Caitlyn Nguyen and Gene Kang met while working in the film industry. Though they crossed paths at the same studio, they didn’t speak until a year later—on the day Gene was leaving for a new role, when he asked Caitlyn out.
After five years of dating, Gene proposed during the holidays around the Christmas tree and surprised Caitlyn with an engagement party surrounded by her closest friends—including her twin sister, who flew in from New York.
Caitlyn, now an awards strategist at Netflix, and Gene, COO of a production company, quickly settled into the wedding planning process. Marrying in Spain had always seemed like the clear choice, and hiring planner Leire Ibáñez of 20 Eventos paired seamlessly with that vision. “We fell in love with San Sebastián on a vacation to Spain early in our relationship,” Caitlyn says. “We are both huge foodies, so our European friends recommended we add this city as a stop during our trip. We fell in love with the lush green hills that surrounded the city, the quaint old town streets, the passionate Basque people, and the food especially. When it came to settling on a destination for our wedding, we wanted to return to this city that charmed us with our friends and family.”
The couple designed their wedding with guests top of mind—curating three days of experiences centered around the locale’s food, culture, and coastal charm, all of which were detailed in an invitation suite by Marc Friedland Couture Communications. The Hotel Maria Cristina served as the anchor for the weekend. A historic property in the heart of San Sebastián, it hosted the welcome cocktails, served as the central hub for transportation, and provided the backdrop for the couple’s stay.
Agata of Couplet Photography took to the lens on the weekend. “The photographer is the vendor you end up being around the most, so it made a world of a difference for it to be someone that is so gently encouraging, kind, and great around our guests,” Caitlyn notes.
On the morning of the wedding, Caitlyn got ready in a blue feathered Sleeper dress, applying her own makeup while Amaia Ruiz styled her hair. She then slipped into a Vivienne Westwood dress from Loho Bride in Los Angeles before meeting Gene for their first look.
One thing didn’t go quite as planned ahead of the ceremony. “No one noticed that the bouquet was left at the hotel!” Caitlyn exclaims. “We didn’t realize until moments before I was about to walk down the aisle. I had been told by many of our married friends to anticipate at least going wrong on the big day, so if it had to be the bouquet, then so be it! I walked down the aisle holding both her mom and dad by my side. In the end, I liked how natural and relaxed it looked.”
Caitlyn and Gene exchanged vows at the Bodega Katxiña Txakolina vineyard, set against the rolling hills of the Basque countryside and framed by florals from Endanea Garden. Gene’s cousin officiated the ceremony, adding a personal touch to the occasion, while the Sotto Voce string quartet provided a gentle soundtrack to the setting.
Afterward, guests gathered with glasses of local wine to toast the newlyweds. Dinner followed on the patio, where chef Iñaki Zendoia led a live show cooking at the grill. Guests watched as steak and seabream were prepared, alongside a menu that featured blue lobster salad and Basque cheesecake from La Viña.
As Billy Joel’s “She’s Always a Woman” played, Caitlyn and Gene shared their first dance, followed by moments on the floor with their parents. DJ Clash Gordon kept the fête going full well into the early morning hours. The next day, the newlyweds departed for Botswana, where they began their honeymoon on safari.
