Pratana and Mike met in Hong Kong nine years ago at the U.S. Marine Corps Birthday Ball! She was a Thai diplomat, and he was the Army Liaison Officer working in the U.S. Consulate. One of Mike’s colleagues invited Pratana to the event, where she was seated at Mike’s table—and the rest is history!

When the pandemic hit, Pratana resided in Bangkok and Mike in Mongolia. It wasn’t easy being long-distance and unable to travel, but despite it all, they found comfort in each other. Then, on July 28th, 2020, Mike proposed via video call. Pratana said yes, but Mike had another surprise up his sleeve! Once travel was permitted, he proposed again in person at a rooftop restaurant in Bangkok.

We adore the love story this couple shares, and we were delighted when they asked us to plan their wedding! This day was the epitome of classic elegance, from a ceremony at Old South Church to a reception at Boston Public Library.

Virtual Planning for a Wedding at Boston Public Library

With seven months to go until their July wedding date, Pratana and Mike chose our Full-Service Planning package. This option is ideal for busy couples with a distinct vision for their wedding day but without sufficient time to hammer out the details. Since Pratana was living in Thailand and Mike in Hawaii, 99% of our planning consultations took place over email, text messaging, or video chat. The couple visited Boston just once before their wedding day, but the distance was no deterrent for our team of experienced professionals!

Pratana and Mike’s top priority for their wedding day was gathering all their friends and family from separate continents in one place. They chose the iconic Old South Church in Boston’s Copley Square for their ceremony, followed by a cocktail hour and reception at the nearby Boston Public Library! These historic venues perfectly exhibited the elegant and luxurious feeling the couple desired for their special day.

Additionally, Pratana had specific elements she wanted to incorporate throughout the day besides the usual tried-and-true wedding traditions. As the newlyweds exited Old South Church after their ceremony, their guests tossed confetti! Then, Boston Bridal Carriage whisked them away on a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city streets. The couple returned to the Boston Public Library for their reception, where Mike’s military colleagues saluted them in a traditional saber arch ceremony. And just before their grand entrance, the couple toasted each other with a champagne tower. We loved these special touches throughout the day that made the celebration unique to them.

A Sparkling Wedding Party and Four Bridal Looks

Undoubtedly, Pratana’s bridal fashion was another highlight of this wedding day. She had four(!) dresses that she wore throughout the day, each intended for a specific part of the celebration. Her traditional American wedding dress was custom-made in Thailand, with sheer cap sleeves, a ballgown silhouette, and a sweetheart neckline. It complemented Mike’s military uniform like a dream for the couple’s ceremony and wedding portraits.

Next, she changed into a traditional Thai wedding dress for the reception entrance and dinner. It was stunning, with a column shape and sparkling gold accents—and Pratana looked radiant! A floral hairpiece and golden chandelier earrings completed the look. Then, she changed into a pink tea-length gown with a ruffled tulle skirt for the couple’s first dance. It was also the perfect attire for a surprise ballet performance with two professional dancers from a local dance troupe! Afterward, she changed one more time into a flirty white mini-dress with a plunging neckline and a feathered hemline.

Of course, the couple’s wedding party looked showstopping as well! Pratana’s attendants wore full-length dresses of gold sequins in varying styles, with her honor attendant attired in shimmering champagne. Not to be outdone, Mike’s attendants wore navy tuxedos with black trim. Everyone looked flawless for an affair at the iconic Boston Public Library!

Work with Elegant Aura

Are you newly engaged and ready to plan your Boston wedding? We would love to get to know you! Our team brings your design dreams to life through comprehensive, detail-oriented planning. Contact us to find out more!