Our #GLBride of the week is the lovely Aileen Chang, who married her fiancé Steven in our GALA-210. The couple held a romantic rustic wedding filled with personal touches at the Brooklyn Winery in NYC. In the following interview, Aileen shares with us the behind-the-scenes details of her wedding day and when she found the dress of her dreams. As told by Aileen:
How did you meet your husband? Tell us a little bit about your relationship.
Steven and I first met through a dinner organized by a mutual friend – coincidentally we were filling in for two people whom had dropped out last minute! We ran into each other again two months later and that’s where we hit it off.
How did he propose?
On the last night of a road trip from Austin to Marfa, he proposed in the privacy of our little motel. I loved that we were able to just soak in the moment by ourselves.
How did you start planning your wedding? What were the first steps?
We decided early on that we wouldn’t hire a wedding planner, so our first steps were to draft a guest list, find a venue, and create a Zola account.
Did you do any beauty or fitness prep for your big day?
I didn’t follow a specific regimen other than making sure to eat well, get enough sleep, and keep myself hydrated leading up to the big day. I did get a deep cleansing facial about a month prior to give my skin time to settle down post-treatment.
What was your wedding theme?
Rustic and romantic – our main colors were brown, green, burgundy, and blush pink.
How did you choose your location?
We looked at a couple of venues in New York, but Brooklyn Winery ticked all the boxes for us. We particularly loved the natural elements and lighting in the atrium where we held our ceremony.
How did you decide on your bridesmaid style?
I wanted to find something that looked unique but wouldn’t require many alterations since my bridesmaids were scattered around the world. Through extensive scrolling on social media, my maid of honor found the perfect two-piece ensemble: a blush pink lace top paired with a burgundy tulle skirt.
How did you find your perfect dress?
Frankly, I didn’t know much about wedding dresses until I started the process. One of my bridesmaids sent me a list of designers she thought I would like, and Galia Lahav very quickly caught my eye. I tried several dresses but as soon as I saw the Gala 210 I knew it was the one.
How was your experience with the Galia Lahav brand?
My experience was wonderful! Since my wedding planning timeline was relatively short, Galia Lahav rushed my order without any additional cost. The intricacy and attention to detail that went into the dress are astounding. I’m still getting compliments to this day!
What was the most important thing for you and your husband when planning your wedding?
Our #1 priority was to make sure all our guests had a good time and were properly accommodated, especially ones that were traveling from elsewhere. We knew we wouldn’t have enough time to talk to everyone the day of the wedding, so we decided to make it a weekend-long celebration by hosting welcome drinks the night before, an afterparty the night of, and a brunch the morning after. Organizing the events took a lot of time and effort, but it was so worth it.
What was your first wedding song?
We had our first dance to a cover of “The Luckiest” by Kina Grannis and Imaginary Future (originally by Ben Folds).
What did you enjoy the most about planning your wedding?
We really enjoyed putting our own personal touches on the wedding and seeing it all come together on the day itself.
What advice would you give to all our future brides?
Trust your gut and don’t let the little things stress you out. Even if some things don’t go as planned, at the end of the day you will be married to the love of your life and that’s all that matters!
What moment from your wedding will you never forget?
It’s impossible to pick just one! My favorite moments were our first look, exchanging vows, and dancing the night away with our friends and family from all over the world.
