Wedding | Lina & Alex

The Anti-Bride
Sep 11
4 min read

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We first met on Tinder back in 2017. At the time, Alex had just started his first job after graduation, while I was still finishing pharmacy school. I told my parents we had met while I was working in the men’s department at Nordstrom — which wasn’t entirely untrue, since our very first date was during one of my lunch breaks there.

As the years went by, we grew together through career changes, building a home in Los Angeles surrounded by our three beloved pets and a steady stream of foster kittens. Marriage was a natural next step.

One quiet Saturday morning, Alex proposed at home with flowers, pastries, and a slideshow capturing our years together. It was intimate and perfectly us. And, in true fashion, the moment ended with mild chaos when our oldest cat, Arlo, made his dramatic entrance by diving into a full cup of iced coffee.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We both grew up in Orange County, and I attended college nearby, so the area has always felt like home. While we had originally planned a courthouse wedding, we still wanted the day to feel romantic. The Old Orange County Courthouse was perfect. Not only was it close to our parents, but it also offered a stunning, timeless setting. With its warm lighting, vintage tiles, and rich wood paneling, the space felt steeped in history and character, exactly what we envisioned for our day.

How many guests did you have?

We had 5 guests – our parents and our two lovely photographers, Kimberly and Raphael from Visonette.

What was your budget?

Our budget was around $10K.

Tell us about your outfits.

I’ve admired Khaite for years, and when I found a dress on The Outnet for half off, I knew it was the one. It was a size too big, but after weeks of fittings with our tailor, it was spot-on. I loved the wool suiting fabric and the button details.

Because the dress was simple, I had fun with accessories. I paired it with delicate cream crochet tights from Swedish Stockings and a fringe satin bag, which matched the inner lining of my dress sleeves and kept the look from feeling too serious. I went shoe shopping with my mom and chose Mary Jane flats with a black cap toe, something comfortable that I could wear again after the wedding.

Alex found his suit and loafers at J.Crew during a big sale. Of course, I had already researched every piece months in advance, but I let him think it was his idea. The subtle stripes of his suit, paired with a dotted inner shirt and no tie, felt both refined and relaxed – perfectly him.

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

The comfort of our family was the most important consideration. We wanted the day to feel simple, stress-free, and full of joy, without any complicated logistics for them. We also prioritized photography, since our celebration was shorter than a traditional wedding. In the end, it was everything we hoped for. We spent two hours at the courthouse for the ceremony and photos, and celebrated afterwards with a relaxed lunch nearby with our parents.

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

One of the most special parts of our day was sharing our vows and presenting notes to our parents and in-laws. We wrote our vows to read privately to each other and prepared notes for our families, expressing gratitude for their love, guidance, and unwavering support. Alex wrote in Korean for my parents, which was incredibly thoughtful and special.

Beyond these moments, it was important to us that the pieces we chose had a life beyond the wedding day. We wanted to invest in items that could become family heirlooms, as well as clothing and accessories we could continue to wear and enjoy for years to come.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Try not to lose the plot – it’s your day and it should feel like you. Focus on what is special and important to you as a couple, and don’t get too caught up in everyone else’s expectations.

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

Our wedding journey began with Erede, where Talia, the co-founder, worked with us to design my dream engagement ring. Inspired by one of their existing styles, we chose a yellow asscher diamond as the centerpiece. Even from New York, Talia was incredibly communicative and thoughtful, ensuring every detail was perfect.

Our wedding bands were created by James Ly , an LA-based jeweler we now consider a dear friend. He crafted our bands, a tennis necklace for me, and a tennis bracelet for my mom. His meticulous attention to detail and ability to bring our vision to life made the process both seamless and fun.

And of course, our wonderful photographers, Kimberly and Raphael from Visonette. They were actually one of the first vendors I found, even before we had set a date or chosen a courthouse. Their work is intimate and timeless, and I immediately knew they’d be perfect for us. From our initial call, they understood our vision and were such a calming presence throughout the day. They made us and our families feel completely comfortable in front of the camera, and we are so grateful for their artistry and friendship.