Korean Wedding in Williamsburg

Arri and Kyle were married in a beautiful Korean wedding with a ceremony at the Wren Chapel at the College of William and Mary and a reception at the Colonial Heritage Golf Club. I was so excited to be their wedding photographer at this Williamsburg wedding and witness these two lives and two cultures blend into one.

Arri and Kyle’s Colonial Heritage Golf Club Wedding

The bride and groom met while bride was studying abroad in South Korea and teaching English. Rene, the mother of the bride, filled in as the wedding coordinator and booked everything for their wedding (including me). That way, everything was in place when Arri arrived back in the United States only two months before her wedding. Which was good because she and Kyle spent A LOT of time trying to get his visa approved and didn’t have much time left over for planning their Williamsburg wedding. What a relief that those wedding day stresses were alleviated by Rene & I’s planning! I’m so happy to have been such a big part of their special day.

Coming into the wedding, I knew Kyle’s parents only spoke Korean. So, thinking ahead, I contacted a close friend and fellow Williamsburg wedding photographer, Daniel Min, to second shoot (and translate). I love helping others preserve the joy in their lives through photography, and taking that extra step to accommodate and include Kyle’s family was important to me and greatly appreciated by them.

Wren Chapel Wedding Pictures

Luckily, Arri was one of my most organized brides. Which was good because they fell victim to Murphy’s Law again and again. Not only did they have trouble securing Kyle’s visa, but four days before the wedding, the bride’s parents’ pipes burst! It totally ruined the downstairs carpet. But Arri was undeterred, and preparations went ahead there as scheduled.

And somehow, the bride still found the time to work in lots of traditions and personal touches. From the personalized M&Ms (a HUGE hit for their Korean celebration); to wedding vows exchanged in both languages; and the Korean Pyebaek (Fruit & Nut Toss); to cupcakes brought in all the way from Madagascar, there was no detail overlooked. And of course, Arri looked exquisite in her handmade Korean wedding gown. She wore a cape instead of a veil and it added such a level of elegance to her ensemble. Kyle looked so happy when he saw her coming down the aisle, I think I saw a tear! Capturing moments like that is what makes my job as a wedding photographer so rewarding!

Arri’s wedding shoes were a killer pair of bright blue stilettos. They looked great, but unfortunately they were hurting her feet before the ceremony even started. So, after the ceremony, Kyle graciously carried her UP the stairs. It has to be one of my favorite moments of the day. They’re just so happy & perfect together!

Colonial Heritage Wedding Reception

Arri and Kyle’s Colonial Heritage wedding reception was filled with joy. The bride’s twin sisters did a Roast instead of a Toast and got a lot of laughs. And, despite being a dry wedding, there were some impressive dance moves on the dance floor. Check out the Groom’s brother’s dance off with the ring bearer’s father – complete with an impressive mid-air kick!

Arri and Kyle, I was so happy to be a part of your wedding day and all of its Korean traditions. Best wishes to you both on this wonderful journey as you build your new lives together. And, of course, a very special thank you to Rene for asking me to be their wedding photographer! Thanks also to Stacy and the amazing staff at Colonial Heritage Golf club, as well as to Daniel and Lazuli.