Maria (whose nickname is Mia) first met Eric in 2004 when he was “on his knees praying for the Red Sox to win,” she says. “I fell in love with his passion.” They dated for a few years and then Eric proposed over dinner at a local restaurant. “Our favorite food as a couple is sushi and he had, ‘Will You Marry Me?’ presented to me in sushi sauces,” Mia says.
The engagement was short—only one month. In 2007, they married at the courthouse in Sacramento. She then went to college at the London College of Fashion, and they had their “official ceremony” on their five-year anniversary. “It was so special that we had to wait five years for our big day and so that my father could give me away,” she says.
The couple married again at a private property surrounded by nature, which made the bride very happy. “More than anything I wanted it to feel magical and inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream with Michelle Pfeiffer,” says Mia, noting that the junior bridesmaids dropped herbs, including sage for wisdom, long life, immortality and esteem; and rosemary, which signifies remembrance, love, loyalty and fidelity.
Mia and Eric wrote their own vows. The groom says that he was speechless when he first saw Mia on the wedding day. His favorite memory? “The facial expression on the face of my wife when I quoted Romeo and Juliet in my vows,” he says.
“In my heart and soul, I have always known he was my soul mate,” Mia says.
“In life, you can either grow together or grow apart. When I saw him waiting for me, I knew we had grown together once and for all.”
The color scheme was classic: red, white and blue. “Blue is our favorite color and the accents represented the American and British flags,” she says. “We are both American but lived in London for a year together.” The overall theme was “childhood nostalgia,” including a masquerade theme, a Marie Antoinette-inspired dessert table, a lemonade stand, a cigar bar (the groom loves cigars) and secret gnomes planted all over the property signifying the couple’s love of travel.
Their 250 guests dined on tacos, lemonade and Bloody Mary’s, followed by red velvet cake, which featured cake toppers showcasing Jack and Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Eric advises other couples to focus on what’s important. “No matter how much stress you encounter prior to the actual day, don’t forget the love you have for one another and why you’re getting married in the first place,” he says.
—Kristen Castillo
