photography

NEW YORK + DESTINATION
est. 2008

CFDA Senior Director of Business Development and Partnerships, Ashley-Brooke Sandall met celebrity magician and New York Times crossword puzzle constructor David Kwong at the New York Botanical Gardens black tie Gala in June 2019. There were no tricks, they just fell in love. Soon they moved across the country, endured the pandemic and got engaged in December of 2021 at the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena.

The botanic theme continued as they decided on how to celebrate their wedding. Instead of just one party, there would be a few, in order to celebrate in locations that meant the most. The main wedding was in Rochester, New York at the Genesee Valley Club. The second summer celebration was held in Harbour Springs, Michigan – a location near and dear to the couple.

David proposed with his Chinese grandmother’s diamond pendant necklace instead of a ring. Working in Fashion, Ashley-Brooke has very specific taste and he wanted to make sure she got the ring of her dreams. Ashley-Brooke later flew to NYC to work with jeweler Marisa Perry who made her 3.8 ct oval engagement ring.

Custom Reem Acra Wedding Dress

A lot of thought was put into the fashion of the day, and each piece was carefully considered. Ashley-Brooke called on her connections in the fashion industry to source pieces. She chose to work with designer Reem Acra, having developed a relationship and connection to her work, for her custom lace gown. They began the design process through Zoom calls. Later when Ashley-Brooke first saw the dress at an in-person fitting at Reem’s atelier in NYC, she was moved to tears.

See the CFDA feature on their wedding here

The couple hosted a traditional Tea Ceremony to honor David’s relatives from Hong Kong. Personal friend and designer Vivienne Tam provided the dress, flown in from Hong Kong. For the third look of the night, Ashley-Brooke’s reception dress was the fringe Markarian that danced the night away.

The bride wore both Jimmy Choo and Chanel shoes, and an 8 ct ruby diamond ring that is a family heirloom from her mother. David wore a Saint Laurent suit and a Prada dress shirt and a Ralph Lauren purple label tie.

David is part Jewish and Ashley-Brooke is Presbyterian, so their ceremony was non-denominational but celebrated both of their heritages. Having so many family and friends together, it was a day filled with emotion. The dance floor was filled and the party continued well into the morning hours.