A "Garden-in-the-Sky" Wedding Honored a Couple's Chinese Heritage at The William Vale in NYC
At a dimly lit speakeasy in Chicago, Tracy and Ben’s love story began…and no, this wasn’t the 1920s. It was less than a decade ago when the two had their first date and everything seemed to just click. Between their shared Chinese heritage and the ease of their connection, both Ben and Tracy knew they had found “the one.” Seven years after that fateful night, Tracy had a hunch Ben would be proposing during their trip to Morocco. “I had a feeling it might happen on this trip, so I dressed up every single day, especially during our stay at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech, and later while wandering the famous, blue-walled streets of Chefchaouen. But nothing happened… yet,” Tracy says.
It wasn't until the two took an eight-hour drive to the Sahara Desert’s sand dunes to stay at a glamping site, that she finally let her guard down. “When we arrived, I was so excited by the scenery that I ran up and down the dunes like a little kid, and Ben kept gently reminding me to not to wear myself out and now I know why,” Tracy laughs. They rode on camelback over the golden sands, a remote and peaceful scene, when two men appeared with a drone, taking photos and video. “We stopped at a small setup in the middle of the desert and there was a table with wine, snacks and those same paparazzi-style cameramen hovering nearby. That’s when Ben got down on one knee and proposed,” she adds. With the sunset as their backdrop and the stillness of the desert, she describes the moment as “totally unexpected, completely us and worth every second of the bumpy ride.”
The couple says they've always always had a soft spot for rooftop bars, and that became the lodestar for where to have their epic wedding celebration. The William Vale hotel in Brooklyn offered an unbeatable view of the New York City skyline, and the playful elements of the venue’s decor inspired plenty of the design for the couple’s day. Tracy says: “The rooftop’s green turf made it feel like a whimsical park in the sky, which played perfectly into our theme. We went with a soft, romantic color palette of lavender and sage green—inspired by the idea of a spring garden party high above the city.”
Because of the garden-style aesthetic, flowers were a crucial part of the decor at the wedding. An inclusion of pastel-hued roses, dahlias, delphiniums and other flowers popped perfectly against the fresh greenery and white hydrangeas. From asymmetrical arrangements to the flowers that decorated the wedding cake, every bloom played an important role throughout the decor. Tracy remarks: “The flowers tied everything together and made the whole day feel lush, dreamy and full of life. Our flower arch framed the ceremony beautifully, and later, we repurposed those same flowers to decorate our sweetheart table—it felt like the garden followed us from the rooftop into the reception.”
The couple weaved their Chinese background throughout the day, as well. Before the wedding, Ben and Tracy served their parents and elders during a traditional tea ceremony, honoring them as a gesture of love and respect. “We wore traditional outfits for the ceremony, and in a true playful spirit, our wedding party hosted door games. Ben had to ‘prove his love’ through a series of funny challenges before he could see me,” the bride tells us. Created as a focal point for the reception decor, the couple had a sign with the Chinese Double Happiness in pink adorned with pastel-colored blooms. The symbol represents love and marriage, which is an apt decoration for the celebratory day.
Wondering what the garden-inspired couple wore? The bride’s dress was a tulle ballgown with a layered skirt and structured neckline. “For my wedding dress, I knew I wanted something that felt striking and fashion-forward—a piece that would really stand out and reflect my personal style. I fell in love with KYHA Studios' Adria gown the moment I tried it on,” the bride says. She paired this with a diamond Verstolo necklace and earrings, a bit of sparkle to shine against the ivory gown. Her groom wore a Michael Andrews Bespoke tux in blue with black lapels and a Vacheron Constantin watch with a matching blue face.
But Tracy and Ben weren't the only ones dressed up. The couple’s dog, Tofu, wore a blue tutu dress and was an integral part of the day. The dog stood beside them during both of their ceremonies and joined them for a photo session. The couple even had Tofu's likeness put on cookies as favors for the guests. The other cookie designs illustrated the New York City skyline and the Double Happiness symbol. “We wanted our wedding to feel like a celebration of us—full of personality, good food and a few unexpected surprises,” Tracy notes.
One especially memorable moment for the couple was when Tracy first saw Ben at the end of the aisle. “His smile, the happiness in his eyes—it was everything. The walk down the aisle didn’t feel long at all. I wasn’t nervous, just full of joy and peace,” Tracy recalls. The emotional ceremony’s end marked the beginning of the party, as their loved ones were led to a cocktail hour just below the rooftop with a roving magician who specialized in card tricks. “The indoor-outdoor space had a wraparound area with sweeping views of NYC. Our guests flowed between the bar, the terrace and our oyster station,” the bride says. “Seeing everyone relaxed, laughing and taking in the skyline felt like pure magic.”
In the reception space, flowers from the ceremony were repurposed throughout, and their wedding cake had a floating staircase of greenery and lavender around it for a whimsical feel. Next to their Double Happiness sign, a seating chart served as a backdrop, which influenced guests to take photos in front of it all night. “Inside, we wanted the room to feel warm, elegant and a little luxe, so we filled it with soft candlelight and layered florals,” Tracy says. The bride even changed into another look for the evening, another KHYA Studios gown, but one with a more fitted silhouette and a subtle shimmer to match the magic of the venue space. She and Ben even treated their friends and family to some late-night dim sum to keep the party going, an instant crowd favorite.
With the wedding weekend behind them, Tracy and Ben love reminiscing about the memories they made, even though some things didn't go to plan. But there’s a beauty in that, they say. “At the end of the day, you’ll be standing beside the person you love and surrounded by your favorite people. That’s what will stay with you. The little things fade, but the joy and love of that moment is forever,” they proclaim.