Q & A

Question

What time should I arrive at the ceremony?

Answer

All guests should arrive by 4:50pm to take their seats for the ceremony. The ceremony will begin promptly at 5pm. Guests will not be able to enter the venue past 4:55pm until the ceremony concludes. The main entrance will be closed for the wedding party. We totally get it if you're late to the ceremony! Chances are we were probably late to yours (or missed it, we're still sorry!). We're hoping to keep our ceremony short & sweet so that the party can begin asap. Just hangout out front and enjoy a road soda until the ceremony is over. Once it's over, come on in for the cocktail hour on the patio!

Question

Is there a dress code?

Answer

Black-tie optional. The color Red is reserved for the Bride and Groom. It is customary in Chinese weddings for the Bride and Groom to wear Red. The bridal party will be in tuxes and long formal dresses. If any girlies care to know, the bridesmaids will be in black and gold. This is a summer wedding; it could be warm and humid. The ceremony will *hopefully* be out in the garden, weather permitting. Don’t risk your beautiful stilettos in the grass, wear grass stoppers! This venue is picture perfect. Dress to impress and get that gorgeous instagram photo. Reach out to Sam if there are any outfit questions, even if you haven’t met her yet!

Question

What does "black tie optional" mean?

Answer

Google AI says: "Black tie optional" is a dress code for events that is formal but flexible, allowing guests to choose from a range of formal options. It's often used for weddings, formal dinners, and galas. The couple and their wedding party usually dress in black tie, so it's considered polite for guests to dress at a similar level of formality. However, the optional aspect of the dress code gives guests more freedom to avoid undue stress or expense. For those that prefer a suit, "black tie optional" typically means wearing a tuxedo, but a dark suit in a shade like navy or charcoal is also acceptable. A dark suit with a subtle pattern can be a good way to add some variation to the dress code. A crisp white dress shirt is also recommended. For those that prefer a dress, "black tie optional" usually means wearing a formal evening gown, but a shorter cocktail dress or dressy separates is also acceptable.

Question

Is there a place close by for wedding guests to get glam?

Answer

Yes! Lockstar Beauty Bar is in Middletown, RI. It is a very short drive from downtown Newport. Sam has gone to Lockstar for hair & makeup for a friend’s wedding. The beat lasted the entire humid July day. Highly recommend! You may need to book in advance if you’d like to guarantee your appointment.

Question

Can I take photos during the ceremony?

Answer

We ask that all guests turn off (or silence) their devices, put them away, and be present in the moment with us. We are so appreciative that people would want to have photos of our special day! We will have professional photographers capturing all of the special moments. We will gladly share photos of the ceremony. The photos will look best if we can see everyone’s faces rather than their devices :)

Question

Are kids welcome?

Answer

Because the wedding will be open bar, all guests will need to be 21+.

Question

Can I bring a date?

Answer

We will be having a small wedding with a set guest list. Because of this, invites are not transferable. If your invite includes a plus one, you can absolutely bring a date! If you are bringing a plus one, please share this website with your date! Wedding attire and schedules are tough! Help a homie out!

Question

Is there parking for the ceremony or reception?

Answer

There is limited parking at the venue. We will be reserving the spots available at the front of the venue for those that are handicap, need assistance, or those who are unable to get on/off the shuttles. There is a lot at the top of the hill for those that would like to drive themselves. It will be the first parking lot you see when entering the property. The walk from this lot to the venue is an incline. Be careful if you are in heels! There will be buses to/from the venue. Transportation info can be found in the question below, on the Events page, or on the Accommodation page of our site. Uber and lyft are available in the area as well.

Question

Is there transportation to and from the hotels to the ceremony?

Answer

Yes! There will be three buses picking up all of our guests at the Newport Harbor Hotel at 4:15pm. All guests are welcome to take the buses. Any guests staying at another hotel or airbnb are more than welcome to make their way to the pick up location. There is plenty of seating! There is only one pick up time! Buses will also take all guests from the venue back to the hotel at the end of the wedding. Pick up time will be 10:30pm at the front of the venue. We will make our way to the after party from there.

Question

I have a food allergy, can I make a special request?

Answer

We will have vegetarian options available. Please reach out to Sam if there are any food allergy concerns.

Question

Are there any other events that I should know about around the wedding?

Answer

Yes! Weddings go by so quickly with limited time to properly thank all of our guests. We would love some extra time to socialize and show our appreciation for taking the time to celebrate us. If you are able to spend the weekend in Newport, we will be continuing the celebration on Saturday, details on the Events page of our site :)

Question

What should I know about Chinese Wedding Traditions?

Answer

Anyone who has set foot inside of our home knows how much we love Mike’s Chinese culture. Some of our best memories are from our time in China visiting his relatives. We are so happy to be able to incorporate some Chinese traditions in our special day. The wedding colors are symbolic. Red is a symbol of success, happiness, prosperity, and good luck. Gold is a symbol of wealth and fortune. The color Red is typically reserved for the Bride and Groom, similar to how white is reserved for the Bride and Groom in American weddings. We will be doing a mixture of both traditions throughout our celebrations. The double happiness symbol, composed of two identical Chinese characters meaning happiness, appears in all Chinese weddings. It symbolizes happiness the bride and groom will share in their marriage. In Chinese weddings, gold pig necklaces are a popular gift for the bride. It symbolizes good fortune and fertility. The Chinese character for “pig” means “good nurturing”. Pigs are associated with prosperity in Chinese culture. The necklace is a wish for the couple to have a wealthy and abundant marriage. The dragon represents the groom with it’s strength and power. The phoenix represents the bride with it’s grace and renewal of life. Together, the coexistence of the two creatures represents happiness, love, and prosperity. They are a balance between yin and yang, the compliment to one another in harmony.