Give us the scoop 😉how did you two meet?
Matt is not an adventurous eater. One sunny weekend, he got out of his comfort zone and met with some new friends at a Chinese soup dumpling restaurant in Chinatown. That day, he met a guy named Miller. I, on the other hand, am not a party person, but one Friday night, I also got out of my comfort zone, dressed up, went to a party, and met the same guy named Miller. Miller invited both of us to an outing to try out a Turkish restaurant at Columbus Circle. The group went on to a rooftop, seeking a viewing of the Super Moon and Matt sat next to me and we talked for the whole night.
After several group outings, Matt thought that I was a special, positive, and very cheerful person. I also noticed that Matt tried his best to sit next to me at every dinner outing, bumper car ride, and even asked me to even out sunscreen on his face during the Coney Island Hot Dog Eating Competition (we were not in the competition, just spectating, ha).
After my 21st birthday party, Matt walked me home and we shared our first kiss. The next day, we met at Union Square and walked all the way from there to the High Line where we talked for hours and hours.
Matt decided to ask me out officially. He took me to dinner in the West Village where I ordered the messiest item on the menu - pizza. After dinner, we took a walk to Washington Square Park where Matt carefully asked "Would you be my girlfriend?" My first reaction was "This is so old school!" but was so happy that Matt felt the same way she did.
Obviously, y’all put a ring on it 💍tell us your engagement story!
Matt planned the engagement for weeks, even hiring a photographer and a musician for the occasion. He told me that we had a dinner reservation in Chelsea, but when we arrived at the spot, he told me that we were early and should walk on the High Line instead.
As they walked past a street artist with a guitar, I realized he was playing our song, Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol. Matt babbled a bit, but he finally asked the question.
You both had a vision for your wedding 🔮how did you come up with ideas?
Traditional Chinese weddings are loud and decorated with bright colors, but we had a different vision. We wanted it to feel like an intimate family dinner with chill tones like blues and greys. Since we met on the night of the super moon, we asked the wedding planner to incorporate that element.
I was also very close to my maternal grandmother who passed away when I was a teenager. One of my fondest memories with my grandmother was sitting in the front yard under the blooming magnolia tree in the evening. I really wanted my grandma to be at the wedding and I always knew in my heart that my grandma brought Matt into my life in mysterious ways. So the vision of our wedding was "Magnolia under the Moonlight".
Tell us about your fams 👨👩👧👦
Matt is originally from Pennsylvania and his mom was able to travel to China for the wedding. I am Chinese from the southern region of Guangdong. We did a tea ceremony before the actual wedding with just close family.
At the tea ceremony, we gifted all the elders jade magnolia pendants as the town that my family is from is famous for jade crafting.
Location, location, location 🎯where did you get married?
We got married in Sihui, Guangdong where my family is originally from. We chose a traditional hotel banquet hall because we had to accommodate 500 guests and it was the most convenient for the elderly family members.
Girl meets dress 💃🏻how did you learn about East Meets Dress (EMD) and why did you choose an EMD cheongsam?
I always wanted a traditional cheongsam to wear for her wedding. Something elegant and easy to move around in for the table rounds during the reception as there are around 50 of them to get through with drinks in hand!
EMD was the perfect choice. I particularly loved the Anna Dress for its lux look and beautiful details on the collar and sheer back. The length was flattering. The price point was also perfect for a second/third outfit.
The customer service experience was also flawless from the inquiry, order, and delivery. Matt also ordered the Song Jacket to match the dress!
Putting your own spin on things 💕How did you make your wedding more unique and personal to you two?
With our musician friends' help, I entered the ceremony singing a jazz rendition of Moon Represents My Heart, a classic Chinese love song.
We also got to dance to the song during the interlude. We both gave speeches in Chinese! It was definitely nerve-wracking for Matt as it is not his first language and it was his first time speaking Chinese in front of a big crowd!
The big day 👰🏻How did everything go on your wedding day?
There were two other weddings happening simultaneously in the same hotel just upstairs. Every wedding has a step-and-repeat area and ours was huge compared to the other two since we had a bigger wedding that night in the hotel’s largest hall.
Matt was tasked to welcome the guests at the step-and-repeat while I was doing my outfit change before the ceremony started. Later Matt told me that he was sure that many guests from the other two weddings came and took pictures with him because he was foreign (and handsome, he claimed)!
Seeking your wisdom 🙋🏻♀️do you have any advice for other brides planning an Asian-American wedding?
1. Be organized! Start a Google sheet with your partner and have everything you need in there: budget, guest list, vendor list and etc.
2. Have an informative wedding website and inform the guests of any cultural dress codes.
3. Get creative and have fun! There are no rules for weddings. It is YOUR day and make the most out of it! 
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Special Thanks:
- The Bride & Groom: Nancy (@nancynie) & Matt
- Planner/Florist/Coordination: Attitude Wedding
- Photographer: Aiman
- Videographer: TimeRiver
- Hair & Makeup: JanMakeup
- MC & Ceremony Coordination: I Promise - Xu Yuan
- Venue: Sihui Lingnan Dongfang Hotel