THE MARQUESS an Old World Garden Wedding Estate

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

His TaleIt all started one fateful December day in 2017. I decided that I was ready to jump back into the dating scene after a long while and figured&nbsp;match.com&nbsp;would be a good tool to use. I set out to achieve a couple of things. One, I wanted to meet someone outside of my bubble and two, I would find “the one” (that’s what I kept telling myself at least). Sure enough, I’m browsing the app and I come across MissSerendipity1. She was my age and she definitely lived outside my bubble. As I read her profile, I found myself instantly mesmerized. Here was a woman who was beautiful, accomplished and seemed willing to take a chance. I did what any guy like myself would do when they find “the one” on a dating app; I waited a week to message her. But seriously, I found myself looking at her profile multiple times a day, trying to work up the courage to say something. After about a week, I decided that I would play to my strengths and what seemed like something that might interest her: our dogs. After all, I was Yellowlabdad82. I finally pulled the trigger and sent her a message that asked her what kind of dog she had, and that I was interested in getting another dog. I finally did it! And now, I would just wait in anticipation for a response.&nbsp; And then it came. I’ll never forget getting that email alert from MissSerendipity1. We went back and forth for many days. I would take time during my breaks at work to write her lengthy responses to everything from politics to travel to of course, our fur babies. We decided to meet on the first of the year. I figured coming to her would be the appropriate thing to do and I had to figure out the perfect first date. I’ve been an OC beach guy for the past 16 years of my life and realized I knew nothing about Los Angeles. Thanks to the magic of yelp and google, I was able to settle upon the L.A Zoo, a hole in the wall bar that we never found until a year later and a neat little restaurant called The Front Yard. I waited nervously till New Year’s Day. I picked her up around 11 that morning. Thankfully, I had a 50-mile drive to settle my nerves and take into account that this was actually happening. I’ll never forget her coming down the stairs of her apartment. I was smitten. You know that 2nd achievement that I referred to, finding “the one”? I knew right then and there that this was it. From our formal meet and greet, we proceeded to have one marathon of a date. We talked about everything. She even hated country music! I just found myself getting lost in her eyes and words over and over. I had never been this enamored in my life.&nbsp; We continued to have weekend dates for the next couple of months. There was a point where things came to a halt as Erin was dealing with some stuff in her life. All I wanted to do was be there for her and realized I wasn’t ready to let her slip away. This time off was a testament of our staying power. Over time, we fostered a relationship that revolved around every weekend for many months to come. After some time, I decided that it was time to take the next step and start planning for the ultimate future, one that involved making Erin my bride-to-be. In late February of 2020, I made plans to propose to Erin in one of our favorite spots, Laguna Beach. I managed to corral a slew of our friends and family and had them lie in wait as I brought her down to a tide pool near the water. There I dropped to one knee and presented her with a ring and somehow managed to get the words “Will you marry me?” out before almost dropping the ring in the water. What a wonderful day that turned out to be, sharing our new found engagement with the ones we loved the most.&nbsp; Erin and I recently took steps to end our weekend only engagements, and have shacked up together in a beautiful condo near the beach. It’s truly been a surreal ride and I believe that our perseverance through a long-distance relationship taught us both to not take each other for granted and helped foster a mutual admiration and respect for one another. I am so excited and hopeful for the future ahead. With that, I say, I love you boo!&nbsp; Her Tale&nbsp;&nbsp;They say there are two sides to every story, and boy is that the truth! While David knew from the start that he had met the one, I wasn’t so sure. I was mending a broken heart and had prematurely begun dating. I was doing a lot of work to heal but each day was a challenge and I was desperate to stay occupied and maintain some kind of hope that lasting love was possible. We had an 8 hour long, fantastic 1st date and while David did and said all the right things, I soon decided that the decent thing to do would be to end things in order to protect his heart. David was accepting but was clearly holding out hope that with a little time and patience I would come around. I knew I needed time and grew annoyed with his daily texts and social media posts designed to grab my attention. After another discussion, David slowed down but this is truly a case in which persistence prevailed. &nbsp;&nbsp;I was determined to heal my heartache and was involved in a lot of personal development. I maintained my smile and composure while providing care as a therapist all day despite my deep sadness. One Friday evening, David happened to call me in a moment where I was tearful and simply inconsolable. He offered to drive up to the San Fernando Valley (in traffic) just to give me some support and comfort and that is what he did. He came with dinner and movies to watch, and provided support without making any romantic overtures or taking advantage of a woman in a weakened state. While not everything turned around that night, I began to see David’s character and heart. I could see he was a man with integrity and my ugly cry face didn’t even phase him!&nbsp; &nbsp;Over time and with a lot of therapy and support from friends and my dad, I was able to see the amazing man in front of me. While different in many ways, David often says that we are the same person. We are both hungry to learn from the world around us, are committed to being our best selves, see great value in people and what is possible and have never met a dessert or more specifically an ice cream that we didn’t like. Unfortunately, trying to share dessert could very well be our downfall. According to David’s mom Victoria, David is a Cancer and was born during a Pisces moon while I am a Pisces born during a Cancer moon. We were connected through the stars long before we ever knew of the other’s existence. Other strange and cool coincidences include that David has the same birthday as my beloved mother who passed away. He has turned one of my saddest days into something truly worth celebrating. We both have dads named Steve. My middle name Victoria is shared with David’s mom Victoria. If I had been born a boy, my parents would have named me David. I have dined repeatedly at a restaurant that David worked at for 15 years. If we had met earlier in life it likely would not have lasted. We were on very different life trajectories but thanks to the wisdom that comes with time and life experience, the stars and Match.com, David and I were able to find each other and know how lucky we both are. We have found ways to bring out the best in one another over the last 3 years, surviving many trying times, a worldwide pandemic and the 405. While I know that many challenges lie ahead, I feel blessed to have David by my side as we face them together.

