A Formal Multicultural Wedding at the Grand Rapids Public Museum in Michigan

Wenqi Zhang and Mackie Woodruff had a multicultural wedding celebrating the groom’s western Michigan roots and the bride’s Chinese heritage. The ceremony, which took place outside the Grand Rapids Public Museum, was decorated with an arch of flowers and greenery. “Both my parents walked me down the aisle because I’m extremely close to both of them, and it was my honor to do that,” Wenqi says. Her ensemble included a simple dress with a V-neckline, sparkly silver shoes and a white bouquet of garden roses and peonies. After taking in skyline views at the ceremony, guests headed inside the Grand Rapids Public Museum for a formal reception. “I’m originally from China, and my family was here for the wedding, so we added little party favors of red Chinese-crafted candy boxes,” Wenqi says. “My family also brought Chinese wall art, so we added that to the windows.” Two museum installments—a whale skeleton and an airplane—hung above the round tables decorated with gray linens and silver chairs.

Our favorite #MakeTradition Moment: “The father-daughter dance was a song I had listened to with my dad when I was young,” Wenqi says. “Halfway through the dance, we both were singing along!”