Cultural Details and Tropical Décor Shine in Wedding at Hartley Botanica

Charles and Kathy’s love story, began on the digital pathways of Coffee Meets Bagel and was nurtured from Toronto to San Francisco, reaching a crescendo at their enchanted garden wedding. Their motif was a mesmerizing fusion of traditional Chinese elements and striking tropical vibes. The ceremony was a picturesque scene with an archway draped in cascading wisteria, setting the stage for their vows and the traditional jiaobeijiu unity shot with cups of maotai, symbolizing their union in a culturally rich manner. The reception space was transformed into a vintage Shanghai soiree, illuminated by a canopy of red lanterns that danced above a checkered dance floor surrounded by lush palms. The décor, a rich tapestry of red and gold with peach accents, reflected the couple’s love for bold moments. In a pivot toward the unexpected, the couple’s first dance evolved from an intimate sway to a surprise celebration with electronic dance music and smoke bombs. The whole wedding party joined in, culminating in the couple and their EDC totem being hoisted into the air. Kathy changed from a breathtaking Lazaro ballgown paired with a custom Chinese headpiece into a striking red gown. The wedding was filled with unique touches: heart-shaped fans, bubble guns, custom engraved chopsticks and a midnight snack of instant ramen.