Wedding Day

Santa Cruz Beach bordwalk

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Our story is one like no other. We met very quickly. I had the dating app for a couple days, and her, for three hours. After matching, she quickly jumped off the app and to my surprise, she deleted them all off her phone. She said she liked to give energy to one person. Little did she know, I was the same way. Immediately, I knew Ashley was different. I could feel it. She began telling me her story of wildness and resiliency. I admired her. Her internal beauty was already beginning to match her external beauty. It wasn't until about a week later, I was traveling in Utah and I impulsively decided I was feeling her...BAD. Before I realized what I was doing, I invited myself over to meet her the following weekend. We lived in different areas and I had never visited Breckenridge before. I started spinning. I couldn't believe I did that. It was so unlike me to initiate. Before she could even reply, I quickly reverted, stuffing my foot in my mouth and apologizing profusely. She calmly replied with saying she'd love to meet. My face smiled from ear to ear as I bragged to my cousin that I got a "yes". I felt like a school boy again. We discussed what our date would look like. Ashley suggested we go buy pajamas on our first date at Target and other places she would show me. She even described how she would act around me. "Awkward and avoiding eye contact."Needless to say, she did just that. The time had come. Two and half hours away, I headed towards our first meet. As I walked into her empty home, I was approached by a gorgeous Belgium Malinois. His name was Bob. He was friendly. When I called her letting her know I was there, she said she was still at her storage and would arrive shortly. I took a seat and waited. My heart pounded. "How was this going to go? " I thought. "Is she going to kill me? Who lets just anyone into their home? It's cool, she is a cop. But wait! She would know how to get away with it." My brain was running a marathon. My hands began to get clammy. As I heard the footsteps creak on her wooden stairs outside, I was scared, nervous and excited all at once. As she walked in, I was pleasantly surprised. She was stunning. Nervous, and stunning. I was curious about her. Ashley wore black pants and converse. I did too. Obviously she had good taste. And with one quick hug, we were off to her work to grab propane followed by Target. I had no idea what was happening. All I know is, I really liked it. We did just as she said. I met her co-workers, held hands, played with the clothes in Target, picked up a pizza on the way home, and as she got the fire started, we ate the best tasting cold pizza i've ever had. Our pepperoni, pineapple and jalapeño pizza! It became apparent that she could both , fly by the seat of her pants AND create peace and comfort in her own space. Though it was freezing outside, my heart was warm. We cuddled up in our new pjs and started the new Hellraiser. It comes as no surprised that I was not watching the move at all. Of course, I was about to fall asleep, but not before her sexy lips went in for a kiss. My favorite part: It was just that. The middle of the night, arose such a clatter. I did NOT spring from the bed to see what was the matter. Listen. I heard the ripping of paper. What could she be doing in the middle of the night? Obviously planning my slow death. I saw her moving hurriedly about her kitchen. How I feel back asleep was beyond me. The following day, I woke up to this energetic bouncing straight outof bed as I woke up. She volunteered to make us coffee and I naturally followed her to help. Her hair bounced. It matched her personality. I get to the counter to see the answer. The sound from last night. It wasn't the pondering of my demise. There, lay on pink post it notes, one letter per note, "Will you be my girlfriend? YES, NO, Maybe. Her back to me while she put the coffee pot together, I took the sharpie, and checked "YES". We hugged and kissed again. One thing I can say hands down, is I truly had no idea what was going to come of that day. All I know, is I was already looking forward to more. So with an open heart and mind, no expectations, and full trust, I just knew she was someone so special. Now, I cannot wait to marry my best friend!

Kalena's Version

When Kalena and I started talking, I was filed with curiosity and wonder. She was honest, funny, and down to earth. Kalena put herself out there and asked if she could come to see me in Breckenridge. I told her I needed to check my schedule and she automatically thought I was saying no, which was not the case at all. Kalena and I are both head cases so of course she began to spin out. I told her that I hadn’t said no and a meet up was planned. I purposely went to my storage around the time she would be arriving to my house. I told her to let herself in and make herself comfortable. I returned home a short time after she arrived. Nervously, I opened my front door and awkwardly introduced myself for the first time in person, while avoiding eye contact. I was extremely nervous and I knew Kalena felt it. She was very confident and attractive. Of course we were both wearing plaid shirts and converse. Kalena had a calm vibe and was more beautiful than I could have ever imagined. Photos definitely didn’t do her justice. I was able to compose myself before we went on our first date, which was going to Target. When we got to Target we shopped for some funny pajamas while doing a fake photo montage. We then went to pick up some pizza and on the car ride began holding hands. It was really cute and I think we were both pretty nervous. After picking up the pizza we sat outside around a propane fire and enjoyed our cold pizza. After we went inside and watched the new hellraiser. Kalena goes to bed pretty early so of course she started falling asleep. Nervous that maybe she didn’t like me, I went in for a kiss. Luckily Kalena was into it and kissed me back. Shortly after “we” went to bed. When I say we I mean Kalena went to bed. I stayed up writing on sticky notes that I placed on my kitchen counter. This of course woke Kalena up but she didn’t say anything about it until later. Turns out she thought I was a serial killer that was going to take her life. But that wasn’t the case at all. I finally went to sleep and in the morning I made us coffee. Then I told Kalena to go into the kitchen. There I had left her a message with sticky notes asking her to be my girlfriend. Luckily she said yes and the rest is history. Now she’s stuck with my crazy ass and I am very lucky to be able to call her my best friend and soon to be wife. Kalena has been the best challenge and adventure of my life.

Ashley’s Version

Our Story

Photos

Mat Matranga

Josh Castaneda

Brittney Stock

Wedding Party

Q + A

We have blocked off rooms under “Castaneda Wedding”. This hotel is 2 blocks away from the venue. The convenience makes it easy for guests to just walk to the wedding location on our big day! 

Courtyard Marriott

Travel

We will be meeting there on Saturday, October 18th to enjoy some fun in the sun and some games for the dames! Any and all are welcome to join us!

Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk

Things to Do

Registry

Ashley + Kalena

Ashley + Kalena

Photos