Valerie and kevin

doltone house - jones bay wharf wedding

In a way their story was an oft heard one but at the same time it was completely unique.

Both Valerie and Kevin are children of first generation immigrants of the Chinese diaspora (Valerie’s parents by way of Mauritius) who sacrificed much of their lives to give their children opportunities that they had never had. Perhaps partly as a result of this shared but seperate experience (but also maybe not), each of them have developed into extremely intelligent, accomplished adults with a firm sense of right and wrong and who admire honesty and forthrightness highly - they had apparently had a conversation about what Kevin would do when he saw her dressed for the first time on the day if he didn’t like her wedding dress as he couldn’t possibly lie to her - spoiler, he loved it and said she looked beautiful.

If their relationship existed in a vacuum and it was just the two of them, they would have had a tiny, intimate low key wedding. But, in recognition of their parents, of their families, of the community that helped shape them into what they are they gathered all the people they could, whilst still keeping true to themselves. Just the two of them got ready together in their apartment in Ultimo before heading off for a tea ceremony, and then we reconvened before the ceremony with Toko from Cloudherd Film Co as they wanted to create something a bit different from the usual. The vows they exchanged and the way their ceremony was conducted reflected their relationship perfectly (their ceremony ended with “Valerie, you may now kiss your husband”, a subtle but strong message).

All this is not to say that their relationship isn’t based on a deep and abiding love for one another, which it most definitely is, but just to show that everyones story and relationship is unique, and honouring that on your wedding day - whatever that means to you - is important.

Also, special shoutout to Valerie’s uncle and aunty who treated everyone to a surprise acoustic medley of tradition Chinese love songs and some more contemporary classics, and finished with a rendition of Horses with lyrics personalised to Kevin and Valerie. What a legend.

Enjoy

Dane

 

INSTAGRAM @THESALTYSHUTTER

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