An Airy and Ethereal Wedding at Vibiana in Los Angeles, California

For Michelle Kong and Jesus Gonzalez, timing was everything when it comes to their love story. Introduced through mutual friends, the two noted some chemistry between them early on, but either Michelle or Jesus was always in a relationship and couldn’t commit to anything more. “It seemed it just wasn’t meant to be,” Michelle recalls. “That all changed when we reconnected after about a year and a half of not running into each other. We were both single and in good places in our lives. The attraction was real on so many levels. The rest is history.”

During New Year’s Eve of 2017, the couple was celebrating their two-year anniversary at One & Only Palmilla in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. “When the countdown to midnight hit zero and fireworks started lighting up the sky, we kissed,” says Michelle. “I looked up at the fireworks and when I looked back down, he was on one knee, saying the words every girl dreams of hearing: ‘Will you marry me?’ The tears were flowing and mascara bleeding from my disbelief. I ultimately did say, ‘YES!’

The wedding planning process began with securing Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles as the wedding location. A color scheme of white, pink, and silver was used to create an airy and ethereal ambiance, and the floral arrangements included roses and hydrangeas. The delicate pink, white, and nude blooms were also accented with hints of silver and acrylic pieces.

“My cultural heritage is Chinese/Jamaican/Thai and my husband’s is Mexican,” describes Michelle. “It was important to honor that heritage. We incorporated a Jamaican Steel Drummer, Mariachi, and a Thai hand tying ritual, along with a Spanish Arras Coin ritual. I chose ‘Ave Maria’ as my entrance song just as my late grandmother did for her wedding. We also had our favorite Taco Truck, Mariscos Jalisco, for a late-night treat. It was perfect!”

Looking back, Michelle has a few thoughts for future brides. “Take the time to cherish and be present in the moments you're sharing with your loved ones,” she advises. “Your focus should be on taking it all in with everyone gathered to celebrate you. It really does come down to the team that you entrust with one of the biggest days of your life. We had a dream team of event production, video, photo, floral, catering and venue professionals that brought our vision to life. Expect the best but prepare for whatever may come your way and roll with it. AND, don’t forget to eat!”

After the wedding, Michelle and Jesus set off on a dream honeymoon in Paris, Rome, Santorini, and Mykonos. “One of the most memorable parts was watching our first sunset in Santorini together,” Michelle shares. “It totally lives up to the hype!”