This is just a simple story of two souls who met and intertwined with each other … and then celebrated in a sweet woodsy setting with family and friends. Two people who acknowledge that they are learning and growing daily with each other, discovering who they are, and fighting to maintain that relationship that lets them finish each other’s sentences. They share their story of growing alongside each other, and how it led them to their wedding day below with us!
from the photographer – “This wedding was so fun to photograph. Alicia + Enzo have impeccable style (Alicia is an interior designer who recently renovated the property’s cottage) and their laid back nature and trust in me made for the perfect clients! The clear top tent was something I was immediately excited about and it did not disappoint. Pampas grass was solely used for the ceremony space which was set in front of the pines, where Alicia + Enzo had their first look. The champagne wall, personalized signage and an outdoor lounge space were the focal points of the reception area. Although we battled rain throughout the day, the clouds seemed to clear at just the right times allowing Alicia + Enzo to have their first dance under the stars!”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met on Match.com. We were actually each others first dates from match.com and neither of us had tried online dating before. We both thought “that was too easy to find someone on the first date” but something about us clicked and we have been together ever since. We were both looking for someone who was funny, smart and intellectual so our first impressions were that we had found that person. We talked for hours over tacos. It wasn’t the best first date food but it established our “no judging” rule that we still live by today.
Tell us a funny story relating to your wedding day or relationship!
We really wanted photos on the wedding day in our pine forest on the property. We did our first look in there as well as went back later for more photos. Enzo had shoes on while I had open toed sandals. The next day I woke up with poison oak all over my feet. It’s funny because we look back at the photos of us wandering romantically through the pine forest and I say “and…. there… is the moment I got poison oak” LOL. #wediditforthephotos
Another funny thing is that a huge thunderstorm started rolling in right as we were going to say our “I do’s”. We rushed to walk down the aisle and get married before it blew in. Someone told me that they loved how I would stare lovingly into Enzo’s eyes and then glare at the lighting in the sky like “if you ruin this day…. I will be so angry” and then I would look back at Enzo lovingly! It started raining just as we walked back down the aisle and everyone ran for the tent!
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
We come from different cultural back grounds so it was difficult to incorporate all of the families requests to make sure we were honoring both cultures. We wanted it to be our own day but still wanted to give our families items that they would appreciate so that was definitely hard but working together we made it work and it turned out beautifully.
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
I think we just stayed true to our traditions such as Enzo not seeing the dress before the day or not seeing the bride on the day. We made sure to incorporate Spanish music and wine for Enzo’s family and small things like that. I also had my mom AND dad walk me down the aisle and we did a mother daughter dance since my mom is an important person in my life and I wanted her to be incorporated into the wedding more than most mother of the brides.
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
Having all of our favorite people there. We loved keeping it small (120 is small for our family!) but this meant that we had our closest family and friends there. We loved being able to talk and dance with everyone there.
We also had Steve our Dachshund walk me down the aisle with my parents. I got Steve when I was single and Enzo has become so attached to him since we have been together. We really wanted to incorporate him into the wedding. He stood at the front with us while we said our “I do’s” He now accepts Enzo into the family HAHA!
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
Alicia: I have learned patience. Not in a “he drives me crazy so I have to be patient kind of way” but in a way that makes me slow down, enjoy the small things. I am a go go go person so Enzo is an easy going, take it slow personality. He has taught me to slow down, be patient with life’s plan and to appreciate the small things in the moment.
Enzo: I’ve learned what true love is. Perhaps this sounds corny, but it’s true. None of my previous relationships felt the way I feel about Alicia. It’s hard to put into words, but I would do anything for her – no matter the consequences. I’m beyond excited to grow old together and continue to evolve as individuals and as a couple.
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Alicia: My favorite thing about Enzo is his thought process. I love our intelligent conversations like random friendly debates over dinner, and our conversations about life and how the world works. I also love his cooking and his organizational skills when planning a trip or dinner out.
Enzo: My favorite thing about Alicia is her drive and passion. She’s the type of person that just gets shit done and isn’t bothered by obstacles that to others might seem impossible. Whether it’s an idea or a goal, once she’s committed to it she will do everything in her power to get it done. I also love that she’s a strong, independent woman and will call out my bullshit when needed. She’s also an amazing baker, which is not something I’m good at, but I get to be her taster!
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
Our favorite part about planning the wedding was getting to plan a fun party for all of our closest family and friends. We love entertaining so we loved planning every detail that our guests would enjoy. Coming up with fun ideas like a champagne wall and his and hers signature cocktails was something that was so fun to think about. We worked with Forty Two Eighty Events which really helped because we were able to bring our vision to life using their knowledge and contacts. They helped make our day exactly what we wanted.
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
Choose to spend on things that are going to matter and save on things that no one notices. Think about all the weddings you have been to and think about what you remember. It was important to have good music, food and good drinks so we splurged on a live band, a great caterer and we upgraded to nicer wine for dinner and we created a signature cocktail with higher end alcohol for cocktail hour before dinner. We saved on our linens and dishes but no one noticed because they were enjoying their yummy food and wine. Choose the items you want to splurge on and the ones you want to save on to keep you on budget. Also, hire a wedding planner (like Forty Two Eighty Events) Let them take on all the little details that you shouldn’t be worrying about so that you aren’t stressed out the day of or leading up to it.
What is the most honest thing you can say about love?
Love is breakfast in bed, love is random flowers at work just to make you smile but love is also the tough times, it’s working through things that life throws at you and supporting each other. It’s about having goals of your own and goals together and working towards those goals as a couple. It’s about knowing that who you marry is not who you’re going to be with in 15 years because people change and grow and that’s the best thing about life is that we DO change and grow. It’s about growing with that person you love and it’s about supporting through those changes. It’s about filling each others love cups like going to the driving range because he wants to even though you’ve worked 12 hours and are exhausted. It’s going to the mall with her and sitting for hours while she tries on outfits because even though it’s boring, you know she values your opinion most. It’s about laughing so hard you snort because they are your best friend and it’s about never forgetting who you are and who your partner is. And most of all it is being with them through thick and thin, the good times and especially the bad times and making sure that they feel heard and loved at all times.
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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