What is your favorite wedding day memory?

My favorite wedding day memory would have to be the bridal party introduction leading into our First Dance as Husband & Wife!! Jimmy and I are big dancers {our first date was a hip-hop class}, so we knew we wanted to showcase that part of us during the wedding. Our superhero wedding party learned a whole dance routine during rehearsal and absolutely nailed it the day of! We had so much fun running through our “JV Team” banner {which we also made out of butcher paper!} and jamming out with our Bridesmaids and Groomsmen. We then surprised everyone {including the bridal party} with a bride & groom solo hip-hop dance! We spent countless nights practicing and just let it all out on the dance floor! It set the mood for the party to come and was a really special moment for us to perform with one another.

What did you DIY for your wedding?

It may be easier for us to list out what part of our wedding was not DIY…as pretty much every aspect of our wedding had DIY incorporated in it! Our biggest and most intensive DIY project would have to be our flowers. With the help of our framily {friends + family!} we made all seven bouquets, boutonnieres, 15 centerpieces {and the vases!} and various floral arrangements throughout the reception. Another rewarding DIY was the design and assembly of our Save The Dates and Invitations – down to the envelope liners! My parents hand-made the floating flowers we used as our sweetheart table backdrop. Their help throughout the entire wedding process knew no bounds! Lastly, we customized stickers for the Hersey Kisses that served as our wedding favors. I measured and cut the velvet ribbons that wrapped around the favor box, and created the wax seals that were affixed atop each and every box; it was definitely a process, but nothing a night with the girls over a glass of wine couldn’t fix! The actual wedding day was such a whirlwind that we are so happy that we have photos to look back on all the personal touches on our big day!

Did you have a something old, new, borrowed and blue?

My Something Old: Valentino shoes, my Something New: Wedding Dress + Veil, my Something Borrowed: Earrings from my Bridesmaid and my Something Blue: Penguin slippers worn while getting ready.

Any advice for brides currently in the planning process?

Wedding planning is going to be a roller coaster, but probably the best one you’ll ever go on! There is a seemingly daunting and endless list of tasks to tackle, but never lose sight that your wedding day is to celebrate your union and new life together! It’s so easy to get lost in the minutia and details, but take time outside of wedding planning to take a breather with your fiance: go on a date, go watch a movie, heck, just go for a walk! Make sure you still set aside time for the two of you throughout the whole process. When your big day arrives, the only thing that will matter in the end is you two. Enjoy the day, steal little moments with one another, and revel in all the hard work that culminated in your best day, ever! – Val, the Bride

Event Credits

Photographer: Jenny Fu Studio // Venue: Metropolitan Building // Day of Coordination The Dedicated New Yorker // Officiant: Hillsong Church // Videographer: Shutter and Sound // DJ: DJ Kevin Lim // Photo Booth: The U Booth // Draping: Melissa's Creation // Lighting: Universal Light & Sound // Rentals: Broadway Party Rentals // Cake: Yeh's Bakery // Hair + Make-up: Sachiko Yanase // Hair + Make-up: Beauty with Grace // Bride's Ceremony Attire: JLM Couture // Bride's Ceremony Shoes: Valentino // Bride's Reception Attire: Jenny Packham // Bride's Reception Shoes: Nike // Maid of Honor Attire: Adrianna Papell // Bridesmaid's Attire: Donna Morgan // Groom's Attire: Robbie & Co Men's Shop