The natural scenic beauty of Lucca, Italy, and the surrounding hills were the true centrepiece.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Grace and Joel have been together since January 2020. Grace is a content creator and is preparing to transition into jewellery sales with Roen. Roen has created several bespoke wedding pieces for Grace and Joel, including Grace’s engagement ring and Joel’s wedding band. Joel recently moved into tech sales after working in consulting. Throughout their relationship, they have supported each other through career changes and new chapters.
Joel proposed on July 4, 2024, during a trip to Italy, where they were exploring wedding venues. They later had a civil ceremony on September 20, 2024, in Houston with close friends and family, the same guests invited to their symbolic ceremony. Their formal wedding and symbolic ceremony took place in Italy on May 13, 2025.
A few months after their wedding celebrations, Grace and Joel moved from Houston to New York City, which had been a long-time goal for both of them. They were excited to begin this next phase of life together in a city they have always loved.
As a couple, Grace and Joel enjoy travelling, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family. They value shared experiences and making memories together, whether at home or while exploring new places. They also love spending time with their dogs, who are a big part of their daily life.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Grace and Joel met at Texas A&M University through a student Christian organisation called Agape. For first impressions, Grace remembers Joel as immediately funny, easygoing, and genuinely kind – the kind of person who made everyone around him feel comfortable. Joel’s first impression of Grace was that she was cute, bubbly, and full of energy.
Over the following year, their relationship grew naturally as friends. They spent more time together through shared activities, conversations, and community. As their friendship deepened, so did their connection. Grace may have fallen first, but Joel followed closely behind.
Grace fell for Joel because of his steady and dependable nature. He brought a sense of calm and grounding that balanced her spontaneous, high-energy personality. With Joel, she felt supported, safe, and understood, and his consistency allowed her to feel at home. Joel fell for Grace because of her caring and generous spirit. She has a natural ability to make people feel welcome, always thinking of others and opening her heart and home with ease.
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).
We really kept our styling and design elements simple because the natural scenic beauty of Lucca, Italy, and the surrounding hills were the true centrepiece. The location itself was so stunning that we didn’t feel the need to overcomplicate things – the scenery was perfect on its own.
That said, we incorporated a consistent theme of vintage touches that reflected our personalities and shared hobbies. This included some of my vintage dresses and bridal looks, the Super 8 footage from our videographer, and small details like my vintage ceramics used as table décor. We also brought vintage Italian books from our engagement trip in Italy and used them as our vow books, which added a personal and meaningful touch. Even our menu design carried subtle vintage inspiration. Joel and I both love antique and vintage shopping, and including these elements made the day feel uniquely ours.
Our wedding was never intended to be centred on aesthetics or elaborate décor – it was about the people who flew across the world to celebrate with us. Every decision we made was guided by the guest experience and by our desire to truly be “hosts” to those who came to celebrate us. That’s why we placed such emphasis on creating meaningful moments for our loved ones, rather than on design elements.
When I shared a breakdown of our wedding finances online, I was overwhelmed by the virality and the response. The transparency and honesty about what a destination wedding really looks like – especially when prioritising guests – resonated with so many people, and got thousands of comments, likes, and shares. It showed me that there’s a genuine interest in stories that go beyond design and dive into how couples make thoughtful, real-world decisions around budget and hospitality.
While our day may not fit the traditional “design-forward” mould, I believe there’s value in featuring the perspective of what it means to be a true host on your wedding day, and the financial realities that shape those choices.
Overall, we focused on enhancing the natural beauty rather than competing with it. The rolling hills, historic streets of Lucca, and thoughtful vintage accents created a day that felt timeless, personal, and authentic to who we are as a couple. Every detail, from décor to personal touches, reflected our love for history, beauty, and meaningful experiences shared together.
What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?
I truly enjoyed every part of the wedding planning process. As someone who is passionate about events and whose love language is hosting – and with professional event planning experience from our luxury picnic business, I had been waiting for this moment for years. Entering my bridal era and getting to plan our wedding was a dream come true.
From the very beginning, starting with designing our rings together, to sending off our guests the day after our wedding, the entire journey has been incredibly rewarding. Every detail, every decision, and every shared moment with Joel made it feel meaningful and personal. Planning a wedding together not only allowed us to create a day that reflects who we are as a couple but also strengthened our partnership along the way.
