San Francisco, California

THEIR WORDS:

Emotional, Candid, Romantic

VENDORS: venue kohl mansion / photo lexx creative / video sydney’s documentaries / coordinator experiences by k / wedding attire adam store vietnam, darlington bridal, manolo blahnik / wedding party attire jenny yoo, reformation / hair & makeup shannon le / catering ginger cafe / music go bing go / photobooth say ya!

Linda and Hauson’s love story has always been rooted in intention. They started dating back in 2018, during a season of long-distance that meant Hauson was regularly making the two-hour drive from Sacramento to San Francisco just to spend time together. That kind of consistency and effort became a theme in their relationship – quiet, steady, and deeply caring.

They got engaged on their five-year anniversary during a hike at Communication Hill in San Jose, a place tied to one of their earliest dates. It felt meaningful and private without being overdone, which honestly sums them up perfectly.

When it came time to plan their wedding, Linda and Hauson wanted something that felt understated but refined, beautiful without feeling showy, and intentional without feeling rigid. Kohl Mansion immediately stood out to them (And me! This is definitely my new favorite venue!) for its romantic architecture and versatility, with both indoor and outdoor spaces that allowed the day to unfold in separate spaces. They loved the idea of hosting their ceremony in the Green Room and having room to move between shared moments with guests and quieter moments just for the two of them.

Their design reflected that same balance. Soft sage green tones, DIY florals, and organic textures set the tone, but one of my favorite parts of the day was watching their families help bring it all together. While Linda and Hauson were getting ready, family members were finishing up details – steaming tablecloths, setting the reception space, fixing flowers, and making sure everything was just right. It felt calm, collaborative, and very them. No rushing. No stress. Just everyone pitching in because they wanted to.

May surprised everyone with extreme heat (everyone blamed me for bringing the hot weather to SF, but most of you probably know SD has May grey), but Linda and Hauson had already thought ahead. Guests were greeted with fans, which honestly felt like such a small but thoughtful gesture. It was a perfect example of how much they cared about the comfort and experience of the people they love.

Linda and Hauson are both introverts, and they were very open about wanting photos that felt emotional, candid, and romantic – not stiff or not overly posed (except some traditional photos to match the grand environment). They wanted their gallery to feel like memory – capturing the way they naturally gravitate toward each other when things feel overwhelming. Their relationship, which Linda described in one word as overflowing, showed up so clearly throughout the day – overflowing with kindness, selflessness, and care.

“They wanted their gallery to feel like memory – capturing the way they naturally gravitate toward each other when things feel overwhelming.”

Food was another place where their personalities really shined. Instead of choosing something just because it felt “wedding-appropriate,” they went with what they actually love: authentic Asian food from a local restaurant they frequent. Poke during cocktail hour, chopsticks waiting at every place setting for dinner, and animal-shaped custard buns for dessert that were almost too cute to eat. I loved that they didn’t overthink it. They chose food they genuinely enjoy from a place that matters to them, and it made the day feel even more personal. Everyone was raaaaving!

After cutting their cake, Linda and Hauson did something completely spontaneous – they walked around feeding bites of cake to their guests. In return, guests started handing them their drinks, asking the couple to take a sip. It turned into this playful, communal moment that perfectly captured the tone of the day.

They ended the night with cold sparklers in front of the mansion, which looked absolutely epic. The glow of the sparklers against the architecture felt so cinematic – the perfect ending to a day that felt grand in setting but deeply intimate in experience.

Looking back, Linda said she wanted to remember how much fun they had, and to see snippets of who they were in this season of life through a romantic, cinematic lens. That vision guided how I approached the entire day, from carving out small pockets of quiet time together, to prioritizing their ceremony above all else, to creating space for real connection with their guests during cocktail hour.

This wedding never feel rushed or overproduced. It felt thoughtful. It felt full. And most of all, it felt exactly like Linda and Hauson. This will forever go down as one of my favorites!