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\nWhen Grace Kim boarded a plane from Los Angeles to London in December 2018, she didn\u2019t anticipate that she\u2019d met her husband on her vacation<\/a>. But, when a friend encouraged her to activate her Bumble account, she matched with Travis \u200b\u200bJunge, who was stationed in the United Kingdom with the Air Force. The twosome shared mulled wine at a Christmas<\/a> market, danced the night away at a concrete disco box, and have been together ever since. \u201cGrace left the country the next day, but we talked every day after and dated long-distance<\/a> from London to Los Angeles,\u201d Travis shares. \u201cThe rest is history as they say.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nThough their entire relationship has been long distance, they\u2019ve always known that they wanted to spend forever together. (Turns out, distance<\/a> really does<\/em> make the heart grow fonder.) So, when Travis proposed to Grace during a weekend getaway to Joshua Tree in National Park in 2021, the couple wasted no time to make it official. Problem was, the global pandemic<\/a> threw a major wrench into the wedding planning<\/a> process.\n<\/p>\n \n\u201cWe really weren\u2019t sure if or when we would be able to have our families<\/a> together for one ceremony since Grace\u2019s family was in Los Angeles<\/a> and Travis\u2019 family in St. Louis,\u201d the couple explains. \u201cWe also didn\u2019t want to wait to see when Covid-19 would allow us to have the \u2018normal\u2019 wedding.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n \nThe solution? Grace and Travis eloped in Malibu on April 26, 2021 and threw a micro wedding<\/a> in St. Louis on May 1, 2021. Not only did the dual nuptials make it possible to have their dream wedding\u2014all within the confines of Covid-19, of course\u2014but it was also a poetic<\/a> nod to their long-distance relationship. Since the bride found herself planning a St. Louis party from Los Angeles, the couple tapped Kate Turner of local event company Kate + Company<\/a> to make the multi-day affair magical. Read on for an intimate look at these dual nuptials, as photographed by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nOn April 26, the couple eloped to \u200b\u200bthe Malibu Rocky Oaks<\/a>. \u201cWe loved the beauty of the place,\u201d they explain. \u201cIt was up in the mountains<\/a> where we felt close to God. We got married on the villa\u2019s helipad! The villa reminded us of Italy.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nUnlike their St. Louis ceremony<\/a>\u2014which had approximately 30 of their family members and closest friends in attendance\u2014Grace and Travis kept their elopement\u2019s guest list<\/a> curated to the photographer<\/a> and their pastor, who was a friend and performed the wedding.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nFor Grace and Travis, their Malibu elopement<\/a> offered plenty of autonomy. \u201cWe knew at least with an elopement, we would have more control over the most meaningful part of the ceremony: our vows<\/a>,\u201d the groom explains.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \n\u201cWe really wanted this to be our own personal moment<\/a> where we could share our most vulnerable thoughts with one another,\u201d the bride says. \u201cThere is something truly special about sharing your personal vows<\/a> on top of a cliff with no one but your spouse really by your side.\u201d Though the couple estimates their vows were 30 minutes long, it remains one of the nuptials\u2019 most intimate and unforgettable moments.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAfter Grace and Travis swapped vows, the couple sealed their lasting love with a kiss<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \n\u201cWe wanted it to feel intimate and classy without much fuss,\u201d the bride says of both celebrations. For the elopement, Travis sported a traditional tuxedo from Brooks Brothers<\/a>. Meanwhile, the bride looked radiant in a floral<\/a> embroidered gown from \u00c9lys\u00e9e Bridal<\/a>. “With an amazing venue like Rocky Oaks in Malibu, we thought getting dressed up in our finest would look awesome next to the backdrop<\/a> of this beautiful venue,\u201d she shares.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAs the sun set on their elopement, Grace and Travis posed for a few breathtaking pictures<\/a> with photographer Clary Pfeiffer<\/a>. In fact, one of the couple\u2019s most prized moments was climbing a rocky mountain for an idyllic sunset photo.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nLess than a week later, Grace and Travis headed to St. Louis to celebrate their marriage with their inner circle. Since the couple met and spent a lot of time in Europe<\/a>, they wanted to bring a global touch to their Midwest nuptials. With a rustic<\/a> design, muted shades of green and pink, and gilded touches, the invitation suite<\/a> got the vibe just right.