The moment I first fell in love with Marcus Bell was when I opened my inbox to find THESE pretty pictures. I actually gasped out loud which I rarely do these days as I spend most of my days looking at beautiful wedding imagery. It’s not that I’m desensitized to gorgeousness. Quite the opposite actually (just ask my husband who hears the squeals of wedding glee from the next room over). It’s just that a wedding photograph rarely leaves me speechless. Well, Marcus has done it yet again with this Balinese fete. It’s well…beyond. Oh and there is SO much more in the galleries!
Click here to see the entire gallery of images!
From the Groom…On a trip to Las Vegas, it was a combination of Chinese New Year, President’s Day & Valentine’s Day weekend plus Charisse was going out there for a conference later on the week so we planned a long weekend trip with some friends of ours. After a late night out on the town, we both retreated to the room to call it a night. I had set up the room before our return with some chocolates and strawberries along with some fortune cookies to disguise as gifts by the hotel to celebrate Chinese New Year. Inside one of the fortune cookie was a mock ring along with the fortune “Will You Marry Me?” She opened the fortune cookie, read the fortune, and I was down on my knee with the real engagement ring proposing to her.
We wanted a destination beach wedding where everyone we love can be together to celebrate and be on vacation as well. Since Charisse is of Chinese descent, it was also important for us to have a Chinese tea ceremony along with the western celebration. Traditionally, this is where the bride is formally introduced to the family of the groom. The outfit worn by Charisse for the tea ceremony, which is called a “kwa”, belonged to her deceased grandmother, who wore it for her own tea ceremony when she got married more than 60 years ago. It is her family’s tradition that all the brides in the family wear the grandmother’s “kwa” for their tea ceremonies. It was brought all the way over to Bali from Los Angeles by her uncle.
Wedding Gown: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Valentino / Bridesmaid Dresses + Accessories: 57 Grand / Groom’s Attire: Ralph Lauren Black Label + Giorgio Armani + Sperry Top Sider / Groomsmen Attire: Studiosuits + Converse / Location: Alila Villa Soori / Celebrant: Reverend Kemenuth / Stationery: Minted / Hair + Make-up: Didin / Crepe Cake: Chef Ashton of Alila Villa Soori / Music: MiG Ayesa (groom’s cousin) / Wedding Photography: Studio Impressions
