We had the recent pleasure of photographing and filming Anita & Gerry’s incredible wedding day at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge. The Hyatt Regency is the iconic “steps” hotel that overlooks the Charles River, with fantastic views of Boston. Plans were to be indoors most of the day for three traditional wedding ceremonies: a Chinese Tea Ceremony, a Cambodian Knot Tying Ceremony, and an American Vow Exchange Ceremony. Plans to stay inside were a blessing, as cell phones beeped warnings of potential tornado threats. Though you’d thankfully never know it from inside the hotel. The weather didn’t affect their day one bit.
Anita & Gerry’s wedding day was filled with tradition, outfit changes, laughs, and even a little Boyz II Men acapella. We worked nearly 12 hours to capture it all for Anita & Gerry, and I loved the entire day. Both for the festive excitement, and also for the in-between moments. These two are quiet and kind, both thoughtfully asking about our new puppy throughout the day, catching up on chats we had during their Boston Public Garden engagement session and in planning conversations over the last year.
I wish I had a gorgeous pair of shoes on my wedding day! Love Anita’s Jimmy Choo selection.
Anita’s beautiful mama reminisced on rubbing lotion on Anita’s skin when she was a baby…and was happy to do so again on her wedding day!
The guys got ready downstairs – Gerry was beyond ready to see Anita, and marry his love after 10 years together. Also, we loved their EDM playlist. 🙂
The guys headed up to greet the girls and play door games – in Chinese tradition – so Gerry would be granted access to his love. While Anita waited behind closed doors, he passed envelopes of money to her bridesmaids until they decided he was worthy. Once he made it into the room, the ladies gave him and his groomsmen a set of challenges to get to his bride. This was one of my favorite parts of the day.
After singing Boyz II Men (Yoshi was not impressed), Gerry was able to greet Anita with promises for their married life together. Then, to their Chinese Tea Ceremony!
At the Tea Ceremony, they served tea to their elders and received gifts and blessings. Meanwhile, custom Cambodian outfits were being prepared upstairs for the Knot ceremony.
Anita explained the ceremony to me so perfectly beforehand, and while the ceremony was led entirely in Cambodian, an english-speaking translator was there to translate and explain each part of the ceremony. It was rich with tradition and history, all to bless this incredible couple.
We headed back upstairs to prepare for the final ceremony of the day – vow exchanges. Anita presented her mom and each of her bridesmaids with a thoughtful note and gift, and brought her mama to tears with her kind words. …Yoshi, still not impressed while Anita put on her custom crystal-beaded veil shawl. ;-p
Remember that tornado warning I mentioned? That was a distant memory by the time we were ready for portraits. Time was tight, but thankfully the Hyatt Regency Cambridge has a courtyard perfect for natural light portraits. We got through our list in record time, giving us the chance to head across Memorial Drive for a few evening portraits with Anita & Gerry.
The Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge faces the Boston skyline – the views were stellar, and I have to give a HUGE shout out to Ashley, their event manager. She kept things running smoothly and was a joy to work with.
The celebration that night was insane. Three wedding ceremonies and they still hit the dance floor hard, so happy to be celebrating their marriage with their family and friends. They’ve grown up together over the last 10 years, through hard times and good times, always there for each other and their family.
Congratulations, Anita & Gerry. We are so happy for you, and honored to have been a part of your day!
Wedding Venue: Hyatt Regency Cambridge
Videographer: The Ewings
Florist: Petals
Hair & Makeup: Paula Som Ang Ka
Wedding Gown: Sottero & Midgley
Traditional Cambodian Outfits: Paula Som Ang Ka
[…] seen door games before, like at Gerry & Anita’s Cambodian & Chinese wedding last year at Hyatt Regency Cambridge, and it never gets old. I think every groom of everywhere […]
These are beautiful cambridge for wedding day.