Though Anthony Yu thought he made a great first impression on Kristin Kim during their first week of business school, “she had forgotten we met!” admits Anthony, remembering the moment she re-introduced herself a few days later. Laughs Kristin, “We were lucky enough to have two ‘first meetings’!” Thankfully, they both made an impression on each other at that event, and a budding romance began. “I remember thinking to myself when I first met Kristin that she was the exact person I could see myself falling for. I told myself to take it slow, but that was a lost cause,” muses Anthony.

After graduating and relocating to San Francisco together, Anthony was ready to propose. “Despite all the changes that a move across the country brings – in addition to the demanding schedules of our new hectic jobs – the one constant was our love and support for one another,” he affirms. Armed with the blessings of her parents, Anthony consulted with his future mother-in-law before designing a striking engagement ring to present to his beloved. Following a hike down to a beach that offers a picturesque view of their new city, he proposed. “It was perfect,” shares Kristin.

When planning their wedding day, the couple chose to host their celebration in Santa Monica – where they had their first date. After enjoying six months of engagement bliss, the pair hired a celebrity event designer to coordinate the details of their affair. “It was difficult for Anthony to be as involved as he would have liked due to his schedule,” confirms Kristin, “but that’s where our amazing wedding planner Tessa Brand of Tessa Lyn Events became an absolute blessing!”

Though they do not attend church regularly, it was important to the bride and groom that they exchange vows in a house of worship. “We wanted to follow certain rites of the marital ceremony that have become sacred and special throughout the time-honored traditions of generations of marriages before us,” explains the bride. She was resplendent in a gorgeous strapless gown featuring a low back and oversized bow – worn with a sheer top throughout the proceedings – as she made her way towards her groom.

Following the vow exchange, the couple drove a vintage “something blue” Porsche 356 Speedster from the sanctuary to the reception venue. “Our hair was both getting mussed and my makeup was smudging, but it was such an exhilarating drive – our first as husband and wife – that we just savored the moment,” smiles the bride of the special moment.

“It was such a beautiful moment celebrating our love with our closest friends and family who came from different backgrounds and walks of life to be there with us on our special day.”

Since Kristin grew up on the East Coast and Anthony on the West Coast, the pair wanted their soirée to reflect their upbringings. The formal ballroom of a glamorous beachfront hotel with a view of the Pacific Ocean provided the perfect fusion of their opposite-coast personalities for dinner and dancing. “We wanted our wedding day to bring to life the idea of ‘Manhattan black tie meets LA cool,’” reveals the bride of the timeless, elegant, and refined celebration that had a relaxed, fun twist.

Since the ballroom itself showcases an elegant design in a soft, coastal palette of sand and seafoam, the space was enhanced with exquisite décor in crisp shades of white with gilt accents. Crystal chandeliers glistened above tables adorned with centerpieces highlighting vanilla roses, tulips, hydrangeas, and orchids. The newlyweds’ sweetheart table was placed in front of a striking wall of greenery and alabaster blossoms that provided the pair with a clear view of their loved ones. Attendees savored a four-course meal, as well as slices of a classic confection and a surprise groom’s cake in the shape of their beloved pup, before making their way to the dance floor.

Though classical music provided the ceremony soundtrack and jazz and Motown was played over cocktails, pop and hip-hop music was enjoyed throughout the reception. “Naturally, there was a bit of an East Coast vs. West Coast rap and hip-hop rivalry... I would say the West Coast won,” smiles the groom. Though neither the bride nor groom are Jewish, their friends spontaneously started the hora. “It was such a beautiful moment celebrating our love with our closest friends and family who came from different backgrounds and walks of life to be there with us on our special day,” he adds.

The bride encourages other couples to appreciate every moment: “It’s true what they say, it goes by far too quickly!” The groom shares the same sentiments. “It’s a cliché,” he notes, “but it truly was the happiest day of my life.”