The Casino San Clemente

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

We met in March 2019 on Catalina Island, at the wedding of Athen’s best friend from college, Christian, and my cousin Kaitlin. What started as casual conversation turned into dancing, drinks, and a slightly competitive game of billiards at the after party.The next day we headed home to different parts of California (Athen in Fresno, me in Orange County), both wondering if it was just wedding magic or something more. Texts turned into long phone calls, watching shows and movies “together” over facetime and realizing how much we had in common, like both being Chico State Wildcats! Before long, we were officially doing the long distance thing - driving 4+ hours back and forth to see each other.By June, Athen made the leap to be closer, changing jobs and moving in with Kaitlin and Christian in Riverside. Being just an hour apart felt like a luxury and eventually we decided to take the next step.In March 2020, we moved into our first apartment together… exactly one week before the world shut down for COVID. Talk about timing. We went from long distance to 24/7 together practically overnight and somehow, we not only survived but loved every minute of being together.Since then, life has been full in the best way. We spent a couple of years in that first apartment, adopted our first cat Fritz and then shortly after, Kiki. We traveled around the country together, exploring National Parks, and visiting friends and family on the East Coast. Then in September 2024, we took an unforgettable trip to Ireland where Athen proposed and I said yes!In 2025, Athen accepted a new job near LAX, which brought us to Torrance. We’ve now settled into a bigger condo, where Fritz and Kiki have even more room to chase each other around while we’ve been busy planning one of the best days of our lives.And it all started with a wedding.

From Someone Else’s “I Do” to Ours

Our Story

Wedding Party

San Clemente Hotels:Casablanca1601 North El Camino RealSan Clemente(Closest to venue - older hotel w/ a few rooms that have been recently renovated)Holiday Inn35 Via Pico PlazaSan Clemente(Next to freeway)Hampton Inn2481 South El Camino RealSan Clemente(Next to freeway)The Volare Ascend Hotel Collection111 South Ave. De La Estrella(Next to freeway)Several Boutique Hotels in San Clemente and by the Pier Hotels in Nearby Cities:● Dana Point - 15 mins- Several nice hotels - Moderate to Very Expensive● Laguna Beach - 30 mins- Lots to choose from - Moderate to Very Expensive● San Juan Capistrano - 10 mins- Little to choose from but the Inn at Mission SJC is very nice but VERY Expensive● Mission Viejo - 20 mins- A few freeway adjacent Affordable hotels● South Irvine/Lake Forest - 25 mins- Several nice Moderate hotels and freeway adjacent Affordable hotels There are also a lot of Airbnbs and Vrbos in all the areas listed Airports:Times indicated allow for typical trafficLos Angeles (LAX) - 1.5 hrsLong Beach (LGB) - 1 hrOntario (ONT) - 1.5 hrsOrange County (SNA) - 35 minsSan Diego (SAN) - 1.5 hrs

Travel

Photos

Registry

Our celebration begins in the early evening and transitions indoors, and we invite guests to dress in polished, classic attire. The bridesmaids will be in light blue, floor length dresses.Spring colors and floral patterns are encouraged!No casual daytime attire such as sundresses, polo shirts, sandals, or flip-flops.Women:✓ Dress (hems below the knee)✓ Heels, wedges, or elegant flats✓ Dressy fabrics (crepe, chiffon, satin, etc.)Men:✓ Suit✓ Dress shirt✓ Neckwear (necktie or bow tie)✓ Dress shoes (lace-up or loafer)If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us for clarification!

Attire

Things to Do

Athen & Cortneanne

Athen & Cortneanne

Registry