Our Story

Photos

Sarah married into the Pepperdine inner circle but you would never know that she wasn't one of the founding members of this group of friends. Sarah is a licensed psychotherapist, a mental health and literacy advocate, photographer, wife, mother and female boss babe, recently beginning her own business selling children's books. She gives of herself in so many ways. As part of the only child club, she understands the value of friendship and will go the extra mile to make you feel special even with so much on her plate. With Sarah, she's not just a friend, she's family.

Sarah Stout

As fellow Waves and psychology majors, Erin and Holly met in a Psychology class at Pepperdine. While they held each other in high regard, their friendship didn't flourish until a couple years after graduation.  Holly is a ray of sunshine and always finds time to give encouragement and support. Holly is a psychologist, a wife, a mom to two amazing kiddos and somehow makes it all look effortless.  She's active in her church, always prioritizes her family and friends and exercises for fun. She's the girl you'd hate if you didn't love and respect her so much.

Holly Cabuhat

Erin and Inna met in a group after both experiencing gut wrenching break ups. No one wants to be the person who has to hear someone cry about their ex but when you're both going through it at the same time, no one understands you better. Inna is a resource manager at a local University and somehow managed to complete a Master's Degree while holding down a full-time job, taking care of her parents, raising a beautiful pup named Bella and exploring various interests and adventures. She's the girl that you know will show up when you need her at any time and do it with an open heart. She's truly one of a kind.

Inna Risis

Cody and I first met our sophomore year in geometry. After many months of copying Cody’s homework, I realized that we had much in common. We both loved video games, sports and found common ground in technical theatre. Our friendship continued as we moved to Long Beach, and then to Huntington Beach where we lived and worked together over the past 20 years. Cody has always been the first person to show up and has been like a brother to me through thick and thin. I couldn’t ask for a more deserving best man.

Cody Overley

Robert and I became acquainted through Cody and we instantly became friends. He lived down the street from me and I found myself at his house every day after school. From playing Goldeneye, eating junk food and watching movies with the rest of our friends, Robert’s home became my second home (thank you Peter and Lynda!). Like Cody, we had much in common and continued our friendship to the beach area after high school. Robert is a wonderful father of two, an adoring husband and a dedicated RN. I’m thankful for having him in my life and will always appreciate the timeless advice and support he’s given me over the years.

