Real Wedding: Nathalee Kong & Christopher Tsai

Get inspired by their stylish celebration at the Institute of Contemporary Art.


couple at ICA wedding

Nat opted for a simple beaded dress from BHLDN to keep cool during the outdoor ceremony. Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography.

June 9, 2018
The Institute of Contemporary Art
Boston, Massachusetts

When you’re a globetrotting adventurer, you quickly learn to expect the unexpected—and yet, Nathalee Kong was wholly unprepared for what would happen on her trip to Kenya. Kong and her boyfriend, Christopher Tsai, were getting ready to embark on a safari when Chris decided to pop the question. “[After,] we hopped onto a Jeep to see lions,” Nat says. “It was
so surreal.”

When it came time to choose a venue for their celebration, however, the travel-loving couple opted for something a little closer to home—namely, the Institute of Contemporary Art, where they’d shared several dates throughout their courtship. And their wedding day had its own surprise in store, as a ship adorned with lights provided an impromptu backdrop. “That was the best wedding crasher I could’ve ever asked for,” Nat says.

envoy hotel

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

THE ENVOY HOTEL
In a nod to their passion for travel, Nat and Chris posed beneath this sign—carved into a marble wall—at the Envoy Hotel, where they got ready.

bouquet at ICA wedding

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

FLOWERS
Arranged by Flowers by Justine, Nat’s bouquet featured roses, peonies, baby’s breath, and leafy greenery.

couple at shake shack

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

SHAKE SHACK
The wedding party stopped at Shake Shack to escape the heat before meeting their parents for photos prior to the festivities.

ceremony at ICA

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

CEREMONY
The couple wrote their own vows, sprinkled with some humor. “[I talked about] having patience while Nat yells at couples on HGTV,” Chris says with a laugh.

couple dancing at ICA wedding

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

RECEPTION
“I liked how open and airy the space felt with the windows, and I loved the wiring and the lights, but it felt a little too high,” Nat says. “The globe lanterns made it more intimate.”

doughnuts at ICA wedding

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

DESSERT
Instead of cake, the couple served doughnuts from Union Square Donuts, which they arranged on a pegboard that they built themselves.

tablescape at ICA wedding

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

TABLESCAPES
Filled with eucalyptus and baby’s breath, amber bottles adorned the tables.

bridal party at ICA wedding

Photograph by Scott Zuehkle Photography

BRIDAL PARTY
The bridal party spent the afternoon posing for photos along Boston’s Harborwalk.

escort cards at ICA wedding

Photograph by Scott Zuehlke Photography

ESCORT CARDS
Nat and Chris decorated their escort cards (which were folded into paper airplanes) with shiba inu stickers—an homage to their dog, Kylo.

Caterer The Catered Affair
DJ DJ Cookie Policy
Doughnuts Union Square Donuts
Dresses BHLDN
Flowers Flowers by Justine
Groom’s Tux Suitsupply
Groomsmen Tuxes The Black Tux
Hair Jenny Luu
Makeup Lisa Chy Makeup
Day-of Coordinator Favoloso Weddings & Events

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