Wedding | Nikki & Edwin

Tell us a little about yourselves!

We’re Nikki and Edwin — partners in life, sharing love, laughs, and occasional chaos. Nikki is a psychologist and creative spirit with a passion for meaning, aesthetics, intentional living, and deep feelings. Edwin is a professional golfer and brings balance with his calm presence, humour, and a secret soft side. Together, we’re a mix of grounded and whimsical, thoughtful and a little wild.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We began our day at the Proper Hotel in DTLA — a space that felt modern, stylish, and grounded in the kind of urban energy we love. Then we transitioned to Calamigos Ranch for the ceremony and reception, where nature took center stage. The contrast between these two spaces really reflects who we are: we thrive in the rhythm of the city, but we also find our calm and connection in nature.

It was important to us that our guests felt not just welcome, but immersed — like they were stepping into a world that felt intentionally us. We wanted the day to feel warm and grounding,— a space where everyone could feel both comfortable and part of something meaningful.

How many guests did you have?

We had 60 guests—just our direct family members and closest friends. We intentionally kept it small to make the day feel more intimate and meaningful. Some friends flew in from thousands of miles away, and many have been part of our lives for years—since elementary school and through all the different stages since. It felt really special to be surrounded by people who truly know us and have shared in our journey.

What was your budget? 

Our budget was around $100k, and we prioritized creating a meaningful and memorable experience for our guests. From thoughtfully selected wines to an additional rice dish that reflected our cultural roots, every detail was chosen with care. We designed individualized menus for each guest and worked with vendors who truly understood our style and vision.

Photography was also important to us—we wanted to capture not just how everything looked, but how it felt. Rather than following tradition for tradition’s sake, we focused on what felt personal and intentional.

Tell us about your outfits.

We just wanted to feel like ourselves—dressed up, but not too serious. Edwin wore a beige suit for the ceremony with a burgundy lining and a silk polka dot scarf instead of a traditional tie, which added a fun little twist. Later on, he changed into a navy suit with a knit tie—something a bit more relaxed for the rest of the night.

Nikki wore a gown made from a silk and ramie blend. It had raw edges and just the right amount of structure-meets-softness. It was simple but still felt really special. For the reception, Nikki changed into a sequin low-back dress that caught the light (and the dance floor) in just the right way.

We both wore shoes from Maison Margiela, a brand that’s meaningful to us and felt like the perfect shared detail to tie everything together, so it felt right to include them. Nikki went for silver Tabi boots because they were bold, super comfortable, and honestly made her feel powerful, confident, and completely herself. She could really run in those shoes.

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

For us, it was about finding that sweet spot between honoring our guests and staying true to ourselves. We really wanted everyone to feel seen, welcomed, and part of something special—but without losing the essence of who we are as a couple.

It was important that the day felt honest and meaningful, not just a checklist of wedding “musts.” So we let go of the things that didn’t speak to us—no cake, no champagne toast, no first dance, not even a wedding party. We wanted everyone to dress however they felt most like themselves, to feel comfortable and intimate, and to be fully present. 

So much of the planning was about creating a space where our love and personalities could shine through, and where everyone could share in that in their own way. That balance made the whole experience feel really real and unforgettable.

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

Absolutely. Neither of us are big fans of flowers, so we leaned into greenery instead with only a good amount of flowers—it felt more authentic and less traditional. The bouquet was braided, which made it really special and tactile, not a typical floral arrangement. Cactus, in particular, was a big part of the vibe and meaning for us. It’s kind of the perfect symbol for our relationship: maybe a little spiky or guarded on the outside, but actually really tender and resilient once you get to know us.

We wanted those personal touches—whether it was the fabrics, the shoes, or the plants—to tell our story quietly but clearly, so the day felt like us from start to finish.

Any tips for couples getting married?

It might sound cliché and you’ve probably heard it a million times, but seriously—slow down and really settle into the day. The wedding goes by so fast. Take the time to soak up every moment: chat with your guests, savor every single bite of food, enjoy the drinks, notice the little details in the decorations.

Most importantly, stay present with your partner and with yourself. Feel all the feelings, the excitement, the nerves, the joy—it’s your day, and it deserves your full attention.

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

To be honest, all of our vendors were amazing to work with. We had said to them many times: we really had the coolest team. 

Our wedding planner and designer, Lara, and her team (By Lara) were incredible. Lara took the time to really get to know us—not just what we wanted for the wedding, but who we are as people. She found such a thoughtful and creative way to bridge those two things, and the result truly reflected us in every detail.

Her creativity and aesthetic sense were amazing, but just as important, she was incredibly organized, detail-oriented, and carried a great sense of humour—something that made all the difference during the more stressful parts of the planning process. She’s someone we felt we could completely lean on and trust, and having that kind of support was everything.

Isla and Eric, our photographer and videographer from Emotions & Math, helped us capture the day in the most beautiful and unexpected ways. They have such a creative eye—always playing with lighting, movement, and whatever they could find in the space around them. It’s like they can see a photo before it exists—things others might miss, they turn into magic. Both of us are pretty camera shy, but Isla and Eric made the whole process feel so natural and stress-free.

Katrina from Goodsgang, who did all of our stationery, was such a joy to work with. It was honestly an honor to witness her process—how she plays with fonts, paper, layout, shapes and design so intuitively. She often brought us ideas we hadn’t even considered, sparking new inspiration and helping us see things from a fresh perspective. Every piece she created felt thoughtful, elevated, and so aligned with the tone of our day.

Photographer & Videographer: Emotions and Math @emotionsandmathweddings | Planning & Styling: By Lara @bylara.design.planning | Flora: Pond Floral Studio @pond.floralstudio | Ceremony & Reception Location: Calamigos Ranch @calamigosevents | Hire: Table Method @tablemethod | HMUA: Lynn Liu @lynnlbridal | Stationery: Goodsgang @goodsgang | Getting Ready Location: DTLA Proper Hotel @downtownlaproper | Ceremony Dress: Wink Atelier @winkatelier | Reception Dress: Magda Butrym @magdabutrym | Engagement Ring: Graff @graff | Wedding Rings: Harry Winston @harrywinston | Shoes: Maison Margiela @maisonmargiela