Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

If you ask Aubrey: After moving to Florida in 2021 to pursue my Master's, and simultaneously moving away from everything and everyone I knew, I was very much on a "I want to find myself" journey. I was determined to get the full "city living" experience, soak up all the sun I possibly could, get my degree, and (if I was lucky) meet some good people along the way. After year #1 of living in Boca, that is exactly what I was doing. As year #2 came around and I began my second year in grad school, I found myself going through a rough breakup with someone who I had spent a very long time with. Hurt and re-evaluating my past/present/future, I was determined to leave men (and all romantic relationships) in the PAST. I am sure you can guess what happens next... like every romcom ever released (a cute, yet lost boy meets a sad girl who is determined love no longer exists) - Joel, a handsome, Dominican man from the mid-west enters the FAU graduate program. It was immediate. After our first conversation, followed by a get together hosted by a friend, we could not get enough of each other. We could just talk, and talk, and talk ... and so we did. *You know that feeling, when you get all giddy inside?? Like in the 8th grade when your crush asks you if you "want to hug" before hopping on the bus? Ugh that was me, but as a 26 year old with a man I just met.* I asked Joel to come over to work on a paper for a class we had together and instead, we talked until 4am. This happened every night for the following week. He came over, we did a little work, and we just got talking... God, I felt like I was 17 again. There was no pressure, no "pretending", just two genuine people deeply connecting. It was so effortless. We very quickly realized how we felt about each other, didn't try to fight it, and the rest is history. After sincerely wanting to put relationships on the back burner, I knew I couldn't let this one pass me by. You HAVE to jump at the right opportunity, especially when the world gives you a sign and puts them right in front of you. And now - I get the absolute pleasure of marrying a man who never lets me forget how much I am loved and how much I am worth. I met someone so unbelievably kind and patient, someone who is sooo much fun to be around, someone who reaallyyy listens to me, someone who pushes me to be my absolute best, and someone who I know, without question, loves me so unbelievably much. Heres to forever baby &lt;3

If you ask Joel: You know, there was once a version of me that wasn't a great guy. I got some bad grades, made poor decisions, treated friends unfairly, amongst other shortcomings. However, I think I can speak for everyone that knows Aubrey about how much of a light she is in people's lives, and how she has the power to encourage/facilitate growth in other people. As cliche as it sounds, she has certainly been a light in MY life, and completely turned my world upside-down. Actually, now that I think about it... right side-up. From the moment I met her, I was absolutely mesmerized. It was at our graduate student orientation and all I could think was "who is this beautiful woman sitting across the room?" (For those of you that have had your fair share of relationships, you know that what's on the outside really holds no weight compared to someone's energy and personality. The latter is what makes you compatible). Once I mustered up the courage to approach her, I completely froze and my brain did what every man's brain does when they meet a super attractive person for the first time: it conjures the dumbest thought possible. "Wow you're pretty tall", I said. (Really dude? Wow, you're pretty tall? That's the best you could do? I'm toast.) I was ready to accept defeat. "Wow, you are too", Aubrey replied with a slice of sarcasm. Shocked at her response is an understatement. From then on, I knew we would get along real nicely. Someone that matches and understands my wit and dry-as-all-hell humor is something I've never come across before in my previous relationships. Something I realized I had been craving from a partner. Another thing that was made abundantly clear from the get-go was how overwhelmingly kind and loving Aubrey is; consistently putting the needs of others before hers. I come from a culture and family dynamic that has a specific way of expressing affection, a way that actually doesn't involve expressing affection at all. Sounds counter-intuitive, right? You can begin to imagine how this form of loving didn't really fly with Aubrey; someone who constantly restates her gratitude and love for you. So, I had some growing up to do. I had to relearn how to love. And so I did. We have grown so much together. As individuals, but also as a pair. We understand each other. We love each other fiercely. We are patient. And though we may have flaws, we are perfect for each other and I believe that whole-heartedly. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you, sweetheart. I love you.

