The Monarch Club Wedding

Olivia and Len married in July in Nipomo, California, in a colorful and vibrant yet elegant ceremony. Amanda at Hearts & Horseshoes Photography had a little Q&A with the bride, Olivia:

Q: How did you and Len meet?

Len and I met at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco in 2005. We originally worked at different clubhouses and didn’t really cross paths too often. It wasn’t until we were both promoted around the same time in 2006 that we began collaborating and became friends. The friendship soon developed into something more and we began dating in 2007.

Q: When did you know he was the man you would marry?

I knew Len was the one for me when I could be myself around him and he would still accept me for all of my quirky and sometimes less than flattering faults. His patience and encouragement was and continues to be unconditional. Above all I think what really confirmed that he was my future husband was our first road trip to my cousin’s wedding where we endured a 5 hour drive together. I had a sensational time with him talking about everything and anything. It could’ve been an awkward drive but it felt so natural and right.

Q: Where/when/how did he propose?

Len proposed on Easter Sunday in 2009. It was a complete surprise! We were visiting family in Guadalupe, California and he wanted to visit our special get away, Guadalupe Beach, a true treasure on the central coast. It was just the two of us and there weren’t many folks on the beach because of the holiday. We were sitting on the beach together discussing how nice it would be to take our kids to this beach on future vacations. It was then he got down on one knee and proposed.

Q: What was your favorite part of your wedding?

The ceremony by far was my favorite part of the wedding. There was something so very intimate about it. I usually dread being the center of a large audience but during this moment, I was so relaxed and excited in front of our closest family and friends. My auntie was the officiant for the ceremony and the way she captured the meaning of our union was just perfect!

Q: What is the most important thing you would like to share with fellow brides?

Embrace the entire experience and don’t let the small or big challenges overwhelm you. If things don’t work out perfectly, please do not stress so much you lose sight of why you’re getting married in the first place. You don’t want to look back after the wedding and only remember the Bridezilla moments!