Dallas Arboretum (Lay Garden)

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

How We Met

Joel and Harrah first crossed paths during freshman year at UT Austin, where they both enrolled in engineering physics. Harrah quickly realized the class… wasn’t for her, and dropped it. Joel, meanwhile, was in the class despite already having AP credit for it (a very Joel move). As it turned out, that wasn't their only overlap—by pure coincidence, they ended up sharing three classes together that semester. Even in those early days, their paths kept crossing in ways that felt a little more than coincidence.

The First Date

During the long holiday breaks, most students went home—but not Harrah. Supporting herself through school, she usually stayed in Austin, conveniently just a five-minute walk from Joel. With campus quiet and their schedules free, they started spending more time together. One thing led to another, and soon they found themselves on their first real date—simple, unplanned, and perfectly them.

Our Adventures Together

Over the years, Joel and Harrah have traveled everywhere from Korea, Japan, China, and Mexico to cities all across the U.S. With many of their friends scattered along the West Coast, they often turned trips into “work-vacations,” making the most of being able to work remotely. A special shoutout goes to Judy—Harrah’s sister—who graciously agrees to dog-sit Lobo every time they wander off on another adventure.

The Proposal

Joel planned to propose during their 2023 trip to Japan—something shockingly ahead of schedule for him (a whole six months in advance!). Harrah had her suspicions, but Lisa, her future maid-of-honor, threw her off the trail with convincing lies about how Joel was not planning anything. On their third night in Japan, Joel got down on one knee and managed to catch Harrah completely off guard. She had no makeup on and her nails weren’t done—something she still teases him about to this day.

Looking Ahead

This marriage has been nearly ten years in the making, with its fair share of ups, downs, and everything in between. The friends gathered at this wedding have been with them through it all—and many have been waiting for this moment almost as long as they have. Our friend group might be full of late-blooming couples (marriage-wise), but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you for celebrating with us. We can’t wait to cheer you on through your milestones, too.

Our Story

Photos

Eric Diep

Lisa Bui

Thomas Du

Christiane Du

Qi Yang

Linda Vo

Mark Bruce

Judy Wang

Jia-hsun Lu

Wedding Party

Ultimate Formal Attire Shopping Guide

25 Hand-Picked Formal Guest Dresses

Tux vs. Suit: What's the Difference?

Dress Code

Q + A

Travel

White Rock Lake Park is one of Dallas’ most beautiful outdoor spots, offering scenic waterfront views, miles of walking paths, and peaceful green spaces perfect for relaxing between wedding events. It’s a favorite local escape with sailboats on the water, gorgeous sunset views, and plenty of areas for picnics or casual photos. Whether guests want a morning stroll, a bit of fresh air, or a quiet place to unwind, it’s an easy and serene getaway just minutes from the city.

White Rock Lake Park

The Perot Museum of Nature and Science is one of Dallas’ top attractions, offering interactive exhibits that are fun for all ages. Visitors can explore everything from dinosaurs and gemstones to space, technology, and hands-on science labs. The building itself is a stunning piece of modern architecture, and it’s located right in the heart of downtown. It’s a great option for families, curious travelers, or anyone looking to experience something uniquely Dallas.

Perot Museum of Nature and Science

Klyde Warren Park is a vibrant urban green space in the heart of Dallas, connecting Uptown and Downtown with a lively, welcoming atmosphere. The park features food trucks, live music, outdoor games, and plenty of shaded seating, making it a great spot to relax between events. Visitors can enjoy walking paths, the children’s area, and frequent community activities that bring the space to life. It’s an easy, central stop for out-of-town guests to experience the upbeat energy of Dallas.

Klyde Warren Park

Things to Do

Registry

<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/RqYyYhKiZabVyK1DA?g_st=ic" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Google Maps</a> <a href="https://maps.apple/p/iAYMJ6TMimpkXA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Maps</a>

There will be complimentary parking in parking lot #2 (right at entrance #2).<a href="https://links-sl.discussions.tripleseat.com/?ref=bMQAAOEGmUOX4rWTEWJOPhYZzJNZXoMnAQAAAKRUGvl1cRlatNHDlgZffopZTVKCVGTTpEXpYVbodlua1wwSKWm08nFOz7EYCYvL4ifV_huwhE1nDWpNAL5OCgyXN-mBommr4toe1v1hkXwotWEyDWMIGmdNpfgKwHDgYMLugUCJzkJK8M9UUA-q85-BeMMPq44ax9ZK_oxTyvCjN1KICr0Ac-zi-7emy6AVPy_swRHVtJCbMY2VxJeJtQkxboJnrJvUypTKEv7NCu_6JxigBuoqVJ5mYoF3OG-KhVE6XInrkbmzqQ70SUIusb8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">You can pre-register your license plate here</a> If you would prefer to handle validation at the venue instead, there will be a QR code available inside the venue to validate or request a refund if you accidentally paid for parking. DO NOT SCAN THE QR CODE AT THE PARKING LOT ENTRANCE

Harrah & Joel

Harrah & Joel

Dress Code

FORMAL GARDEN ATTIRE

Ideas & Advice