1. Real Weddings

A Traditional, Fusion Wedding at China Garden in Arlington, Virginia

Natalie Tran (29, esthetician) and Joe Steger (28, critical wellness specialist) knew of each other in high school, but they didn't become friends unt

Natalie Tran (29, esthetician) and Joe Steger (28, critical wellness specialist) knew of each other in high school, but they didn't become friends until afterwards. They kept running into each other and eventually decided to start dating. Natalie and Joe dated for nine years until Joe proposed on the balcony of Hotel du Pont in Washington, D.C. at sunset. Their fusion wedding was filled with many activities all day long. Natalie and Joe had a traditional Catholic ceremony at Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria, Virginia. Joe and his groomsmen wore traditional black tuxedos with gold ties and white boutonnieres. The bridesmaids wore traditional Vietnamese outfits called ao dai in fuschia and carried pink and white bouquets of roses and lilies. Natalie wore a lace sheath wedding dress with a V neckline and V back, which she paired with a handmade cathedral veil from Vietnam. The wedding party then proceeded to the Vietnamese tea ceremony which was held at Natalie's grandmother's house. Here, Joe and his groomsmen brought gifts to the family and asked for their ancestors' blessing. For this portion of the day, Joe changed into a traditional gold Vietnamese outfit and Natalie changed into a dark pink ao dai. All 400 guests then proceeded to China Garden, where the reception was held. Joe changed back into his tuxedo and Natalie wore her mother's vintage couture dress with sequin embellishments. At the reception, guests received lucky pennies and scratch cards that had prizes of bottles of cognac. This fusion wedding incorporated elements of the traditional and the modern, which made for a beautiful day.

Round Cut Diamond Ring with Orchids
Natalie wore a lace sheath wedding dress with a V neckline and V back, which she bought from David's Bridal.
Natalie carried a bouquet with white lilies, white and pink orchids and white and pink roses.
The bridesmaids wore fuschia ao dai, which are traditional Vietnamese outfits. They wore their hair side swept with flowers and carried bouquets of blush and fuschia roses and lilies.
Natalie wore her hair in a side swept half updo. She also wore crystal drop earrings.
Natalie wore a handmade cathedral veil from Vietnam at her Catholic ceremony, which took place at Queen of Apostles Church in Alexandria, Virginia.
The groomsmen wore traditional black tuxedos, gold ties and white boutonnieres to the wedding. Joe changed into a traditional gold outfit for the Vietnamese tea ceremony.
For the Vietnamese ceremony, the wedding party visited Natalie's grandmother's house bearing gifts and asking for the blessing of their ancestors. For this part of the day, Natalie changed into a dark pink ao dai.
Natalie changed into her mother's vintage couture dress for the reception. At each table, guests were given lucky pennies and scratch cars to see if they could win a bottle of cognac.