“This has been the best experience I’ve had for my wedding, and I would gladly work with Xiaoqi Photography again in a heartbeat!” -Monique & Corwin

 

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Monique and Corwin’s Lebanese-American Wedding at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens was a day filled with emotional moments, and love from family and friends alike. I was so impressed by the thoughtfulness that went into every aspect of their wedding and the way they made the day their own.

Starting off, their first look was a dream come true for me. I’ve always wanted a couple to play Marco Polo for their first look, and they were totally up for it! My second photographer and I helped get them safely in the same area, and they called out “Mo” (short for Monique) and “Co” (short for Corwin) to find each other. Corwin was all smiles once he finally got to see his beautiful bride during their first look. Monique was equally joyous and jumping with joy. The overwhelming sense of peace and excitement for their future together was palpable during these moments!

Once the wedding party joined in, the couple handed each of them a custom selected book. Rather than flowers, they chose a book for each wedding party member, and painted a custom book cover for them. Their lives are so intertwined that rather than splitting up the wedding party, they did a joint wedding party with no sides.

The thoughtful touches continued into the ceremony. Each person’s entrance was choreographed to the music. Monique’s father officiated, with Corwin’s father and Monique’s brother coming up to say a few words as well. They each wrote their own vows in the form of paragraphs of spoken poetry. It was truly one of the most beautiful and unique vow experiences I’ve gotten to witness, and it left pretty much the entire room in tears!

The fun really began at their reception. Monique’s dress transformed from a beautiful ball gown to a cocktail dress ready to dance the night away. The couple and wedding party entered in a single file line, dancing to Lebanese music. The couple was surrounded in a circle, and at one point also lifted up onto Monique’s brothers’ shoulders. Beyond just an entrance, their dance was such a fun show for the guests! The show continued with epic performances during their first dance and parent dances. The energy stayed high the entire night on the dance floor. It was so much fun to capture! 

Keep scrolling to see more from this incredible Lebanese-American Wedding!

 

Vendor Team:

Photography: Xiaoqi Li Photography

Venue: The Atrium at Meadowlark

Macarons: Chelsea at Chiboo Bakery

Catering: Lebanese Taverna

Check out how these other couples incorporated their culture into their wedding day! Ankita + Anwaiz’s Hindu-Muslim Interfaith Wedding, or Ziwei and Victor’s Chinese Tea Ceremony + Fall Wedding.  

Already dreaming of an incredible photography experience with me? Let’s chat soon! 

 

 

Kind words from the couple:

“Xiaoqi and the whole photography crew essentially saved our wedding…they helped us make it through and went above and beyond to make sure all the special moments and photos happened and were captured beautifully. Extremely adaptable and friendly, they made us and our loved ones feel comfortable and that we didn’t have to worry about a thing. Overall, this has been the best experience I’ve had for my wedding, and I would gladly work with Xiaoqi Photography again in a heartbeat!”

-Monique + Corwin