Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine

How did you meet?

We met each other in Costa Rica in April of 2017. I traveled there for a month to look for investments and eventually move there, and my now husband was there for a friend’s wedding. We coincidentally stayed at the same hotel, and the next morning after my husband’s arrival, I saw him at the breakfast area…only for a few seconds, and that was all it took for me to know that he would be part of my life. We shared a cab together with another guest and we learned that we have many things in common that connected us. After that trip, we exchanged numbers and continued to communicate.

Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine

Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine

How did COVID-19 affect your wedding?

We were supposed to have a small, intimate ceremony in the Fall of 2020 however, COVID really threw a wrench on our plans. We were in a long distance relationship for three years, and to close that distance we decided to file for a K1 Fiancé Visa. I was living in Italy and my husband in Connecticut at the time. Due to COVID and travel bans, I was unable to get an interview with the American Embassy in Italy. Eventually, after one year of waiting, we filled a lawsuit which ultimately resulted in us getting an interview. Upon approval, I traveled through Mexico and quarantined for 14 days, because I was still unable to fly direct from Italy. When I arrived, Sacramento was the only place we found that allowed in person ceremonies so we decided on that, and once things get better, we’ll have a small celebration with our family and friends.

Was there anything in particular you knew you wanted for the day? Any expectations?

Since we only had an intimate ceremony at the Clerk’s Office, there was very little planning to do. But I knew I wanted my hair and makeup done by a stylist and make up artist. However, having such a short time between my arrival in USA to our wedding, everyone was busy. No expectations at all. We were excited about this day and even if this wasn’t a big wedding, we were filled with amazing emotions.

Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine

Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine

How would you describe the ceremony?

The ceremony was like a win-win moment for both of us. We believe it’s our story that made it unique. A little background after our initial meeting. We left Costa Rica, and after my arrival in Italy and my husband’s arrival in Connecticut, after three months of communication over the phone, we decided to see each other again. I left Italy in 2017 for seven months, and 2018 for six months, and I went back to Costa Rica, where my husband visited me every two months. And in 2018 and 2019 we saw each other around Europe (Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, Madrid) Canada and Kenya as well (his hometown). To make it more clear, we did not start our relationship with the right foot, nor butterflies in the stomach. Each trip made to see each other, revealed layers of ourselves that made us notice that were coming from past heartaches, distrust and traumas that unfortunately caused pain in our fragile relationship, as well to one another. Dealing with that over the phone as well with the distance, wasn’t easy at all: I repeat—was not easy! We built our love the hard way, nothing was superficial for us. We dove deep and learned to trust, to love, to understand and have patience with each other in a healthy way. Looking back now, if we made it through all those struggles, we can move mountains together! And we truly believe that. That’s why this was our moment, where we finally made it, we did it together!!! As we say it all the time in my husband’s native language in Swahili, “Tukopamoja” which means together.

Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine Fits & Stops Photography Downtown Sacramento Courthouse Wedding Alina and Edgar in Real Weddings Magazine