An Epic L.A. Chinatown Wedding With an Off-the-Runway Loewe Dress, a Chinese Banquet, and 11 Custom Cocktails
The beginning of software engineers Nicole Wong and Carlo Biedenharn’s relationship was a slow burn. After their first “walk-and-talk” date around San Francisco’s Mission and Castro neighborhoods in 2019, Carlo parted with a wave and immediately jumped into an Uber. “I had no idea he even liked me,” remembers Nicole, who also works as a freelance event planner and bridal stylist. “But he texted me later that week asking about some of the charcoal I drew from a creative workshop.”
Sparks finally ignited on their third date, when they went to see Duckwrth perform at the California Academy of Science. “We were on such a high from getting to know each other that we enjoyed the unusually warm night in S.F. and walked all the way to Dolores Heights," she recalls. "My apartment had the most incredible view of San Francisco, and we ate ice cream on my balcony late into the night. As I walked Carlo out, I giggled so much because I knew what was coming. Carlo gave me the quickest peck on the lips and that was our first kiss.”
Since Nicole always knew she wanted a vintage engagement ring, she took advantage of a long layover in New York City to visit antique jewelry dealers with a friend. She found a platinum round diamond ring from 1930 and immediately began crying when she put it on. “I still call it my ‘cry ring,’” she adds. She called Carlo and they purchased it that day. However, he didn’t propose until a year later, on November 25, 2022, when the couple traveled to Ghent, Belgium from their new London home. Before going to find a lunch spot, Nicole caught a WhatsApp message on Carlo’s phone that said, “I am in position,” before he quickly swiped it away. “Too late though,” says Nicole. “I had the biggest grin on my face but pretended like nothing happened.” Carlo took them to a bridge and got down on one knee as a photographer took snaps from across the street.
Nicole and Carlo love to throw a party and knew their wedding had to be their best one yet. “Our main focus was to create an experiential wedding that felt unique but truly like us and thoughtfully included all of our loved ones," shares the bride, who created extensive Pinterest boards to curate their vision. “We wanted it to be luxurious, glamorous, electric…yet relaxed, elegant, and chic—where everyone could truly enjoy the day with us.” They communicated their wedding dreams to planners Giulia White and Sophia Pizzulo of Frankie Louise, who “effortlessly translated our ideas into reality and offered valuable suggestions that perfectly aligned with our aesthetic wedding vision,” says Nicole. “But, what truly stood out was their unparalleled patience and kindness. Their willingness to go above and beyond to make our wedding day special was heartwarming and deeply appreciated.”
The couple wanted to honor Nicole s heritage and her native L.A. roots by hosting a Chinese banquet wedding reception in the city’s Chinatown neighborhood. “Chinatown has always been so important to both sides of my family,” she explains. Not only did she grow up visiting her maternal grandparents’ home in the neighborhood, but her grandfather’s family owned a famous restaurant, Hung Far Low, in Portland’s Chinatown. The duo decided the Golden Dragon was the ideal location for their fête. “The Golden Dragon’s bar and banquet room, adorned with intricate metallic wallpaper and stunning carved wood, captured our imagination," says Nicole. "We sought to elevate the restaurant while maintaining the authenticity of a Chinese banquet.”
One non-negotiable for the couple was that the reception dinner had to flow into an incredible after-party. “We envisioned an epic dance floor and revelry that stretched into the late hours—at least by California standards,” says Nicole. Cocktail bar General Lee’s was the perfect fit. Not only did the space allow for dancing on two different floors (with two different DJs and live horns by Dart Collective), but it held sentimental value for the bride. “My maternal grandfather had worked there as a chef when it was a restaurant,” she explains. Carlo collaborated with General Lee’s lead bartender Philip Ly on a custom cocktail list complete with 11 unique drinks. The menu featured craft concoctions like the “Dancing Dragon,” made with lemongrass-infused mezcal, Thai chili, Markut lime, galangal, cilantro, and tomato juice, plus a variety of tasty mocktails for non-drinking guests, and a crowd-favorite PB&J shot. “It really did taste like PB&J,” adds the bride. "It was absolutely wild to taste!"
Before the party could commence, the pair would first need to say “I do.” While the bride originally envisioned a garden wedding, she didn t want guests spending too much time in shuttles, driving around L.A. “And unfortunately, you’re not going to find too many garden weddings downtown,” Nicole says. Pivoting, their planners led them to Frankie Los Angeles, an industrial space with high ceilings and lots of natural light. “Although it is a warehouse, the funky florals by Storyline Florals Co., created such a beautiful and warm space," she shares.
The couple wanted the day’s fashion to fit their wedding’s bold, elevated aesthetic. The groom looked chic in a three-piece bespoke suit by Taillour, while their friends and family followed a “festive formal” dress code. Nicole says, “We wanted guests to come dressed in color and to have fun with their outfits without worrying about outshining us on our day.” However, outdressing the bride would be nearly impossible.
For the ceremony, Nicole wanted to channel the glamorous and chic looks of the ‘20s and ’30s. “I tried on a total of 108 dresses before settling on the second one I tried on—the Danielle Frankel Simone,” she shares. “I fell for it instantly, and cried every time I put it on. I love how the dress has so much drama in its minimalism.” To make her walk down the aisle even more show-stopping, Nicole had the design studio extend the train of the gown. She also donned a bespoke Monvieve veil. “The lace and organza paired so beautifully with my dress,” she reminisces.
For the reception, the bride shifted her look from classic to surreal. After falling in love with Loewe s SS23 show, she reached out to the brand to see if they could recreate a stunning bustier dress complete with two 3D-printed anthuriums along the bustline. “The full making of the dress required several weeks due to the complexity of techniques applied. The fabric drapes so gracefully, it’s luxuriously soft, and the color, though it might seem simple in photos, is breathtaking in person,” shares Nicole. She paired the dress with Loewe pumps and a vintage lime green Issey Miyake jacket she found at an estate sale that she threw on at the last minute. “This whole outfit made me feel like an art piece,” she says.
