How did you meet?
Nick and I met at sea while sailing together on the Florida Voyager, and from the very beginning, there was something effortless between us.We bonded over our laid-back personalities and shared sense of humor, often indulging in a few harmless pranks within our department.When our time on the ship came to an end, the real challenge began: maintaining a relationship across state lines. But Nick never let the distance feel like a barrier. We made regular trips back and forth between Colorado and Nevada, and through it all, we discovered that with a little laughter and a lot of love, we could handle anything. Somewhere between the miles and months apart, we realized we made an incredible team, both at sea and in life.
When did you become engaged, and how?
Nick proposed to me on a moose-viewing date at Estes Park on April 21, 2024, just six months before our wedding day. We hadn’t had any luck spotting moose before the proposal, but afterward, as if on cue, we finally found some! The proposal was a little belated as we had already picked out our venue and wedding date. That was my fault. Nick knew none of the common ring designs would catch my eye, and only something truly one-of-a-kind would do. He went above and beyond, setting up an appointment with an amazing custom ring company, CustomMade, that guided me through the entire design process to make sure my ring was absolutely perfect. It was the sweetest gesture, proving once again that he knows me better than anyone, and that the best things are always worth the wait.
#WeddingGoals
At first, I wasn’t sure how I wanted everything to come together. Luckily, my wedding planner, Kendall with Kendall Melissa Events, helped simplify the process by asking me to describe the feeling I wanted for my wedding in just three words. I chose “fun,” “memorable,” and “relaxing” to guide the vision for the day. Beyond that, all I knew was that I wanted delicious food for everyone to enjoy—that’s why I made sure to offer a variety of options, including Chinese cuisine, a ribeye-carving station, sushi bar, and even a pizza-turned-taco bar. For dessert, we had Dippin’ Dots, a coconut pandan crepe cake, and chocolate cake to close out the night!
How did planning go? Best moment? Worst Moment?
The planning was fun at first, but it soon became overwhelming with so many decisions to make! I honestly had no idea what goes into planning a wedding, so I was incredibly grateful to have professional help. My favorite part was finalizing the contracts with each of my amazingly talented and unique vendors. The toughest moment, however, was having to cut a few things from our plans to prevent the already stretched budget from getting out of hand.
How would you describe the ceremony?
The ceremony was simple, with no bridal party or special scripts, but the backdrop of the mountains and the ceremony being shaded by oak trees made it absolutely breathtaking. The one special touch we did include was having our sweet dog, Behr, walk down the aisle as our ring bearer. He was the most handsome boy!
Memorable Moment
A memorable moment from our reception was when our cake cutting turned into a full-on karaoke session. When the famous Chinese song Shang Hai Tan (Bund in Shanghai) by Frances Yip played, my mom, sister, grandma, and all of my aunties gathered and sang their hearts out!
Did you have any special cultural features to your wedding or factors that celebrated the heritage of you or your family?
I wanted to subtly incorporate my family’s Chinese heritage into our wedding celebrations. The night before, we held a private tea ceremony to honor the elders and share a special moment with my family. On the wedding day, we served traditional Chinese dishes, including a whole roasted pig and Peking duck bao as hors d’oeuvres during the cocktail hour. Midway through the reception, I changed into a traditional red qipao dress, matching my husband’s custom qipao suit, to close out the evening in style!
Any funny or unexpected wedding moments that happened throughout the day?
After our ceremony, as we were heading to take photos, my wedding planner informed me that our late-night pizza vendor had transportation issues and wouldn’t make it. Panic set in, but luckily, our amazing catering vendor, The Bee’s Cafe++ Catering, came to the rescue. They were able to set up a last-minute taco bar, and our guests are still raving about how they were the most delicious tacos they’ve ever had!
Special Songs
Cake Cutting Song: “Best Partners” by Sam Hui
Last Dance Song: “Life With You” by Kelsey Hart
What was the best part of your day?
Amber: The best part of my day was finally seeing my handsome husband during our first look. I was pretty nervous and anxious about how the day would unfold, but when he turned around with that goofy smile of his, all my worries melted away. We couldn’t help but joke and giggle, as if it were any other day!
Nick: The best part of the day for me was the first look. After months of hearing about the wedding dress and makeup, I was finally able to see just how beautiful my wife looked!
What was your favorite detail from your wedding day?
Our favorite detail from our wedding day was how our color palette of vibrant red, bubblegum pinks, and shiny gold came to life throughout the florals, favors and decor. The rich, bold hues added such a festive and joyful energy to the entire celebration. From the stunning floral arrangements to the personalized touches in our favors, every detail reflected the playful and lively spirit we wanted for our special day. It was a perfect blend of elegance and fun that really made the day unforgettable!
#VendorRaves
All of my vendors were outstanding, and I highly recommend them to all couples planning their wedding!
However, there were a couple who really stood out, especially my food caterers. The Bee’s Cafe++ Catering provided not only delectable food but also exceptional service. Each dish was a culinary masterpiece, leaving our guests raving about the flavors and presentation. From the cocktail hour appetizers to the main course and sushi bar, everything was a hit! What truly set The Bee’s Cafe++ Catering apart was their flexibility and dedication. They went above and beyond to source a variety of exquisite dishes, including our special requests for Peking duck and a succulent suckling pig, both of which wowed our guests. When we faced a last-minute hiccup with a no-show caterer, they stepped in to save the day by providing a taco bar that kept our guests happy and satisfied.
Another vendor worth mentioning is Dippin’ Dots. They were my favorite unique addition to the day. On a hot wedding day, they provided a fun and delicious dessert option that was an instant hit! Dippin’ Dots are my favorite dessert, and they were non-negotiable for our wedding. I wanted to mention them because many people may not know that they cater to events like weddings, making them a fun and tasty option for anyone looking to add something different to their celebration.
Advice from the couple:
My advice to couples planning their wedding is to be as selfish as they want when deciding what to include in their perfect day. Family expectations and traditions should only be part of the plan if they truly resonate with you, not because of outside pressure. Trying to meet or exceed others’ expectations can take away from creating a wedding that’s uniquely yours.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
If I could change a few things, first I would have set aside time for my hubby and me to take a dance lesson or two and showcase a fun first dance! Second, I would have reviewed every wedding detail more thoroughly beforehand to ensure everything was perfectly prepared. That way, I wouldn’t have had to make last-minute decisions on a day that should have been carefree and relaxing!
