Laura + Michael by Corina Beha

Inspired by a subtle vintage “old money” theme.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

I’m Laura, 32 years old, and I love discovering new creative things—like learning to play the violin. I have a passion for aesthetics and a deep appreciation for different cultures and design styles, especially the calm simplicity of Scandinavian design and the thoughtful elegance of Japanese culture. I’m really drawn to clean lines, natural materials, and a cozy, minimal yet warm atmosphere in interiors.

I’m a true matcha enthusiast inside and out—I love the Japanese mentality and spirit. I enjoy making my own matcha at home, but also love spending time outside with friends, sipping matcha during peaceful walks.

I have an eye for details, though sometimes my perfectionism can get in the way—like during the wedding planning, when literally everything is possible and it’s easy to get lost in all the details!

I really enjoy being out in nature, whether it’s in the mountains or by the lakes. I love the Bavarian countryside, but my absolute favorite is spending a day by the lake with a fresh fish sandwich—doesn’t get better than that. Sports like yoga and running along the Isar river are also important to me.

I’ve loved sports since I was a kid. While I’m not as intense about it these days, it’s still a great balance to my work life. Professionally, I work as a product manager in the pharmaceutical industry, focusing on nutritional supplements. Even in my personal life, I value healthy nutrition and find the whole topic genuinely inspiring.

I’m Michael, 35, and have been running my own ENT practice for the past six months. Before that, I spent six years at the university hospital, where I completed my specialist training. I truly enjoy medicine — not just practising it, but also talking about it. Helping people and interacting with my patients brings me a lot of joy, and I’m always happy when I receive positive feedback and see satisfied, healthy patients. I’m also lucky to have a wonderful small team in my practice. We work professionally together, but we also share a good laugh.

In my free time, I enjoy meeting friends — whether it’s my former colleagues at our monthly regulars’ table, a relaxed evening at the beer garden, a round of mini golf, or just a casual beer at night. I love the nature here in Bavaria — the lakes, the countryside, the mountains — and often go exploring with Laura. We also enjoy city life in our hometown, trying out new cafés and restaurants, or cycling around.

I also appreciate quiet moments. I’m a big film enthusiast with a large collection, and I love great acting and cinematic storytelling. I enjoy reading a good book and have a passion for coffee-making. With my espresso machine, I’m always working on perfecting the brew and improving my latte art. Laura has already gifted me two barista courses — something that made me really happy.

Laura has also introduced me to the world of healthy eating — something I’ve come to truly value and enjoy. She inspires me to stay active, and thanks to her, I’ve gotten into the habit of going jogging together and doing regular home workouts. I also love exploring new worlds with her through travel — like our trips to Copenhagen and Japan, where we immersed ourselves in the culture and enjoyed amazing food

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

We met in today’s digital age through a dating app. After a few messages back and forth, we decided to meet in person — and the connection was there right away. From then on, we enjoyed one date after another, from pizza by the Isar to cooking together at home, until our first kiss made it clear that something special was growing between us. We discovered how much we enjoyed each other’s company — whether spending time with friends at a barbecue, hiking in nature, or simply relaxing together on the balcony with a good book. From the start, I loved Michael’s calm and positive nature, which made me feel like I could truly be myself — and for me, Laura was my blonde angel, full of positive energy and joy for life, something I still love about her every single day.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palettes etc.).

Our vision for the wedding was timeless elegance combined with warm romance, inspired by a subtle vintage “old money” theme. We chose a refined white colour palette, featuring all-white florals such as roses and hydrangeas, paired with crisp white tablecloths to create a light and sophisticated atmosphere.

Key styling elements included the contrast between the elegant whites and the rustic charm of the venue, with its wooden floors and classic architecture. For the ceremony, modern white chairs with sheer covers and silk ribbons complemented the cozy, vintage character of the artist’s house. The dinner continued this blend with softly curved wooden chairs, natural wooden floors, and delicate all-white floral arrangements — balancing sophistication with inviting warmth throughout the day.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

I’d say the location by the Chiemsee and its overall vibe were already a huge part of the style. The romantic and classic atmosphere came through the buildings — a charming estate feel with small special details like stone statues in the garden, heavy wooden doors with delicate floral carvings, dark green shutters paired with the white walls, and old vintage photos. The sprawling lawn and the nearby pier with sailboats made everything feel elegant. It was the perfect mix of classic, elegant, and romantic.

Our ceremony took place at the artist’s house on the grounds, featuring high ceilings, a balcony, and large windows. On each guest’s chair, there was a delicate embroidered silk handkerchief with our initials—a small but special detail that added to the truly romantic and elegant atmosphere.

Besides the location, the musicians — a violinist and harpist — added to the classical elegance and romance with their beautiful melodies. It felt a little like old money style, which suited my simple brocade dress and the gently curled hair tied back with a veil perfectly.

Our vintage wedding cake and the champagne tower, decorated with cute cocktail cherries in each glass, added that extra special touch.

