The beginnings of software engineers Nicole Wong and Carlo Biedenharn’s relationship was slow. After their first walk-and-talk date in San Francisco’s Mission and Castro neighborhoods in 2019, Carlo said goodbye with a wave and immediately jumped into an Uber. “I had no idea he even liked me,” recalls Nicole, who also works as a freelance event planner and bridal stylist. “But he texted me later that week asking for some of the charcoal I had drawn during a creative workshop.”
Sparks finally ignited on their third date, when they went to see Duckwrth perform at the California Academy of Science. “We were so excited about getting to know each other that we enjoyed the unusually warm night in SF and walked all the way to Dolores Heights,” she recalls. “My apartment had the most incredible view of San Francisco, and we ate ice cream on my balcony late into the night. As I walked outside with Carlo, I giggled so much because I knew what was going to happen. Carlo gave me the fastest kiss on the lips and that was our first kiss.
Since Nicole always knew she wanted a vintage engagement ring, she took advantage of a long layover in New York City to visit antique jewelry stores with a friend. She found a platinum round diamond ring from 1930 and immediately started crying when she put it on. “I still call it my ‘crying ring,’” she adds. She called Carlo and they bought it that day. However, he didn’t propose until a year later on November 25, 2022, when the couple traveled to Ghent, Belgium from their new home in London. Before heading out to find a lunch spot, Nicole caught a WhatsApp message on Carlo’s phone that read: “I’m in position,” before quickly wiping it away. “But too late,” says Nicole. “I had the biggest grin on my face but acted like nothing had happened.” Carlo took them to a bridge and got down on one knee while a photographer took pictures across the street.
Nicole and Carlo love to throw a party and knew their wedding had to be their best yet. “Our main focus was to create an experiential wedding that felt unique, but truly unique to us and thoughtfully involved all of our loved ones,” says the bride, who created extensive Pinterest boards to curate their vision. “We wanted it to be luxurious and glamorous. , electric…yet relaxed, elegant and chic, where everyone could really enjoy the day with us.’ They shared their wedding dreams with planners Giulia White and Sophia Pizzulo of Frankie & Louise, who “effortlessly translated our ideas into reality and offered valuable suggestions that perfectly matched our aesthetic wedding vision,” says Nicole. “But what really stood out was their unparalleled patience and kindness. Their willingness to go above and beyond to make our wedding day special was heart-warming and much appreciated.”
