Tell us a little about yourselves!
We are Molica and Kevin. We met in high school in Brooklyn nearly twelve years ago, and it blossomed into that classic friends-to-lovers tale. I can still hear Kevin’s voice ringing out during one of my lacrosse games, playfully yelling mid-game, “Molica, marry me!” It was a moment that made me smile, even though we were just friends then. Little did we know, ten years later, those words would turn into a heartfelt reality as we would actually say “I do” to one another.
We started dating a month after high school graduation and went on to attend college together, navigated the challenges of long-distance for two years, and then adopted two adorable dogs into our lives before moving to Chicago where I work in tech and Kevin works in finance. Through it all, we’ve grown side by side, nurturing our shared values and dreams for the future.
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
Getting married in NYC was never a question for us. Both Kevin and I hail from this vibrant city—me from Brooklyn and him from Chinatown. Not only do we have familial roots here, but it’s also where our relationship began.
Our first date took place in the Brooklyn Bridge Park, and while it might sound cliché, it was under that iconic bridge that we shared our first kiss after an unforgettable nine-hour date. It only felt fitting to read our vows and share our first kiss as husband and wife beneath the same bridge a decade later.
How many guests did you have?
102 guests.
What was your budget?
Our budget was $75k, but we ended up coming in closer to $90k.
Tell us about your outfits.
Molica: My ceremony dress was from House of CB. I drew heavy inspiration from the romantic and feminine essence of Vivienne Westwood’s bridal dresses. The beautiful draping of the fabric along with the structured corset was exactly what I envisioned for my wedding day look as I walked down
the aisle. However, while the style resonated deeply with me, the price tag was a different story. After some searching, I eventually discovered House of CB’s bridal collection which checked all my boxes. I paired the dress with embellished Jimmy Choo heels that perfectly matched the diamond earrings my mom gifted me.
For cocktail hour, I changed into a traditional Cambodian bridal set as an homage to my heritage. My grandmother, who once owned a Cambodian wedding attire business, played a pivotal role in shaping my vision. She would travel up and down the East Coast, multiple suitcases in hand, dressing countless brides and grooms in beautiful traditional Khmer outfits. She curated each outfit, having personally chosen hand-woven fabrics and jewelry from artisans in Cambodia. While I would have cherished having her dress me for my wedding, that unfortunately wasn’t in the cards for me. Instead, I chose a silver set from her collection, feeling her presence with me as I mingled during cocktail hour. It was a way for me to feel connected to my grandmother on such a special day.
And finally, for my reception look, I changed into a simple satin Meshki dress that allowed me to move freely around the dance floor. Anyone who knows me understands that I’m a thrifty gal at heart, so I challenged myself to thrift my “something blue” for the wedding. It turned out to be a successful endeavor—I found a pair of vintage baby blue linen Manolo Blahnik flats that were perfect for dancing the night away.
Kevin: I walked into my initial appointment at The Tie Bar with nothing but a screenshot of the Spectre movie poster where Daniel Craig donned a white Tom Ford tuxedo jacket. I told the tailor that I wanted to look like James Bond and we made that happen. And since James Bond is never seen without a timepiece, I wore a Rolex Submariner that Molica’s father gifted me for the wedding.
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
We envisioned our wedding as an extravagant dinner party, a reflection of our shared love for hosting. Kevin and I regularly gather our friends around our dining table nearly every weekend, and we felt that our big day should embody that same atmosphere.
Food is our love language and when deciding on our venue, we wanted to select a space that would allow us to curate a menu that not only reflected our tastes but also wow-ed our guests. After all, good food sets the tone for the celebration, and we wanted to make it unforgettable for everyone involved.
So, when we discovered that The River Café offered breathtaking views of New York’s iconic skyline alongside a Michelin-starred dinner menu, it felt like a no-brainer. Bonus points to the fact that we can return for future anniversaries to relive our wedding night.
Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?
Incorporating elements of our culture was essential for us, especially since we couldn't host traditional Cambodian or Chinese ceremonies. To honor my heritage, I wore a traditional Khmer bridal set during cocktail hour. And to embrace Chinese superstitions, I chose OPI’s Big Apple Red for my nails, as red is considered lucky and auspicious.
We also would have loved to have our dogs join us at the wedding, but since that wasn’t possible, we found a creative way to include them. I sketched whimsical illustrations of our fur babies, which we featured on our matchbox party favors and wedding invitations. It added a personal touch to our celebration and made them a part of the day in spirit!
Any tips for couples getting married?
1. Don’t stress. It’s really easy to get caught up in the minutiae of wedding planning, but everything has a way of falling into place.
2. You are the guests of honor. Your wedding day is a celebration of your love, and it should reflect your unique vision. There are no rules to follow and no one else to please besides yourselves.
3. Make sure to take a step back, enjoy the night together, and soak it all in. The day goes by in a flash, so after months of planning, really take the time to relish the moment.
Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?
Working with Sean and Michelle at Sancii was an absolute dream. Their warmth and kindness made the experience truly special, and they captured our wedding day exactly how we imagined. Since the day itself was such a blur, going through our full gallery felt like we were living those cherished moments all over again!
Photographer: Sancii @sanc.ii | Planning: Genesis Wedding @genesiswedding | Flora: Floralgom @floralgom | Ceremony & Reception Location: The River Café @therivercafe | HMUA: TL Brides
@tl_brides | Catering + Beverages: The River Café @therivercafe | Cake: Milk Bar @milkbarstore | Entertainment: TCM DJ Events @tcmdjevents | Dress: House of CB @houseofcb | Suit: The Tie Bar
@thetiebar | Shoes: Jimmy Choo @jimmychoo