Karlin + Gene

How did you meet?

The old fashioned way, in real life at a bar/pub. It was in my hometown of Huntington Beach, CA, U.S.A… He was living in San Francisco at the time so we had a long distance relationship for the first year; many flights and airline miles accrued during that time! I moved to San Francisco for work, and the rest is history 🙂

How did you know he was the one?

I knew he was the one when I saw his relationship with his immediate family, especially during times of hardship. The last few years have been difficult for his family both in terms of health and finances… He has supported them every step of the way and bending over backwards to help them. He is the glue that keeps his family together. Because of this, I know for certain that when we have our own family he will take care of it in the same way.

What are your three favourite attributes of your partner?

His empathy, generosity, and humor.

Where did you fall in love with your dress and why?

I saw the Carla dress on Instagram and was instantly drawn to it because it was a mix of sexy, modern, traditional, and unique features. The sheer bodice was sexy and modern. The neckline and train were traditional. The 3D lace was unique.

Who proposed and how?

He surprised me with a proposal in Florence, Italy! He arranged for a photographer to hide and take photos of my reaction (plenty of joyful tears were captured of course). We then spent almost an hour taking engagement photos.

What was the best moment for you at the wedding?

The photo shoot on the helipad on top of our venue was by far the best moment of the wedding. (I’ve added some of those pictures!) It was immediately after our ceremony so my husband and I were already on a high, but it was also a great time for us to be alone and savor the first few moments as partners in a quiet place surrounded by breathtaking views. Also, it was an unforgettable experience to see Thailand from that angle!

What surprised you most at or about your wedding?

The spontaneous Spice Girls dance number that my girls prepared for me!

What advice would you tell other brides?

Don’t worry too much about the small things that might go wrong; none of the guests if the napkin rings were supposed to be gold instead of white and no one will remember that anyway. The most important thing is that you’re marrying the love of your life and you’re creating memories with your family and friends!