McNay Museum Wedding with a Traditional Chinese Wedding Tea Ceremony

Wedding

May 9, 2025

A Bright & Joy-Filled Spring Wedding

To know Jenny and Phu is to love them—truly. Their wedding day was a radiant, artful, joy-filled celebration of love, family, and heritage that began with a traditional Chinese wedding tea ceremony and ended with a beautiful McNay Museum wedding in San Antonio. I was with them for all 15 hours (my longest wedding yet!), and every single moment was full of so much meaning, laughter, and absolutely infectious joy.

Their Tea Ceremony and McNay Wedding on Film

Jenny portrait in her red silk traditional dress and stunning updo.
Phu in his traditional red silk tea ceremony attire.
Up close detail photo of "year of the snake" bracelet on Jenny.
Gorgeous yellow roses in a vase during their McNay Museum Wedding Ceremony.
Jenny in her white, floral beaded wedding dress before their McNay wedding.
Jenny and Phu sharing a kiss at the end of their McNay Museum outdoor spring wedding ceremony.
In-between moment photo of the moon and palm trees at the McNay Museum on their long wedding day.
Jenny laughing during their McNay Museum San Antonio wedding ceremony.
Jenny and Phu in the McNay Museum courtyard after their first look.
A stunning coral and pink floral arrangement during their McNay Museum wedding ceremony.
Posing in front of the modern glass windows at the McNay Museum.
Jenny and Phu near the mosaic wall tiles at the McNay Museum.

OMG! You knocked it out of the park! I didn’t think it could get any better but these films are STUNNING and PERFECT!! I can’t thank you enough for helping us capture our day!!

-Jenny

The McNay Museum: The Location for Their Western Wedding Ceremony in San Antonio, TX

San Antonio’s McNay Art Museum was the perfect backdrop for Jenny and Phu’s spring wedding. With its lush gardens, Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, and vibrant art collections, the McNay set the tone for a western wedding that was colorful, elegant, and joyfully bold. But before the vows and the champagne toasts, we kicked things off with a beautiful celebration of their Chinese heritage.

The stunning Spanish Colonial Revival mansion as their outdoor ceremony backdrop at the McNay.
Beautiful Spanish tile steps outside the McNay mansion.
The Leeper Auditoriam decorated in stunning teals, pinks, reds and oranges for their spring McNay Museum wedding reception.
The courtyard with mosaic tile art and a Spanish fountain for a stunning cocktail hour and portraits backdrop.

Getting Ready for Their Tea Ceremony

We began the day at Phu’s mom’s house where Jenny got ready in her stunning traditional red silk dress. She looked absolutely radiant. One of my favorite little details? Her Year of the Snake gold bracelet — worn in honor of her grandmother who was born the same year. It was such a tender, meaningful touch.

The stunning updo hairpiece for Jenny's tea ceremony look.
Detail getting ready photos of Jenny putting on her heels for their tea ceremony.

Meanwhile, Phu and his groomsmen were getting ready in true Phu fashion: lots of joy, laughter, and a lively game of Catan (10/10 vibes). Phu also wore a gorgeous new watch to commemorate the day. It’s always the details, friends.

Phu and his friends playing Catan while getting ready for the Tea Ceremony in San Antonio.
Fun and joyful groom portraits of Phu in his traditional Chinese tea ceremony garb.

The Tea Ceremony Trials for Phu

Before Phu could enter the tea ceremony or lay eyes on his bride, he (with the help of his groomsmen) had to earn it — thanks to a crew of very committed bridesmaids who gave him five hilarious challenges to pass:

TRIAL 1: A Jenny & Phu Trivia Quiz

The wedding party standing outside Phu's mom's house for the trials of the tea ceremony.
The trivia portion of the trials outside his mom's house.
Phu was the best sport answering and laughing during the questions.
Jenny hiding behind a column during Phu's trials for the tea ceremony entrance.

TRIAL 2: A Dance Competition

The guys dancing for the trials.
Jenny rating their first dance routine.
The guys coming up with a line kick dance.
Jenny gave them a 5 for their performance with a little sign.

TRIAL 3: A Seaweed-Passing Relay (Yes, mouth-to-mouth)

Seaweed they had to pass along by mouth.
The guys triumphant after having to pass the seaweed strip down the line to Phu!

TRIAL 4: A Flavor-Guessing Fear Factor-Style Drink Test

Phu tasting the concoctions to guess flavors.

TRIAL 5: A Blindfolded Hand-Touch Challenge (spoiler: Jenny’s hands weren’t even in the lineup— and he still nailed it!)

Phu during the blindfolded hand test.
The girls clapping because he passed!

And let’s not forget Jenny’s little brother, who stood guard like a bridge troll until Phu handed over five red envelopes. Phu was an absolute icon (and so patient). He totally earned that entrance, y’all.

