This Bride Designed Her Wedding Gown After Trying Over 200 Dresses

A wedding day is often described as one of the most important moments in a person’s life, and for Solla Park, it was also one of the most fashion-forward, thoughtful, and beautifully personal experiences she and her partner, Paul Seufert, would ever share.

The couple, who first met in a college basement in Toronto, Canada, knew from early on that they wanted their wedding to be unforgettable.

After nearly a decade of love, travel, and growing together, Paul proposed at White Sands National Park (Solla’s dream location) and so began the journey toward a wedding that would blend creativity, culture, intimacy, and style in the heart of California.

The bride’s fashion journey began with an ambitious goal: find the perfect wedding dress. She tried on over 200 gowns from top designers and boutiques across North America but kept feeling that none of them truly captured the image in her mind.

Solla loved elements of many; lacework here, a silhouette there, but nothing completely clicked. Late one night, the bride-to-be impulsively sketched the wedding dress of her dreams: a classic off-the-shoulder ivory ball gown with a structured neckline, basque waist, gathered skirt, low back, and a thigh-high slit.

The next morning, she shared it with a dressmaker, and the creation process began. The result was a custom silk satin gown that felt like a true extension of herself. She also designed a lace-trimmed royal-length veil with embroidery that represented both their heritages and journey together; details included their wedding date and five symbolic flowers for Korea, Hungary, Germany, Canada, and an orchid from their first date.

On October 12, 2024, the wedding took place at a private estate in Temecula, California; a venue they discovered through TikTok. With panoramic views and space for guests to stay on-site, it offered the perfect backdrop for a weekend celebration.

Solla and Paul spent two years exploring over 70 venues, but this one felt like home. It reflected their new life in California and the connection they wanted to build with nature, their loved ones, and each other. Guests flew in from around the world to share in this moment, and the couple, guided by planner Laura Garcia of Moon Velvet Studio, made sure every detail felt intentional.

From the welcome party to the afterparty, the couple curated experiences that felt playful yet elegant. The welcome event took place in the courtyard of the estate and featured a jazz band, open-air seating, and an atmosphere that was both relaxed and refined.

Guests were asked to wear neutral-toned cocktail attire made of airy, natural fabrics. Before festivities began, the couple took portraits in traditional Korean Hanboks to honor Solla’s heritage. Later, Solla changed into a Cortana bias-cut dress made from Italian silk georgette, which she called her favorite look of the weekend. Paul wore a Perte D’ego suit with floral embroidery to complement the earthy tones and autumnal palette they embraced throughout the wedding.

Florals for the event were entrusted to Stephanie Howard of Floraltique, who had full creative freedom. The results were sculptural and stunning; bright fall tones blended with fruit accents to echo the season’s change and the vibrancy of the couple’s love.

For the welcome party dinner, long and round tables were adorned with green and white linens, loosely structured centerpieces, and the feeling of a relaxed family dinner in a Tuscan villa. The menu included Korean-inspired tacos like bulgogi and kimchi fillings, and signature cocktails were themed after their favorite films. Guests sipped on “3683 Days of Solla,” named after the exact number of days they had been together since their first meeting.

The personal touches didn’t stop there. The couple printed lines from their decade-long Facebook Messenger conversations onto cocktail napkins, turning a casual item into a treasure hunt for guests. An artist painted live watercolor portraits, while an engraver personalized leather passport covers, mirrors, and luggage tags as favors. These thoughtful, interactive elements made guests feel deeply involved in the celebration.

On the wedding day, Solla got ready with her bridesmaids and wore multiple layered looks, including Cortana pieces that could be styled in different ways for portraits, the ceremony, and the reception. Accessories included a Kinn Studio bracelet, Bella Belle shoes, and Jo Malone’s Red Hibiscus Intense perfume, selected during a pre-wedding scent-shopping date with Paul. Bridesmaids wore mismatched dresses in soft earth tones and carried single Cymbidium orchids for a clean, modern aesthetic.

Paul, who wore a custom black wool tuxedo from Hall Madden, completed his look with a pair of mother-of-pearl cufflinks gifted by Solla. The detail held cultural significance; mother-of-pearl is central to a traditional Korean craft called Najeonjang and reflected his commitment to honoring Solla’s heritage. His fragrance, Wood Sage & Sea Salt by Jo Malone, was chosen to evoke memories of desert landscapes like White Sands and Joshua Tree, where their love had blossomed.

After the ceremony, cocktail hour featured live jazz and signature drinks like “The Seoul,” a hibiscus paloma, and “The Ottawa,” a maple-infused Old Fashioned; each representing part of their shared identity. Guests left messages on an audio guest book and collected personalized souvenirs, all while enjoying breathtaking views and candlelit ambiance.

The reception was intimate and cozy, with a minimalist lighting setup that let the starry California sky shine. The tables were draped in soft linens, flanked by olive trees, and decorated with layered, floral-shaped plates, gold-rimmed glassware, and neutral-toned florals. Their menus echoed the floral designs from their invitations, adding a cohesive finish to the table settings.

Their first dance was a choreographed waltz-salsa fusion to Stephen Sanchez’s “Evangeline,” which they had spent six months practicing. As they lifted into the final pose, their bridal party surprised them with confetti cannons. The dinner menu was a seasonal twist on American-French cuisine, with dishes like spinach gnudi and chimichurri steak. Dessert was a highlight, including a three-tiered cake with passionfruit curd and a custom chocolate-Biscoff flavor that paid homage to their love of travel and in-flight snacks. Mini desserts like lychee macarons and cream puffs followed, but the biggest culinary surprise came later with a full Korean BBQ station for a late-night snack.

As night deepened, the newly-wedded bride changed into a Danielle Frankel silk slip wedding dress and Paul into a crisp white tuxedo jacket from Banana Republic. A fog machine, rave lights, and laser tag arena transformed the venue into a high-energy playground. Guests played in teams, bonded through the intensity of the game, and formed connections that extended beyond the wedding weekend.

Solla and Paul’s wedding was more than a ceremony; it was a fully immersive experience that reflected their personalities, cultures, and shared adventures. From the bride’s custom wedding dress that started it all to the choreographed dance and laser tag finale, every moment was crafted with purpose.

For couples planning their big day, Solla’s advice is simple: start with what you love and build from there. Don’t be afraid to ignore the rulebook, take creative risks, and let your celebration feel like a true expression of who you are together.

Photo: Kurt Boomer