Shang Chen Photography, jetsetting wedding photographer based in San Francisco bio picture
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Nicole and Lino’s Destination Wedding! (3 of 3)

Before reading this post, make sure you’ve checked out part 1 and part 2 of this amazing Puerto Rican wedding!

All the hard work that went into this wedding is just jaw-dropping amazing! The entire wedding reception was held indoors to keep everyone cool on this hot summer day.

Carlos Gonzales with i2 events also oversaw the event design of Nicole’s 300-person wedding reception at the San Juan Marriott Hotel Puerto Rico. Orchids and hydrangea were submerged and piled high on top of the tables. Emily was able to get these photos at the same time I was photographing the wedding party

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 57 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3)

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 59 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) The candy buffet was a huge hit amongst the guests

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 58 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) By the time I returned, most of the escort cards were gone, so thanks again to Emily for catching this! The calligraphy is very elegant

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 60 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) We began the night with toasts

San Francisco wedding photographer 100703 1217 2 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3)

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 61 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3)

San Francisco wedding photographer 100703 1238 2 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3)

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 62 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) As Nicole and Lino met while salsa-ing, they had a spectacular, choreographed first dance that started off with Etta James’s “At Last” and then moved into a salsa number that had everyone asking for an encore! Nicole had changed into a ruffled Pronovias gown for the night

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 64 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) Their 4-tiered wedding cake was adorned with orchids. Also hanging off the blue drapery all around the hall were these LED-lit orchid strings

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 85 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3)

2 cool things – the wedding’s signature cocktail drink, and the between-course sorbet, which was served with LED-lit ice cubes

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 86 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3)

I was at this party until 2AM!!!! 2 musical groups, a singer, and also one of the most popular DJs in Puerto Rico kept everyone dancing all through the night – and boy, everyone here can dance!

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 63 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 65 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) The parents of the bride and groom tearing up the dance floor!

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 66 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) And also the grandmothers

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 70 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) Everybody had such a blast at this wedding

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 67 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 68 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 71 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) Nicole’s brother, Roberto, who I thought was a pretty quiet guy, had some awesome moves of his own! he also presented a choreographed dance with his girlfriend for the bride and groom

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 69 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 72 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) Bouquet and garter toss

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 73 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 74 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 75 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 76 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) One of the bridesmaids, Maria, presented a very sweet song

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 78 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 77 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) After midnight, this performing group surprised all the guests! Everyone donned glittery hats and masks and props

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 82 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 84 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) They had Nicole and Lino do a dance-off

San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 79 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 80 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 81 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) One more inspiration board! Row 1: candy buffet, and table number labels and escort cards. Nicole hand-glittered all of the paper in this wedding!
Row 2: Cufflinks, escort cards
Row 3: Disposable cameras for each table, and the favors (hand-made soaps!). Flower detail
San Francisco wedding photographer destination wedding photographer puerto rico 83 Nicole and Linos Destination Wedding! (3 of 3) Thank you, thank you so much to the families for trusting me with your memories. This was an experience that I never thought could happen to me – my very first destination wedding as a wedding photographer. Nicole and Lino, whenever I look at the photos of you two, I know that you guys share something special. I wish you two nothing but the sweetest life together for years to come. Thank you for letting me be a part of it!

Vendors in this post:

Hotel: San Juan Marriott Hotel Puerto Rico & Stellaris Casino
Make-up: David Lang
Dress: Monique Lhuillier, Pronovias
Bridesmaid dresses: Vera Wang
Mother of bride dress: Pronovias
Tuxedo: Leonardo’s
Wedding planner: Viviane Fortuno
Florist and event design: Carlos Gonzales with i2 events ! inc.
Second shooter: Emily Ku Photography

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July 30, 2010 - 4:33 pm

Kimberly - Wow, this wedding looks so darn fun!

July 30, 2010 - 5:10 pm

amie - this seriously looks like one of the most fun weddings ever!

July 30, 2010 - 5:39 pm

mary - Wow. What an amazing wedding! Beautiful pictures Shang!

July 30, 2010 - 5:46 pm

christina - wow!! such intricate details!! i love following the series!!
they lit up the centerpieces!? how awesome!

July 30, 2010 - 5:59 pm

Luci - WOW!!!

July 30, 2010 - 5:59 pm

Kendra - those ice cube led lights are I N S A N E. Too much coolness going on here!

July 30, 2010 - 7:59 pm

Tricia - Such amazing detail went into every aspect of this wedding. These pictures are amazing!

July 31, 2010 - 12:56 pm

Meg Sylvia - Looks like a beautiful wedding! i love the orchid centerpieces. Great work!

August 2, 2010 - 12:51 pm

Emilie - I actually attended a wedding at this exact hotel a few years ago! Amazing job, Shang!! These photos are INCREDIBLE.

August 11, 2010 - 7:17 pm

Susan Berman - After reading your blog it makes me think that sometimes we don’t really appreciate what we really have. On a side note I really would really appreciate your ideas on the best place for my friendto go for a honeymoon. Thoughts?

February 15, 2011 - 10:47 pm

Amy Sonricker - This looks like it was a blast!!

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