A MULTI-DAY CULTURAL WEDDING IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 

Sophia and Patrick’s spring wedding at Grand Gimeno was a joyful, multi-day celebration that beautifully blended traditional Chinese and Vietnamese wedding customs with modern, laid-back Southern California style. 

 

Although I’m a San Francisco Bay Area wedding videographer, I regularly travel throughout California to document meaningful, culturally rich celebrations like this one. Their Orange County wedding weekend combined whimsical garden party florals and romantic Spanish colonial architecture from Grand Gimeno with the formal and traditional tea ceremony celebrations — the kind of layered storytelling I love capturing on film.

 

From the beginning, they were clear about what they wanted from their wedding videographer: candid documentation and a strong focus on the friends and family who traveled to celebrate their multi-day wedding. Above all, they wanted to remember the presence of their loved ones.

 

Being Chinese myself and working alongside my Vietnamese husband as my second videographer, I deeply understood the importance of balancing East Asian wedding traditions with contemporary California wedding elements. So we packed up our gear and traveled to Orange County, ready to document every meaningful moment of their Southern California wedding weekend.

 

DOOR GAMES AND TRADITIONAL CHINESE AND VIETNAMESE TEA CEREMONIES

On the first day, Sophia and Patrick hosted traditional Chinese wedding door games followed by two tea ceremonies at their family homes.

 

The groom and groomsmen playing door games, which are a series of light hearted challenges they must complete before seeing the bride. We loved filming everyone’s genuine laughter as the groomsmen struggled to pop balloons with their chests. These candid moments are always a highlight in wedding films, especially since the bride often doesn’t witness them in real time.

 

During the tea ceremonies, the couple served tea to parents, elders, and future in-laws as a sign of respect and gratitude — an essential tradition in both Chinese and Vietnamese weddings. Loved ones set off colorful confetti poppers as the couple transitioned from one home to the next. 

 

AN OUTDOOR CEREMONY IN THE OLIVE GROVE AT GRAND GIMENO

The following day, we met in Orange for their ceremony at Grand Gimeno. The venue’s courtyard and olive grove — framed by 100-year-old trees and Spanish colonial arches — offered a timeless Southern California backdrop.

 

Sophia and Patrick shared a private first look and personal vows before their ceremony. Later, surrounded by their wedding party in mismatched spring dresses and neutral suits, they exchanged rings beneath the olive trees in a heartfelt outdoor ceremony.

 

The soft light, natural textures, and historic architecture made the setting feel romantic yet relaxed — a classic Orange County wedding atmosphere.

 

AL FRESCO DINING AND SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

As the sun set, guests gathered beneath string lights for cocktail hour. Everyone enjoyed the live pizza oven station and signature cocktails while Sophia and Patrick enjoyed some quiet moments and their first drinks as husband and wife near the Spanish fountain. I love capturing these small, in-between moments - they add a lot of personalization and depth to a wedding film.

 

WHIMSICAL DETAILS IN THE INDOOR RECEPTION HALL

The reception followed inside Grand Gimeno’s expansive Grand Central hall. With its massive windows and high ceilings, the space felt relaxed and inviting. Colorful florals by Sweet Petals Design and planning by Golden Hour Events complemented the clean tablescapes and natural wood chairs, tying together the whimsical garden party aesthetic.

 

We documented the happy couple’s energetic grand entrance, sentimental toasts, and intentional table visits - small moments that matter just as much as the grand ones. Later in the evening, guests enjoyed late-night birria tacos from 805 Quesa Birria Tacos, another nod to the distinctly Southern California vibe of their wedding day. 

 

A MODERN ASIAN AMERICAN WEDDING FILM

Thoughtfully weaving together traditional tea ceremonies, playful door games, and a chic California reception for Sophia and Patrick’s wedding film was incredibly special for me. Their Grand Gimeno wedding was a beautiful reminder that a wedding film can hold both tradition and contemporary celebration in the same story.

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I’m honored to tell modern Asian American love stories that reflect both heritage and individuality. 

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As a San Francisco Bay Area wedding videographer, I can’t wait to document more cultural, multi-day weddings across Northern and Southern California.

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Sophia and Patrick had 10 hours of coverage, 2 videographers, and drone coverage on their day. Their coverage hours were split between a traditional tea ceremony day and Western ceremony wedding day.