Junghwa & Brandon | Cincinnati Wedding Photographer
There was no way around it. She was becoming anxious. They were running behind, and all the logistics of pushing back her hair appointment, changing locations, and moving people around were starting to overwhelm her. Junghwa made it through her makeup session by sneaking in phone calls between brushstrokes, and then she rushed off to the salon.
He met her there, the fair-headed boy with a super sweet smile. Brandon stepped into the buzzing salon to bring Junghwa her dress and all her sparkling accessories. They shared only a momentary exchange before she had to rush off again to get changed. It was as if the world was spinning, and they could only spin so fast to keep up.
It wasn’t until the car ride that all that spinning stopped. Or rather, the world was still spinning, but it was they who were still. In that brief trip from the hair salon to the church, Junghwa found her center of gravity again. With his warm, gentle presence and his boyish charm, Brandon soothed away the weight of her anticipation. By the time they arrived at the church, she was a completely different person. Calm. Whole. At peace. Ready to walk down the aisle with the man she loved.
Junghwa & Brandon, thank you so much for inviting me back to Ohio to be a part of your beautiful wedding day. I can still feel the love from your friends and family surrounding everything and everyone. And of course, I wish you all the very best as you continue to center each other in your new life together.
Multitasking as Jean Folchi does her airbrushing magic.
Junghwa’s aunts and mom help her get dressed downstairs in the salon…
…as the men sit around waiting upstairs.
This conscientious videographer (the boyfriend of one of the bridesmaids) could be seen faithfully recording everything throughout the entire day.
My really awesome second shooter Elliot captured the guys getting themselves together. It was about an hour into the shoot that Brandon recognized Elliot from junior high. Later, I recognized Brandon’s sister Meredith from junior high as well. Small world– and it all ties back to Sycamore Junior High!
Junghwa and Brandon are both musicians– Junghwa the pianist, and Brandon the conductor. It only made sense that music would figure largely in their wedding too. Guests could be heard commenting throughout the rest of the day how beautiful it was.
A quick prayer before the ceremony.
The guests fill the seats at St. Saviour Church.
Mom and dad give Brandon a final go-over.
The wedding was officiated by Father Bernie McAniff, S.J. who traveled to be there.
After a nice midday break. The guests headed over to Brandon’s family’s home for the wonderful backyard reception. The cake looks divine!
A nice detail from the bride’s parents. Junghwa laughed when she saw it, explaining something about them and pandas.
Junghwa changed into her second outfit for the reception– a beautiful Korean gown.
What a good looking family! Brandon looking strapping on the left, and his cousin Chris looking, well, like he belongs in a magazine, on the right.
Brandon’s father enveloped in conversation with Bethany, another girl I knew from high school.
Jason gave a hilarious toast– short and sweet.
The maid of honor spoke first in Korean and then translated to English. While she was speaking in Korean, she had a momentary lapse, and she paused mid-sentence, trying to remember what to say. Someone from the audience generously offered, “Brandon?” as she broke out laughing, saying, “I know his name is Brandon!”
The bride’s mother and aunt, and Brandon’s mother looking on.
A great sequence captured by Elliot: the funniest bouquet toss I’ve ever seen. Notice how the bouquet goes in a direct path, right to the bridesmaid. Now, notice how Junghwa is turned around looking straight at the bridesmaid. The other girls never even had a chance!
Junghwa is getting a kick out of this. They even practiced the toss beforehand. Hahaha.
Their very sweet first dance, to Claire de Lune. Elliot’s angle from above.
And my angle. Like little wings taking flight.
Vendors:
Makeup: Jean Folchi
Hair: Le Salon Hair Salon, Montgomery, Ohio
Wedding Coordinator: Jan Ortman
Ceremony Venue: St. Saviour Parish, Cincinnati, Ohio
Celebrant: Father Bernie McAniff, S.J.
Musicians: Friends of the bride and groom
Reception Venue: Private home, Blue Ash, Ohio
Catering: Garnish Catering, Blue Ash, Ohio
Photographer: Anna Wu Photography, with thanks to my second shooter, Elliot Kim.
