Da Wang and Sarnar’s wedding took place far from cities, timelines, and expectations. Set high above Sayram Lake in Xinjiang, the day moved at its own pace, shaped by the landscape and the couple’s wish for openness and ease. The planner Sugar Ting guided the experience with a clear sense of rhythm and intention, allowing the setting and the people within it to shape how the day unfolded.
Location: Sayram Lake in Bole City, Xinjiang, China
Style: Free-Spirited, Nature-Led, Intimate
Time of planning: 6 month
Number of guests: 20
Setting: Villa
Season: Summer
Da Wang and Sarnar both work in visual fields, and it shows in how they approach life and decisions. Da Wang is a tattoo artist, comfortable working slowly and intuitively with the human body. Sarnar works in photo post-production, shaping images after the moment has passed. Together, they share a quiet attention to detail and an ease with imperfection.
Both come from Xinjiang, a region shaped by cultural diversity and Mongolian nomadic traditions. Choosing to marry there was not about symbolism or nostalgia. It was simply where they felt most grounded. They invited only twenty people, keeping the day small enough to remain honest. Nothing needed to be staged or explained. The celebration stayed close, present, and shared among people who knew them well.
Concept & Location
Sayram Lake sits at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains and is considered one of the most striking natural landscapes in the region. Reaching the ceremony site required a one-hour hike to a hidden mountaintop meadow overlooking the water. The journey separated guests from daily life and placed everyone fully inside the landscape.
The concept grew from the couple’s wish to reconnect with their homeland. Natural materials such as leaves and reeds shaped the ceremony backdrop, allowing it to blend seamlessly with the surroundings. The scene felt less like decor and more like part of the meadow itself.
Sugar Ting approached the day with an intuitive understanding of rhythm and space, while floral design by Doris Wang complemented the setting with natural, restrained compositions. Together, their work prioritized flow over formality, allowing the celebration to feel grounded, honest, and fully connected to the landscape.
Wedding Day
Couple’s Fashion Choices
Fashion reflected a sense of untamed wilderness rooted in cultural identity. Traditional Mongolian elements appeared throughout the looks, including horse-riding-inspired headwear. These references grounded the styling in heritage while allowing room for modern silhouettes
Sarnar wore a flowing white dress that moved easily across the grassland. Soft draping added fluidity without distracting from the surroundings. Da Wang paired tailored pieces with ethnic accents, creating a look that felt contemporary yet deeply personal. Friends and guests followed the same spirit, blending traditional references with relaxed modern attire. Movement mattered more than polish, and every look belonged naturally in the landscape.
Makeup by Zaoxingshigangan stayed soft and expressive, enhancing natural features. For the reception, Sarnar changed into a tailored suit, giving her look a sharper, more confident edge while staying true to the relaxed spirit of the day.
Ceremony
The ceremony took place in a mountaintop meadow covered in blooming wildflowers and overlooking Sayram Lake. A circular arch framed the couple, echoing the landscape’s openness. No chairs defined the space. Guests stood where they felt comfortable.
Summer weather in the mountains proved unpredictable. A storm arrived during the ceremony, bringing rain and strong wind. Instead of retreating, everyone embraced it. Guests danced through the rain, and when the storm passed, a rainbow appeared above the lake.
The wedding rings echoed that same closeness to nature. They were handwoven from wildflowers and grass gathered directly from the meadow, turning the landscape itself into a quiet symbol of commitment. Nature shaped the pace and mood, turning uncertainty into a shared memory.
"The most special aspect of this wedding was that everyone broke free from tradition, dared to experiment, and embraced nature—dancing with it, just like how love happens."
Nature-Led Cocktail Moment
The transition from ceremony to celebration happened without structure. Music, wine, and movement flowed naturally as guests spread across the meadow. People laughed, sang, and danced freely, sitting on the grass or walking barefoot through the field.
"They wore traditional ethnic attire, and every element expressed a passionate connection to nature, leaving us with beautiful memories in front of the yurt.."
Reception & Decor
As evening approached, the celebration settled into an open-air dinner set directly on the grass, facing the lake and distant mountains. A long, low table was dressed in deep black linen, creating a strong contrast against the green meadow. Candles in simple glass holders and dark-toned vessels lined the center.
Guests gathered on layered rugs and an assortment of cushions placed casually around the table, mixing woven textures, earthy patterns, and soft neutrals. The setup felt relaxed and intentional, encouraging people to sit close, lean in, and stay awhile. The atmosphere was intimate and slightly wild, shaped by wind, shifting light, and the quiet hum of conversation.
This wedding stood apart because it resisted expectation. Tradition served as a reference rather than a rule. Nature replaced structure. Love here unfolded as a shared experience shaped by landscape and emotion. This day proved that when control fades, meaning often takes its place.
PLANNING & CONCEPT Sugar Ting | PHOTOGRAPHER Uncle Cat, Dapan1990 | FLORAL DESIGN Doris Wang | MAKEUP Zaoxingshigangan | BRIDE’S ATTIRE RETROJLOVE | WEDDING DESSERTS Alicechowcake
