Real Wedding | Jimin & John

Jimin and John’s wedding was planned to feel like an intimate backyard dinner party with friends.   Handmade invitations. Fresh picked flowers in vintage mason jars.  Abundant candles and a very relaxed bride made for a perfect evening set in a Virginia winery.  What a perfect start to a long and happy marriage.

Jimin & John | August 1, 2009 | Hillsborough Vineyards, Purcellville, Virginia

How he proposed
Approaching our one year anniversary of dating, I knew John and I would have to spend this day separately since I was in California visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, and John had to stay in DC for work, where we are currently from. Meanwhile, I had decided to hang out with a friend from LA and go check out The Getty Villa in Malibu, CA. Not knowing that John had been planning every moment of this day’s events.  My friend Jenn and I were walking around The Getty Villa until she left me alone to go to the bathroom, or so I thought. John literally came out of no where, surprised me not only with his visit, but with a very very surprising proposal!

The ceremony
Who ever knew there were beautiful vineyards in Virginia? We were married in a serene Tuscan-looking vineyard in Purcellville, Virginia called Hillsborough Vineyards on a late Summer afternoon. Our outdoor ceremony was on the deck of an original barn house, overlooking the vineyards and a beautiful view. We got lucky with the weather.

The moment Jimin will never forget
Seeing John for the first time on our wedding day! We saw each other all dolled up, and I instantly cried a mess.

My second favorite moment is captured best in some of the photographs. My sister (MOH) and bridesmaids running in with a hello kitty napkin to stop my “face” from melting on me.

The reception
Our reception of 100 guests was held in the intimate and barn-like indoor reception area of Hillsborough Vineyards. The atmosphere of the night was romantic, intimate and relaxed. We wanted our guests to feel as if they were spending a fun night at someone’s backyard barn, with yummy organic food, wine and good friends.

The wedding theme
While I never had a color theme, all I wanted was a barn-like relaxed vintage atmosphere. The winery was so beautiful to begin with, that we didn’t have to do much for the decorations. I handmade and printed all the invitations, decorations and signs myself, with the help of my incredibly talented artist friend Dan-ah Kim (www.dkim-art.com). I used lots of different shades of gray, green and beige (talk about no color theme). Flowers were picked by whatever was most fresh that day and placed into vintage mason jars. Candles and lanterns were placed everywhere. I think the entire wedding was carried not by one color or one centerpiece, but by the personal and vintage touch I tried to add to everything. It was fun and easy planning a wedding where not everything needed to look perfect and match!


What made her wedding dress “The One”
I wanted a dress that was simple, comfortable and a bit Grecian goddess looking. I picked out my dress from the David’s Bridal catalog, went into the store, tried it on along with other similar styles, and came out with it. I wasn’t emotional at all about this process, but felt that this dress fit the rest of my vintage romantic wedding perfectly well. I loved the dress!

Her advice for other brides
It is the biggest day of your life, but then again, it’s just one day of your life. Decide on what’s most important for you, your groom, and your guests. As long as you keep reminding yourself of those things, you won’t have nights of panic and hopefully you won’t become a bridezilla! After everything, you, your husband and your guests won’t remember how expensive and elaborate the centerpieces and wedding venue were, but will remember the love and good times everyone shared that night.

Jimin’s Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal 9ST9637
Wedding Photography: Brian Lusby