Gretchen Rachel Zuk and Wellington Hao Chuan Lee wanted to have a traditional Chinese wedding banquet with a setting in a garden for their 150 guests. After scouting out many wedding venues, from photo studios to mansions in the Tri State area, they found the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden at the Staten Island Botanical Garden, one of a kind in New York City. Traditional Chinese gardens go back almost 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty though most Scholar’s Gardens date back to the more recent Ming and Qing dynasties.
A staple of the Chinese garden party theme is the traditional tea ceremony, which we conducted in the courtyard with a garden view. We also created a special Yee Fu Mien (longevity noodle) with crabmeat as the main course for the Chinese celebration. Cantonese style lobster dishes were served, and there was a special roast Peking duck wrapped with scallion dip.
The food was not the only special wedding party experience that Saffron 59 Catering created for the guests. The bride and groom’s attire, the decor, the furnishing, the flowers and the entire event was coordinated by Saffron 59 to go along with the Chinese garden theme.