The Barton House of Redlands

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

When Flora asked me to write our story for our website, I sat down and started to try and think back at eight years of memories of what makes us us.&nbsp;I sat with it for a while — and perhaps too long when writing about the person you love and are going to spend the rest of your life with, but these days, trying to remember what happened eight days ago let alone the last years isn’t the easiest thing to do.&nbsp;Did I also mention that Flora and I are both very bad at taking pictures of each other when we go places to mark occasions to look back on to help recall memories as I write?&nbsp;Pics or it didn’t happen?&nbsp;Um, more like we get caught up in the moment.&nbsp;(Good thing we remembered some pictures of the engagement!) I initially sat down and started to write down some sort of retrospective of our relationship.&nbsp;From our road trips, food truck and food pop-up adventures, movie nights, Disney trips, and other highlights and not so highlights.&nbsp;But as I started writing, it became choppy–possibly due to bad memory, but almost like a plug and play, like I was trying to recall memories and fit a traditional narrative rather than focusing on who we are as a couple.&nbsp;Because when I look back at these past eight years, that really isn’t us.&nbsp;If anything it’s unconventional mixed with bits of some traditionality.&nbsp;&nbsp; If there’s one word that best describes our relationship it’s patience.&nbsp;From our very first date, I think Flora knew what she was in for when I was tromping through the bushes and reaching into the little river at Camelot Golfland to retrieve errant golf balls.&nbsp;All to the sounds of “It’s okay, I think you can just leave them!”&nbsp;&nbsp; Followed (predictably) by, “It’s ok I got it!” If you know how susceptible to clumsiness I can be, I’m honestly surprised I didn’t lose my balance and slip into one of those little water hazards just a little bit that night. Then there were all the times Flora would drive to pick me up in one of the neighborhoods when she lived off of Ball Road in Anaheim.&nbsp;A drive that became even further when the closer neighborhood became permit parking only because it was apparently too close to Disneyland which meant I had to find a different neighborhood to park in.&nbsp;Or the time during the pandemic when I became exposed to COVID at work after she had preordered trays of food from Heritage Barbecue to bring down to Oceanside to Jenn and Matt’s for Thanksgiving and since I saw her a couple days before that, she was possibly exposed to it too, which meant that we in fact would not be bringing food or going to Thanksgiving.&nbsp;Let’s just say Flora wasn’t too happy with me that day.&nbsp;But, patience.&nbsp;&nbsp; Then we moved in together.&nbsp;Twice.&nbsp;Once, during the pandemic when I stayed with her at her Anaheim apartment for about six months before moving back to Garden Grove.&nbsp;This ended up being a trial run for when we made the big move out to Upland in the summer of 2021, in which we moved into my Aunt Christine’s condo, who had just recently passed away.&nbsp;Chris, Kevin, Kristine, Robin, and of course my dad helped with the renovations and Flora and I have been living here ever since.&nbsp;&nbsp; After moving, I decided to try my hand at freelance writing in the hopes of landing something permanent somewhere.&nbsp;But I gave myself a deadline of a couple years to figure it out. Flora was supportive from the outset.&nbsp;For a couple of years, I had some articles published and met some great people.&nbsp;On my end, money was tight, but we made it work, and Flora remained incredibly supportive and encouraged me every step of the way.&nbsp;She was also my voice of reason and honesty, so when it became clear that I couldn’t sustain myself on writing alone, I began the job search again.&nbsp;&nbsp; I’ve known for a while that I wanted to propose to Flora. She’s my rock. I think she knew it too. But I wanted to make sure I was financially set first.&nbsp;Pre-pandemic, when I was teaching the goal was in sight.&nbsp;After that when I decided that teaching wasn’t for me any longer?&nbsp;A little murkier. So, when Jenn asked me in 2023 if I had planned on doing so, I told her that I was, but I wanted to make sure that I was financially stable first.&nbsp;She was like, “Just do it.”&nbsp;I didn’t, but what I did do was set a little aside each month and make payments on a ring. So when the time was right, I could pop the question.&nbsp;&nbsp;Fast forward to November 13, 2024.&nbsp;On the anniversary of our first date, after driving 17 Mile Drive in Carmel looking for just the right location and with a dinner reservation pending in San Francisco 2 and a half hours or so later with a stop in Napa before that, and pulling over to every lookout point along the drive for the right, least most private location possible, I knelt down and asked the love of my life if she would marry me.&nbsp; After saying, “Are you sure?” She said “Of course.”&nbsp;And yes, we made it to dinner on time.&nbsp;&nbsp; So, as for our story?&nbsp;It’s just getting started.&nbsp;We would love to join our close family and friends in Redlands at The Barton House next March 7, 2026 as we embark on this next chapter in our lives.&nbsp;We don’t know what it holds.&nbsp;We just know that we’ll face it together and we want to celebrate the beginning of it with you.

