Christine and Alan’s wedding at Timber Cove Resort brought together design, tradition, and deep personal touches. With the Pacific stretched behind them and the redwoods at their back, they hosted over a hundred guests for a summer weekend on California’s rugged Sonoma Coast. Duy Ho’s photographs captured the couple’s aesthetic through details like earth-toned florals, heirloom jewelry, and custom cocktail ice. The day also honored Christine’s Filipino heritage through symbolic wedding rituals passed down through generations.
Location: Sonoma Coast, California, USA
Style: Mid-century modern, minimalist, meaningful
Time of planning: 10 months
Number of guests: 125
Setting: Resort
Season: Summer
Christine and Alan met by chance outside a cocktail bar in Highland Park, a neighborhood in Los Angeles where both their paths had quietly overlapped. Christine grew up just a few miles away in Echo Park, and Alan had returned to the area after living abroad, drawn back to the place where he once studied. That quiet encounter quickly turned into something lasting, built on shared values of family, food, and fun, and from the beginning, they moved forward together.
Couple's Morning
In the morning, Christine’s mother helped her into the dress — the Celestia gown by Safiyaa — a structured off-white sheath with a sculptural bow detail at the back, chosen for its timeless elegance and effortless fit. Inspired by Audrey Hepburn, Christine paired it with pearl drop earrings from her mother and two meaningful bracelets: a gold heirloom from her own grandmother and a jade piece passed down from Alan’s.
Her cat-eye makeup and beehive-style updo by Brush The Salon added a subtle nod to mid-century style, while her Loeffler Randall platinum heels and Cuyana bow clutch were pieces she could wear again. A bouquet – a loose cascade of toffee roses, phalaenopsis orchids, and dried textural stems in desert neutrals – echoed the surrounding landscape.
Alan got ready surrounded by his groomsmen. His look was rooted in a timeless vision with a classic three-piece black suit from Suitsupply. A black tie and tailored fit that felt both traditional and personal. He paired it with Goodyear-welted black oxfords from Meermin and a boutonnière in soft neutrals to echo the coastal palette. Under the collar of his jacket, their wedding date was stitched in gold thread. He wore a Rolex Milgauss — a wedding gift from Christine — and tucked into his pocket a Boker Barlow knife, one of three he had engraved for himself, his father, and his brother.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place on a cliffside lawn at the resort, with uninterrupted views of the Pacific stretching behind the altar. Vanda Floral Design created sculptural floral installations from pampas grass, dried palm fans, and roses in coastal neutrals — warm toffee, dusty blush, and soft ivory. The aisle was lined with smaller arrangements of grasses and orchids in glass vessels, echoing the textures of the headpieces. With natural light washing across the chairs and ocean breeze carrying the scent of eucalyptus, the setting needed nothing more.
Alan’s close friend Ashley officiated the ceremony, designing a thoughtful, non-denominational service that honored all walks of life and faith. Christine and Alan chose not to write individual vows — instead, they composed a shared version, which they each read aloud in unison. The sea was calm behind them, and the structure of the ritual felt as timeless as the landscape surrounding it.
To honor Christine’s Filipino heritage, they incorporated symbolic traditions including the Unity Veil, Coins, Cord, and Unity Sand. Each element was handled by family members, further connecting the ceremony to their roots. At the center of it all stood the couple, cloaked together under a lace veil as a visual symbol of union — one of the most emotional moments of the day.
"The most incredible moment was seeing Christine walk down the aisle towards me, while trying to, unsuccessfully, hold back tears."
Decor & Setting
The reception unfolded on the north deck, where long wooden tables were dressed in stone-colored linens and set with gold flatware, pale ceramic plates, and taupe napkins embossed with guests’ names. The design featured minimalist bud vases arranged along the center of each table, filled with dried grasses, rust-toned textures, and seasonal blooms that matched the coastal palette.
Overhead, bistro lights were strung between heaters and beams, casting a warm glow as daylight softened. Lounge areas faced the ocean below, with vintage-style seating and a guestbook table adorned with framed family portraits, fresh florals, and Polaroid cameras ready to be used.
"We allowed the setting to be the inspiration and chose earth-toned florals that complemented the venue and appeared to have grown naturally in the surrounding landscape."
Private Moment
As the sun dropped low over the Sonoma cliffs, Christine and Alan stepped away for a short walk, just the two of them, with the ocean wind lifting the edges of her gown and the grasses catching the last of the light. Their photographer, Duy Ho, captured the stunning coastline and the silhouettes against the fading sky. The setting didn’t need much — just the two of them moving through the golden hour, wrapped in something quiet and steady.
"It is truly a feeling we will never forget."
Reception
Dinner was served family-style, just as Christine and Alan had envisioned, with long tables designed for conversation and shared plates passed across familiar hands. Guests wrapped themselves in blankets and raised glasses to the couple during a round of heartfelt toasts. Laughter moved easily between tables, and the atmosphere felt relaxed and warm, anchored by stories from siblings and close friends.
Later in the evening, the couple cut into their tiered cake by Franny’s Cup and Saucer, which featured almond marzipan, pistachio mousse, and Mayan chocolate layers. They laughed as they sliced the first piece together.
The dance floor opened indoors with music by Dart Collective, and the energy shifted again — jackets off, shoes traded for comfort, and the kind of dancing that keeps going long after the timeline ends.
"People who travelled to share this moment with us are what made our wedding so special and unique."
Advice from the couple:
• Don’t sweat the small stuff – there may be things that aren’t perfect, but chances are, no one will notice but you. Look at the big picture – everyone is there to celebrate your love!
• Hire a wedding planner! Rosie made the entire weekend happen without a hitch, and we were truly able to enjoy the weekend, almost as if we were guests!
• Hire a photographer who lets you be you. Christine is very camera-shy, but Duy Ho made us feel incredibly comfortable, and he caught so many great moments where we were able to just be ‘us’.
• Make sure you feel comfortable and beautiful in your wedding look and feel like yourself.
• Have your wedding planner set aside slices of your wedding cake for later! If it weren’t for Rosie, we wouldn’t have been able to eat full slices of our cake.
PHOTOGRAPHER Duy Ho | PLANNER Kismet Weddings | VENUE Timber Cove Resort | FLORIST Vanda Floral Design | MUAH Brush The Salon | CAKE Franny’s Cup and Saucer | ICE Abstract Ice | RENTALS Encore Events Rentals | DJ Dart Collective
