Wedded: Katelyn Niu and Kevin Yang

Date: Sept. 28

Her story: Katelyn Niu, 29, was born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Province, China, and moved to Maryland in 2000. She graduated with doctor of dental surgery and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in May and is an associate dentist in Hagerstown. Her mother, Ming Bell, and stepfather, Stephen Bell, live in Ellicott City.

His story: Kevin Yang, 29, was born in Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China. He moved to Woodbury, N.J., with his family in 1996 before relocating to Cumberland a year later. He is an analyst at T.Rowe Price. His father, Tu Guo Yang, lives in Ellicott City. His mother, Lan Fang Yang, died in a car accident in 2004.

Their story: In the fall of 2003, Kevin and Katelyn met as students at University of Maryland, Baltimore County in a physics study group. It wasn't until a year later, when they were in the same advanced Chinese class, that they formed a friendship. When a virus infected Katelyn's computer in the fall of 2004, Kevin solved the problem, and the relationship developed from there.

"We hung out as friends, and after a while, the relationship dynamic changed," says Kevin.

The proposal: On May 8, 2011, Kevin surprised Katelyn by suggesting they go on a walk through Patapsco Valley State Park, which was down the street from their Ellicott City home.

Katelyn, who says she enjoys walking and being in nature, didn't immediately figure out what Kevin was up to, though they both say that suggesting a walk was out of the ordinary for him.

"Looking back, there were so many clues," says Katelyn. "I just didn't pick it up."

That day, Kevin proposed as they were walking along the Patapsco River.

The venue: 75 people, including Kevin and Katelyn, attended the ceremony and reception at the Center Club in Baltimore. The Rev. Renee Parks presided.

"We became members just a little before we were starting to plan our wedding," says Katelyn, "and that was a really nice location. The service was great."

Decor: Red, a lucky color in Chinese culture, was incorporated throughout the wedding. Red paper lanterns were hung along the aisle for the ceremony, and red and white rose petals lined the aisle runner. The reception tables were dressed in white linens.

Flowers: Katelyn and her mom made the bridal bouquets and centerpieces using red and white roses.

Her dress: The bride wore a strapless, ivory fit-and-flare gown with a sweetheart neckline and allover beading from Betsy Robinson's Bridal Collection in Pikesville. She also wore red open-toe high heels and silver and rhinestone chandelier earrings that she made herself.

Bridesmaids' dresses: The women wore claret, floor-length chiffon gowns from Alfred Angelo Bridal in Glen Burnie.

Men's attire: The men wore traditional black tuxedos from Jos. A. Bank. Kevin wore a black vest and bow tie with a white pocket square, and the groomsmen wore red vests, bow ties and pocket squares.

Food and dessert: The Center Club provided the food, including Maryland crab soup, horseradish-crusted Atlantic salmon and chicken supreme. Simply Desserts of Columbia provided the three-tier cake decorated with white chocolate and buttercream icing, red ribbons around each tier, and red and white roses.

Music: DJ Jose Castro of Avalon Entertainment entertained the guests during the reception. Kevin and Katelyn performed the foxtrot, club swing, rumba and triple swing to "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" by Frankie Valli as their first dance.

Favors: Guests received etched glass coaster sets with the word "love" in a geometric square design.

RSVP

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