For couples just starting their planning journey, I have a few tips. First, set up a weekly planning cadence – Joel and I called ours “Wedding Wednesdays.” It gave us dedicated time each week to tackle tasks, check items off our to-do list, and stay aligned on priorities. Starting early is key, as it gives you the space to enjoy the process without feeling rushed. Stay organised, but more importantly, remember what this day is really about – sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the meaning behind it. And for anyone who feels that wedding planning can be lonely, don’t hesitate to lean on your partner. If friends or family aren’t as invested, working together with your partner as a team will make the experience more fun, collaborative, and fulfilling. Ultimately, wedding planning is about joy, creativity, and connection. When you approach it with intention and a sense of teamwork, it becomes just as special as the day itself.
Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?
It means so much to us that this article highlights the amazing, hardworking vendors who made our wedding week feel truly magical. Their talent, dedication, and care deserve to be front and centre, and we are so grateful to each and every one of them. Honestly, the perfection of our wedding week wouldn’t have been possible without them. One of the hardest parts of the day being over was saying goodbye to the vendors we had worked so closely with over the past year. It’s such a rare and special relationship, and it’s hard not to wonder when we’ll get another chance to collaborate with them again. Thankfully, as a content creator, I have the joy of continuing to showcase their work on social media and stay in touch with them, which helps keep that connection alive.
Leading up to the wedding, I spent a lot of time sending itineraries, vision boards, and inspiration to make sure our expectations were clear. And yet, when the day finally arrived, I was able to fully relax and trust every single vendor to bring our vision to life. Everyone executed their roles seamlessly, and our guests and I were in the best possible hands.
Post-wedding, our guests kept telling us how seamless everything felt, noting that the vendors were always ahead of schedule, anticipating every need, and making the entire experience feel effortless.
Our vendors didn’t just deliver a wedding – they created an experience that felt personal, thoughtful, and effortless. Their hard work allowed us to be fully present, enjoy our friends, family, and each other, and truly soak up every moment. We will forever cherish the amazing team that made our day so special.
And a special mention of our photographers, Claudia and Giammarco: I can’t say enough about how grateful we are for them. They captured not just the events of our wedding week, but the feelings, moments, and connections that made it truly special. I appreciate them so much for all the beautiful memories they provided us and for this amazing opportunity to be featured in Together Journal, which they submitted our big day for. Last year, a few publication opportunities fell through, so it was particularly meaningful to revisit these memories while answering the love story questions.
I’m so thankful that Claudia and Giammarco created such stunning photos that now live in our physical Milk Books albums – tangible reminders of our favourite moments. Even beyond the wedding, they continue to find creative ways to share our love story. We feel so fortunate to have had them with us throughout our wedding week. Their work has given us memories we can relive again and again, and it’s a joy to see our story continue to be shared in such a meaningful way
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?
For my wedding outfit, comfort and versatility were my top priorities, which is why I chose a corset set with a skirt. It required no alterations and could be easily loosened or tightened throughout the day. I loosened it for dinner so I could eat comfortably and then tightened it again for our first dance so it felt secure. Being a two-piece was also perfect because I could swap out my long ceremony skirt for a custom midi circle skirt I designed with the same dress designer. The midi skirt was extra twirly and perfect for dancing.
My shoes were a special addition too – Gucci heels I bought in New York a few months before the wedding to match Joel’s Gucci bow tie. Because the heels were low, they were incredibly comfortable, and I wore them all day without any discomfort.
For Joel’s look, he had a custom tuxedo made locally in Houston, paired with the Gucci bow tie I gifted him and Christian Louboutin red bottoms. Not only was he comfortable all day, but his red bottoms also looked stunning alongside our wedding décor and the red floral elements we had throughout the venue.
Every outfit choice we made was about combining style with comfort so we were ready to enjoy every moment of our wedding day.
Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.
My engagement ring was designed with Roen as a bespoke piece that Joel and I designed together. The band wraps into the diamond in a way that I initially envisioned as a 2-in-1 style – both an engagement ring and wedding band in one – since I wasn’t planning to get a separate wedding band. Later, though, I ended up designing a new wedding band with my local jeweller, Robichau’s Jewellery, because I love jewellery and couldn’t resist adding another meaningful piece. On this new band, we included a small emerald embedded on the side to represent May’s birthstone, the month of our wedding in Italy. It’s a small detail, but it makes the ring feel even more personal and tied to our story.
