Written by Heather Lee
After getting engaged in New York City, Jane Song and Jonathan Kim decided to tie the knot in Seattle, where the bride’s parents live. “We were expecting many wedding guests from Asia,” Jane says, “so we thought Seattle would be a convenient location.” Knowing they wanted to marry in a historic venue, the couple stumbled upon The Admiral’s House, a stately, former naval residence with panoramic views of Elliott Bay and the city skyline. The couple chose “Gallery Abstract Art” by Alethea & Ruth as their wedding invitation and worked with a Minted designer to customize the colors to reflect Seattle’s lush-green setting.
Bride and groom: Jane Song & Jonathan Kim
Occupations: Tax attorney at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton (Jane); Digital Engineering Director at Media Kitchen (Jonathan)
Based in: New York City
Wedding date: August 15, 2015
Venue: The Admiral’s House, Seattle
Number of guests: About 110
Minted wedding invitation: “Gallery Abstract Art” by Alethea & Ruth (in a custom green colorway)
Minted ceremony program: “Old Post Road” by Jennifer Wick
Minted menu: “Watercolor Wreath” by Yao Cheng
Minted place cards: “Watercolor Wreath” by Yao Cheng
Minted favor tags: “Monogram Bouquet” by Lori Wemple
Wedding coordinator: Krisanna Elizabeth
Florist: Botanique Flowers
Caterer: City Catering Company
Cake designer: Honey Crumb Cake Studio
Photographer: Belathée Photography
How did you and Jonathan meet?
We met at Tufts University, where we both attended (Jane: class of 2010; Jonathan: class of 2008). We met one fall evening during which we ended up in a wild goose chase with a mutual acquaintance, and ended the night by ordering pizza with a group of friends. We started dating the following summer when we were both interning in Seoul.
Tell us about the proposal!
We had just returned home to Manhattan after a trip to Boston and Cape Cod in August 2014, where we did all of our favorite things (visiting old haunts, a trip to Fenway Park, and dwelling in our love for New England). I was in PJs and on my laptop, sitting on Jonathan’s couch. Out of the blue, he asked me to marry him and whipped out a ring—it was lovely and casual. Then we went to eat at the Odeon (an old-timey French bistro in Tribeca), where I couldn’t stop crying into my frisée salad (which will forever be remembered as the “engagement salad”). We ended the day celebrating with friends at the Ace Hotel.
Who made your wedding dress?
It was an Enzoani dress that was customized with a bolero. I also wore a pair of multicolor flower-patterned Manolo Blahniks.
What was the wedding-dress shopping process like?
I wanted a classic lace dress (my inspiration was Charlotte’s second wedding dress in Sex and the City), and my dress was the first dress I tried on. I ended up trying it on in two different stores—in New York City as well as in Chicago—so I thought it was meant to be.
How did you find your wedding venue?
We decided to get married in Seattle because that’s where my parents live, and where I was planning on studying for the New York bar exam during the summer of 2015. It is also the halfway point between New York (where Jonathan was) and Seoul (where his parents live). We were expecting many wedding guests from Asia, so we thought Seattle would also be a convenient location.
It was very important to our families that the venue be: (1) immaculate, (2) conveniently accessible for our out-of-town guests, and (3) have good feng shui. Jonathan and I wanted a historic venue rather than a hotel wedding; I visited a few venues in Seattle after we got engaged but had to return to law school in Chicago. I stumbled upon The Admiral’s House website and learned it was a historic naval admiral’s home that was recently converted into a venue. My parents went to visit the site, sent us pictures, and we fell in love with the location (in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle), how cozy and private it felt, and its gorgeous location on top of a hill with an outstanding view of the Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline. It just felt right. My dad loved that we were high up, “close to the sky.” We also thought it was good luck that the available date in August was August 15, the national liberation day in Korea.
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