Katie Rha and Michael Gu first met as freshmen at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill during an entrepreneurship seminar. However, it wasn’t until they were both studying abroad (she was in London, and he was in Cape Town) during their junior year, when romance entered the chat.
The pair decided to meet in Madeira. “We spent an amazing week sightseeing, hiking, and riding Vespas through the town,” Katie recalls. “Though there were sparks of romance during the trip, it took me over 18 months to finally come around and agree to take the plunge into a relationship. We officially started dating the spring semester of our senior year.”
Five years later, Michael surprised Katie with a trip to Thailand. “I still had no idea he would propose, as I was convinced he was planning something for later in the year,” she admits. Midway through the trip, the two traveled to Koh Yao Noi, an island near Phuket. “During an afternoon of swimming and relaxing at the beach, Michael proposed by bringing the ring out to me while I was floating in the water. In that moment, I think I cried more out of fear of the ring dropping into the ocean, but the happy tears came later.”
It was only fitting that Katie and Michael returned to Madeira for their autumn wedding. Once the location was set, choosing Reid’s Palace came easily. “The hotel’s property is naturally stunning, so we knew we didn’t want the decor to look forced or overdone,” Katie notes. “Michael and I gravitated toward an aesthetic that felt fresh, clean, and effortless.”
That vision came through in the aisle by Bosque Concepts, where yellows and greens took shape through overgrown wildflowers. Joana Antunes of Como Branco carried the couple’s direction through the full scope of the weekend, while Agata Grzaba of Couplet Photography captured the scenes as they unfolded.
“I found the Marchesa gown early on in my wedding dress shopping journey, but didn’t commit to it until the fourth try on!” Katie says of the dress. “I think I surprised my family—and myself—with choosing a gown that was romantic and different from my usual style. While our wedding may not have been the most traditional, my wedding dress, on the other hand, really made me feel like I was owning the bridal moment.” Originally a mermaid silhouette, the look was reimagined as a column dress through expert tailoring.
Before dinner, Katie changed into a second look—a fully beaded gown by Tony Ward. “It was the most glamorous, Hollywood-like dress I had ever put on and a complete departure from my ceremony gown,” she says. “As a bonus, it was so much more comfortable for eating and dancing all night.”
Accessories carried the same sense of intention. Her sister handmade a fully beaded evening bag, adding a personal touch and a pop of color. Her shoes were Dior. Hair was styled by Clara Hair Spa, and Katie applied her own makeup.
On October 5, 2024, Katie and Michael were married on the rooftop terrace, with views of the Madeiran coastline. As “Can’t Help Falling in Love” played, the bride walked down the aisle with her father, while hotel guests quietly looked on from their balconies. A close friend officiated the ceremony, delivering a thoughtful note on the meaning of home. “We giggled and sobbed through the whole thing,” Katie shares.
After a few portraits and a quick change of dress, the couple rejoined guests for dinner beneath the pergola at Reid’s Café. Everyone found their seats via oyster shells calligraphed by Alli Freeman. “Following speeches by our siblings, Michael gave a toast and sang ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ by Frankie Valli, an ode to one of our favorite movies, 10 Things I Hate About You,” Katie remembers. “He ended the song by taking my hand for a dance, kickstarting the party and leading everyone to the dance floor.”
24 Robbers Swing Band and TC Luz & Events kept the energy high well into the night. “Between the pool and ocean, our guests danced under the signature tree of Reid’s Palace, decorated with lanterns and string lights,” she shares. “We felt free, dancing in our backyard while being 2,000 miles away from home.”
In lieu of a first dance Katie and Michael chose to cut their Petite Pâtisserie cake in the center of the dance floor. As they did, fireworks lit the sky and Tim Maia’s “Acenda O Farol” played overhead.
During the last song of the night, “Yellow” by Coldplay sounded out. “Midway through the song, Michael and I held hands and jumped into Reid’s outdoor pool with all of our friends,” Katie reminisces. “It was truly like a scene from a movie!”
The following day, the newlyweds flew to Paris, continuing on to the Italian Dolomites for their honeymoon. “We landed in Paris the day after our wedding and both decided to undergo massive transformations to celebrate the new chapter,” Katie says. “I cut 12 inches off of my hair, and Michael buzzed and bleached his hair. We were unrecognizable!”
