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After the Korean Pyebaek Ceremony, This Couple Hosted Their Reception at Eleven Madison Park

By Shayna Seid | Photography by 

Calen Rose

|Planning by 

Le Petite Privé

Louise Piyarat Lai, founder of backless strapless bra company Gatherall, and Hoe Jung, president of Concertex and Pointe International, first met through Bumble in November of 2019, and after less than a year together, he surprised her with a trip and proposal at Amangiri. “He did not tell me where we were going but to pack for 30-70 degree [weather],” Louise remembers.

Before dinner one night, he suggested they take a detour and go on a sunset hike. “I was wearing heels and carrying my maltese, Maddie, while hiking up the sand dunes,” Louise shares. At the top, flowers from her favorite floral designer, Sarah Winward, and champagne were waiting, and Hoe promptly got down on one knee.

Their wedding planner, Xin Huang of Le Petite Privé helped Hoe plan the proposal, so it was special that she was with the couple from the beginning. The engaged pair picked three-Michelin star restaurant Eleven Madison Park for their autumn reception, and Sara Simpkins set the tone of the day with a beautiful invitation suite. “The most important aspect of the dinner was the food and for our family to be comfortable,” Louise says. “We wanted to find a space that would be private enough for my crazy and fun-loving siblings that were flying in from Thailand to join the wedding.”

To say, “I do,” Louise was limited to off-the-rack styles and didn’t want to wear a typical wedding dress. Given her petite frame, it’s often difficult for her to shop online, so the bride ordered two sizes of her Rachel Gilbert dress just in case. Rosantica’s Holli bag with forest green lining completed Louise’s bridal ensemble. And on the day-of, she got ready with makeup artist Priscilla Freire.

On November 5, 2022, Louise and Hoe had an intimate traditional Korean pyebaek at home with their family. It was an especially magical ceremony, since they had not seen some of their loved ones in two years. “I felt very relaxed because we were amongst loved ones, and we had everything handled because our planner was godsend and handled everything for me,” Louise admits.

Once officially wed, the newlyweds and their guests headed to EMP for a private five-course meal surrounded by florals by Designs by Ahn. The couple had an impromptu first dance to their favorite song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Hailey Reinhart, while their family serenaded them. “I got emotional and started to cry such happy tears,” Louise recalls. And the new mister and missus cut their cake from Bakes by Marie.

After the reception, the party continued at a rooftop club. Louise adds, “[We] danced the night away with the view of the Empire State Building at eye level.”