A Modern Asian Wedding At Vibiana in Los Angeles, California

After briefly meeting each other in Los Angeles in 2012, Bel Laoboonchai and Alan Joseph didn’t truly connect until a year later. While visiting Las Vegas for a bachelor and bachelorette party, they spent time chatting and hanging out, casually getting to know each other. Eventually, Alan asked Bel out on their first official date – a Naked and Famous concert – which marked the beginning of their relationship.

In March of 2015, Bel and Alan were at the Huntington Library in Pasadena, reminiscing about their early days together and strolling through the Japanese garden. There, Alan proceeded to share his childhood list of life goals.

First, he wanted to be a businessman or a doctor when he grew up. Second, he wanted to drive a Porsche – which he noted, “may have to wait a few years.” And third, he wanted to marry a woman “who was as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.” At that moment, Bel realized that a proposal was about to happen. Alan popped the question with a beautiful engagement ring in hand.

Knowing it was going to be a busy year, as Bel was completing her doctorate degree and writing her dissertation at the time, the couple began their wedding planning process right away. Bel had her heart set on a wedding at Vibiana; and once the wedding venue was booked, Rob Greer was brought on as the wedding photographer. “We have seen his work before, and both of us loved his style,” Alan describes. Aquafuzion was also hired as the wedding planner, making the couple’s experience smooth and stress-free.

The bride and groom envisioned a wedding that incorporated Chinese traditions with a Western ceremony, along with décor that was modern, minimal and elegant. At the start of the big day, the bridal party played games while the bride was dressed in red, waiting for the groom to pick her up for a customary Chinese tea ceremony – an important way for the couple to show respect and appreciation for their parents.

Once the tea ceremony was over, the bride changed into her wedding gown for a first look moment before celebrating their ceremony and reception. Exchanging gifts, she gave Alan a small model of a Porsche – a nod to his childhood wish list – while he gave her a handmade card with his vows.

“We were so happy to see our guests, and so thrilled that many of them travelled from far places to be with us,” the couple says. “Our wedding certainly marked a major milestone moment for us, and we knew we would be cherishing those moments for many years to come.”