I’d say all of this, combined with the unique film photography, made the whole look absolutely perfect.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

The first important step was finding a clear concept: what kind of wedding did we actually want? What should the mood be — romantic, elegant, or maybe even a bit royal? Once we had that vision and a rough budget in mind, we started looking for the perfect location. Honestly, we had some challenges at first because we weren’t sure about the venue right away, and that delayed a lot of the planning. But in the end, besides the concept, the location is the foundation on which everything else is built. You can really feel it when you find the right place, and we had that feeling from the very first moment at Hotel Aiterbach at Chiemsee Lake. After that, we could jump into planning with excitement.

The very first thing we did was create a big Excel spreadsheet where we listed all our to-dos, vendors’ names, budgets — which is so important so nothing gets lost — the timeline, and more. The venue also gave us great tips about local vendors like decorators, which were super helpful. Our Excel planning list became our anchor throughout the process, and I would highly recommend every couple to make one. It gives you security and a clear overview of what needs to be done next.

Wedding planning has its ups and downs — time pressure, perfectionism, but also so much joy. Crossing off tasks step by step helped us move closer to making our dream day come true. It all felt very coherent, and we never had the feeling we were just going through the motions without a plan.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

First and foremost, our wonderful photographer, Corina Beha, captured our wedding so perfectly and naturally, every little unique and special moment. From the very first minute to the last, the atmosphere was so easy-going, light, and relaxed, and you can truly see that in the photos.

Then our florist, Petra Müller, brought our vision to life exactly as we had imagined – everything in white with just a pinch of green. She created all of our floral decorations, both indoors and outdoors, with such perfection, from hydrangeas, roses, and peonies to delphiniums – it was simply stunning.

Of course, I have to mention my makeup artist, Jamie May Karpenstein, who created the most beautiful bridal makeup for me – something that made me feel naturally beautiful every second, without ever feeling like I was wearing a mask. She gave me the natural Korean skincare glow I love, with a radiant yet effortless look and beautifully defined eyes – exactly as I had wished.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

I wore a beautiful, simple A-line gown in floral brocade – the “Josette” by Justin Alexander. What I loved most were the little details that made the clean silhouette feel so special – the pockets and the covered buttons running down the back. The softly shimmering rose-patterned brocade added the final touch, giving the dress a subtle romantic feel. From the moment I tried it on, I felt completely myself in it.

To complete the look, I wore a delicate gold necklace with a sun pendant and a small diamond in the centre – the very first gift my husband ever gave me in our relationship. It has always made me feel safe and connected to him. I paired it with simple, slightly dangling pearl earrings, my gold engagement ring set with diamonds, which he gave me on the day of our civil ceremony, and, of course, our plain gold wedding band. My shoes were cream slingbacks from Stuart Weitzman, finished with a subtle rose detail.

Michael wore a black tuxedo by Felix W., with a silk-faced lapel that gave it an elegant, polished look. He paired it with a black bow tie and classic black shoes. His boutonnière was a single white rose to match my bridal bouquet – timeless and classic in black and white.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

For our wedding rings, we wanted something that felt truly “us.” We chose plain gold bands with a subtle engraving on the inside — our first names and our wedding date — which we found in a small, family-run jeweller’s shop in Munich, making them even more meaningful.

On the day of our civil ceremony, Michael surprised me with a beautiful memoir ring — a delicate eternity band set all the way around with diamonds. Its sparkle and elegance perfectly complement the simplicity of my wedding band, and I absolutely love wearing them together.

And of course, my engagement ring holds its own special place in our story: Michael proposed on April 18th during a short trip to Austria, with a Tiffany & Co. platinum band, half set with diamonds and featuring a slightly larger diamond in the centre — classic, timeless, and beautiful.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on?

One of the most important things for us was photography, because it’s what captures those unique and special moments for us to keep forever. Choosing a photographer who could truly bring the magic into the images was very close to our hearts. Corina was simply perfect – not only incredibly talented, but also such a wonderful person to have with us on the day. I also love analogue photography and the atmosphere it creates, so for me, her mix of natural shots, analogue photos, beautiful, blurry and candid moments, and even a little mood clip was exactly what I had dreamed of. She had that special “something” that made every memory come alive.

The second thing was definitely the flowers. With Petra Müller, I had complete trust, and she absolutely exceeded our expectations. Flowers add that extra touch that transforms a space, making it both elegant and romantic. From my bridal bouquet to the arrangements for the ceremony and reception, she created something truly beautiful that gave our wedding an even more magical atmosphere.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

One of the most special moments was during our celebrant-led ceremony. We each read a few personal lines to one another in front of our closest loved ones, and then exchanged rings. At first, we hesitated about doing it, because it felt so personal and took a bit of courage – but it was absolutely worth it. In that moment, everything around us faded away, and it felt like we were speaking only to each other. It was so natural, heartfelt, and unique – a moment we will both carry in our hearts forever. I can only recommend it to any couple, because it makes the ceremony truly your own.