Hoping to enjoy a night out, Gina Kim and Alex Wang first met at a bar during their first year of law school. “What I remember most about that first meeting was that I hadn’t wanted to go since I assumed it’d be full of obnoxious, know-it-alls or shy, timid types like me, neither of which sounded fun,” remembers Gina. To her great surprise, the “cute, witty, and actually normal” man she met that night would soon become her husband.
As Gina is an avid dog lover, Alex knew proposing at the Atlanta Humane Society would be fitting for his bride-to-be. Prior to a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner, the couple took a trip to visit the puppies and unbeknownst to Gina, Alex planted a very special note in one of the dog’s collars earlier that day. As they did their usual walk-through, Alex suggested taking a particular special puppy out and suggested she take a look at the note. “I am nothing if not a rule-follower, so I adamantly refused, at first thinking the note was meant for the employees,” shares Gina. “At Alex’s continued urging, I eventually opened the note and on it were the words, ‘Turn around.’ I quickly turned around and saw that Alex was down on one knee!” Of course, she said yes.
Keeping convenience for their attendees in mind, the sweethearts knew an Atlanta wedding would work perfectly for their special day. They worked with LUXE Atlanta Events to make their dreams a reality. As they began their journey of finding a venue, the bride and groom found a location emulating the Old-World European charm they desired. “My hope was to create a cozy, intimate and romantic space,” illustrates the bride of her vision for their historic venue, the Biltmore Ballrooms.
The bride was gorgeous in a vintage-inspired wedding gown by Claire Pettibone, with hair and makeup by Hope Ferguson fitting the look. She carried an elegant bouquet by Samara Florals, which featured neutral-toned blossoms to complement the décor, with a hint of color from the sweet peas, mauve-colored roses, and hellebores.
“My hope was to create a cozy, intimate and romantic space.”
The beautiful, grand ballroom for the ceremony was lined with trees to create a more intimate space inspired by residences in Europe, all of which was beautifully captured by A Sea of Love. Framing the altar, two large arrangements of maroon and burgundy blooms stood behind the bride and groom as they shared their own handwritten vows. “Writing our own vows and reciting them in front of our closest friends and family truly made me feel the weight of what we were entering into and made the moment all the more special,” muses the bride.
After they were pronounced husband and wife, the couple had a special surprise in store for their attendees. Leading up to the wedding, Alex and Gina spent hours choreographing a dance for their grand reception entrance to Oliver Cheatham’s “Get Down Saturday Night.” “We didn’t want a cheesy or elaborate dance given that neither of us are dancers,” explains the bride. “That song will now always be one of my favorites.”
For the reception décor, Milieu Décor provided a vintage mantle and beautiful lounge to add to the romantic aesthetic of the day. Tables were lined with lush flowers and romantic candlelight mirroring a garden-like essence, which complemented the pastel green walls of the ballroom and the vintage feel they hoped to capture. Stationery by One Creative Factory further showcased a timeless, understated elegance that brought the entire day together.
To keep their energy up as they danced to the tunes played by their DJ, Ballroom Blitz, the couple made sure their guests would not leave hungry. In addition to the delicious tiered wedding cake adorned with sprigs of greenery from Henri’s Bakery, guests indulged in Coca-Cola cupcakes that paid tribute to the couple’s hometown and Bold Catering continued to delight attendees with bite-sized chicken and waffles as a late night snack. Before the night ended, friends and family also snapped photos in the vintage-themed photo booth to create lasting memories.
Reflecting on her wedding experience, Gina stresses the importance of time management in the planning process. “Thanks to our planner and vendors, as well as my family and bridesmaids, everything got done – and beautifully so,” she assures. “But, if I had finalized some things earlier, I could have enjoyed the weeks and days leading up to the wedding much more.”
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