Joel’s ring is a classic two-tone band in yellow gold and platinum, designed to match my engagement ring. He wears a lot of mixed metals, so the two-tone design perfectly fits his style while still coordinating with my ring.
We also included special engravings inside our Roen rings. Joel wrote “first and last” in mine because I was his first and last girlfriend, and in his ring, I engraved “my love always,” which is how I signed many of my love letters to him throughout our relationship.
What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).
Cost-wise, one of the most important elements of our wedding was investing in a meaningful and memorable experience for our loved ones. From the very beginning, we wanted every detail to reflect the care and gratitude we feel for the people in our lives. We covered meals throughout the week, accommodations for all, and invested in thoughtful touches like journal invitations, welcome gifts, and custom matchbox place cards with each guest’s name as a keepsake. We hired an additional photographer to capture our guests during cocktail hour while our main photographers were with us, and we surprised a friend whose birthday was the same day as our wedding with a live saxophonist leading everyone in a Happy Birthday performance. We even had a live cake demonstration featuring an authentic Italian millefoglie as our wedding cake, and handwritten love letters from both Joel and me on Italian stationery, so our guests would have something personal to remember the day by.
Joel and I met through the student organisation Agape at Texas A&M, a community rooted in love, fellowship, and selflessness. That same spirit has shaped the people we surround ourselves with, and it became the heart of our wedding homily. Our pastor spoke about the essence of Agape – how love is both giving and intentional – and it perfectly reflected the way we wanted to celebrate our closest friends and family. Our wedding was as much about them as it was about us. For our officiant and his wife, we covered flights, gifted our mothers their wedding day gowns, and, traditionally, a bride gifts the groom a watch, but I wanted to gift my dad first – honouring him and the important role he has played in my life.
Choosing Italy as our wedding destination was equally intentional. After getting engaged there, we couldn’t stop imagining returning to share the experience with our loved ones. Many had never travelled to Europe, so it became an opportunity to not just host a wedding, but to create a trip where we could celebrate our story and honour them in a meaningful way. Joel and I love hosting, and this wedding allowed us to be both the guests of honour and the hosts with the most, sharing the joy and love that has defined our relationship from Agape to now.
Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?
There are so many moments from our wedding that we will treasure forever, but a few stand out most vividly. One of our favourites was the group cooking class we did the day before the wedding. We learned how to make pasta and other authentic Italian dishes together, then shared everything for lunch. It was such a joyful, hands-on way to connect with our loved ones before the big day and set the tone for the celebration to come.
Another moment that felt so special was Aly and Satoki’s performance at our pizza party welcome dinner. Aly sang, and Satoki played one of our favourite songs, “(They Long to Be) Close to You” by the Carpenters, on keyboard. Hearing that song performed live by such talented friends, surrounded by people we care about, was incredibly moving and made the evening feel intimate and personal.
Our wedding day itself was filled with unforgettable moments, too. The homily prepared by our pastor, whom we had also spent time with during marriage counselling, learning about the meaning of marriage, beautifully reflected the spirit of Agape and set the tone for our ceremony. The ring warming ceremony was especially touching, as every guest held and blessed our rings before they were exchanged. During the reception, all our guests were seated at one long table, which created the feeling of a family dinner and brought everyone together in such a meaningful way. And, of course, the dance party was full of laughter, celebration, and pure joy.
Looking back, it’s these shared experiences – the laughter, the music, the love – that we will always remember and carry with us.
What does being married mean to you, and are there any special rituals you have that you would like to share?
Being married means sharing your life with the person you love most, through all the ups and downs, the big moments and the quiet ones. It’s a partnership built on trust, support, and joy, and it’s about choosing each other every single day. One small but meaningful phrase we share with each other is that I am the “passenger princess.” On the surface, it’s literal – I always sit in the passenger seat while Joel drives – but it has become so much more than that. Figuratively, it represents our journey together on the open road of life. We are there together, enjoying the ride, offering each other perspective, and celebrating every detour and adventure along the way. It’s a reminder that marriage is about teamwork, trust, and partnership, and that even the everyday moments – driving somewhere together, planning a trip, or sharing a meal – carry meaning when you do them together.
