Wedding | Kim & Frank

Tell us a little about yourselves!

In 2019, Frank moved from Chicago to San Francisco, and six months later he met Kim. One summer-night date at a bar led to weekend hangouts, and eventually staying in to cook pho and xiao long bao from scratch. Then six years, two cats, countless shared meals, and one spring garden wedding later, here we are!

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

California has always been home for us. Frank grew up in San Diego, and it offered everything we wanted our guests to experience throughout the wedding weekend: beautiful weather, coastal scenery, incredible food, and plenty to explore for all ages.

Out of the four weeks of the season for the cherry blossom, we landed on the first day of spring. As spring weather can be unpredictable, we felt incredibly lucky to have a warm, clear day with the garden in full bloom.

How many guests did you have?

We celebrated with 93 guests.

Tell us about your outfits.

Designing my wedding dress felt like the most personal project of my career. I wanted the dress to feel ethereal, with movement, intricate pleating, and a beautifully bustling silhouette that meant I'd never need a second dress just for dancing. The design was inspired by an old muslin drape I created during a studio class at California College of the Arts. Working alongside the brilliant bridal house Olivia Ng Bridal, the dress featured a hand-pleated sweetheart bodice and cascading layers of chiffon.

For the tea ceremony, I wore an áo dài from Lalin. Traditionally, Vietnamese brides wear red or gold áo dài adorned with intricate embellishments and paired with a matching khăn đóng headpiece. Instead, I fell for an unconventional ivory-to-green ombré organza áo dài embroidered with delicate floral sequins, paired with pink silk trousers and a cascading veil. It honored the balance of my Vietnamese tradition while staying true to my personal style. A special shoutout to Westernbride on Etsy, who custom-made both my organza and chiffon veils and made everything even more magical. Both looks were intentionally hemmed an inch short for ease of wear, which allowed for a playful peek of color throughout the day with green lace heels and blue Mary Jane flats.

Frank kept it simple, but his suit felt just as special. Anyone who knows Frank knows he has a quiet and kind presence that naturally gravitates people towards him. We wanted the suit to capture that, so we leaned into a relaxed silhouette with subtle satin details that reinterpreted a classic tuxedo. The black double-breasted jacket featured a single satin closure, satin-trimmed collar, and peaked lapel—quiet details that felt intentional and distinctly Frank. The focus was on the thoughtful craftsmanship, and seeing Frank walk down the aisle in something I specifically designed for him was one of my favorite details of the day.

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

After nearly two years of conversations, revisions, and imagining every possible scenario, we narrowed our priorities down to three things: exceptional food, meaningful photography, and a setting that spoke for itself.

We fell in love with the idea of a spring garden in bloom and decided to let the space shine. Our tea ceremony took place against the garden backdrop with no additional florals or signage. For cocktail hour and dinner, simple bud vases and ikebana-inspired arrangements of colorful, wispy blooms complemented the space.

We wanted every detail to feel personal. Kim illustrated all of the paper goods from the invitations and menus to a custom guest illustration that friends and family signed. Even our cats, Luna and Remy, made several appearances throughout the day. Signature cocktails were named after them, and the oversized cutouts of their faces somehow became stars of the dance floor alongside bubble guns and paper lanterns.

One of our favorite unexpected moments of planning was the paper lantern installation. I had originally imagined a sky full of lanterns above the dance floor, but with only a couple of hours for full wedding setup, we opted for a smaller quantity of lanterns to be scattered above the dance floor. Because it was difficult to gauge scale online, I accidentally ordered lanterns that turned out to be comically oversized. In the end, we loved them because they hung low and transformed the dance floor into a sky full of moons - playful and completely unforgettable.

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

Our vision was a spring garden wedding in San Diego that celebrated our Vietnamese and Chinese heritage, centred around a family-style feast and a packed dance floor.

To start, the tea ceremony was one of the most meaningful parts of the day. While traditions vary from family to family, it is a moment of gratitude and celebrating new beginnings. Traditionally, a tea ceremony takes place in a family home and includes only close relatives. We chose to have all our guests witness this intimate tradition.

We carefully crafted a version that reflected both our heritage while remaining simple, heartfelt, and true to us. We poured tea for our parents, received their blessings, exchanged vows, kissed, and then got the celebration started.

Food was another important element. Some of our favorite memories together are simple evenings spent cooking at home, so creating a menu that highlighted that was no easy feat. We worked with Miho to incorporate family recipes and dishes that guests would also enjoy. Serving wontons and San Francisco-style Vietnamese garlic noodles was non-negotiable. The menu was built around those dishes, balanced with bright citrus, fresh herbs, and a kick of chili oil. It created exactly the kind of atmosphere we hoped for—warm, intimate, and communal.

The bar was intentionally simple, featuring our favorite cocktails, wines, and, of course, beer for Frank. Later in the evening, surprise trays of espresso martinis made their way through the dance floor, while pizzas, slices of vanilla berry chiffon cake, and, of course, fruit made their appearances as well. Every day at home, we begin and end with a bowl of fruit on the table, so it felt only right to include a fruit table at the wedding. It was a small detail, but one that instantly felt like home.

Any tips for couples getting married?

At the end of it all, what matters most is that you're surrounded by the people who came to celebrate your love. It will be a little messy, full of food and love, and filled with unexpected moments you didn't plan for.

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Honestly, everyone. Every vendor brought so much care, creativity, and heart to the day.

Natalie Joy Mitchell was our rock from the very beginning. We knew she was the perfect fit after our engagement session. She has an incredible ability to make people feel comfortable while capturing moments that feel both intimate and cinematic. Her warmth, vision, and energy are reflected in every photograph.

Miho exceeded every expectation. They cared for our food, drinks, and planning with extraordinary attention to detail. We brought them family recipes and favorite dishes, and they transformed them into a meal that guests are still talking about. During the tasting alone, we sampled six different versions of a lychee martini until it was just right. Beyond their talent, they were simply wonderful people to spend the planning process with.

Artistry by Brianna & KM Wedding Beauty for their magical artistry on my hair and make-up. No notes.

Best Bud with the best floral arrangements. I had full trust in their vision, and they delivered something so special.

DJ Justin pulled off an incredible production across the garden venue. The logistics alone were no small task, but everything felt seamless. He kept the energy flowing all night and created a dance floor that genuinely had something for everyone.

Photographer: Natalie Joy Mitchell @nataliejoymitchell | Planning: MIHO @mihocateringco | Flora: Best Buds @bestbudfloral | Videographers: Julio Paredes Films @julioparedesfilms; Steven Dorn Films @stevendornfilms | Ceremony & Ceremony Location: San Diego, California | Hire: Event Party Rentals | MUA: Artistry by Brianna @artistrybybrianna | Hair: KM Wedding Beauty @hairbykaylamarie | Catering & Beverages: MIHO @mihocateringco | Cake: MIHO @mihocateringco | Stationery: by the Bride Kim Pham | Entertainment: Justin Kanoya | Dresses: Olivia NG @oliviangbridal; Lalin @lalin.vn | Veil: Western Bride via Etsy @etsy | Engagement & Wedding Ring: Derco | Shoes: Steve Madden & Camper | Pearl Necklace & Bracelet: Into The Woods @into_the_woods