Real Wedding: Mandy Li & Daniel Fu

Draw inspiration from their stylish celebration.

By Julie Suratt· 1/12/2016, 3:23 a.m.

August 8, 2015
Institute of Contemporary Art
Boston, Massachusetts

Photograph by Genevieve de Manio Photography

THE STORY

While planning their wedding at the Institute of Contemporary Art last August, Daniel Fu and Mandy Li faced a dilemma: Dan’s family is from the northern region of China and speaks primarily Mandarin. Mandy’s family is from southern China and speaks Cantonese. They thought about hiring two translators, but that would’ve made the ceremony interminably long—and really, they just wanted to get to the party. So after much discussion, they decided to write the ceremony in Chinese (which could be read by both) in the program, while their officiant spoke English. Problem solved.

It was important for Dan and Mandy, who met at a lounge in the Theater District six years ago, to incorporate Chinese traditions into their wedding, including “a series of challenges the groom has to overcome in order to see his bride on the day of the wedding,” Dan says. They’re usually fun games, he explains, played at a tea ceremony on the morning of the wedding. But some of the festivities carried over to the reception, where the groomsmen had to drink a glass of Coca-Cola with soy sauce in it. Only one of the glasses didn’t have soy sauce, and Mandy had to guess from their facial expressions which one had that glass. She guessed correctly. “Because she won, the groomsmen had to drink the rest,” Dan says. “It tastes terrible.” Their antics “put everyone in a good mood,” he added, so when the DJ fired up the music, the revelers were ready to hit the dance floor—especially the bride, in her third dress of the evening: a sparkly red sheath, the color a nod to Chinese custom.

THE DETAILS

Photograph by Genevieve de Manio Photography

Dan and Mandy exchanged heartfelt vows on the ICA’s wooden deck.

Photograph by Genevieve de Manio Photography

Inspired by Mandy’s Vera Wang gown, the three-tiered cake featured a delicate lace pattern.

Photograph by Genevieve de Manio Photography

Flowers cascading from chandeliers over the tables and dance floor added a touch of whimsy to the elegant reception.

Photograph by Genevieve de Manio Photography

The couple gave each guest a pair of personalized chopsticks and a tiny dim sum basket filled with Mandy’s favorite chocolates.

Photograph by Genevieve de Manio Photography

Dan and his groomsmen, who’d arrived early, waited in the ICA’s front lobby for Mandy and her bridesmaids to arrive.

THE FILE

Bride’s Dress Vera Wang
Bridesmaid Dresses Jenny Yoo, Flair Boston
Cake Cakes to Remember
Catering Wolfgang Puck Catering
Ceremony and Cocktail-Hour Music Axis Ensemble
DJ DJ Mario, ESC Music Design
Flowers New Leaf Flores
Hair Priscilla Collins
Invitations Invitations & Company
Makeup Min-Ah Campos
Officiant Nancy Sen
Planner Gabrielle Stone, Stone Event Planning
Rentals Be Our Guest
Videography Boston Wedding Films