Lily & Van at San Gabriel Mission and Five Star Seafood

March 21, 2025 · San Gabriel Mission and Five Star Seafood

A Traditional Chinese Wedding Day in the San Gabriel Valley

On March 21, 2025, Lily and Van spent their wedding day in red: tea ceremonies at both family homes, portraits at San Gabriel Mission, and a banquet at Five Star Seafood. Lily wore a red qipao and Van a light gray suit with a red tie. At the reception they exchanged vows and rings in front of their guests, shared a first dance to P.S. I Love You by Paul Partohap, gave speeches to their parents and grandmothers, visited every table and ended the night with a teddy bear toss and open dancing. Here is their wedding, photographed by One and Only Production.

Lily and Van

Lily wore a red qipao with a keyhole back, and Van wore a light gray suit with a red tie.

Lily in her red qipao.
Lily in the garden at San Gabriel Mission.
The keyhole back of Lily's qipao.
Lily's red qipao among the cactus garden.
Van in his light gray suit and red tie.
Van with his jacket over his shoulder.
Van in the garden, photographed by One and Only Production.

Tea Ceremony at Lily's Home

Van arrived at Lily's family home, where the two served tea to her parents and grandparents. Her family sent her off under a red umbrella.

Lily's family home ready for the tea ceremony.
Van arriving at Lily's home.
Lily and Van together at her home.
Family preparing for the tea ceremony.
Lily at the family altar.
Lily holding red envelopes.
Van waiting at the door.
Lily and Van serving tea to her family.
Lily's grandparents receiving tea.
Lily's grandmother with gold jewelry.
Lily's hair and gold pins.
Lily and Van with family at her home.
Lily's family sending her off with a red umbrella.
Lily waving from the car.
Lily heading to Van's home, photographed by One and Only Production.

Tea Ceremony at Van's Home

At Van's family home, the two served tea to his elders, who welcomed Lily with red envelopes and gold jewelry.

Van's grandmother at his family home.
Florals and double happiness at Van's home.
A young cousin at Van's home.
Lily and Van kneeling to serve tea.
Serving tea to Van's family.
Van's grandfather giving Lily a red envelope.
Van's family placing jewelry on Lily.
Lily and Van serving tea to elders.
Family fastening a bracelet on Lily.
The tea ceremony at Van's home.
Van's family smiling during the tea ceremony.
Lily and Van with Van's parents.
Van with family, photographed by One and Only Production.

Family at San Gabriel Mission

Family and friends joined Lily and Van at San Gabriel Mission for group photos by the fountain.

Lily and Van with family at San Gabriel Mission.
Van and Lily with a friend.
Lily with family by the fountain.
Family gathered at the mission.
Lily laughing with friends.
Family portrait at the mission, photographed by One and Only Production.

Portraits at San Gabriel Mission

The mission courtyard, the fountain and the lawn under the palms gave us plenty of room for portraits, with Lily's red qipao against the old white walls.

Palm trees over San Gabriel Mission.
Lily and Van by the mission fountain.
Lily and Van in front of the fountain.
Lily and Van walking through the courtyard.
Van holding Lily's hand.
Lily's qipao train in the courtyard.
Van spinning Lily.
Lily and Van in the garden.
Lily and Van holding hands.
Lily and Van close on the lawn.
Lily and Van under the trees.
Lily and Van laughing together.
Lily and Van in front of the mission buildings.
Lily and Van walking hand in hand on the mission lawn.
Lily and Van cheek to cheek, photographed by One and Only Production.

Reception at Five Star Seafood

The banquet hall was set with red roses and double happiness signs, and guests stopped at the welcome backdrop for photos with Lily and Van.

The banquet hall at Five Star Seafood.
Double happiness and red roses.
Red roses on the reception tables.
The dinner menu.
The card box and photos at the welcome table.
Wine and place settings on the table.
The welcome sign, photographed by One and Only Production.
Lily at the welcome backdrop.
Lily and Van with family at the welcome backdrop.
Lily and Van with grandparents.
Lily and Van with friends.
Lily and Van at the welcome backdrop.
Lily and Van with relatives.
Lily and Van with guests at the welcome backdrop.

Grand Entrance and First Dance

Parents and the flower guys entered first, then Lily and Van danced in to 24K Magic. After a short vow and ring exchange, they shared their first dance to P.S. I Love You.

The sweetheart table with red florals.
Guests cheering during the grand entrance.
Lily and Van making their entrance.
Guests dancing during the entrance.
Guests celebrating at their tables.
Lily and Van waving to guests.
Lily and Van entering the banquet hall, photographed by One and Only Production.
Lily and Van's first dance.
Van spinning Lily.
Lily and Van dancing close.
A wide view of the first dance.
Lily and Van dancing in front of the floral arch.
Van dipping Lily, photographed by One and Only Production.

Speeches

Lily and Van welcomed their guests, family members said a few words, and the two gave a speech to their parents and grandmothers.

A speech at the front of the hall.
Lily giving a speech.
Lily and Van thanking their guests.
Van speaking to guests.
Guests listening to the speeches.
Family laughing during the toasts.
Lily and Van at the sweetheart table.
A toast with family, photographed by One and Only Production.

Teddy Bear Toss, Table Greetings and Cake

Lily and Van tossed teddy bears to the kids, visited every table for a toast, and cut their cake.

Lily getting ready for the teddy bear toss.
Van tossing teddy bears to guests.
Kids catching teddy bears.
Guests reaching for the teddy bear toss.
A little guest with her teddy bear.
Lily and Van with family.
Lily and Van toasting a table.
Toasting grandma at her table.
Lily and Van greeting tables.
Guests raising a toast.
Table toasts with family.
The tiered wedding cake.
Lily and Van cutting their cake.
Lily and Van at the cake table, photographed by One and Only Production.

The Dance Floor

The night ended with family and friends, little ones included, on the dance floor.

Van singing with a friend.
A little guest dancing.
Guests laughing on the dance floor.
Dancing with a little one.
A guest dancing.
Guests with their hands in the air.
The dance floor celebration.
A little guest in a suit on the dance floor.
Guests signing the red guest book.
Family at the banquet tables.
A guest signing the guest book.
Guests enjoying dinner, photographed by One and Only Production.

Planning a San Gabriel Valley Wedding?

A tea ceremony at home, portraits at San Gabriel Mission and a Chinese banquet make for a full and meaningful day. One and Only Production is a photo and video team based in West Covina, serving Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. If you are planning a traditional Chinese wedding, we would love to hear your story. You can also see more of our work in our wedding portfolio.

Wedding Vendors

Portraits: San Gabriel Mission
Reception: Five Star Seafood Restaurant
Photo & Video: @oneandonlyproduction
DJ: Spotlight Groove (@spotlightgroove)

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