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> It was so nice to have a relatively small, intimate wedding.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nThe newlyweds kept their guest list<\/a> to minimum, inviting 22 friends and family members as well as six of their nieces and nephews. \u201cIt was so nice to have a relatively small<\/a>, intimate wedding,\u201d the bride shares. \u201cIt really allowed both of our families to talk more and get to know each other.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nFor the St. Louis nuptials, the bride stunned in another embroidered gown from \u00c9lys\u00e9e Bridal<\/a>, complete with sequins, chantilly lace<\/a>, and tulle. \u201cThey both just made me feel so incredibly beautiful and they both actually didn\u2019t really [require] alterations,\u201d Grace shares. \u201cI was fortunate that I got to wear two wedding dresses both which fit the different venues<\/a> so perfectly.\u201d She completed the look with a simple veil\u2014her very own “something borrowed<\/a>.”\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAs for the groom? He sported a classic navy suit from Brooks Brothers<\/a>. \u201cI wanted something simple, classic<\/a>, and approachable,\u201d he shares. \u201cI think the suit as opposed to a tuxedo contributed to a more relaxed and intimate environment<\/a> for us and our family.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nWhen it came to finding the perfect venue for their micro wedding<\/a>, there was no better spot than the Solarium at The Ritz Carlton St. Louis<\/a>. \u201cThe Solarium had both a nature and European vibe, which is our style,\u201d the bride shares.\u00a0\u201cWe met, lived, and traveled in Europe<\/a> so it\u2019s a special place for us. We love nature and greenery<\/a>.\u201d With the help of ghost chairs and pastel blooms that lined the aisle, the foliage-filled locale turned into an idyllic reception area.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nTo help streamline the day\u2019s festivities, Grace and Travis stuck with traditional vows<\/a> for their St. Louis-based wedding. Thanks to the musical stylings of Dan Hoerle, a classical guitarist who played during the processional<\/a> and recessional, the ceremony had a romantic touch.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nGrace\u2019s bridesmaids stunned in lush green dresses from Anthropologie<\/a>, which paired nicely with the Solarium\u2019s ambiance. Meanwhile, the groomsmen sported navy suits from Brooks Brothers<\/a>. \u201cI also wanted something simple and classic for the groomsmen<\/a>,\u201d Travis shares. \u201cIt was also important to me that they could use the suit for other occasions.\u00a0 My gift to the groomsmen was basically the suit they wore.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAfter the ceremony, guests moseyed to the reception area for an intimate celebration. \u201cWe also really liked that we were able to fit everyone around one large table<\/a>,\u201d Grace notes. \u201cIt really felt like two families truly coming together.\u201d\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nFor a dinner that can appeal to all of the senses, the couple’s planner<\/a> dressed up the table with taper candles<\/a>, gilded flatware, and an ethereal array of colorful blooms.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nHungry? Grace and Travis collaborated with the Ritz Carlton\u2019s restaurant, Casa Del Alfonso<\/a>, to create a personalized menu<\/a> that was inspired by one of the couple\u2019s special trips to Italy.\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nOf course, the Italian influence would not stop there. \u201c\u200b\u200bTravis had wine<\/a> shipped in from Italy from a villa we stayed at during an amazing trip<\/a>,\u201d Grace shares. \u201cWe stayed friends with the sommelier there and Travis worked with him to have it shipped.\u201d Cheers!\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nThe festivities also included a Korean wedding ceremony called paebaek<\/a>. Here, the couple\u2019s mothers donned traditional Korean dress<\/a> called hanbok. Later, Grace and Travis kicked off the party with a first dance to Sade\u2019s \u201cBy Your Side.\u201d\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Photo by Clary Pfeiffer Photography<\/p>\n <\/span> \nAdmittedly, planning a wedding\u2014let alone an elopement and destination<\/a> ceremony\u2014is by no means easy. When looking back on their special day, the couple stresses the importance of finding a trustworthy planner<\/a>. \u201cSince I was planning from afar, I had to really trust my wedding planner to put together a wedding in St. Louis that we envisioned,\u201d the bride shares. Just like Grace and Travis\u2019 relationship proves, having the right person<\/a> on your side can make distance a small feat.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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