Location: Boston, Massachusetts, US
Setting: Ballroom and restaurant
Wedding season: Summer
The number of guests: 60
How long did the couple plan the event: 18 months
Wedding theme/style: Intimate, personalized and fun.
“Our story is a tale of unexpected love blossoming in the heart of New York City,” shares the couple. Their first date took place at Raines Law Room, a stunning speakeasy. They didn’t want the night to end, so they wandered over to Rockefeller Center to see the Сhristmas tree – “sadly, they didn’t plug the lights in, and Trent and I still joke that NYC was conserving energy that night.” As fate would have it, they soon discovered they worked in the same building, often meeting in the lobby for late-night rendezvous.
Elaine fondly shares her love for Trent, describing him as a thoughtful and creative individual, willing to spend hours creating something to bring a smile to her face. Recalling their engagement, she mentions the clever and engaging proposal she experienced. The night before their engagement, they attended a Tiesto concert at the Encore casino in Boston, highlighting their shared love for music and dancing. Trent cleverly tried to signal the impending proposal by suggesting Elaine get her nails painted over the energetic music. “I ignored this and showed up to the proposal with completely disheveled nails,” added Elaine. Additionally, Trent successfully tricked her by making her believe the proposal was a photo shoot for their corgi, Winnie, whom she adores. Elaine enthusiastically bought into this idea, arriving with a bag full of outfits for their dog. Smiling, Elaine recalls the moment of the proposal: “The photographer went to take a picture of Winnie and me, and when I turned around, Trent was behind me – I was so stunned that I forgot to take my hand off my hip (the way that I originally had it for the photo).”
The couple wanted their wedding looks to be timeless, classy, and elegant. Elaine had her heart set on a high-collar, long-sleeve lace wedding dress inspired by Grace Kelly, a style that proved to be uncommon in modern times. After months of searching, she realized that a custom dress was the only way to achieve her dream look, but the effort was well worth it. When the bridesmaids saw Elaine in her stunning wedding look, they were overwhelmed with emotion.
Trent matched Elaine’s look with a timeless black tuxedo. Their outfits were elegant yet understated.
Elaine shared the first look with not only her soon-to-be husband Trent but also with their fathers. It was a truly enchanting moment filled with love.
Just before the ceremony, the couple cherished a few tender moments with their dear guests and their beloved corgi, Winnie.
The ceremony took place at the Old South Church, where Trent and Elaine exchanged their vows in front of their beloved guests. Elaine is Korean, so they also included elements of her heritage throughout the day. One tradition they did was the Hap-Geun-Rye, where they exchanged wine to symbolize their union as one.
Elaine and Trent had always wanted a small wedding with only their closest friends and family. They also wanted every special moment captured, so they decided to collaborate with the talented photographer Laura Rose. She perfectly captured all the details and candid, heartfelt moments—from tender first looks and a heartfelt ceremony in the church to all the personalized touches and joyous dancing into the night.
Just before the reception began, the newlyweds and their guests gathered for a cocktail hour. “We wanted the opportunity to have deep conversations and celebration with each and every person attending, and we knew that wouldn’t be possible with a larger group,” added the couple. They also thought about the food, opting for incredible appetizers with a Korean flair during the cocktail hour.
“We didn’t really have a concept. We are firm believers that the components of a great party are food, alcohol, and lots of love. And this was the inspiration for our entire design,” sharing the newlyweds. They wanted a wedding that truly reflected who they are. Another Korean tradition they incorporated was including wooden ducks as their cake topper, symbolizing a lasting marriage as ducks mate for life. Also, their personal favorite was the food. They did an extravagant Italian course meal for dinner to honor Trent’s heritage.
Trent and Elaine also had a strong passion for music. They were inspired by the idea that a wedding is a chance to create your own personal club with your favorite people and music. Taking this to heart, they played an eclectic mix of millennial hits from artists like Lil Jon, Avicii, and Blink 182. “Many of our weekends during our first few years of dating were spent at clubs in NYC – we both LOVE music, and boy can Trent dance. When he dances, he will clear the entire floor, and it’s mesmerizing. I can’t quite dance like him but enjoy being his sidekick. We wanted our wedding to feel like one, giant party!“ added Trent and Elaine. The newlyweds and their guests danced the night away to these energetic tunes.
Advice from the couple:
• Be present during the big day. There are so many fleeting but amazing moments worth taking in – the nervousness in our voices as we read our vows, the way my maid of honor looked at me during her speech, the smiles on our parent’s faces, the gasps during our first dance. And it all goes by so fast.
PHOTOGRAPHER Laura Rose Weddings | VIDEO Clear Vision | PLANNER Jubilee Events | VENUE The Langham Boston | FLOWERS Jeri Solomon | MUAH Yin Tom | CAKE Dessert Works Bakery | DJ C-Zone (Max Baun) | RENTALS Peak Event Services | CHURCH Old South Church | VENUE (REHEARSAL DINNER) Mamma Maria | FLOWERS (REHEARSAL DINNER) Ilex Flowers
