luv.la.bride's biography
We are truly blessed! FI and I have often said that before meeting, our paths ran very close at various times in both of our lives but didn’t
actually cross until that fateful night. I’ve never thought of how we met as a set-up rather we were introduced. Well, actually, I decided to crash
his New Year’s party! People always said how love would find me, but I decided to come knockin’ on love’s door instead! Seriously speaking, we know now that it was so worth waiting
for our paths to cross because we've had so much fun and enjoyed ourselves. We're opposites in many ways but our similarities are the most important. We met through my very dear brother-in-law and my lovely sister. My brother-in-law who has known FI
professionally for many years, was invited to FI’s New Year’s party and I basically tagged along. Now, I won’t deny that I knew FI was single, and that I was intrigued – I’d
already heard what a great guy he is! We instantly had a connection when we met. I thought he was dreamy! We talked on the phone every night for a week before going on our very first
date - otherwise referred to as "the interview" because of all the questions. We talked and talked for hours after dinner. I hate to sound so cliche but I knew he would be the one. I can
still remember the way I felt that night. It was a beautiful, cold, crisp, and windy night which made it even more romantic! I still get butterflies thinking about it!!
Like many of the ladies on PW, I had an idea the proposal was coming - I was just not sure when! FI and I had been discussing marriage and had gone ring shopping a few times too, but that was a while ago. This summer, we again planned to take vacation time together in late August and we decided to go up to our special place, The Monterey Peninsula. He took me there for the first time the year we started dating, and I fell in love with Pebble Beach. Since then, it’s become a very sentimental place for us. This year during our trip, everything seemed to go our way - considering we made very last minute lodging arrangements (FI tends to procrastinate). We scored on a beautiful hotel and the weather was sunny and warm too. It was gorgeous! We decided to head out to Carmel in the morning and finish up the afternoon on our ritual 17-mile drive. Of course, we stopped for a Bloody Mary at Spanish Bay. That’s another one of our traditions. I still didn’t suspect anything until he asked what my favorite part of the drive was, and I told him it was The Lone Cypress. We arrived at that point and it was just gloomy and fogged in (surprise-surprise if you’ve ever been there). We got out of the car and walked down to the viewing deck, but, no proposal. I thought to myself he must have got cold feet. We continued on the drive and as we’re driving along, the sky opens up to a beautiful sunshine, and we see a family of deer on someone’s property. I was so distracted by them that I forgot about what DID NOT happen at the Lone Cypress. We decided to pull over and take pictures of the deer and it so happened to be at the 5th point of interest on the drive. FI then pulls into the parking lot and he suggests we picnic on the beach. After getting settled, he poured me some wine, and a few minutes later after enjoying the gorgeous views, he stands and asks me to stand up so he can take my picture. So, I did and then he gets on one knee and proposes! I was sort of in disbelief and ecstatic at the same time. It was so romantic and perfect! I couldnt wait to share the news! He then told me how he went to speak with my parents to ask for my hand in marriage, and that they already knew and they were very happy and sad too. He's amazing!
St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church
Some background info that I borrowed from Wapedia:
St. Vincent de Paul Church is a Roman Catholic parish and Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM #90) in the West Adams section of Los Angeles, California. The church was built in the 1920s and designed by architect Albert C. Martin, Sr. Dedicated in 1925, it was located in what was then one of the wealthiest sections of the city, on land adjacent to the Edward Doheny Mansion and Stimson House. It was the second Roman Catholic church in Los Angeles to be consecrated. Composer Amédée Tremblay notably served as the church's organist from 1925-1949. [2]
The climactic scene of the 1999 film "End of Days" featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger's battle against Satan was filmed in the church. The church's altar is featured prominently in the film's final scenes. The Church also appears in the movie "Constantine (film)".
I'm so pleased that FI and I both equally agreed on our lovely venue.
I ordered these for my MOH and bridesmaids from Etsy. I just cannot recall who the vendor was. They came out so lovely and all of my girls loved them!
Both MOHs and bridesmaids will be wearing this lovely dress by Alfred Angelo. The color is so much deeper and richer in person. They're going to be so beautiful!
