Tea Ceremony Photography

tram tran taking a photo

Hey, I’m Trâm

Vietnamese-American Tea Ceremony Photographer

I’m a first generation Vietnamese American and one of the few bilingual wedding photographers who speak both English and Vietnamese. I understand the ins and outs of tea ceremonies, and take pride in my ability to remain calm during chaotic family situations.

As a tea ceremony photographer, I am good at wrangling aunts and uncles for family photos, and making sure the important parts of the intimate tea ceremony are captured. My clients have told me I have a rare gift for blending in as one of their guests, while capturing everything as an artist.

I proudly photograph tea ceremonies in Arizona, the Bay Area, SoCal, Colorado, and beyond. My packages include photography, videography, and 35mm film options for tea ceremonies.

bride smiling while offering tea to her parents during a chinese tea ceremony
Whether you want to do a more traditional ceremony with door games or catching walnuts and dates, or a more modern version, you’ll be happy I’m there to document it.

Tea ceremonies are one of my favorite events to photograph. No matter which culture, the premise behind tea ceremonies is the same: bring together both sides of the family to honor parents, elders, and ancestors. Though the ceremony itself typically only lasts about 30 minutes, it’s packed with symbolic gestures and meaning.

Sometimes my couples will ask me for quick overview of tea ceremonies. I’ve shot so many and would love to offer my expertise by sharing a general schedule. For more in-depth information about tea ceremonies, I wrote a blog post to help walk you through the tea ceremony’s intricacies.

Tea Ceremony Schedule

01
Getting Ready

This is the first fun part of the day. I’ll take photos of the getting ready process, as well as detail shots of any special accessories, invites, etc. These photos also serve as behind the scenes of the bride waiting the groom’s family to be let in.

02
Gift Tray Exchange / Door games

This part is optional, and more traditional. Groom’s family will arrive with flowers and traditional red gift trays for pre-ceremony traditions to begin.

I love photographing the games and fun antics during gate crashing.

03
Ceremony

Vietnamese tea ceremonies usually involve the lighting of dragon and phoenix candles, symbolizing two becoming one. The couple will bow at the altar to pay respect to their ancestors. In Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and other Asian cultures, the couple serves tea to relatives as a gesture of gratitude. This is always deeply emotional for all parties.

In return, relatives gift the couple with red envelopes, jewelry, and blessings and wisdom for a happy marriage.

04
Reception & portraits

After the tea ceremony, families gather for lunch. This meal is great for the families to get to know each other. Banquet receptions later in the evening with more guests also popular. The couple may choose to do table greetings during the reception too.

The couple usually take their formal portraits with one another and family while guests are eating. These photos are always a great keepsake.

All the Small Things

I’ve got you covered

Available anywhere

Your tea ceremony could be in your backyard, living room, or during your ceremony at the venue of your dreams, and I will be there. I will make the most of every space.

honoring tradition

I understand the deep nuances and cultural intricacies of tea ceremonies. I aim to honor your culture’s unique traditions and to capture them in a special way.

Custom Hours

Tea ceremonies aren’t one size fits all, so your photography package won’t be either. I provide custom hours for any length in order to service your needs.

Planning assistance

A lot of couples do not know the ins and outs of tea ceremonies. I have experience with Vietnamese, Chinese, and Korean ceremonies and am happy to weigh in whenever needed.

three people at a tea ceremony. a man is talking into a microphone, while the groom is smiling holding a bouquet of flowers
You can either hire an MC to walk family members through the tea ceremony, or designate a family member to be the “host.”
CLIENT LOVE

I was so lucky to find Tram! She was incredibly accommodating— she even flew out to my location. Tram was amazing to work with: kind, professional, and so easy to communicate with. I absolutely loved how the photos turned out. She captured the special moments beautifully. Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a talented and reliable photographer!”

– Tiana & Alex, Denver

Ready to Work Together?

01
Reach Out

Let me know the where and when of your tea ceremony. I will send a link to schedule a call for us to talk details.

02
Planning

After booking, I am available for planning questions you’ll have along the way. I can also work with you to create a timeline.

03
Delivery

Sneak peaks are quickly edited and delivered within 48 hours. The full digital gallery will be ready within 8 weeks.

Add Videography for your tea ceremony:

Auntie giving a speech to the couple at a Vietnamese tea ceremony in Arizona

Tea Ceremony Photography Pricing

Reach out with more information regarding your tea ceremony for a custom quote today!

View 2026 Wedding Package Pricing

Starting at
$2,000

View 2025 Wedding Package Pricing Mobile
Your name
Your partner's name
Is the date flexible?
Wedding venue + City + State
My couples usually spend around $5,500
Mine is that I worked in the biotech industry before I went full time with photography. Oh, and I have a Harry Potter tattoo.

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