Our Story

THE ENGAGEMENT As expected, Aubrey had absolutely NO idea this was planned. Joel hung up pictures from the years together since we first started dating, throughout the trees in the yard. He strung lights around the trees, set up candles in the grass, and wrote me the most beautiful poem. Aubrey balled.

A little look into some of our adventures over the last few years.

Photos

Aubrey's sister. Is here for a good time. Aspires to be Captain Jack Sparrow. Most sensitive but can (& will) flip on a dime. 

Isabella Kestell

Joel's cousin. Thinks he's corporate. Gym junkie solely to combat his chip addiction. Need candy recommendations? He's your guy.

Renny Soto

Best friends since the 5th grade. A real one & life of the party. Can shotgun a beer faster than you. 

Kelsey Burg

Aubrey's Brother. Rocks a THICK stache. Unironically a genius. Will do anything for $5. You'll catch him wearing a serape (poncho) on the slopes. 

Oren Kestell

Can rock a FU Manchu & wig. Watch out for him on the dance floor, he is a twerk-master. Has handcuffs on hand at all times.

Josh Burg

Joel's sister. Quiet but has a lot to say. Has been wearing the same Old Navy flip flops since 2005. Becoming a psychiatrist to treat our family. 

Alice Rodriguez

Was going to be on Naked & Afraid; proved he was over-qualified. Loves cats more than humans.

Mitch Goeglein

Besties since college. Thinks he's Dominican. Can make any song sound like an opera. Ask him for his rendition on Mo Bamba. 

Anthony Blatter

Aubrey's bestie since grad school. Super sweet but will give it to you straight. Always down for a gossip sesh, a cry sesh, or a heart-to-heart. Don't get on her bad side.

Grace Cirillo

Joel's cousin. Always has an attitude. You will find her using the stair master at the resort to combat the 8 margaritas she has before noon. Unfortunately Renny's sister.

Ashley Soto

Wedding Party

WHAT ARE THE IMPORTANT BOOKING DEADLINES?

August 18th - The last date in which your room must be paid in full. / El último día para pagar el depósito completo de tu habitación. RSVP - We kindly ask that you RSVP directly to Joel or Aubrey as soon as you have decided if you will or will not be attending. If you are attending, we ask that you book your room and put down your room deposit ASAP in order to guarantee you get the room you want at our discounted rate.&nbsp;/ Te pedimos amablemente que confirmes directamente con Joel o Aubrey lo más pronto que puedas si vas a poder ir o no. Si puedes, te pedimos que reservas tu habitación y hagas el depósito pronto para garantizar que consigas la habitación que quieras con nuestro descuento.

WHERE WILL THE WEDDING TAKE PLACE?

Our ceremony is outside on a terrace overlooking the Cabo Marina. / Nuestra ceremonia será al aire libre, en una terraza con vista a la Marina de Cabo. Cocktail hour and the reception following will take place at the Sandos Finisterra Mountain Top Terrance. It is a beautiful private area that is outside and inside, set into the side of a mountain. / Después tendremos la hora del cóctel, y la recepción será en la Terraza en la Cima de la Montaña del Sandos Finisterra. Es un lugar privado y hermoso, con áreas al aire libre y bajo techo, construido en el costado de una montaña.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR TO THE WEDDING?

The dress code for our wedding is semi-formal to formal. We encourage you to wear sunset colors (any and all shades of pink, orange, and yellow) and/or beiges's, creams, linens, etc... / El estilo de nuestra boda es semi-formal a formal.Los invitamos a vestir colores inspirados en el atardecer (cualquier tono de rosado, naranja o amarillo) o tonos neutros como marron, crema, o lino.

WHAT WILL THE WEATHER BE LIKE?

The average temperature in Cabo in December is between 70-85 degrees during the day and can get down in the 60's at night. Rain is not common in December but is always possible. / La temperatura promedia en Cabo en diciembre está entre 70 y 85 grados durante el día, y puede bajar a los 60 en la noche. La lluvia no es común en diciembre, pero siempre es una posibilidad.

DO I GET A PLUS ONE?

