Their wedding was set the weekend before Chinese New Year, a year to the date from when he got on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. They couldn't think of a better time to ring in new lives than by ringing in Chinese traditions of hosting an elaborate feast, giving money in red envelopes to children, and celebrating. The year of the dragon is believed to bring success and happiness, so Eric and Helen couldn't dream of a better way to start their marriage.
The wedding day began on a cold morning at the Biltmore Los Angeles, but Helen paid no mind to the rain because with it brought good luck. She continued pacing the suite and reveling in her moment as a bride. She hugged, laughed, and kissed those who walked in and out of her room, patiently waiting for her moment to do the same with Eric.
Eric quickly breezed through the hotel lobby, explaining he was caught in traffic. The rain, an accident, you know. After quickly dressing (taking special care of the new watch Helen surprised him with), the rain subsided, so he walked downstairs and into the street…and waited. As Helen slowly made her way toward her new husband, Eric's eyes filled with tears. They hugged, laughed, and kissed on the wet streets of Los Angeles in the year of the dragon. Together.
Helen and Eric, thank you for being so amazing. I feel incredibly lucky to have worked with such an amazing couple…to see (and feel) the impact in the lives you've touched blows me away. I appreciate you inviting me into your lives and documenting how fiercely you love. I hope you're winning big in Vegas and using the profits to get an extra long massage in Australia! Much Love and Appreciation… j*
The wedding day started in the Music Suite at the Biltmore Los Angeles Hotel…and it was breathtaking. The beauty of older hotels is the abundance of window light, so I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Helen had three wedding dresses, the first was a Maggie Sottero…
Helen's second wedding dress was simple and free-flowing…freedom to dance was a priority, so she decided to do it up with a new dress…
I absolutely loved the bridal party…they were incredibly fun and made the day perfect.
**A special thanks to Kristy Geithman (the bridesmaid on the right) for referring Helen+Eric my way…love her!
JD's angle of the First Look…
Like always, I adore when couples opt to see each other before the wedding ceremony. The moment is so beautifully their own. It's private and a way for them to connect as husband and wife…and creates a lovely ebb and flow on the wedding day for photos. Here, Eric is overwhelmed at the sight of his bride.
Lucky for us, the rain subsided and we were able to roam Downtown Los Angeles for a bit…
This? This is how Eric looked at Helen all.day.long…he was smitten. And in love. And it was perfect.
Special thanks to Joyce Luck for doing Helen's hair and makeup…
The wedding ceremony was held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Downtown Los Angeles and the mass was particularly beautiful…
We headed back to the Biltmore Los Angeles for the reception and I need to take a moment to thank Kelley Lee Gin of Picture Perfect Events for orchestrating a flawless day. There were SO many factors playing into the reception (one of them organizing 400 people into 33 table shots in 25 minutes…go ahead, say we're crazy), but she and her team pulled it off. I love when a creative team collaborates for the best interest of the bride and groom!
All florals and decor were provided by the uber talented Mille Fiori…
Helen and Eric had a perfect reception filled with laughter…
…tears…
…quiet moments…
…feeding lions red envelopes…
…and lots of happiness surrounded by their friends and family.
To see more of Helen and Eric's Biltmore Los Angeles Wedding, feel free to CLICK HERE for a slideshow or simply watch it here:
