Wedding Ceremony

Reception Day

Ceremony

Summer

Our Wedding

Sometimes love finds you in the most unexpected places—like two people from opposite sides of the world meeting halfway across California. I grew up in the small coastal town of Fort Bragg, California, a place where everyone knows everyone, and life moves at a slower pace. Meanwhile, my husband, born and raised in Beijing, China, was navigating the busy, fast-paced streets of one of the largest cities in the world. Little did we know that our worlds were about to collide in the most unexpected of ways. We met in a quiet corner of the internet—two people from entirely different parts of the world, yet drawn to each other by something unspoken. He was a grad student at the University of Oregon, and I was just figuring out life back in my small town. We started talking, and quickly, the distance felt less like a barrier and more like a chance to get to know someone in a way that felt genuine and authentic. After months of talking, the time finally came. We chose Redding, California, a place halfway between our homes, and made plans to meet at the Sundial Bridge. My aunt even joined us that day, which made the whole experience even more special. When I saw him for the first time, standing on the bridge, it felt surreal—like the pages of a story I never imagined would come to life. From that moment, our love grew stronger. We made a routine out of long drives. We would drive ten-hour stretches just to be with each other. We made the distance work with love, laughter, and a shared dream. The drives became a metaphor for our relationship: no matter how far apart we were, we always found a way to bridge the distance. From then on, after countless road trips and heartfelt goodbyes, he eventually moved to Fort Bragg to be with me. That’s when our real life began—quiet walks, home-cooked meals, and our two hearts finally in the same place. Not long after, we made the move to Long Beach, California. We found our own little apartment, created our own little world, and filled it with laughter, love, and our dogs—our first family. On a warm Saturday in the heart of summer-July 28th, 2024- we said I do in Las Vegas, surrounded by the magic of the moment and the thrill of beginning our forever. Every moment since has been its own adventure, a chapter in the story we continue to write together. From a bridge in Redding to building a home in Long Beach, it’s been a beautiful ride—and we’re just getting started.

Natalie & Alex

Natalie & Alex

N&A

Reception Day