First off, here’s a huge Thank you, Danke, Merci, Grazie, Gracias and Miyaka to all the real wedding submissions to Wedding Nouveau. It’s thanks to stories like yours that we’re able to inspire. It’s so exciting to see that I’m not alone out there in the world of style savvy brides planning, or reminiscing over their intercultural wedding.
It’s time to celebrate yet another gorgeous fusion wedding. Melissa McClure of Melissa McClure Photography, sent over these charming shots and I just couldn’t wait to share them with you. Who is she? A self-proclaimed lover of football, photo booths, and from the looks of her bio picture, a stylish and whimsical lady with a strong sense of humor. It doesn’t stop there, her portfolio of work is just as diverse, confident and equally engaging.
Setting: The pacific shores of San Diego, CA
Heroine & Hero: Vietnamese American Bride – Sally and her Scottish/Irish/American Groom – David
Scene #1: TARTANS, AO DAIs and BAGPIPES…OH MY!
(Above: Western Bridal Gown by Casa Blanca Bridal [Style #1769]; Bride’s Jewelry were Heirlooms; Groom’s Kilt via Scottish Clansman; Hair and Make up by Danielle Djay of Say I Do)
You may recall from the Indian and Scottish wedding featured a while back, that part of wearing the kilt (traditional highland attire) involves paying homage to your family’s clan. As a matter of fact, each print and pattern is unique to a family. David’s was based of his family’s tartan: McNeil of Barra Modern.
I love how the groom’s kilt inspired detailed accents from the wedding invitations and the bridal bouquet, to the favors (which you’ll see pictures of later).
Scene #2: SAN DIEGO’S WEDDING BOWL
A picture-perfect beach view at San Diego’s “Wedding Bowl”, a close friend who served as wedding officiant and the intimate guest list of 50 were reflections of the couple’s laid back personality.
(Above: Ceremony at Cuvier Park; Flowers by Sally Preston of Exquisite Blooms)
There’s something about the sound of bag pipes that instantly adds ceremonial aura and respect to the most casual of settings. Sally and David wrote their own vows, paid their respects to their deceased grandparents, and serenaded their guests to the tune of Danny Boy (among others) on the bagpipe.
Scene #3: SWITCHIN’ IT UP…SAIGON STYLE.
(Above: All Images by Melissa McClure; Reception at Pearl Chinese Cuisine; Event Planning by Courtney Tibbets of After the Engagement; Cake by Flour Power; Groom’s wedding band by Jared’s)
Challenge: How do you fuse Vietnamese and Scottish/Irish traditions with subtle finesse and modern chic?
How Sally and David did it? 1. Base your wedding colors on the traditional fabric so you’re not competing with complex hues. Their wedding colors were Hunter green, yellow and white, loosely based off the groom’s family tartan. 2. Keep your overall aesthetic modern and personal, and add traditional elements in the fine print. You have to love Sally’s smart idea of presenting customized chopsticks with tartan labels as wedding favors for her guests. It’s little clever details like this that make fusion chic so great to witness. The same applies to their invitations which incorporated the tartan print, as well as the Ao Dai symbol. 3. Celebrate inside jokes or features that you connect to. Sally and David had an 11-course family style dinner at a Chinese restaurant, with 7UP among the signature beverages (Seven being a lucky number). 4. Be practical and realistic about how “traditional” you want to be. Just because “that’s how it’s done” doesn’t mean you can’t be selective about what traditions you incorporate. Due to scheduling conflicts and logistics, Sally and David opted not to have the traditional tea ceremony. They also insisted on an adult-only reception, which can sometimes be contentious among guests. In the end, everyone had a great time.
“Remember that this day is all about you and your groom and the commitment that you will be making to each other. You will want to plan a day that you can remember, but try not to let anyone tell you what you “need” to include. All you need to have is you, your groom, someone to marry you and witnesses. The rest is just whatever you want to include to make it extra special.”
- Sally, the Bride. -
Congrats to S & D on your new phase of life together. Sally, you’ve been a gold mine of advice. Thank you to Melissa for reminding us that all work and all play makes for stunning photography.
Spicyhugs,
Fri
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
WOW! Those pictures are amazing! Melissa is such an incredible photographer!
Thank you for the introduction to this talented lady!
I like the unique objects, details and moments that she captures,
such as the rings displayed on a set of chopsticks.
Lovely :)
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