This adorable couple met in an elementary social studies class, and even though it wasn’t love at first site, they gave into the inevitable chemistry a few years later on a Staten Island ferry ride home. And we are so glad they did! They are cute as can be – and with the help of Exquisite Affairs Productions, they created a wedding so perfectly personal, I feel like I’ve known them forever. Joseph Lin Wedding Photography packed an entire gallery full with fantastic images – and Michael Justin Films sent over a highlight film from the day. How lucky are we?
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After dating for eight years, a proposal was expected in the near future, especially when we decided to take a trip out of town on the Fourth of July holiday. However, Gordon always has awful luck in planning any event (a “Charlie Brown” factor), and he was true to form for the proposal. We had taken a trip to Hershey Park, where we would be making customized chocolates. It could have been very romantic, except for the fact that we were sandwiched in between screaming kids and large tourist groups. I learned later on that Gordon thankfully passed on this window to propose. We then set out for the park at night to catch the fireworks…only our timing was off, and the fireworks show was more like a dud. We skulked back to the hotel, where Gordon ordered room service. I thought this must be it! I lifted up the metal tray eagerly, only to find chicken fingers. I could feel myself getting woozy. We settled in for bed, and I shut my eyes tight, ready to call it a day. At the last possible moment, when I thought it was never going to happen, Gordon woke me up with an open ring box in my face. He had pulled through after all!
We wanted to eschew the traditional wedding trappings: no draped chairs, hotel banquet halls, or over-styled floral arrangements. When we saw the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers, it just felt right – a modern setting situated on the New York City coastline. This was something that spoke to all of the Staten Island ferry rides we had taken as a couple.
We wanted the wedding to look really clean and simple, hence gray and yellow seemed like a natural choice. In terms of style, we wanted a touch of kitsch to personalize the event. Vintage robots played off our color schemes and our personalities as a couple. At the end of the day, we find ways to make each other laugh, remind ourselves to seek the playful side of life and have fun together, simply put.
We both come from different cultural backgrounds, and we wanted to incorporate those elements into our wedding. As part of our ceremony, we included the Filipino tradition of a cord and veil, as a symbol of the union of marriage and sign of mutual support of each other, binding us in a lifelong commitment to be one in mind and heart. To bring in Gordon’s Chinese background, we held a small tea ceremony during the reception, as a way to show respect and appreciation to our family.
Our most vivid memories from the wedding day were seeing all the people we love in one room, enjoying themselves and letting loose, getting really creative with props at the photobooth or wilding out to music on the dance floor. We also enjoyed a quiet moment together while heading to the reception in a vintage cab, which took our breath away.
Our photographer, Joe Lin, videographer, Michael Porco, and our wonderful planner, Christine Viola and Exquisite Affairs Production, made every minute memorable, truly amazing, and unforgettable. We were never a couple that visualized our exact wedding from detail to detail but all of our vendors painted our story exactly as we would never imagine it could have been portrayed.
Photographer: Joseph Lin Wedding Photography / Event Design & Planning: Exquisite Affairs Productions / Ceremony: Our Lady of the Rosary / Reception Venue: Abigail Kirsch, The Lighthouse / Makeup: Sally Duvall / Hair: Styles on B, Stacy Pitt / Cinematography: Michael Justin Films / DJ: High Voltage Sounds DJ / Floral Design: Flowers by Emil / Stationery: Exquisite Affairs Productions / Vintage Checkered Cab: Film Cars