Robert Murray

He may have terrorized me as a child, but when it comes to brotherly love, Stephen has always showed the utmost compassion towards me as my big bro. Although we’ve been distant geographically for most of our lives, the bond that connects us has always remained strong and flourishes to this day.  Stephen lives his life to the fullest, as he is always showcasing his love for amazing food, live concerts and the various adventures he finds himself on. He is a dedicated father to four wonderful children and has a knack for blowing some of the finest glass art around. Stephen has the biggest of hearts and is cherished by his family and peers.

Stephen Coca

Adam has been to date the longest friendship I've had. We met in the 4th grade and I found he was the perfect compliment to myself. I was the more spontaneous and off the cuff type while he took the more methodical, logical approach. Over the years, Adam and I have managed to keep our friendship strong, and there's a great mutual admiration for each other. I value his friendship immensely and feel that he's one of the most important people in my life.

Adam Fomotor

The Wedding Party

Registry

Near Temecula Valley HospitalMake yourself at home in one of the 183 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. 43-inch Smart televisions with premium TV channels provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, as well as phones with free local calls.With a stay at Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta, you'll be centrally located in Murrieta, within a 15-minute drive of Old Town Temecula Community Theater and Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course. This hotel is 9.8 mi (15.8 km) from Pechanga Resort &amp; Casino and 11.5 mi (18.4 km) from Ponte Winery.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer. Temecula Valley Hospital - 1.8 km / 1.1 mi Rancho Springs Medical Center - 1.8 km / 1.1 mi Rancho Springs Medical Center - 1.8 km / 1.1 mi Promenade - 6.4 km / 4 mi Southwest Healthcare System - 9 km / 5.6 mi Kaiser Permanente - 9 km / 5.6 mi Inland Valley Medical Center - 9 km / 5.6 mi Old Town Temecula Community Theater - 12.2 km / 7.6 mi Rancho Family Medical Group - Temecula Makena - 13.6 km / 8.4 mi Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course - 13.7 km / 8.5 mi Temecula Valley Hospital - 14.3 km / 8.9 mi Thorton Winery - 14.3 km / 8.9 mi Callaway Vineyard and Winery - 14.4 km / 9 mi Pechanga Resort &amp; Casino - 15.8 km / 9.8 mi Rancho Palomar Winery - 16.4 km / 10.2 mi The nearest airports are:Los Angeles - Ontario Intl. Airport (ONT) - 76.7 km / 47.6 mi Murrieta, CA (RBK-French Valley) - 8.8 km / 5.5 mi Carlsbad, CA (CLD-McClellan-Palomar) - 70.7 km / 43.9 mi The preferred airport for Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta is Los Angeles - Ontario Intl. Airport (ONT). Take advantage of recreational opportunities offered, including an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access and gift shops/newsstands.Featured amenities include a business center, complimentary newspapers in the lobby, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Planning an event in Murrieta? This hotel has facilities measuring 2624 square feet (244 square meters), including conference space. Free self parking is available onsite.You can enjoy a meal at The Bistro serving the guests of Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta, or stop in at the snack bar/deli. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Cooked-to-order breakfasts are served on weekdays from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM and on weekends from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM for a fee.

Courtyard by Marriott Temecula Murrieta

Near Rancho Springs Medical CenterMake yourself at home in one of the 106 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LCD televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access is available. Bathrooms have showers and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and complimentary weekday newspapers, as well as phones with free local calls.Located in Murrieta, Hampton Inn & Suites Murrieta Temecula is in a national park, within a 15-minute drive of Promenade and Menifee Lakes Golf Course.  This hotel is 8.8 mi (14.1 km) from Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course and 8.9 mi (14.2 km) from Callaway Vineyard and Winery.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Temecula Valley Hospital - 1.4 km / 0.9 mi  Rancho Springs Medical Center - 1.4 km / 0.9 mi  Rancho Springs Medical Center - 1.4 km / 0.9 mi  Promenade - 7.1 km / 4.4 mi  Southwest Healthcare System - 7.5 km / 4.6 mi  Old Town Temecula Community Theater - 9.7 km / 6 mi  Kaiser Permanente - 9.7 km / 6 mi  Inland Valley Medical Center - 10.3 km / 6.4 mi  Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course - 14.1 km / 8.8 mi  Callaway Vineyard and Winery - 14.2 km / 8.9 mi  Rancho Family Medical Group - Temecula Makena - 14.3 km / 8.9 mi  Menifee Lakes Golf Course - 14.8 km / 9.2 mi  Temecula Valley Hospital - 14.9 km / 9.3 mi  Thorton Winery - 15.6 km / 9.7 mi  Rancho Palomar Winery - 16.2 km / 10.1 mi  The nearest airports are:Carlsbad, CA (CLD-McClellan-Palomar) - 71.4 km / 44.4 mi Murrieta, CA (RBK-French Valley) - 8.9 km / 5.5 mi Take advantage of recreation opportunities including an outdoor pool and a fitness center. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a television in a common area.Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and dry cleaning/laundry services. Planning an event in Murrieta? This hotel has facilities measuring 1000 square feet (93 square meters), including conference space. Free self parking is available onsite.A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Hampton Inn & Suites Murrieta Temecula