A Love Letter to Flora ❤️

Our Story

Photos

Jenn is more than Flora’s cousin - she’s her dearest friend and confidante. After finishing college, Jenn convinced Flora to move to Hawaii. From gallivanting on nights out or spending the afternoons tanning on the beach, Jenn has been there for it all. She’s the kind of person who can turn any moment into a good time. 
Whether it’s helping to locate vendors or providing her steady support, Jenn has been there every step of the way. Flora couldn’t imagine her wedding day without Jenn by her side, just like she’s been through every other milestone.

Jennifer Garst

Elizabeth is the eldest of the Ly sisters - which basically means she’s been [trying] to keep her in line since day one. She’s been there to provide advice to not only Flora but also Sean, with the occasional reality check. 
Elizabeth also played an instrumental role in Sean and Flora’s proposal story. Between translating for her grandmother to help Sean ask for permission to propose and not so subtly taking Flora to get her nails done, Elizabeth continues to be there by her side.

Elizabeth White

Linda is Flora’s middle sister. Since they are only 1 year apart, Linda has always been there to watch over Flora. After their parents passed, Linda was often Flora’s only friend after they moved. Even after leaving for college and then to Hawaii, Linda always made time for sister dates when Flora was home visiting.
Having the honor of serving as Linda’s Maid of Honor years prior, Flora is happy to have her sister by her side on this special day.

Linda Saygi

Mabel and Flora first became friends in high school. What began as friendly conversations in class, grew into late night talks on the bench in front of their apartment. After more than 20 years of friendship, Mabel has seen it all - the good, the messy, the hilariously embarrassing.  
She’s the friend who knows Flora better than anyone, always ready with a laugh, shoulder to lien on or reality check. Flora couldn’t imagine her wedding day without Mabel by her side - sharing memories, making new ones and proving that friendships really do last a lifetime.

Mabel Bush

Sean V. has known Sean B. since 2008 when they worked together at Boys and Girls Club.  (For this bio’s purposes, we’ll go by last name), Belanger has been Vukan’s voice of reason and advice both when things got too frustrating at work and outside of work for Vukan, especially around the time that his mom’s illness was worsening. Belanger has always been the friend that gives him the confidence to do things when Vukan’s impostor syndrome kicks in.  Also, because of Belanger, Flora can thank him for her future husband taking an interest in the MCU because of the multiple midnight showings they would go to with the rest of their nerd group.

Sean Belanger

Sean has known Kevin since 2002 when they also met working at Boys and Girls Club.  Their friendship really took off in 2006 when Sean helped Kevin with his softball team.  Hangouts from there, basketball on Saturdays, family events, Christmases, birthday parties, New Years, Thanksgivings, graduations…through Kevin, Sean has truly found a second extended family, and lived with that family for five years before moving to Upland in 2021. Kevin has been there for Sean from the beginning and all the times that Kevin and Robin let Sean be “third wheel” on Disneyland trips or to Joe’s Italian Ice and the like, just to get out of the house truly meant a lot.  A voice of simple, blunt, calm,  Kevin has helped Sean navigate his ups and downs and insecurities.