Please note that whomever was listed on your original invite are the individuals invited. Because we have a limited number of seats, we kindly ask that you reach out if you have any questions regarding this! / Por favor toma en cuenta que las personas incluidas en tu invitación original son las únicas invitadas. Como tenemos un número limitado de asientos, te pedimos amablemente que nos contactes si tienes alguna pregunta al respecto.

HOW MANY NIGHTS DO I HAVE TO STAY?

The resort requires a minimum of a 3 night stay. / El resort requiere una reservación mínima de 3 noches.

WHAT AIRPORT DO I FLY INTO? HOW DO I GET TO THE RESORT? 

The airport you want to fly in and out of is : Los Cabos (SJD) / El aeropuerto al que debes llegar y desde el que debes salir es: Los Cabos (SJD).

Please reach out to Jennifer Corrigan, our travel agent, with your flight information and she will coordinate transportation between the airport and resort. / Por favor comunícate con Jennifer Corrigan, nuestra agente de viajes, y envíale la información de tu vuelo. Ella se encargará de coordinar el transporte entre el aeropuerto y el resort.

WHAT IS SANDOS FINISTERRA?

Sandos Finisterra is an all inclusive family friendly resort. All dining, room accommodations, food, beverages, and resort activities are included in your stay. / Sandos Finisterra es un resort todo incluido y apto para toda la familia. Tu estadía incluye todas las comidas, alojamiento, bebidas y actividades dentro del resort.

Q + A

For those joining us in Cabo for our intimate wedding -

If you haven't already, please book your room at Sandos Finisterra through this link: https://event.destinationweddings.com/dw/site/main/attend-a-wedding.asp?dw_weddingcode=121325&amp;dw_bname=Kestell 1st - Copy and Paste the link above into your browser2nd - Click "Find Wedding"3rd - Register as a new user with your name and password. You can use this information to log in again in the future.4th - This will bring you the the Room Booking Page. Here you can read about the resort, rooms, and pricing, Enter your information, select the room and dates you would like to stay, select if you want travel insurance, and pay the room deposit ($50 per person or $100 per room). Once finished, hit SEND. * Once you book your flight, please forward this information to our travel coordinator Jennifer Corrigan and she will add on the airport travel to and from the resort. * Any questions regarding booking, the hotel, or travel, please contact our travel coordinator at this email: jcorrigan@destinationweddings.com and she will assist you with any questions you have. FINAL PAYMENT DATE FOR ROOMS: AUGUST 18, 2025

Para quienes nos acompañarán en Cabo para nuestra boda íntima – 

Si todavía no lo has hecho, por favor reserva tu habitación en Sandos Finisterra usando este enlace: https://event.destinationweddings.com/dw/site/main/attend-a-wedding.asp?dw_weddingcode=121325&amp;dw_bname=Kestell&nbsp; 1 - Copia y pega el enlace arriba en tu navegador&nbsp;2 - Haz clic en "Find Wedding"&nbsp;3 - Regístrate como nuevo usuario con tu nombre y una contraseña. Puedes usar esa información para volver a entrar más adelante.&nbsp;4 - Esto te llevará a la página de reservación de habitaciones. Ahí podrás leer sobre el resort, ver las habitaciones y los precios. Ingresa tus datos, elige la habitación y las fechas que deseas, selecciona si deseas seguro de viaje y realiza el pago del depósito de la habitación ($50 por persona o $100 por habitación). Cuando termines, haz clic en SEND.&nbsp; * Una vez tengas tu vuelo reservado, por favor reenvía esa información a nuestra coordinadora de viajes, Jennifer Corrigan, y ella se encargará de añadir el transporte del aeropuerto al resort y viceversa.&nbsp; * Si tienes alguna pregunta sobre la reservación, el hotel o el viaje, no dudes en contactar a nuestra coordinadora de viajes al correo: jcorrigan@destinationweddings.com. Ella estará encantada de ayudarte. EL PAGO FINAL DE TODAS LAS HABITACIONES ES EL 18 DE AGOSTO DE 2025

Aubrey & Joel

Aubrey & Joel

Wedding Party