One of our favourite little rituals happens because our birthdays are back-to-back, with mine the day before Joel’s. On the night of my birthday, I blow out my candle at 11:59 p.m., then re-light it so that Joel can blow his out exactly at 12:00 a.m. It’s such a simple moment, but it’s become a special way for us to mark our birthdays together and celebrate our connection, even in something as small as a shared candle. It’s a ritual that reminds us that life is sweeter when we do things together, and it’s a symbol of how we navigate milestones, celebrations, and everyday moments as a team.
LOCATION Casale de’ Pasquinelli, Lucca, Italy, @casaledepasquinelli BRIDE Grace, @graceannryu GROOM Joel PHOTOGRAPHER Claudia & Giammarco of Captured With Love Photography, @capturedwithloveph SECOND PHOTOGRAPHER Family Session – Guglielmo Meucci – Holocene Studio, @weddingphotographertuscany VIDEOGRAPHER Tj Minor of Anika & Tj, @anikaandtj CONTENT CREATOR Anggie Verayanti, @by_avera STYLIST Vanessa Favilla, @beautically_correct PLANNER & FLORIST Wedding & Co, @weddingeco.catering.flower OFFICIANT Reverend Chung ENTERTAINMENT DJ – Daniele Taglianef, @daniele_taglianef_dj; Saxophonist (For cocktail hour & bride/groom reception entrance) – Fabrizio Cortopassi, @fabrizio_cortopassi_sax HIRE, CATERING & CAKE Wedding & Co, @weddingeco.catering.flower STATIONERY Minjee Kim – Interest of Joy, @interestofjoy SIGNAGE Wedding & Co, @weddingeco.catering.flower PHOTO ALBUM MILK Books, @milkbooks WEDDING GUEST BOOK Alabaster, @alabaster ENGAGEMENT RING ROEN, @roen.nyc BRIDE’S WEDDING BAND Robichau’s Jewelry, @robichausjewelry_spring GROOM’S WEDDING BAND ROEN, @roen.nyc BRIDE’S CEREMONY & RECEPTION DRESS Adi Corset & Adi Skirt – Rouvell, @rouvell_wedding BRIDE’S SHOES GG Crystal Slingback Pump – Gucci, @gucci BRIDE’S ACCESSORIES Bespoke Emerald Diamond Earrings – Verstolo, @verstolo; LAGUNA Wave Diamond Bracelet – ROEN, @roen.nyc VEIL Veils by Rebecca, @veilsbyrebecca HAIR & MAKEUP Vanessa Favilla, @beautically_correct BRIDE’S FRAGRANCE Fleur Narcotique – Ex Nihilo BRIDE’S RECEPTION ACCESSORIES Silk Scarf – Lovellfaye, @lovellfayebridal BRIDE’S GETTING READY DRESS Vintage Lace Dress – Efff, @___efff BRIDE’S WELCOME/REHEARSAL DINNER DRESS Custom Dress from Nicole Bridal, @nicolebridal BRIDE’S WELCOME/REHEARSAL DINNER ACCESSORIES Rosie Earrings – Verstolo, @verstolo BRIDE’S WELCOME/REHEARSAL DINNER FRAGRANCE LA MAR – House of Bō, @houseofbo.co BRIDE’S AFTER PARTY DRESS Vintage 1964 Dress Redesigned – Lovellfaye, @lovellfayebridal GROOM’S TUXEDO Custom Made – Bravo Tux, @bravotux GROOM’S SHOES Greggo Men’s Lace-Up Leather Dress Shoes – Christian Louboutin, @christianlouboutin GROOM’S ACCESSORIES GG Cotton Silk Bow Tie – Gucci, @gucci GROOM’S FRAGRANCE Note Di Colonia V – Acqua Di Parma, @acquadiparma BRIDESMAIDS’ GETTING READY Viola Silk Pajama Set by LilySilk, @lilysilk MOTHER OF THE GROOM’S DRESS Satin One-Shoulder Gown – Amsale, @amsale MOTHER OF THE BRIDE’S DRESS Maci One-Shoulder Pleated Chiffon Gown – Solace London, @solacelondon
