Real Weddings

Leslie and Tim - Boston, MA - Wedding Pictures

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The Photographer:
Brian Phillips
The Venue:
The State Room
The Bride:
Leslie Yeh
The Groom:
Tim Johnson

With contemporary touches like a processional mixing hip-hop and opera aria, Leslie and Tim’s wedding in the top floors of a State Street skyscraper brought out Boston’s sophisticated side.

There are few places in Boston where the pulse of the city is on display more than Faneuil Hall. Tourists brush shoulders with locals, and the cobblestone streets throb with a cacophony of activity everyday. But on April 7, 2007 as a red carpet was unfurled from a limo and Leslie Yeh and Tim Johnson strode hand-in-hand across State Street into the State Room for their black tie wedding, the city seemed to pause and celebrate with them. For such an urbane couple – Leslie grew up in Manhattan; they both love living in Boston – it was a scene and setting that put them in their element. And as afternoon faded into evening in step with the ceremony folding directly into the reception, the venue atop the 33rd floor shimmered with both candlelight and the gleaming lights of the Boston skyline.

Venue - Room with a View

The large, open spaces of the State Room combined elegance with a modern feel. Cocktails served on the mezzanine allowed the 175 guests a panorama of Boston’s historic district. Most dazzling was the view of Boston Harbor, ringed with evening lights, its waters glinting with the last streaks of sunset. Leslie and Tim loved the venue’s adaptability, as it offered space for the wedding ceremony and wedding reception – a convenience for both wedding party and guests – and the fact that planning was made easy with a wedding planner, catering, and cake included.

Gowns - Lady in Red

Like more and more brides today, Leslie had different wedding dresses for the ceremony and reception. She started in a sleek white gown from Lara Helene of New York with long clean lines and a slightly flared hem that helped her look a few inches taller – she’s 5’1” and Tim is 6’4”. For the reception, she changed into a stunning red Chinese gown called a qi pao made by Shanghai Tang Imperial Tailors of New York, who also cut a matching red tie for Tim. Chinese custom would have the qi pao worn at the wedding ceremony, but Leslie and Tim opted to blend traditions. In addition to the reception, she also wore it earlier in the day when they attended a traditional tea service with her family, some of whom had flown in from Taiwan.

Flowers - Orchid Influences

Celadon-colored cymbidium orchids with vivid red centers added an exotic touch to the wedding’s modern theme and echoed the bride’s colors. The unique light green wedding flowers served as the focal point of the bride’s bouquet, added splashes of color as table centerpieces, and wreathed the chocolate mousse and strawberry Grand Marnier cake.

Entertainment - Spinning All Night Long

Tim, who deejays as a hobby, wanted a top-notch professional when it came time for the black tie affair to get down. “DJ Solomon does not do weddings; he plays in clubs around the world. But we were persistent and he liked our passion for music,” says Tim of the San Francisco-based DJ who they flew out for the event and who has performed on-stage with notables like the Black Eyed Peas and Jurassic 5. “He gave us exactly what we wanted – a reception that merged elegance with fun, with all kinds of good music flowing. We danced until 2:30 in the morning. Even he was impressed.”

Contemporary Chaos

Sharing a love of music – Leslie favors the classics as a trained pianist and violinist;
Tim, the amateur DJ, leans toward a more urban beat – the couple blended beauty with personality in very non-traditional selections for the ceremony processional. First, Tim entered to an instrumental rendition of Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode.” The bridal party followed, walking in to Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” and a wind concerto by Mozart. Then Leslie proceeded down the grand staircase to the main aisle with the lofty notes of “O Mio Babbino Caro,” an opera aria from Puccini, floating throughout the room. It was a great moment for her to take it all in. “Walking down that gleaming staircase, I could see everyone there and my dad and Tim waiting for me. Tim had this huge smile on his face and it just drew me to him,” remembers Leslie. “It was all beautiful and meaningful, and fills me with emotion even now.” For Tim, the sight of Leslie literally blocked out everything else. “I could not take my eyes off her. Everything around her just blurred,” he remembers.

Venue and Vendors

Wedding Venue, Catering,
& Cake
The State Room
Boston, MA
617-854-5004
www.stateroom.com

Flowers
Mimosa Fresh Flower Design
Boston, MA
mimosastyle.com
617-751-0855

Photography
Brian Phillips Photography
Boston, MA
brianphillipsphoto.com
617-821-1084

Wedding Dress
Lara Helene Bridal Atelier
New York, NY
larahelene.com
212-452-3273

Qi Pao (Asian Celebration
Dress)
Shanghai Tang Imperial Tailors
New York, NY
shangaitang.com
212-888-0111

Hair/Makeup
Anemone Makeup
Boston, MA
anemonemakeup.com
781-721-0083
860-627-6778