How did you meet?
We meet our first year in college in Sacramento about 19 years ago, and have been together ever since.
When did you become engaged and how?
We had been dating for nine years. We had our daughter Dayami who was about one at the time, and had just bought our first home. Jr created the most beautiful video that highlighted our lives together for the past nine years. At a family dinner, he said let’s watch this video I have. I had no idea what it was. At the end of the video it said something like something was still missing. The words “ Will you marry me? “ flashed on the screen, and Jr got down on one knee. I froze for a minute lol, but of course, I said yes.
#WeddingGoals
Just wanted to feel happy, and wanted all our guests to feel the happiness that we were feeling. There was a lot of attention to detail, and I wanted those details to show.
How did planning go?
We gave ourselves a good two years to plan so everything went as planned. The best part was finding our venue. Everything fell into place after that. The worst part was not having my mom throughout the whole process—she passed away in October 2021.
What was the biggest challenge of wedding planning?
I feel for us the biggest challenge was only being able to invite 100 people to our wedding. Our venue had a limit to the number of guests. Many family members dear to our heart were left out.
#CeremonyGoals
It was whimsical—having the woods as our ceremony backdrop was truly priceless. We loved releasing butterflies in honor of my mother and father-in-law—it really felt like they were there with us in the moment. And, at one point, one even landed by my mother’s picture and stayed there for a while.
The “pizza dough tossing show” that Justin from Sleight of Hand Pizza did was loved by the adults and kids alike.
Any funny or unexpected wedding moments that happened throughout the day?
The butterflies we released kept appearing throughout the wedding. One even landed by my mother’s picture and stayed there for awhile.
Special Songs:
First Dance Song: “Que Más Puedo Pedir” by Carin Leon
Father/Daughter Dance Song: “Que Me Alcance la Vida” by Sin Bandera
Mother/Son Dance Song: “Mi Primer Amor” by Winder
Money Dance Song: “La Caracha” by Selena
Bouquet Toss Song: “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé
Brenda’s Favorite Part?
It truly was the happiest day ever. We laughed so much and spent the majority of the reception together. It was a day of celebrating the love we have for each other, and the family we’ve created over the past 19 years. A full circle moment, for sure.
#VendorRaves
All our vendors were amazing; we could not have done it without them.
What do you think your guests will remember most about your wedding?
The venue and food. People still message us saying how amazing the pizza was.
What tips or advice would you give to couples planning their wedding today?
Stay together throughout the whole ceremony. We promised we would, and it really made us experience our wedding day as one.
What would you have done differently if you had the chance?
I would have booked more shuttles for our guest to be taken to the venue in the woods. We miscalculated and it made us delay our ceremony. I would have also started our ceremony earlier to have more time to dance after.