[Wedding] Vivian & Richard – China Garden in Rosslyn, VA

When Vivian and Richard first told me about their Chinese-Vietnamese banquet style wedding reception at China Garden, I started imagining the typical banquet wedding: tons (and tons) of food, outfit changes and family pictures. Then Vivian revealed that there was going to be a “family band”. My first initial thoughts were something along the lines of Jackson 5 or Jonas Brothers, where all the band members were related (though that wouldn’t be too far from the actual truth). “No…” Vivian tell me. “…these are my family members, and they’re all going to bring their instruments and sing – like they do at every wedding!”

Wow.

Until recently, the only karaoke band I’ve ever heard of was the kind that involved plastic guitars and drum sets attached to a gaming console: like the kind that my mother would dig out of her closet when the entire family comes over the holidays. But there were no plastic guitars at Vivian and Richard’s wedding; this was the real deal. After all, a celebration isn’t a celebration unless you’ve got music. And when your guests are active participants in creating this aforementioned entertainment, the level of awesomeness just got multiplied by a gazillion.

But even rock-star weddings start with a little hair and make-up. Their day started across the street at the Le Meridian in Crystal City.

Wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride's shoes on the morning of her wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride's dress on the morning of her wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride writes a note on the morning of her wedding at the Le Meridian in Crystal City - Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom gets ready for his wedding day at the Crystal City Le Meridian in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride gets her eye make-up done on the morning of her wedding at the Le Meridian in Crystal City - Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride looks into the mirror on the morning of her wedding at the Le Meridian in Crystal City - Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride preps on the morning of her wedding at the Le Meridian in Crystal City - Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride's flowers on the morning of her wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom poses for portraits on the morning of his wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.A wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Junior Bridesmaid and flower girls wait before a wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.A wedding in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding portraits in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding photos in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding photos in Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groomsmen laugh during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest sings during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride and groom's first dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride and father dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Groom and mother dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Best man makes a toast during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Best man makes a toast during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Maid of honor makes a toast during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Cake cutting during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest sings during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest plays the guitar during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guests pose for pictures during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Bride and groom dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest sings during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Guest dance during a wedding reception at China Garden in Rosslyn, Northern Virginia. Captured by NYC wedding photographer Ben Lau.Le Meridian & China Garden in Rosslyn, VA | Vivian & Richard

Venue: China Garden // Hair/Make-up: Bridal Artistry // Dress: Maggie Sottero // Shoes: Badgley Mischka // Rings: Solomon Brothers // Groom’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse // Floral/Décor: Global Rose // Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas

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