1. Real Weddings

A Sophisticated Summer Wedding at Evergreen Museum & Library in Baltimore, Maryland

With a network of talented family members and friends by their side, Sara Son (22 and a freelance writer) and Uesin Kim (25 and a campus minister and

With a network of talented family members and friends by their side, Sara Son (22 and a freelance writer) and Uesin Kim (25 and a campus minister and pastor) pulled off an elegant fete jam-packed with personal flair. To set a sophisticated tone for the soiree, Sara and Uesin gathered their guests at the Evergreen Museum & Library in Baltimore, Maryland. Since they both attended Johns Hopkins University, the setting helped the couple honor to their story. “We didn’t do this on purpose, but we thought it was a great way to incorporate our school pride and pay tribute to the thing that brought us both to Baltimore and ultimately each other,” Sara says. A striking example of Gilded Age architecture, the 19th-century mansion infused the affair with an undeniable sense of old-world opulence. The ceremony unfolded outdoors in Evergreen’s lush gardens, where stately stone urns overflowing with ivory and blush blooms framed the couple as they exchanged vows. A close friend officiated at the intimate ceremony, giving the proceedings a distinct feel. A swinging cocktail hour followed on the terrace overlooking the gardens. Uesin’s friends provided the tunes, while guests sipped on a specially curated selection of Shiner beers—a tribute to Uesin’s home state of Texas—and nibbled appetizers such as mini crab cakes and chicken and waffles. The newlyweds then ushered guests into the Carriage House for the reception. Shades of blush, sage, ivory and gold washed over the room, bringing a note of softness and romance to the exposed-brick and wooden accents. Sara’s close friend Janet provided all the florals for the affair, creating bountiful arrangements of roses, ranunculus, dusty miller and hypericum berries in pale pink and white to infuse the decor. The cake was also the handiwork of one of Sara’s close friends. “Our cake was made as a gift by our friend Yoon, a food blogger who was also a cook at Woodberry Kitchen at the time. It was his gift to us, and honestly I think it was the best cake I’ve ever had at a wedding, though I may be biased,” Sara says. After the meal, DJ Mike Lisby took over, getting guests young and old out of their seats and onto the dance floor with an upbeat mix of old-school hip-hop, R&B and Top 40 hits. A tip from Sara: “Do away with all the must-haves and must-dos. It’s your day, so don’t feel pressured by others or some industry standard to inform your vision. If you want a small wedding in a backyard, do it. The thing we most regret is bowing to the desires of others who did not have a stake in my marriage or even my life. If anything, listen to those who are willing to advocate for you.” —Libby MacCarthy

Adding a hint of glitz to her classic look, Sara walked down the aisle in a pair of crystal-embellished ivory stilettos by designer Badgley Mischka.
For their “I dos,” Sara and Uesin whisked their friends and families to Baltimore, Maryland, for an intimate celebration at Evergreen Museum & Library. It was near Johns Hopkins University, where they had both graduated from. “We didn’t do this on purpose, but we thought it was a great way to incorporate our school pride and pay tribute to the thing that brought us both to Baltimore and ultimately each other,” Sara says.
Mix-and-Match Pale Blue Chiffon Bridesmaid Dresses
To add a festive finish to his sleek navy suit, Uesin adorned his lapel with a fresh white rose and seeded eucalyptus that popped against the rich blue backdrop.
To contrast Uesin’s sharp navy Ralph Lauren suit, the groomsmen sported khaki trousers, classic white button-downs, suspenders and bow ties for a low-key summery look.
Uesin was born in South Korea, and while the couple celebrated their nuptials with a Western ceremony, Uesin’s family members donned traditional Korean attire for the occasion.
Before kicking the festivities into high gear, the couple gathered their families and friends in the gardens at Evergreen Museum & Library in Baltimore, Maryland, for an intimate ceremony. Framed by stately stone urns overflowing with full white and blush blooms, the couple exchanged vows while a close friend officiated.
While the wedding went off without a hitch, the couple encountered a minor snafu two days before the festivities began. “We realized two days before the wedding that the color of Uesin’s suit and pants did not match,” Sara says. “Our lovely friends from Houston drove to D.C. in a minivan with no AC in sweltering July heat, in bad traffic, to pick up the last size of the suit at a Nordstrom. We are still indebted to them for that!”
Cocktail hour unfolded on the terrace where guests sipped on Shiner beer and inspired eats such as mini Maryland crab cakes and chicken-and-waffle bites. A jazz trio got guests ready to party with their lineup of swinging tunes.
To allow themselves time to take everything in, the couple opted for a sweetheart table during dinner. Draped in sage-colored linens and bundles of lush roses, ranunculus and dusty miller, the table exuded summer elegance and old-world romance.
Close friend and food blogger Yoon Sung whipped up a sweet three-tier confection for the couple’s postdinner indulgence. The vanilla and strawberry cake was decorated with combed buttercream frosting and clusters of ivory and blush blooms for a whimsical look. “It was his gift to us, and I honestly think it was the best cake I’ve ever had at a wedding, though I may be biased,” Sara says.