Near Temecula Valley HospitalMake yourself at home in one of the 101 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with refrigerators and stovetops. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed, and all rooms are furnished with sofa beds. Wired and wireless Internet access is complimentary, and Smart televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Conveniences include phones, as well as desks and separate sitting areas.With a stay at Residence Inn by Marriott Temecula Murrieta in Murrieta, you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Old Town Temecula Community Theater and Temecula Valley Hospital.  This hotel is 9.8 mi (15.8 km) from Pechanga Resort & Casino and 8.5 mi (13.7 km) from Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Temecula Valley Hospital - 1.8 km / 1.1 mi  Rancho Springs Medical Center - 1.8 km / 1.1 mi  Rancho Springs Medical Center - 1.8 km / 1.1 mi  Promenade - 6.4 km / 4 mi  Old Town Temecula Community Theater - 8.9 km / 5.5 mi  Southwest Healthcare System - 9 km / 5.6 mi  Kaiser Permanente - 9 km / 5.6 mi  Inland Valley Medical Center - 9 km / 5.6 mi  Rancho Family Medical Group - Temecula Makena - 13.6 km / 8.4 mi  Temecula Creek Inn Golf Course - 13.7 km / 8.5 mi  Temecula Valley Hospital - 14.3 km / 8.9 mi  Thorton Winery - 14.3 km / 8.9 mi  Callaway Vineyard and Winery - 14.4 km / 9 mi  Pechanga Resort & Casino - 15.8 km / 9.8 mi  Rancho Palomar Winery - 16.3 km / 10.2 mi  The nearest airports are:San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN) - 104 km / 64.6 mi Murrieta, CA (RBK-French Valley) - 8.8 km / 5.5 mi Carlsbad, CA (CLD-McClellan-Palomar) - 69 km / 42.9 mi The preferred airport for Residence Inn by Marriott Temecula Murrieta is San Diego Intl. Airport (SAN). Enjoy a range of recreational amenities, including an outdoor pool, a spa tub, and a fitness center. Additional features at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, a hair salon, and a picnic area.Featured amenities include a business center, express check-in, and express check-out. Free self parking is available onsite.

Residence Inn by Marriott Temecula Murrieta

Travel

Make reservations ahead of time to reserve your spot.

Temecula's Best Wine Tasting Tour

Book your spot in advance. Pick up is offered from some hotels.

Outdoor Escape Room and Scavenger Hunt in Old Town Temecula

Classic Wine Adventure of Temecula Valley with Morning Departure

All taxes, fees and handling charges • Glass of Champagne • Orange Juice • Entry/Admission - California Dreamin' Balloon Adventures

Sunrise Temecula Balloon Flight

Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Preserve

Tenaja Falls

Begin at Black Market Brewing Co, 41740 Enterprise Cir N # 109, Temecula, CA 92590. Meet your tour guide inside Black Market Brewing and arrive 10-15 minutes before the tour start time to check-in.Duration1h 30m

Temecula Haunted Cable Car Tour

Visit this western-themed old town for unique boutiques, antique dealers, restaurants and tasting rooms. On weekends this becomes a lively area for food and live entertainment.

Old town Temecula

A great spot for gambling, live entertainment and spa treatments.

Pechanga Resort Casino

There are beautiful wineries throughout Temecula for all of our wine lovers.

David & Erin