Intimate Outdoor Wedding at The Griffith House in Anaheim

Weddings

Some weddings are grand and glamorous and some are just small and personal. This Griffith House wedding in Anaheim was the latter: an intimate, heartfelt day centered around family, connection, and the quiet kind of joy that reminds you what weddings are really about.

From their emotional first look to their warm sunset ceremony surrounded by their closest people, this was the kind of celebration that makes photographing a wedding feel like a privilege.

A Meaningful Chinese Tea Ceremony at Her Parents’ Home

Before heading to The Griffith House, Ying and Geoffrey began their day with a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony at the bride’s parents’ home. This part of the wedding was intimate, emotional, and deeply meaningful, one of those moments where heritage and family come together in the most beautiful way.

Her parents’ backyard was filled with the people who helped shape their lives. The bride and groom honored their parents and elders by serving tea, receiving heartfelt blessings, and exchanging gifts and well-wishes. Every gesture carried tradition, gratitude, and respect.

A woman in a blue dress and another in a red traditional dress are engaged in a ritual, burning paper in a pot.

A red teapot with floral details pours tea into paper cups, arranged in rows on a poinsettia-patterned tablecloth.

The bride’s parents beamed with pride, and the yard was filled with soft laughter, a few happy tears, and the kind of warmth that only family can bring. The ceremony added a rich cultural layer to their wedding day, setting the tone for a celebration rooted in love, legacy, and connection.

A couple kneels smiling during a traditional ceremony. The woman wears an ornate red and gold dress; the man wears a dark suit with a red bow tie.

A couple stands smiling outdoors in formal attire, surrounded by pink and white balloons with the word "love."

Details and Getting Ready at the Griffith House

Two vow books, one dark and one light, are surrounded by sprigs of delicate flowers and roses on a soft pink background.

White wedding dress hangs on a rustic wooden door with terracotta tiles, set against a white stucco wall, surrounded by greenery.

Bride in a white dress smiles joyfully, adjusting an earring. Her hair is elegantly styled with a decorative piece.

Bride with an elegant updo and hairpin in a lace wedding dress, back view. She stands in front of a textured wall.

The bride slipped into a beautiful lace gown that felt effortlessly romantic. The texture and detail photographed beautifully, especially as her bridesmaids, dressed in soft blush, helped her button the back of her dress and put on her finishing touches.

A person in a navy suit with a burgundy bow tie and brown shoes stands smiling against a plain white background.

Meanwhile, the groom chose a classic navy suit paired with a simple red bowtie. Clean, timeless, and perfectly suited for the intimate style of the day. His details were understated and refined, and he spent the morning with family, sharing laughs and settling into the excitement that was building.

Are you tying the knot at the Griffith House? Find out if I’m available for your wedding date.

A Calm, Sweet First Look at Griffith House

The day then starts at the historic Griffith House, a charming and elegant venue tucked in the heart of Anaheim. Its clean architecture, neutral tones, and timeless details created the perfect backdrop for the couple’s first look.

Instead of saving the moment for the ceremony, the bride and groom chose to see each other privately before guests arrived, a decision that allowed them to breathe, connect, and soak in the weight of the day together.

The moment he turned around, everything softened.
The nerves faded.
The smiles took over.

A bride in a white lace gown hugs a groom in a black suit from behind. They stand in front of a wooden door.

Bride in a white lace gown and groom in a dark suit share a joyful dance under a rustic archway with terracotta tiles.

First looks have a special kind of energy. It’s calm but emotional, intimate but exciting, and Ying and Geoffrey’s was no exception. They laughed, hugged, wiped a few happy tears, and took a slow walk around the property before portraits. It was the perfect way to ground themselves before the rest of the wedding unfolded.

Portraits in the Gardens

One of the best parts of a Griffith House wedding is the light. The property is surrounded by mature trees, soft greenery, and open pockets of shade, perfect for natural, flattering portraits.

A bride and groom smile in front of a fountain surrounded by green grass at an outdoor wedding. Tables are set up in the background under warm, glowing lights.

We captured portraits that felt warm, romantic, and effortless. The bride glowed in the soft golden light, and the groom couldn’t stop smiling at her. You could feel how excited they were to finally be married.

The gentle architecture, the greenery, and the warm tones of the venue all came together beautifully in their portrait gallery. Every frame felt soft, natural, and timeless.

Outdoor wedding ceremony setup under tall trees, featuring an arch adorned with flowers. Rows of white chairs line the aisle.

Close-up of a lush floral arrangement featuring pale pink and cream roses, green leaves, and soft sunlight.

A Sunset Ceremony Filled With Family and Love

As the sun starts to set, their small group of family and friends gathered for the ceremony. The setting was intimate and bright and colorful flowers filled the ceremony space. And the couple standing together in the golden evening light.

Bride in white dress and veil walks with a man in a suit down a sunlit garden path towards seated guests.

A groom in a suit with a bow tie stands outdoors, looking ahead calmly. Sunlight softly illuminates him, while blurred guests wait behind.

There’s something incredibly special about a smaller wedding. You can hear every laugh, see every expression, and feel every ounce of emotion.

The couple exchanged vows that were personal, heartfelt, and emotional enough to have everyone tearing up (including me behind the camera). The sun dipped lower as they spoke their promises, casting a beautiful soft glow on the whole ceremony, creating a moment that felt sacred and serene and magical.

When they were finally pronounced married, the cheers from their family felt louder than any big celebration. Small weddings have a way of amplifying love.

A joyful bride and groom walk hand in hand under a floral arch, surrounded by guests in an outdoor setting.

Bride and groom share a kiss in the aisle, surrounded by guests on white chairs. Blossoms and sunlight enhance the joyous outdoor wedding scene.

Four men in suits stand against a plain white background, smiling and laughing. The groom wears a red bow tie and brown shoes.

A bride in a white gown holds a bouquet, surrounded by three bridesmaids in blush pink dresses holding flowers. They're outside a building with a tiled roof, smiling warmly at each other.

A Warm, Joyful Evening

After the ceremony, the couple spent the rest of the evening surrounded by their loved ones, sharing hugs, stories, toasts, games, and quiet little moments together. There was no rush, no chaos, no strict timeline. Just connection and so many laughter.

Three-tiered wedding cake adorned with soft peach and white roses, green foliage, and gold leaf accents, on a white stand.

Three-tier white cake adorned with peach, pink, and white roses, green leaves, and delicate white blossoms.

Their Griffith House wedding was simple, beautiful, and full of heart. It was the kind of day that makes you slow down and appreciate what weddings are truly about: two people choosing each other, witnessed by the people who love them most.