KRISTEN + JOE STEP INTO THE LIMELIGHT | DON CESAR HOTEL | ST. PETERSBURG, FL

What a special start to Joe and Kristen's wedding weekend with a sacred Chinese wedding tea ceremony. 🇨🇳 ☕️ The tea ceremony is traditionally one of the most significant events at a Chinese wedding. It's called "jing cha" in Chinese, literally meaning, 'to respectfully offer tea'. It incorporates a very formal introduction of the bride and groom, and expresses respect and gratitude to their families. This time-honored exchange has been carried down for hundreds of years through the groom's family. The tea ceremony represents purity, tranquillity, respect and harmony. In China, this ceremony is very elaborate and can last all day long. Kristen and Joe chose to give a nod to this important family tradition with an intimate and simple, yet meaningful, elegant and beautiful observance.

Lead Photographer| Tara Zimmerman
Associate Photographer | Gabe Caldwell

Ceremony Site | The Don CeSar
Hair + Makeup | Femme Akoi Beauty Studio
Pet Care | FairyTail Pet Care

REHEARSAL

Practice makes perfect! We were blessed by beautiful blue skies for Kristen + Joe's wedding rehearsal!

Lead Photographers | Rebecca Zoumberos + Carlos Rello
Ceremony Site | The Don CeSar
Officiant | Sensational Ceremonies

WEDDING DAY

Q: Let’s start at the beginning. How did you two first meet?

Kristen’s Answer: Joe and I originally met at work, he was the physician and I worked the front desk. We would go out together with groups from work and started out as friends. I I would see Joe's true personality and he could not keep me away, plus i think he liked me a little bit too. Then I eventually ended up falling for the guy when I joined him on a last minute trip to Puerto Rico.
Joe’s Answer: As Kristen's stated above, we met at work and found each other to have similar interests. It's one of those unique chapters in life that just doesn't have a title, the story just wrote itself and we were together.

Q: What makes your relationship special?
A: Together we love to travel, pools and beaches, try new food/restaurants, or even just be lazy and binge watch a new TV series. We have a bucket list of all the places we want to go. When we are not traveling we are usually in town trying new food or binge watching a TV show.

Q:What do you love about each other?

Kristen’s Answer: I love how Joe is such a dork he can always find a way to make me laugh, and when he laughs he has this cute little giggle. He is also so smart it still amazes me to this day. He loves his family so much (even the crazies) and has grown to be part of mine. He's also an Asian that likes country music, what could i not love about that? 

Joe’s Answer: I love Kristen for not only her intelligence and beauty, but her character and her accepting of me for who I am...I believe she phrased it "a dork". I always willing to take on new adventures with me. She loves her family (yes like mine, even the crazies) as I love mine. Plus who can resist and country girl!

Q: How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship? (these may often be the same moment, but aren’t always)
A: We first started out as friends so I wouldn't say either of us knew at first we were the ones for each other but then when started to get to know one another better and that like became love. I fell for Joe when we were cooking one night and he starting dancing with me in the kitchen. When he did that I knew he was the one.

Q: Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process?
A: Joe proposed on February 10, 2019. We were on a cruise and it was formal night and he said let’s take a walk around the ship. So we got the the front of the ship, there was no one else around, he said " you know I love you right?", then got down on one knee and proposed. Of course I said yes! It was a surprise because I thought if he was going to do it he was going to be cliche and do it on valentines day and definitely not on he front of the ship. We knew we were going to get engaged soon but we are both traditional and Joe still wanted for it to be a surprise for me. He also asked my dad and my mom and sister. They all knew i was getting engaged before I did!

Q: We’re all about the bling... Tell us all about that ring!

A: Oh the bling!! Joe customized an engagement ring with the help of Masina Diamonds. She is a little of 5 carats combined without the wedding band. It is a princess cut the center stone is a little over 3 carats with diamonds wrapping around the entire band.

Q: Inspiration for your wedding location and wedding day outfits? A: Since before we were even engaged we always talked about wanted a beach wedding. We never wanted it to be in Atlanta and are both beach people. St. Pete is a beautiful beach where we can still have friends and family attend.We wanted a casual beach wedding with just a bit more elegance but not a formal reception.

Lead Photographer | Rebecca Zoumberos
Associate Photographer | Michael Zoumberos