groomsmen, and his family arrive shortly thereafter. Mark knocked on their door with offerings of food, Tina's parents granted him permission to enter their home, blessings for Mark's family were shared, and then Tina finally presented herself to Mark. Gifts from the families, to the couple, were exchanged, and then Tina and Mark shared tea with everyone, before a large family feast ensued!
