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Yuqing and Louis at Park Chateau Estate & Gardens

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Yuqing and Louis at Park Chateau Estate & Gardens

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Allison Dupree

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How did you meet?
Louis fell in love at first sight. It was freshman year at Drexel, and he cared very little about the way he dressed (not much has changed). Yuqing happened to get the Best Dressed superlative in high school. So, when she met him for the first time outside of their freshman dorms, there was some judgment. He had on a stained tank top, oversized basketball shorts, high-ankle socks, and basketball slippers. She said hello, and searched her purse for spare change. Weeks later, the two bumped into each other at the freshman dining hall and ended up sitting at the same table. This was his chance to woo her. He didn’t, but he managed to get in the friend zone — the Facebook friend zone. To be clear, Yuqing friend requested Louis.

Thinking it would get him out of the friend zone, he occasionally brought Yuqing ice cream over the next few weeks. Eventually, she invited him to go see a musical on campus. Louis, thinking this was a date (it was not, according to Yuqing), met up with her in an outfit that he thought actually looked decent. Out of the two, Louis probably would have gotten the best-dressed award that night. To end the night, they had a candlelit dinner at Jimmy John’s, followed by a decadent dessert at Capogiro. Along the way back to the dorms, they stopped at a fountain on Drexel’s campus. It was there that Louis asked Yuqing out. She replied, “Let me think about it.” After a few days, Louis in his persistence, made a second attempt. Yuqing agreed, on the condition Louis would go clothes shopping. So yes, love at first sight does exist … but only for some.

How did you get engaged?
Louis planned a “hiking trip” with Yuqing and their friends to see the fall foliage. He had all of the details ironed out, but the challenge was to not give anything away. He managed to get Yuqing to avoid scheduling work that day, enlisted the help of friends to have Yuqing get her nails done, coordinated timing and location with the photographers, and the actual proposal plan. Yuqing was dressed in gym clothes because she really thought a hike was planned, and questioned why Louis carried around his backpack all day. She had no idea the backpack contained champagne, a change of clothes and shoes for the engagement shoot, and the ring itself. As they were driving to the trailhead, their friends who were supposed to join them had a very convincing story as to why they “could no longer make it.” Louis and Yuqing carried on, and reached an abandoned highway covered in graffiti. It was a neat start to a trail, that eventually led them to a small tranquil lake with beautiful pine trees reflecting off the water.

The two walked around the lake, and Louis was so nervous that he missed the photographers and blew the opportunity. So, like anyone else would do, he made an excuse that he needed to find a place to go pee, and that was a good enough reason to go around the lake again. After reaching the spot of the proposal, Louis told Yuqing to pose for pictures. When she turned around, she found him on one knee with a ring in hand. Louis had a few lines planned, but he forgot all of them. The only thing he managed to say was, “I love you, will you marry me?” Yuqing had no idea what was going on, so naturally, she said, “No, what are you doing? Get up.” And that’s when Louis got down on his other knee, and the rest is history.

Details of the day!
The initial wedding date was May 31 2020. Due to Covid, wedding was postponed to May 17 2021. Due to close to 100% of guests being fully vaccinated by May 2021, Louis and Yuqing decided to ultimately keep the new date. For many guests this wedding was their first large gathering event and for some the first time they got on a plane since the pandemic. Louis is Chinese/Vietnamese American and Yuqing is Chinese American. It was important for them to blend east and west cultures on their wedding day. One example, their invitations and MCs are both bilingual. Before the first look, Louis and his groomsmen arrived at the bridal suite for door games. In Chinese culture, before the groom can see the bride, he and his groomsmen must complete challenges to prove he is worthy to see the bride. So bridesmaids came up with games such as doing push ups, eating a cracker without their hands, singing Yuqing’s favorite song, etc. The couple then recited our vows and got married in sunny spring day at an outdoor ceremony by the officiant, who was Louis’s mentor while at Drexel. One of Yuqing’s bridesmaids, Nicole, sang during the father daughter dance. They opted to forgo the garter/bouquet toss and do the anniversary dance instead. The longest married couple in the room has been married for 55 years, so the couple want to celebrate that. During the reception, the couple changed into their traditional red attires for the tea ceremony, which is a way to pay respect to elders and for them to welcome the couple into the family. Immediately after the lion dances came! The lions (with red and gold colors) also signifies luck, happiness and prosperity. Lastly Louis and Yuqing love to cook with wine, host dinners and go to wineries, so for wedding favors, we choose to give bottles of wine with a customized label and the back label stating “You are the reason our day was so special. Cheers to the good times ahead!” Connecting it back to our first dance song. The couple hopes to drink this wine years to come for their anniversaries.