Kevin Tan

Chris has become someone that Sean has counted on for advice and honesty.  Chris was instrumental in helping with the renovations to the condo in Upland taking time after working during the pandemic to come over when he could to help with tiling and demoing.  Chris and Sean have also been known to share multiple memes with each other in a small amount of time.

Chris Matamoros

Sean also met Alex while working at Boys and Girls Club. Sean had been asked if he wanted to assist Alex in chaperoning a group of teens at an out of state leadership conference. From there, Alex and Sean had multiple hangouts at Super Antojitos venting about work and life.  That turned into Alex inviting Sean to family hangouts.  Alex has always encouraged Sean to see past his current surroundings even if Sean has been resistant to change. 

Alex Gallegos

Wedding Party

Ultimate Formal Attire Shopping Guide

25 Hand-Picked Formal Guest Dresses

Tux vs. Suit: What's the Difference?

Our wedding attire is formal. Wear your best winter/spring formal attire. The weather in Redlands is likely going to be cool ranging from 60 to 70 degrees.Ladies, please note this is a garden wedding. Stiletto heels are not recommended.

Dress Code

Q + A

Accommodations

There are several hotel options in the area the venue recommends and are listed below. The bride and groom will be staying at Residence Inn at Loma Linda.

Located in Redlands, 22 miles from Auto Club Speedway, Residence Inn by Marriott Loma Linda Redlands has air-conditioned accommodations and free bikes. The property is around 3.5 miles from University of Redlands, 5.9 miles from National Orange Show Event Center and 8 miles from Fiesta Village Family Fun Park. The property provides a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk for guests. Guest rooms at the hotel come with a flat-screen TV and a kitchen. All rooms will provide guests with a desk and a coffee machine. Buffet and American breakfast options are available at Residence Inn by Marriott Loma Linda Redlands. The accommodation has a grill. California State University, San Bernardino is 14 miles from Residence Inn by Marriott Loma Linda Redlands, while University of California, Riverside is 14 miles from the property. LA/Ontario International Airport is 22 miles away.

Residence Inn by Marriott Loma Linda Redlands

Boasting an outdoor pool and a spa &amp; wellness center, Ayres Hotel Redlands features spacious rooms equipped with Free WiFi. The Historical Glass Museum 1.2 mi away. A flat-screen cable TV is included in each air-conditioned room at this hotel. Each comfortable room includes a microwave, a refrigerator and a coffee machine. The private bathrooms feature free toiletries. At Ayres Hotel Redlands you will find 24-hour reception and a fitness center. Other facilities offered at the property include meeting facilities, luggage storage and dry cleaning. The property offers free parking. Tri-City Shopping Center 9 minutes’ walk away. Smiley Park is 20 mi away.

Ayres Hotel Redlands – Loma Linda

Located in Redlands, 19 miles from Auto Club Speedway, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Riverside Redlands has accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness center and a terrace. The property is around 4.2 miles from University of Redlands, 6.6 miles from National Orange Show Event Center and 6.8 miles from Fiesta Village Family Fun Park. The hotel has family rooms. A buffet breakfast is available at the hotel. Languages spoken at the 24-hour front desk include English and Spanish. University of California, Riverside is 14 miles from SpringHill Suites by Marriott Riverside Redlands, while California State University, San Bernardino is 14 miles from the property. LA/Ontario International Airport is 22 miles away.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Riverside Redlands

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Wedding Day Timeline

3:30pm Ceremony seating opens4:00pm Wedding Ceremony4:30pm Cocktail Hour/Pictures6:00pm Reception opens7:00pm Speeches10:00pm Wedding ends

Flora & Sean

Flora & Sean

Wedding Schedule

Wedding Day Timeline