The last trial of Jenny's brother collecting payment like a bridge troll at the front door.
Jenny holds an umbrella over Phu as they enter the tea ceremony.
Jenny and Phu all smiles at the entrance of their tea ceremony.

Their Full Chinese Tea Ceremony

Once the trials were complete, we entered into one of the most beautiful parts of the day: the traditional Chinese wedding tea ceremony. Jenny and Phu honored their elders and officially united their two families in a space full of tradition, love, and vibrant decor. It was emotional, colorful and such an honor to photograph.

Traditional Chinese tea ceremony details and decor.
Jenny and Phu serving tea to their elders.
Jenny and Phu smiling at the end of their tea ceremony after serving tea to their elders and receiving gifts in return.

Part Two: The Western Wedding at the McNay Museum

The Outfit Change

After the ceremony, it was time for Jenny to slip into her second look—a beaded, floral lace wedding gown that was so perfect for their spring wedding ceremony at the McNay. She wore her hair down for the Western ceremony and transformed into this elegant, soft vision of spring. Truly a spring-inspired dream.

Jenny having her hair done for part two of their day!
Jenny stepping into a stunning white floral beaded wedding gown.
The back of her dress was low enough to accent her ACOTAR tattoo, "to the stars who listen and the dreams that are answered."
Stunning black and white portrait of Jenny in her gown while getting ready for their McNay wedding ceremony.

The First Look at the McNay

We headed to the McNay for their first look, and Phu’s reaction when he saw Jenny in her wedding gown? Heart melt. Pure joy. One of her bridesmaids even sprinted with her veil across the courtyard just in time to complete the look before Phu turned around!

But seriously, these two are THE SWEETEST EVER!

The Wedding Ceremony Outside the McNay Museum

The courtyard ceremony was an explosion of spring joy. With the museum’s Spanish Colonial Revival mansion as the backdrop and the most vibrant florals from Blume Haus Events, it was a celebration of color, culture, and love. Jenny and Phu’s joyful energy filled every inch of the space—and the way they looked at each other? Ugh. Still not over them.

Dipping for a post-ceremony kiss at the McNay Museum's large outdoor fountain.

The The Reception at the McNay Museum

Reception time! The Leeper Auditorium — filled with vaulted ceilings, hardwood floors, and the dreamiest spring decor — was the perfect spot to top off this joyful day. They brought their color palette to life with vintage-inspired teal stemware, delicate napkins, and blooms on every surface.

The simple and colorful spring wedding reception setup at the McNay.

Cocktail hour on the Blackburn Patio featured yummy noodles from The RK GRoup. Later in the night, they cut into a classic white tiered cake adorned with fresh spring flowers from Cakes By Cathy Young, and toasted with their loved ones before the dance floor came alive with Gaines Entertainment.

Despite a jam-packed day of celebration, Jenny and Phu still had so much energy to dance the night away. I swear, their joy was contagious.

Serving noodles during cocktail hour.
Jenny and Phu sharing a quiet moment sharing noodles with each other.
McNay Museum wedding reception toasts.
Cake cutting during their McNay Museum wedding reception.
Their DJ with the coolest booth setup during the reception.
Jenny and Phu dancing during their McNay Museum wedding reception.

A Joy-Filled Tea Ceremony & Wedding Day at The McNay Museum

From their full tea ceremony to the color-soaked reception at the McNay Museum, Jenny and Phu’s spring wedding was a radiant celebration of everything that means the most to them: heritage, artistry, and deep connection. It was a beautiful reminder that you don’t have to choose between traditions or what you love—you can have it all, and make THE BEST memories.

Their ribbon streamer grand exit at the end of their McNay Museum wedding.

From Jenney & Phu:

Leah was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!! From start to finish, Leah was organized, flexible, and most importantly FUN! Leah did our engagement and wedding photos. During the time, she made us feel comfortable like we were just hanging out with friends. The photos turned out GREAT! We are absolutely in love with them!! She answered all of our questions and had the best second photographer the day of the wedding. If there is something you really want to happen on the wedding day, she will make it happen! Leah truly cares about her couples and we felt like we’ve been friends forever! We highly recommend her!!

Wedding Vendors

Leah smiling with her cameras and in her Leah Thomason San Antonio and Austin Photography mod and fun element.

HI FRIEND, I’m Leah!

Documenting the traditions that mean the most — and making up some new ones as you go — is truly the greatest honor as a San Antonio, Austin & Texas Hill Country Wedding Photographer.

My job is to support your vision and live in the moment with you, ensuring your photos reflect the heart and soul of every second. I love discovering that “thing” that is uniquely you and capturing it in a photo.

So let’s grab a coffee or hop on a call, I wanna know every detail!

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