Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church

Wedding Rehearsal

Dinner

Warehouse

Cocktail Hour

Wedding Reception

Tara Golf and Country Club

Wedding Shower

Our Lady of the Angels

Wedding Ceremony

Our Wedding

Here is the story of Samantha and Joel. The timeline may be short, but they would both say that you just know when you want to spend the rest of your life with someone. Enjoy!

Samantha and Joel occasionally started going to young adults volleyball on Friday nights where they officially met. However, Joel has had his eye on her since the brewery ;)

October 3, 2023

Later that week, Joel messaged Samantha that he wouldn't have the chance to check her tail light because he was going out of town that weekend. From that text stemmed a longer conversation that lasted the whole week and they both realized there may be something more here.

October 15, 2023

The young adults at Samantha and Joel's church were taking part in a church hop and visiting another church in Orlando. Because Samantha's car was not in a condition to drive long distances, Joel offered to pick Samantha up, and together they embarked on an hour long car ride to and from church, during which they talked and learned even more about each other and sparks began to fly!

October 25, 2023

One night after a young adult group event, Samantha and Joel went out to eat. When Joel brought her home, he officially asked Samantha to be his girlfriend!

Samantha moves to Nashville, but that doesn't stop them.

This may be the end of this story, but now they get to start a new one together. Let's get these two married!

Our Story

Photos

Meet Catherine! From the moment Catherine and Samantha met in a class that they both didn't want to be in, Catherine has had an immense impact on Samantha's life. Over the last 5 years, they have grown in their faith together and continue to share the love of the Eucharist. Together, they found out how to adult together-- or maybe still trying to figure it out, but nonetheless together. She is such a joy to the world and makes Samantha laugh more than anyone, even if she doesn't mean to. After one year of living together, all Samantha can hope is that it consisted of enough cooking lessons to keep Catherine afloat!

Catherine

Say hey to Julianna! Julianna and Samantha have a history starting in their freshman year dorm room. Some of the memories from that room may make them cringe, but that year is what started their strong friendship throughout and proceeding college. Julianna has had the most influence on Samantha's coffee addiction, fashion sense, and has a big part in enhancing Samantha's music taste. Samantha always looks forward to listening to the best road trip jams together and traveling, while also having the most memorable conversations. These two are always down to “do whatever their heart desire"!

Julianna

Now introducing Carley! Carley brought out the most memorable times when she joined us as a roommate in our sophomore year of college. Carley has always had a big heart. From the moment Samantha met her, she loved her. Carley is the, as you would say, "sports enthusiast" of the group. Samantha and Carley always loved to play spikeball and volleyball, go to the gym together-- basically always down to do anything outdoors together. Samantha would not be the same without Carley living with us and bringing the most heartfelt personality with her everywhere she goes!

Carley

Say hey to Laura! Laura is Joel's older sister. They have been through everything together-- Every sad, good, and happy moment. Joel couldn't be more thankful to have a sister like Laura. All of the sacrifices she has made has helped her become the amazing woman she is today, and Joel could not be more proud to call her his sister!

Laura

Meet Katy! Katy is one of Samantha’s lovely cousins. Despite Katy being younger, Samantha has always looked up to Katy. For as long as they can remember, they have had each other by each other's sides. Through thick and thin, Katy has always supported and loved Samantha. It also helps that not only do they look alike, but they think alike as well! Katy is like the sister Samantha never had :)

Katy

Now introducing Jean! Jean and Joel became friends in AP spanish class in their junior year of high school. They bonded over the disliking of the education system and being “free thinkers”. Jean taught Joel how to slide his first car, his grandpas 96 Buick, which only fueled the fire of Joel's car addiction in years to come. Jean quickly became one of Joel's best friends that he can count on for anything :)

Jean

Meet Albert! Him and Joel go all the way back to second grade, but it wasn't until the next year that they became friends. They did everything together. Being friends with someone for this long is special. They have been through many ups and downs together, but through it all they've formed an unbreakable bond.. and I'm sure Albert's love for Joel's mom's spaghetti has helped keep him around!

Albert

Meet Ale! Joel and Ale have known each other pretty much since the womb. Distance has always been a small factor in their friendship, as Ale lives in Miami, but their friendship overpowers the distance. Throughout their friendship, they've laughed through many inside jokes (potato!) and have some of the craziest memories together!

Alejandro AKA Ale

Say hey to Ceasar! Joel has known Ceasar since birth, however, it wasn't until Ceasar moved to the U.S. that Joel and him really got to know each other. Every summer Joel, Cesar and Ale would spend two weeks together creating memories they would never forget. Now, Joel does not take responsibility for influencing Cesar to be who he is today... although we all know he absolutely did!

Cesar

Now introducing Shane! Shane is Samantha's twin brother. That's right. They're twins. Samantha takes pride in being 16 minutes older, but even in those 16 minutes she couldn't stand to be apart from him. They have grown from being siblings who bicker back and forth into friends who would be lost without each other. They bond over traveling to new places, trying out new coffee shops, and oddly enough, libraries have been a fun place for them to go together. It is exciting to see that not only does Samantha gain two sisters, but Joel gains a brother as well! Shane has always been the better half that Sam could not live without. She is so thankful to the Lord for the best sibling she could have asked for!

Joel & Samantha

Joel & Samantha

Things to Do

St. Armands Circle

Sarasota Farmers Market

ATRIA Cafe

O & A Coffee and Supply (Waterside Place)

Anna Maria Island

Ringling museum

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus