The bride and groom met in 1992 during a summer language program in South Korea. But a romance between them didn’t blossom until 11 years later, when they reconnected during graduate school at Harvard. Since they reside in New York City, the couple worked with Chicago-based event planner Lisa Gia Bascomb, of Parties Etc., Inc. "The Chicago Botanic Garden is my mother’s favorite spot in the city," says the bride. "So we really wanted to get married there."
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
Jean’s six bridesmaids carried bouquets of green cymbidium orchids and wore silk chiffon dresses by Jenny Yoo in styles they chose themselves. "I wanted them to wear something that was flattering and comfortable," says Jean.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
Jean wore a Kenneth Pool gown, purchased from Kleinfeld, in Manhattan. "The intricate beading was my favorite part of the dress," remembers the bride, who carried a bouquet of burnt orange miniature calla lilies. The groom’s tuxedo was from Emanuele Tuxedo in Chicago.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
The couple’s letterpress-printed wedding invitations by Elum, featured a whimsical ladybug in the corner.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
The 5:30 p.m. ceremony included both a Lutheran and a Buddhist officiant. During the ceremony, Cindy Choi, the bride’s cousin, sang Puccini’s "O Mio Babbino Caro."
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
The head table featured arrangements by Kara Hillier of Botanicals. During the reception, guests dined on roasted pear salads and a course of sorbets, followed by salmon tournedos and beef tenderloin.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
The newlyweds joined their guests to watch a slideshow created by the bride’s brother-in-law. It chronicled the couple’s history and included a Mission Impossible parody of Bong’s attempt to win Jean over during grad school. "That definitely was my favorite part of the night," Jean says.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
"I wanted our wedding colors to reflect the beauty of our garden venue," says the bride. Reception tables were decorated with arrangements of green cymbidium orchids, fuchsia cattleya orchids, orange mokara and butterfly vine.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
Glowing votive candles surround a wooden box filled with fresh oranges and limes. These arrangements were placed on coffee tables in a lounge set up near the bar.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
The reception tables displayed tall, square vases filled with fuchsia mokara orchids alongside smaller vases containing equisetum reeds and orange dahlias. Tables also featured green cymbidium orchid blossoms submerged in water.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
The buttermilk cake confection by Take the Cake featured fillings of chocolate and banana, as well as crème brulee and fresh raspberries.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
For their first dance, the couple chose "Better Together," by Jack Johnson.
Bride: Jean Kim
Groom: Bong Young Koh
Location: Glencoe, IL
Theme: Garden/Outdoor weddings
