Oaks Farm wedding | Michi + Chur

Monday, July 25, 2011 | Surrey Wedding

Michi and Chur’s Oaks Farm wedding was a really thoughtful day with a bringing together of European and Chinese customs and showing off Chur’s design talents and patience.
The day started with Michi getting ready at Oaks Farm in the cottage with her family and friends.

Michi’s parents chose to sit calmly outside in the sunshine while most of the getting ready was going on.

Meanwhile, in the Victorian barn, the harpist was practising Michi’s entrance music and Chur’s family were putting finishing touches to the floral arrangements.

Everything was in place for the ceremony – a nervous groom and a nervous best man, who is also getting married this summer.

After their ceremony, Michi and Chur went outside for confetti and family congratulations.

Chur’s Hong Kong family heritage came into play as he and Michi took part in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony.  In this, the couple show their respect for their elders by serving tea to their parents and grandparents.  It’s also a time for the older generations to give gifts – traditionally in red embellished envelopes and sometimes precious items – in this case a necklace and bracelet for Michi.

Chur’s mother mentioned at this point that she would like a grandchild – and a few seconds later, this wish expanded into wanting perhaps four grandchildren – hence Michi’s giggles.

Another of the Chinese traditions at Michi and Chur’s wedding was a red tablelcoth that guests signed as well as a more traditional message book.

Michi and Chur took time out for champagne and chatting to their guests while I captured reportage photographs of their family and friends. Some of the youngest guests were especially keen on the garden games that had been organised for them.

Michi’s mother had made endless metres of bunting for the wedding, using many materials that were familiar from her childhood.  It was strung around the Oaks Farm grounds for drinks and the orangery throughout the day.

We spent about 20 minutes around Oaks Farm for some wedding portraits.

Michi and Chur had spent countless hours working on their details, including a birdy table plan and using a combination of circus-style fonts for signage. Table names had a theme of childhood desserts.

Chur’s mother put together this array of cakes and wedding cupcakes – teaching herself how to cook and decorate them especially for the occasion.

The day had its speeches before the wedding breakfast.

Throughout the meal, Michi’s father kept a close eye on his sleeping grand-daughter.

Chur jokes with his friends – he had written the Chinese part of his speech phonetically so he could read it easily.

The day was also Chur’s father’s 60th birthday – so it was time for more cake.

Michi’s brother and sister-in-law sang “More than Words” as their contribution to the day.