A Sunny, Relaxed Celebration in a Historic Garden in Germany

Vivian and Roland, both doctors, met in November 2017 when a friend introduced them at a party—but after they "rekindled" in early 2018, their relationship moved quickly. Just a few months later, Roland proposed in Rostock, Germany, on the Baltic Sea. "We were supposed to fly to Paris and have dinner at the Eiffel tower, but our flights got canceled as Air France was striking," says Vivian. "It ended up being a blessing in disguise as I love the beach, and appreciated the privacy—we were the only people there that day. The sunset was one of the most beautiful ones I have ever seen."

For their wedding ceremony on July 13, 2019, the couple chose Gut Gross Siemen, a property boasting 200-year-old oak trees, more than 3,000 roses, and a lavish manor house; after, they hosted their 100 guests at Hotel Neptun—a property with beach views—for their reception. Though they handled all the details themselves, the couple found the planning process to be stress-free. "I definitely was not a bridezilla," says Vivian. "As long as there was food and alcohol, and my husband showed up, I was relaxed."

Vivian describes the wedding day as "simple, elegant, and relaxing," and noted that they got lucky with the weather. "The sun was shining that day, hence we got married in the garden and had Champagne, coffee, and cake at the Orangery while listening to a live saxophonist and pianist," she says. There was, however, one highlight that stands out from the rest: "I was three months pregnant with our daughter, who is eight months now," she adds, "and just the thought that she was present makes the day even more special."

The couple threw a welcome reception the day prior to the wedding; they hosted the celebration on a boat, which sailed along the Warnow River—which leads into the Baltic sea. "That event served for people to get to know one another and it worked out perfectly," explains Vivian. "We felt like everyone had a chat with everyone."

Gut Gross Siemen checked every box on the couple's ceremony venue wish list. "Gross Siemen is a beautiful garden where you can legally get married by the civil counsel the same day as your ceremony, which was important to my husband and I," says Vivian. "Also, there was a beautiful option of getting married indoors in case of rain—a beautiful orangery. We fell in love with the location the moment we saw it online."

For the ceremony, Vivian wore a BHLDN wedding dress (one of two!) with a plunging neckline, slightly higher waist, and flowing skirt. "The first dress I bought in Los Angeles at BHLDN with my brothers," she says. "I trust them to be brutally honest—which they were. It was simple, sexy, and elegant."

A line of delicate covered buttons ran down the gown's illusion back; the dynamic A-line skirt created a dramatic statement.

Roland chose a custom Rooks and Rocks tuxedo in classic black, adding personalized cuff links in honor of Vivian's heritage. "I was born in Germany but also lived in Grenada, the Caribbean, for nine years, as that is where my mother is from," says the bride. "My husband decided to wear Grenada flag cuff links to represent."

Since her bridesmaids live all over the world, Vivian suggested each choose her own dress to coordinate with the color palette. "I told them they could all get what they felt comfortable in and would be able to wear again—if possible, in pastel green or gray," she says. Though they were all strangers to one another, it just so happened that they all picked gray.

As the bride's father escorted her down the aisle, she carried a draping bouquet of pale foliage and white blooms from Ostseeblüte Eventfloristik. "I wanted [my bouquet] to be white and green," she says, "and my only request was no roses."

Vivian and Roland exchanged traditional vows during their outdoor ceremony, inviting a speaker and a pastor to participate; their officiants inspired one of their favorite memories of the day. "The wedding speaker and the pastor kept calling my husband by the wrong name," says Vivian. "His name is Roland—they kept saying Robert."

Since the venue's landscape was so lush, the couple installed simple, minimal ceremony decorations on their own, adding bunches of eucalyptus to chairs, lining the aisle with rose petals, and setting up flowers at the front of the space. "The garden was so beautiful—it didn't need much," says Vivian.

Music was provided by friends of the couple—professional singers who "made my wish come true by singing at the ceremony," says Vivian. The duo played the piano and sang "A Song for You" by Donny Hathaway after the ring exchange. "It was just the most magical moment," says Vivian.

The newlyweds—officially husband and wife—paused at the top of the aisle for a kiss.

Vivian changed into a second gown for the reception: one made by seamstress Bella Donna Mode Design after a casual conversation about Vivian's dream dress. "I never hired her, she never measured me, but when I went to the wedding fair here in Rostock, I saw the seamstress," says Vivian. "She approached me and told me she sewed the dress I imagined. It fit perfectly and was, after all, my dream dress, so I went ahead and bought it."

Roland and Vivian stole away for a few for portraits during the reception. "Enjoy every second," says the bride. "It's over so fast."

The duo chose Hotel Neptun on Warnemünde Beach for their reception. "We both wanted to incorporate the beach in some form, as it is unique to Germany and what makes Mecklenburg-Vorpommern special," says Vivian. "The Skybar was perfect. I has almost a 180-degree view of the beach from the 16th floor, great food, drinks, service, and a dance floor."

They continued their understated green-and-white color palette at the party, adding eucalyptus runners that showed off the white linens and chairs.

Vivian and Roland requested a menu from the hotel's restaurant that included a variety of vegan options for their guests.

As colorful lights shone on the dance floor, Vivian and Roland shared their first dance as husband and wife to Whitney Houston's iconic "I Wanna Dance with Somebody."

Photography, Chad Munro 
Ceremony Venue, Gut Gross Siemen
Reception Venue and Catering, Hotel Neptun 
Flowers, Ostseeblüte Eventfloristik
Bride's Gown, BHLDN (ceremony); Bella Donna Modedesigns (reception)  
Bride's Veil, BHLDN
Hair and Makeup, Bertha
Groom's suit, Rooks and Rocks