Couple: Eliza & Daniel
Wedding Date: November 2, 2024
Wedding Venue: Topping Rose House
Wedding City / Country: Bridgehampton, NY
Ceremony Dress: Julia
Eliza & Daniel's Intimate Hamptons Wedding at Topping Rose House
Tell us more about your love story. How did you meet and where?
We met on Bumble during the New York COVID lockdown, we facetimed each other in the first few months then met in person after lockdown was lifted. 4 and half years later, we're here!
What do you love most about your partner?
He studied and lived in foreign countries throughout his college and graduate years where I have similar experiences. Therefore, we could always exchange stories and thoughts about that.
What was your first impression of each other?
He was cute and respectful. He thought I was pretty and chill. 😂 We talked a bunch about what’s been happening in life and work easily with open hearts and attitude, which brought us close very quickly.
How did your partner propose? Share your proposal story!
We picked out the ring together near my work. It was the same guy who made his mom’s ring. We knew the proposal would be during the September 22 weekend before my trip back to China so somehow I just thought it would be on a Saturday.
Then the Friday after work, he asked if I wanted to have a ride to the ocean and then go to the grocery store. On the way there, I realized a takeout container got knocked over in my canvas bag (we went to All American Hamburger the day before - one of the best burger places on Long Island!). It got spilled all over - quite a disaster, ketchup was everywhere all over my phone, key chains, and wallet.
I was still wiping them as we pulled into the parking lot. I had the idea of using a bit of the ocean water to wash my key chains. I was washing for a while, and didn’t realize he was trying to get me to stand up. I stood up, then he kneeled down. I was surprised even though we sort of have planned the proposal together. Guess the ketchup container was a paid actor.
"You could see the Milky Way that night with bare eyes. We stood on the grass starting at the sky for a while before going to bed."
How did you decide on your wedding theme and venue? What was your inspiration behind it?
We got engaged in September 2023 and didn’t have a specific date for the wedding, we were just thinking to do it the following year. The only thing we knew at the time was that we would need to find a venue ASAP to see what dates are still available for next year.
We looked through a handful of places on Long Island and picked Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton. One side of Daniel's family grew up there so it would be familiar for us. We knew we wanted to have a simple and small wedding, with just family and close friends.
The wedding day was just perfect. It’s everything that we wanted. We had the best time ever. Both of us were just enjoying the moments, enjoying each other’s company, and being with the people we love. It’s one of those warm November days, we had the most beautiful weather.
The after party location is a bar across from the venue, and they happened to have Karaoke night that evening. So we had another unforgettable moment there. The sky that night was so clear as Daniel and I walked back to the hotel. You could see the Milky Way that night with bare eyes. We stood on the grass staring at the sky for a while before going to bed.
Were there any unexpected surprises throughout the journey?
It went so smooth and beautiful. I was lucky to have all the great vendors taking care of me the whole day. My friend/ maid of honor Tara said I’m the most chill bride she’s ever seen haha. I felt really relaxed and excited, even though adrenaline level was high. I have vivid memories of the day. I love that we had our private vows, so intimate and memorable. I love that we cried it out on the rehearsal day when we exchanged the “standard vows”. It made the ceremony and wedding day more relaxing.
What made you choose our Julia gown?
It’s a lot more affordable than similar material/ designs at actual stores. And I love online shopping, I hated offline shopping since I was 5 years old. When I was a kid, my mom would have to drag me from store to store to buy clothes for me. Let alone to have me try on wedding dresses one after one in front of a lot of people!
Was there a special touch in styling the gown on the big day?
The French Bustle was an add-on. The hook actually would not stay hooked if I moved, so I had 2 safety bins connected together where the two hooks were sewed onto the dress. I recommended to Bone and Grey after on making a different type of the French bustle design.
How did your friends or family react when they first saw you in your wedding gown?
Everyone saw the Julia gown for the first time on the wedding day. When my mom saw the dress in the morning in my room, she was amazed by the luxurious material. Everyone loved it and couldn’t stop complimenting about it.
A Celebration of Two Cultures in a Heartfelt Ceremony at Bridgehampton, New York
What was the most memorable part of your wedding that you love up till today?
Almost everything - the private vow and the first look. Our bilingual ceremony, speaking to each other in each other’s native language. Our beautiful band, the reception. The karaoke night after party. I just felt so happy and loved and relaxed the whole day.
Advice for brides-to-be...
You will have the most beautiful wedding day.
Just enjoy each other’s company and go with the flow. Definitely book the venue first and try to book things early. I booked the venue then didn’t do a second thing until a couple of months later.
The last 3 months before the wedding was quite busy for us, because we didn’t book any videographer/ lighting/ ceremony audio, and the rehearsal dinner location was having a manager change. I also changed my mind on getting a dress with a train (that Bone and Grey Bridal took care of in the most speedy way which was help sent by god!).
There would be a lot of things going on and maybe wouldn't go exactly as you expected but as long as you two stay communicated and face it together, it would all work out. Go with the flow.
Wedding Vendors
Wedding Gown: Bone and Grey Bridal - Julia Gown | Get a similar veil to the one Eliza wore
Wedding Day Coordinator: Glint By Osa | @glintbyosa
Photographer: @aryuna.ph
Videographer: MariAmaze Films | @mariamazefilms
Makeup & Hair: @bar_makeup
Florist: Poppy Flowers Co | @poppyflowersco
Food / Catering: Topping Rose House | @toppingrosehouse
Lighting/ Ceremony Audio: Hampton Sound | @hamptonsound
Band: Hoo Doo Loungers | @hoodooloungersband
Seamstress: Olympia Anima Alterations (Merrick, NY)