Valerie & Danny's Tea Ceremony

May 9, 2026 · Tea Ceremony at Home

A Tea Ceremony Before Bel-Air Bay Club

Valerie and Danny met in a fraternity at Cal State LA. They love taking their pets places, exploring new restaurants and traveling, and they laugh most when they are being silly and teasing each other. Before their wedding at Bel-Air Bay Club in Pacific Palisades, they held their tea ceremony at home, starting with a gift tray handover and roast pigs, then tea for both families in a living room full of red and gold, with their pups Kohmie and Olaf dressed for the occasion. Here is their tea ceremony, photographed by One and Only Production.

Red and Gold Details

The house was ready before anyone arrived: a Danny and Valerie backdrop with red and gold balloons, dragon and phoenix decor on the mantel, a family altar with fruit and a tea set waiting on the red table, plus double happiness buns and pastries for the guests.

A red tea set on a tray ready for the tea ceremony.
Gold dragon and phoenix decor with flowers on the mantel.
A Danny and Valerie backdrop with red and gold balloons.
Fruit and offerings arranged on the family altar.
A red double happiness banner over the tea table.
A large double happiness papercut on the wall.
The tea set and fruit on the red table.
Red and gold balloons above the sofa.
Red wrapped gift baskets on the table.
Buns stamped with double happiness for the tea ceremony.
Pastries decorated with double happiness.
A plate of fresh fruit for the tea ceremony.
Gold jewelry in red boxes on the tea table.
Gift boxes and buns stacked for the family, photographed by One and Only Production.

Valerie and Her Bridesmaids

Valerie wore a red qipao by Beth and Brian Qipao and spent the morning with her bridesmaids in white, her parents and Kohmie, who did not leave her side for long.

Valerie in a red qipao with her bridesmaids in white.
Valerie and her bridesmaids under a double happiness sign.
Valerie and her bridesmaids laughing on the bed.
Close up of Valerie's gold necklace and red qipao.
Valerie holding Kohmie in her red qipao.
Valerie in her red qipao among white roses.
Valerie holding Kohmie under a double happiness papercut.
Valerie smiling by the roses.
Valerie with her mother under a double happiness sign.
Valerie with her parents.
Valerie sitting on the bed with Kohmie.
Valerie holding Kohmie beside red papercuts, photographed by One and Only Production.

Danny and the Groomsmen

Danny wore a red patterned jacket, and his groomsmen matched in cream suits for the tray handover.

Danny and his groomsmen in cream suits on the street.
Danny in a red patterned jacket by the roses.
Danny and his groomsmen lined up on the sidewalk.
The groomsmen crouching around Danny.
Danny and his groomsmen laughing together.
Danny smiling in his red jacket, photographed by One and Only Production.

The Gift Tray Handover

The groom's side unloaded red wrapped gift trays and roast pigs, then carried them up to the front door, where the bridesmaids received each one.

Gift trays and roast pigs laid out in the garage.
Bridesmaids receiving red gift trays at the door.
Groomsmen carrying red gift trays up the front walk.
The tray procession lining up outside the house.
Groomsmen handing trays to the bridesmaids at the entry.
A groomsman carrying a red wrapped gift tray.
Unloading gift trays from the car.
Red wrapped gift baskets and a red gift bag.
Danny and a groomsman unloading the car.
Red gift trays with gold balloons.
Bridesmaids and groomsmen exchanging trays at the front door.
Bridesmaids holding red trays in front of the house, photographed by One and Only Production.

Serving Tea to Family

Valerie and Danny served tea to parents, grandparents and relatives, who welcomed them with gold jewelry, red envelopes and big hugs.

Family preparing red tea trays in the kitchen.
Valerie hugging an elder during the tea ceremony.
An elder placing a gift on Valerie.
Valerie and Danny serving tea to a grandmother.
A grandmother seated for the tea ceremony.
Valerie and Danny handing tea to an elder.
Valerie and Danny offering tea to an elder.
The couple serving tea to an uncle.
Family looking on during the tea ceremony.
A red envelope passed to Valerie.
Valerie receiving a gift from a relative.
The couple offering tea to a seated relative.
Family gathered around the tea table.
An elder giving a blessing at the tea ceremony.
A relative smiling with a teacup.
Valerie and Danny serving tea to relatives on the sofa.
The couple bowing to an elder.
A grandmother receiving tea from the couple.
Valerie and Danny serving tea to relatives.
Valerie and Danny smiling as they serve tea, photographed by One and Only Production.

Portraits with Kohmie and Olaf

Their pets were part of the day too, so we took Valerie and Danny around the house for portraits with Kohmie and Olaf in front of their name backdrop.

Valerie and Danny holding their dogs outside the house.
The couple with their two dogs.
Valerie and Danny under double happiness papercuts with a dog.
Valerie and Danny in front of their name backdrop.
Danny holding both dogs beside Valerie.
Valerie and Danny smiling in front of the backdrop.
Danny kissing Valerie's cheek.
The couple by the mantel decor.
Valerie and Danny in front of the dragon and phoenix mantel.
Kohmie in a red outfit.
Kohmie dressed in red for the tea ceremony.
Olaf in a red bandana, photographed by One and Only Production.

Planning a Tea Ceremony?

A tea ceremony at home moves quickly, with family in every room and a lot of small moments to catch. 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 tea ceremony or a door game, we would love to hear your story. You can also see more of our work in our wedding portfolio.

Wedding Vendors

Coordination: @sophiakatarinaevents
Photo & Video: @oneandonlyproduction
Chinese Traditional Dress: @bethandbrianqipao
Hair: @beautybyangmillion
Bridal Gown: @saintbridal, @lovelybridelosgatos
Reception Dress: @untamedpetals
Florals: @cityflowerla
Venue & Catering: Bel-Air Bay Club
Cake: @bakedbyjulie_
DJ: @officialyammymusic
Lion Dance: @laumartialclub
Photobooth: @stpphotobooth
Content Creator: @cadensocials
Linen & Signage: Luxe and Linen

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