A BLESSING CEREMONY IN THE BHUTANESE HIMALAYAS
Paro, Bhutan
JAMES JOSEPH & TARA SUSANTO
Tara Susanto-Joseph and James Joseph celebrated their multi-day wedding in Bhutan’s Himalayas, choosing an Amankora setting that reflected their shared values of intention, nature, and sustainability through cultural traditions and deeply personal design. From a rain-kissed ceremony that opened onto snowy peaks to an intimate, joy-filled reception, the weekend unfolded as an intentional celebration rooted in place, love and community.
Published in US Vogue.
Juxtaposing the ancient architecture of Old Town Lijiang with the majestic Yulong Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, Jon and Hailey’s wedding was a breathtaking blend of tradition, modernity, and grace. Immersed in the magic of Lijiang, Jon and Hailey’s celebration felt like a poetic journey through time.
AT UMA by COMO
Guests were welcomed to the archery grounds of Uma by COMO for a pine-grove dinner, where tents emblazoned with dragon motifs encircled a crackling fire that drew everyone in as dusk fell. The evening unfolded with guests dressed in ceremonial attire, Bhutanese folk dancers, and a feast of traditional dishes prepared with local ingredients, the firelight animating stories of folklore and ritual. As the embers softened and guests drifted back through the pines, the night settled into a quiet prelude to the ceremony that followed.
WELCOME PARTY
Wangyuelue Lawn, Banyan Tree
Wedding festivities started with a warm welcome barbecue at the Banyan Tree’s Wangyuelue Lawn, where guests from around the world gathered over a wide spread of barbecued seafood and local yak before joining a spirited Naxi fire dance under the stars.
The WedDING Ceremony
AmanKORA
WELCOME DINNER
Set within the stillness of Paro Lodge at Amankora Bhutan, Tara and James’ blessing ceremony unfolded in a courtyard framed by Himalayan cypress, conceived as a meditation on interconnectedness between nature, ritual, and renewal. Held before the autumn harvest, the ceremony featured entirely foraged florals and rice-lined pathways symbolising abundance, while fire-inspired installations and amaranth in monks’ maroon hues echoed notions of purification and reverence. The result was an elemental ceremony that felt both intimate and transcendent.
WedDING Ceremony
Amandayan
The wedding day took place poolside at Amandayan, a tranquil resort overlooking Lijiang’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. With snowcapped peaks in the distance, the evening continued with a traditional Chinese banquet in the hotel’s courtyard, surrounded by breathtaking views.
Wedding Reception
AMANKORA
Cocktail hour unfolded at dusk, set against sweeping, snowcapped views of Jomolhari as the light softened and the mountains shifted into silhouette. With glasses raised in the fading glow, the moment felt suspended—quietly cinematic, intimate, and unmistakably Bhutan.
For the dinner reception, guests gathered inside the pared-back interiors of Amankora Paro Lodge, where monastic calm met alpine elegance and snow-dusted peaks framed the view beyond the windows. The tables were styled entirely with botanicals foraged that morning from a local garden, arranged in aged brass and singing bowls to evoke a balance between wildness and intention. The result was a quietly powerful celebration of seasonality, mindfulness, and the beauty of the present moment.
The reception took an unexpected turn when guests launched into impromptu karaoke, transforming the evening into a full-blown evening of karaoke as the newlyweds happily joined in.
Wedding Reception
Amandayan
The celebration culminated in a lavish Chinese banquet that stretched late into the night, surrounded by the magic of mountains and history. For Jon and Hailey, the entire weekend felt like stepping into a timeless dream.
Clients
James joseph & Tara Susanto
Welcome PARTY VENUE
UMA BY COMO
Stationery
Hans Jonathan
EVENT & FLORAL DESIGN
THIS HUMID HOUSE
Hair & Makeup
Roslynn Hair & Angelika Samara
Cinematography
Aldin Ortez
Pre-Wedding & Reception Dinner Gown
Stella Rissa
Cinematography
ALDIN ORTEZ
Groom's Pre-Wedding & Welcome DInner Outfit
Kraton by Auguste Soesastro
Groom's Ceremony Suit
Barney Cheng Couture
Welcome DINNER Gown
Chuni Dorji Prive
Wedding VEnue
AMANKORA Paro Lodge
Wedding Planning
CHIC & CO Events
Wedding Ceremony Gown
Hian Tjen
Bride'sHair Accessories
Renaldy Yunardi
CLIENTS
Jon Ng & Hailey He
Floral Design
Usnea Wedding
Hair & Makeup
Jessica Ching Makeup
Pre-Wedding Gown
Vivienne Westwood
La Mousse Studio
Wedding Planning
The Wedding Company
Groom's Suit
The Anthology
Groom's Wedding Tuxes
Charvet Atelier
Wedding Venue
Amandayan
Reception Cheongsam
Eswenna Chanz
Wedding Gown
DBR Weddings
Cake
Raincoco
Grooms' Pre-Wedding Tux
Raja Wongse Clothier
Welcome BBQ Venue
Banyan Tree Lijiang
Cinematography
Mattography