[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]white, green, accents of gold and sand [/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]Our design vision was to create an intimate and romantic atmosphere, paying homage to the beauty of Napa Valley. We aimed for an ambiance of romantic elegance, where guests could enjoy delicious food, great drinks, and lively music to celebrate and dance the night away. We envisioned the reception area as an extension of the already stunning outdoor setting and aimed for a mix of classic and modern touches that still felt inviting. Incorporating green elements for serenity and symbolism of new beginnings, we wanted the overall feel to be warm and welcoming. Ultimately, Andrew and I wanted our design to reflect who we are as a couple and for guests to feel the love we share. And of course, we wanted our friends and family to have an unforgettable time in wine country![/field]
[field title=”Proposal Story”]I never had a picture-perfect proposal in mind, but I knew I wanted it to be personal and intimate, just for us. Several weeks before the proposal, Andrew casually asked if I wanted to learn how to drive a boat. It caught me off guard for a moment, but since we often hang out on his family’s boat, I thought, “Why not?”. Little did I know, this seemingly ordinary decision would lead to one of the most memorable days of our lives. On the day of the proposal, we spent the entire day at the boat licensing course, laughing our way through the not-so-glamorous experience. I remember thinking, if we could get through an 8-hour boating course on a Saturday and still laugh, we could tackle anything together! Afterward, Andrew suggested we head back to his family’s lake house to “test our learnings”. When we got there, we walked towards the water and I turned around to find Andrew down on one knee, asking me to marry him —it was simple and intimate, and just true to us. It was just how I always wanted it. Afterward, we drove the boat to a nearby restaurant, where we celebrated with our close friends and family. Some were there in person, while others joined us via FaceTime. It was a relaxing and joyful moment, surrounded by the people we love, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]
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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]
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[board_carousel title=”First Look”]
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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]I found my dream wedding gown at Bergdorf Goodman—a classic A-line dress with a bow detail from Sareh Nouri. It was my first bridal appointment, but after trying on just seven dresses, I knew it was the one. To match our classic venue at the Estate in Yountville, I added a cathedral-length floral lace veil with soft paillettes. When the light hit the veil during my fitting, I could see the subtle glimmer and I almost cried! I didn’t have to look at any other dress after that.[/field]
[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]Our main wedding color was green and my bridal party all love deeper hues, so we opted for forest green dresses for the bridal party. I loved that each of them chose different dress styles that they felt comfortable in. I loved my sister (and MOH)’s dress so much. Her tailor customized her dress to have a Peter Pan collar—a very pretty touch that perfectly reflected her personality. [/field]
[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]Andrew, always the classic gentleman, had his suit custom-made from a family-owned company in NYC. His choice of a sleek black tuxedo, paired with his late father’s cufflinks and Salvatore Ferragamo loafers, was both timeless and sentimental. I’m happy we carefully selected Andrew’s tux because grooms deserve to feel just as special! It was such an awesome investment and a fun experience for us as a couple[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]
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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]
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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]
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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]The food and wine was an incredibly important part of our wedding! Andrew led the charge in putting together a menu and wine selection that reflected our travels and tastes. Being Italian and from the East Coast, Andrew knows just how vital cocktail hour is—sometimes even more so than dinner! We wanted our guests to enjoy plenty of good food and drinks throughout the weekend, highlighting the fantastic culinary and wine scene of Napa. And let me tell you, Andrew nailed it perfectly!
Wine: Cavalier Bartolomeo Barolo, Faust Cabernet Sauvignon, AXR Sauvignon Blanc, and Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Scribe Chardonnay and Truchard Cabernet Sauvignon.
Food: As for the rehearsal food, we had everything from the antipasti featuring Insalata di Bruxelles and Burrata Caprese to the pasta tasting of Trenne alla Bolognese. Highlights included local fish served with tomato fennel broth and citrus fennel instalatina, and a savory pork chop paired with apple passata and roasted cabbage. And let’s not forget dessert—a warm upside-down cake with pistachios and sea salt gelato (YUM!). For Cocktail hour we served hors d’oeuvres like Regiis Ova caviar with creme fraiche, chives and belinies, panko-crusted crab cakes, and juicy roasted lamb loin. Stations offered even more variety with options like poke, tacos, and artisanal pizzas. Moving into the reception, guests had Roasted Golden Beets Salad, Braised Beef Short Ribs, Grilled Local Salmon, and Vegan Ratatouille Pithivier and a warm flourless chocolate cake with balsamic strawberries for dessert! And for a late-night snack, we indulged in In-N-Out burgers and Bouchon desserts. We were too busy dancing by the time the late-night desserts were set up, but the guests let me know that the warm cookies came with a glass of milk, which is fantastic!! [/field]
[field title=”Florals & Decor”]The florals were an absolute show stopper. They embodied a natural and organic feel to truly bring the outside in. There was so much texture and life event while keeping to a simple color palette. The ceremony arch was full and a statement piece that every guest wanted to take a photo in front of.
