A Spring Wedding With Games and Glamping at the AutoCamp Russian River
“Love is a game that two can play and both win," Eva Gabor once said, and those words would prove to be prophetic for Christina and Bonnie. Games became a recurring motif throughout the relationship, with their first meeting happening at a USC football watch party hosted by Christina’s college roommate. Not long after meeting at the affair, a fast friendship developed between Christina and Bonnie. Four months after, they took a two-week trip to New Zealand with friends, and Christina confessed her feelings to Bonnie, who had previously identified as straight. “Given that Christina was the one who initiated our romantic relationship, we decided Bonnie would take the lead in proposing when she felt the time was right,” the couple says.
The couple had a knack for planning spontaneous getaways and special dates, surprising each other with plans for Disneyland or road trips. On one anniversary, Bonnie had something special up her sleeve when she asked Christina to take a few days off work and pack her passport. The couple speaks about their unconventional proposal: “Thinking it might be a quick hop to Canada or Mexico from California, Christina was completely surprised when they landed in Barcelona for a whirlwind three-day trip. Still oblivious to Bonnie's plans, Christina was in the shower when Bonnie cheekily opened the bathroom door, extending a hand with a ring and a simple question: 'Do you want to get married?'” The rest of the journey included an engagement photoshoot, a trip to an escape room (their own personal travel tradition) and plenty of food and walking tours around the romantic city, which inspired Christina’s own secret proposal in California. Christina presented Bonnie with a cryptex and set the password as 'JCurry,' a nod to Bonnie's favorite food, Japanese curry. Once Bonnie figured out the puzzle, it revealed a beautiful ring and Bonnie said, "yes." To celebrate their newly engaged status, Christina and Bonnie enjoyed delicious Japanese curry at home.
For the Cali locals, hosting their wedding at AutoCamp Russian River just made sense, especially since both they wanted a fun-filled weekend of games, loved ones and the ultimate glamping experience. Plus, the venue let them work with their favorite restaurant, Ox & Tiger, for catering so that their guests could enjoy a taste of the couple’s most treasured meals. The site had Airstreams and tents for overnight stays, which the brides utilized for a s’mores and game night before the wedding day. Another positive? They add, “On the wedding day, guests could relax and enjoy themselves without worrying about a long journey home.”
The aesthetic for the day centered around a “blend of elegant simplicity and playful camp vibes,” according to the brides, with games as part of the decor and activities. But the two were also inspired by the greenery of the campsite for their florals and decorations. “Bonnie, with her keen eye for aesthetics, spearheaded the overall theme, opting for a clean and elegant palette of all white with delicate touches of baby's breath,” Christina says. “This choice felt timeless, sophisticated and provided a beautiful contrast against the natural forest backdrop and the soft glow of the fairy lights,” she says.
For their fashion choices, Bonnie chose an elegant white gown with a slimmer silhouette and Christina wanted something complementary that still spoke to her personality: a classic white ball-gown with a simple but dazzling belt. But a trip to a Taiwanese dress shop caught the bride-to-be off guard because, according to her, she isn’t typically one for dresses. “While a classic white gown was always the plan, she was unexpectedly captivated by a stunning emerald and gold dress. Unable to choose, she decided to embrace both, opting for an outfit change that reflected the forest background,” Bonnie notes.
Surrounded by the redwoods, an unexpected processional began with a"carb-loading" walk down the aisle from Bonnie and Christina’s wedding party, who tossed Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Hawaiian bread as a playful take on "flour" and "rings." The ceremony was then officiated by one of their close friends and involved a “heartfelt and humorous” speech that moved the guests. And in another untraditional twist, the newlyweds grabbed a megaphone asked their loved ones to choose their champions for a Survivor-style fire-making challenge during the cocktail hour. For those who didn't join the fire festivities, they enjoyed nostalgic Asian snacks and mocktails, some of Bonnie’s favorites.
And the curry that made an appearance during Christina’s proposal? It was the main course served at their wedding. The reception space beneath the canopy of trees and string lights offered a cozy atmosphere that played off the intimate family-style seating. Both brides infused camp-themed accents into the decorations, like a mini camper van on the welcome table and the signage that Bonnie designed. Custom crosswords and a scavenger hunt encouraged friendly competition while guests got to know one another, and it didn’t hurt that a few prizes were up for grabs. “During the reception, we each hosted a game. Bonnie oversaw the scavenger hunt answers, while Christina led lively rounds of charades, a game she's known for among our friends,” says the couple.
Some of their most cherished memories from the day were foregoing the traditions in favor of their personal tastes. For example, instead of wedding cake, the two had Bonnie’s favorite dessert, Milk Bar Pie, and Marco Polo ice cream for Christina. Their open-minded and unconventional thinking is what they hope other couples take to heart while wedding planning. “Focus on making decisions that bring you joy as a couple, within your budget, rather than getting caught up in external expectations. Make the day a genuine reflection of your personalities and priorities rather than trying to please everyone else,” they say.