Oaks Farm wedding | Michi + Chur

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.

Oaks Farm wedding dress detailWedding veil or vail at Oaks Farm

Bride getting ready at Oaks Farm

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

Outside Oaks Farm cottageBride getting ready at Oaks Farm

Bride getting ready at Oaks Farm

Oaks Farm wedding bridal portraits

Oaks Farm bride and maid of honour

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.

Harpist plays Arrival of the Queen of Sheba from Solomon by Handel at Oaks Farm wedding

 

Oaks Farm wedding flowers

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

Oaks Farm wedding ceremonyOaks Farm wedding ceremonyOaks Farm wedding ceremonyOaks Farm wedding ceremonyOaks Farm wedding ceremony

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

Family throws wedding confettiGroom's grandmother congratulates groom at weddingGroom and mother at Oaks Farm weddingGrandfather congratulates groom on marriageGrandfather congratulates bride on marriageChur’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.

Chinese tea ceremony at Oaks FarmChinese tea ceremony at weddingChinese tea ceremony at weddingChinese tea ceremony at weddingChur’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.

Chinese tea ceremony at weddingChinese tea ceremony at weddingChinese tea ceremony at weddingChinese tea ceremony at wedding

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.

Red Chinese tablecloth for signing at Oaks Farm wedding

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.

Wedding guests play in grounds.Wedding guests play garden games at wedding reception.

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.

Home-made bunting strung around wedding reception in garden.Wedding guest father and baby

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

Oaks Farm wedding portraits of bride and groom Oaks Farm wedding portrait groom Oaks Farm wedding portrait of brideOaks Farm wedding portraits of bride and groom Oaks Farm wedding portraits of bride and groom Bride and groom wedding portraits at Oaks Farm

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.

Circus fonts on wedding signs

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

Home-made wedding cupcakes at Oaks Farm, Surrey

The day had its speeches before the wedding breakfast.

Father of the bride speech at Oaks Farm.Father of the bride speech at Oaks Farm.Father of the bride speech at Oaks Farm.Father of the bride speech at Oaks Farm.

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

Grandfather watches over grand-daughter

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

Grooms chats with friends

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

Oaks Farm birthday celebrations

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

Brother sings wedding song to bride and groomBrother congratulates bride and groom on marriage.