Wedding | Christina & David

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We were friends for almost a decade before reconnecting in 2021. We had both made separate plans to meet up with a mutual friend—David had known him since childhood, and Christina met him a few years earlier in Edinburgh. We unexpectedly crossed paths again that day and had both travelled by bike so we ended up spending the afternoon riding around the city. Things fell into place, we were head over heels for one another and two years later, we were engaged.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

David is a writer/filmmaker and comes from strong Texan roots, Christina is a management executive who is originally from Hong Kong but grew up in New York City. We both have large extended families and wanted to celebrate our union in a manner that honored our roots and commitment to forging new, shared legacies.

We quietly eloped in Downtown Manhattan on an auspicious date in the Chinese calendar selected by my PaoPao (maternal grandmother) ahead of our wedding ceremony on Cape Cod. We then returned home with David’s immediate family for a blowout traditional Chinese wedding banquet the weekend after.

How many guests did you have?

We had 106 attendees and our day was captured by Emma Melin Studios.

What was your budget? 

There have been a few family wedding ceremonies held at Nauset Heights but it was the first wedding reception held on our other family property. Between landscaping and all the other expenses related to turning a residential lawn into a venue, we landed somewhere just over $100k in total costs.

Tell us about your outfits!

I was committed to finding a vintage wedding dress and tried on hundreds of dresses across New York’s bridal salons until I elicited the help of my stylist friend, Paul Bui, who introduced me to Cici at Le Grand Strip . Cici’s trove is strictly managed by Alexandra and Macie. The word has gotten out and now their Williamsburg store is closed on Tuesdays and Thursdays to exclusively host bridal appointments. I just had another dear friend snag her gown there, I couldn’t recommend them enough.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

It was important to us that we got married someplace we shared a strong emotional connection to. To have our choice, to be forever committed to one another and accepted and celebrated by our family and friends means the world to us.

It was heartwarming for us to feel so supported in a place we hope to grow our family and return to for years to come. We feel changed by our love and know that this unchanging place that we treasure is also touched by this. The next chapter will be written with our love story.

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

We wanted to use our friend Matt Fox’s illustrations for the invitations, have our friends Christine, Weiqiao and Dillon play music as we walked down the aisle, and have our friend Jayshree DJ.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Try to do whatever truly feels natural to you!

Photographer: Emma Melin Studios @emmamelinstudios | Second Shooter: Severina Studios @serverinastudios | Planning: Cape Cod Wedding Planning @capecodweddingplanning | Bouquets: Foraged Floral @foragedfloralcc  | Event Flora: Intimo Floristry @intimoflorist | Ceremony Location:

Bride’s Paternal Grandfather’s home on Nauset Heights | Reception Location: Bride’s Paternal Grandmother’s home in East Orleans | Celebrant: James Burling, Navy Chaplain & The Bride’s second cousin | Hire: Undercover Tent @undercovertent & Sparrowlane Event Rentals @sparrowlanerentals | HMUA: Priceless from FeiXu Beauty Studio @pricelessMUA  @fei_xu_beauty_studio | Bar: Perfect Pour

@perfectpour_mobilebar & Elwood’s Raw Bar @elwoodsrawbars | Catering: Ginger and Spice Cape Cod

@chefginnycapecod | Cupcakes: Patisserie Ever After @patisserieeverafter | Entertainment: DJ Friends of the couple | Car: family's own | Ceremony Dress: Vintage Carolina Herrera Bridal from Le Grand Strip @legrandstrip | Cocktail Hour Dress: Vintage Nicole Miller from Le Grand Strip @legrandstrip | Reception Dress: Vintage Etro from Le Grand Strip @legrandstrip | Suit: Todd Snyder @toddsnyder |

Sunhat: Helen Kaminski | Pearl Necklace: heirloom from Bride’s Grandmother | Engagement Ring:

Connie Jewelry Co. | Wedding Rings: Family rings | Bride’s Shoes: SJP by Sarah Jessica Parker & Ferragamo heels | Groom’s Shoes: Sanders & Sanders