Canopy Grove by Wedgewood Weddings

Rehearsal & Dinner

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

2020 took a lot away from so many people: jobs, the ability to travel, a sense of certainty--even our own loved ones were lost. But before that year was out, God gave us an incredible gift: each other. Isaeli was just finishing the coursework for her biology degree in her home of Southern California while I (Kashmeel, an East Coast native) was teaching high school in Rhode Island (remotely, of course). We had both gone through personal journeys of healing through the pandemic, separately identifying our individual purposes while growing in faith, family, and ministry. Somehow, those two paths on opposite ends of the country led us to an online community of Christian singles learning about dating with Godly priorities. This was not a dating app, or online program--and neither of us had any serious dating experience. But having seen each other's social media accounts in the online community, Isaeli started following me on the day after Christmas. Honestly, I took interest in her profile months before, but was hesitant about a long-distance connection. Still, I immediately followed back and we quickly struck up a direct message (DM) conversation. With easy chemistry and clearly communicated interest, we were talking on the phone within days, and starting hours-long Zoom calls as the new year 2021 began. Throughout our time together, we've gotten very creative with long distance dates: we've done paint nights, elegant dinners, escape rooms, '70s theme parties, and even a lip sync battle! But as we all learned in the pandemic, relationships only go so far online. So in April 2021, I visited California for the first time to meet Isaeli and her family. Before that weekend was over, with God confirming everything we felt about each other, we officially became a couple. In subsequent visits between California and the East Coast, our adventures have taken us to Disneyland &amp; Universal Studios, to Niagara Falls &amp; Newport Mansions, into Canada, across San Diego, and through countless museums, parks, and hikes--many times with our families and friends. On one such visit to Cali, I surprised Isaeli the day before her October 2022 birthday (with the help of her family). There, in the same park where I asked her to be my girlfriend, I asked her to be my wife--proposing with a ring I had in my pocket since December 2021. That leads us to this moment: closing the distance between us, at last. Our love story spans three years, almost 87,000 miles in round trip travels, and crosses a persistent 3-hour time difference. It bridges our Mexican-Salvadorian and Jamaican-Canadian cultures, different languages and backgrounds, and challenges us to trust God in ways we never knew possible. Our journey will continue when Isaeli moves to Rhode Island after the wedding to continue her career as a microbiologist, while I continue my doctorate studies in education leadership. We are so thankful to share our story with you in a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment on January 4, 2024, as we finally close the gap between us for good! Thank you for being a part of our story.

As far as the East is from the West...

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Welcome to our families and friends flying in from out of state and out of the country! Our Wedding Venue isCanopy Grove by Wedgewood Weddingsat 1859 Abby Ln, Escondido, CA 92026 If you are traveling to Southern California for our wedding, we highly recommend flying into the San Diego International Airport and staying at the Springhill Suites by Marriott for a discounted rate (if you book early!). You can rent a car from the airport and check <a href="https://www.theknot.com/us/isaeli-iraheta-and-kashmeel-mckoena-jan-2024/things-to-do" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">our Things to Do page</a> for other fun during your stay!

<a href="http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Wedding%20Rate%5Ew14%60SANSD%60&amp;app=resvlink&amp;stop_mobi=yes" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Click here to enjoy a discounted wedding rate</a> for your stay at this hotel when you visit for our wedding! There are lovely king and double queen bed suites available only 5 miles from our wedding venue (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/TrTtaKacTcFnFtKW8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">see map here</a>).This discount is only available until the hotel reaches 85% capacity, so please book as early as possible!Please note that there is a two night minimum for Saturday night stays. (Our wedding is on a Thursday.)

SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Escondido/Downtown

If you are flying into San Diego International Airport (SAN), we recommend getting a rental car from the many airport rental agencies on site. <a href="https://www.san.org/to-from/Rental-Cars" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Visit this website for more details</a>. Escondido, where our wedding takes place, is about 40 miles from the San Diego airport, and should take less than an hour by driving (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hGDxygfij5AdfoMk6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">see map here</a>).

Airport Car Rental

We highly recommend flying into the San Diego International Airport if you are coming from out of town. This is the closest airport to our wedding venue in Escondido, about 40 miles from the venue (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/hGDxygfij5AdfoMk6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">see map here</a>).

San Diego International Airport

If you aren't able to fly into the San Diego International Airport, the next nearest airport is LAX in Los Angeles, about 3 hours driving distance from our wedding venue in Escondido (<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/5UAF1ZBEwiupjv9w8" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">see map here</a>).

Los Angeles International Airport

Travel

We have created so many memories together in California and want you to make your own! Below you will find a list of things to do and places to explore during your time here.

Food

Theme Parks

Sea World, Safari Park, San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood Follow the link below for a City Pass to visit multiple Parks<a href="https://gocity.com/san-diego/en-us/products/all-inclusive" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://gocity.com/san-diego/en-us/products/all-inclusive</a>

Other Places to Visit

Balboa Park (lots of museums), Kate Sessions Park (great place for picnic and downtown SD view), Sea Port Village, Torrey Pines Beach (beach trail), Hollandia Park (where we got engaged!), Birch Aquarium, La Jolla Cove, Coronado Island (take a ferry from downtown SD), Old Town San Diego, USS Midway, Medieval Times <a href="https://balboapark.org/arts-culture-type/museums/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://balboapark.org/arts-culture-type/museums/</a> <a href="https://www.flagshipsd.com/cruises/flagship-ferry" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.flagshipsd.com/cruises/flagship-ferry</a>

Isaeli & Kashmeel

Isaeli & Kashmeel

I&K