Why did you choose your venue?
Yuqing’s family is from New York, while Louis’s family is from Philadelphia, they decided to pick a venue that is in the middle of the 2 cities. The couple’s style is very modern, but classic and timeline. So Park Chateau’s beautiful estate and gardens was the perfect back drop. Yuqing first saw the venue on a cold rainy November day, the venue was still breathtakingly beautiful. It was a love at first sight for Yuqing.

What was on your menu?
The catering and menu was provided by the venue. One of the reason Louis and Yuqing picked the venue was their very extensive menu items for cocktail and dinner. For cocktail hour, the couple added some Asian flares, such as whole suckling pig and Peking duck, which is very common in Asian weddings. One of the entree options was ginger soy sea bass; fish also signifies luck and prosperity in Asian culture, so the couple added that. For dessert, which is Louis and Yuqing’s favorite part, cake was from Calandra’s bakery, bottom tier was strawberry custard with vanilla cake, top 2 tiers was chocolate mousse with chocolate pudding with chocolate cake. They loved having the additional of after party food available for our guests and they loved the donut wall!

All about your gown!
Yuqing wore a strapless fit and flare ivory gown with beading and tulles. I knew it was the one because the upper body fit hugs Yuqing’s body so nicely and the bottom flare was big, which was great for twirls and spins during the first dance. It was exactly as Yuqing imagined it would be.

What was your favorite moment?
Yuqing’s favorite moment was the first dance. The couple never practiced in Yuqing’s dress or wedding shoes. But it was executed perfectly. The height of the song was in sync with indoor sparklers, which made it even more special and magical! Louis’s favorite moment was the lion dances by the Philadelphia Suns organization, which is a community organization that is always making a huge impact in Philadelphia’s Chinatown community. Louis was actually part of the organization when he was younger.

One detail you couldn’t live without?
Yuqing and Louis loved the tea ceremony and wearing the traditional red attires. It was a best way to incorporate the Asian marriage culture into our very modern venue.

Did anything go wrong?
The lion dances arrived a little bit late, but ended up working out great, because the couple had more time to interact with guests and show off the beautiful traditional red attires.

First dance song?
“You are the reason” by Calum Scott. The duet version w/ Beyonce. Louis and Yuqing took dance lessons for a month and practiced almost everyday. The dance lessons were the couple’s favorite part of wedding planning.

Any advice for future brides?
Wedding planning is stress and a lot to manage, especially in the midst of Covid. Be sure to do something fun in the process. It can be taking dance lessons, go on weekly dates, or daily walks with your partner. The alone time with each other just reminds you what is the wedding is about the love 2 people share and at the end of the day you get to marry the love of your life. Another tip: Be organized! Excel sheets are the best!

Honeymoon Location
Louis and Yuqing went on a 2 week trip to Utah. The trip involved lot of hiking, food and hot springs. They visited 5 National parks, 5 state parks, 1 national monument, and 2 hot springs.

the details

Hometowns

Philadelphia, PA

Reception Location

Park Chateau Estate & Gardens

Photographer

Lisa Hornak Photography

Officiant

John Cooke

Bride’s Gown

The Dress Matters in Media, PA. Red dress: EastMeetsDress. Reception Dress: Aqua Bloomingdales

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Yuqing and Louis at Park Chateau Estate & Gardens

the details

Hometowns

Reception Location

Photographer

Officiant

Bride’s Gown

Bride’s Shoes

Bridesmaid Dresses

Hair

Makeup

Groom’s Attire

Groomsmen Attire

Flowers

Cake

Invites

Music

Videographer

Favors

Honeymoon

Brides Jewelry

Brides Accessories