The centerpieces brought in dimension and created an inviting atmosphere inside the Social Hall.
With the rentals, we went with a soft and elevated chair to ensure a warm and cozy setting while also taking the whole look to a more sophisticated place.
They also paid homage to Choo’s Korean culture by having their menus look like traditional scrolls at the place settings.
All the signage was spectacular and hand crafted by Shimmer and Stain. Guests were in awe with the level detail and personalization involved. [/field]
[field title=”Wedding Cake”]Andrew and I wanted to work with a local bakery to make our cake, so choosing Bouchon Bakery in Yountville was a no-brainer. We aimed for a modern and minimalist cake design to complement our decor and venue. We decided last minute to ask our florist to incorporate the same flowers from our ceremony onto our cake and we’re happy that we did that. It tied everything together so nicely. Our flavor choice was an Almond Pain de Genes with raspberry jam and vanilla buttercream. We’re still dreaming about it! [/field]
[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]Our vows were hands down the most memorable part for us. Once we were both at the altar, it was a bit of a blur; our officiant had advised Andrew to have a handkerchief on him, and boy did we both need it. As we shared our pledge to each other, one line in particular stood out from Andrew’s vows: “I would recognize you in total darkness, were you mute and I deaf. I would recognize you in another lifetime entirely, in different bodies, different times. And I would love you in all of this, until the very last star in the sky burnt out into oblivion. Saranghae (Korean for I Love You). It was a magical moment for us, and we couldn’t help but notice a few happy tears from our guests as well.
Processional: Bittersweet Symphony- The Verve
Bridal March Song : Canon in D Major- Pachelbel
A Sky full of stars – Coldplay
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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]The Jeopardy escort cards were a huge hit. Andrew and I are avid Jeopardy fans – it’s our post-work ritual, cooking dinner together while tuning in. So, when we brainstormed ideas for an interactive escort card, Jeopardy was a natural fit. With our small guest list, we had the opportunity to infuse those personalized touches. We crafted individual clues for each guest or couple, weaving in personal details about our friends and family that held significance to our relationship. As guests flipped over the wooden blocks to find their clues, we could hear everyone laughing and chatting. It was fun to see everyone sharing stories and inside jokes, figuring out their clues together. The whole process added a playful vibe to finding seats and our guests loved it! [/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #2″] Instead of using a traditional guestbook, we went for something more interactive. We set up postcards from 10 different countries and asked guests to help us pick our honeymoon destination by jotting down a note on the back of their favorite one. The votes were neck and neck, with New Zealand, France, and Japan taking the lead. In the end, Japan emerged as the winner, so that’s where we headed for our honeymoon this past January![/field]
[field title=”Special Detail #3″]I’m such a fan of destination weddings. Yountville truly added an extra special touch to our big day, especially for food and wine lovers like us! Before the wedding festivities, Andrew and I spent time walking around the main street, grabbing coffee at Bouchon and some English muffins from Model Bakery and it just felt like we belonged. We also ate at our favorite restaurants like Bistro Jeanty, and The French Laundry and shared so many fun moments with our friends and family while sipping on amazing wine! It felt like our own little village, surrounded by all our loved ones, which only added to the intimacy and charm of the whole experience. Since 99% of our guests traveled for the wedding, it made the occasion even more special and memorable for everyone involved.[/field]
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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]
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Photography: Hailey Ayson Photography | Videography: Jared Seider | Event Design: Carly Saber Events | Event Planning: Carly Saber Events | Floral Design: Eothen Floral | Cake: Bouchon Bakery | Hair and Makeup: Grace Lin | Entertainment: Wine Country Entertainment | Band: Pop Fiction | Transportation: Pure Luxury | Wedding Venue: The Estate Yountville | Rentals: Bright Event Rentals | Signage: Shimmer & Stain