Sweet Pea Ranch

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

THIS IS IT

We met our senior year of high school in 2001. We became really good friends, that unbeknownst to each other, developed a crush for one another. Flirting was very evident, but none of us ever made a move. High school went on, flirting kept on and then we graduated. We didn't see each other after that.Laura: Come 2005 when MYSPACE was new to me, I came across Gio and just had to "add" him as a friend. I messaged him with a bold note letting him know I was very happy to have found him and that his handsomeness had not been forgotten.Gio: When I saw Laura's message I immediately responded. "Is this Miss Laura Ochoa...?" and the letter went on. From then on I kept in touch with her. Finally, she accepted my invitation to a radio station event where I was going to dj. When she showed up I was very happy. I didn't think she was going to make it. When I saw her I was blown away at how cute she looked. We had some time to say hi and hang out for a while but then we had to split ways as I had to dj. There was a special moment between us while I was on stage, as I was changing a record out, I noticed her in the crowd, and I pointed right at her with a smile. It was my way of saying, "you're the one I'm looking at." She waved back and flashed me her big smile. She unfortunately had to leave early so I didn't get a chance to say bye to her. I just had to see her again. That's when I invited her to a bonfire at my house. Laura: Gio and I had bonded through texts and phone calls, mostly because of our long talks about music. We realized we shared a love for old school hip hop, classic rock, old soul and jazz and our mutual favorite, Michael Jackson. My high school crush was becoming someone I liked, after all, he respected my love for The Bee Gees! I mean, come on? Jackpot, right? When he invited me to the bonfire, I really didn't feel like going. It was so far from my house and I had just got off work. Plus, I didn't feel comfortable meeting a lot of people when I had just left work super tired. Typically, I just wouldn't show up, but I texted him saying that I wasn't going to be able to make it. It was more of a courtesy text to let him know I was still interested in him. He responded with a "please come..." and that he really wanted to see me. Well, I liked this guy, so I went. That's when I realized, Mr. Pereira tricked me! There wasn't a group of people there! What he did have was a romantic bonfire set up for just the two of us and a playlist with all the music we had talked about. Oh man, he had me at Classic Rock followed by our very first kiss. We started dating and just couldn't get enough of each other. We were in love! With a lot of bumps on the road, but very much in love. We worked through them, but without them we wouldn't have been able to develop such an amazing relationship built with trust, compassion, and positivity. We were growing up together, learning from each other, becoming best friends, perfectly in love! We became us! Gio: It took a while for me to make the big move to propose to her. However, I'm glad it worked out when it did. It went a little backwards for us. We bought our house, we started our little family (kind of, with our pup Mowgli) then I proposed. Christmas will always be a special day for us. As it marks the day I decided to get on my knees and ask for her hand in marriage. Laura: It was our first Christmas hosting both our families in our first home. We had already ate and opened our gifts, when Gio asks me to stand with him so he can express his gratitude to our families for coming and making our first Christmas so memorable. He states his appreciation to everyone and then turns to me and says, "I have something to say to you too." That's when he got down on his knee and with an adorable cracking voice he says to me, "I love you mama, I know it's been a long time coming........ WILL YOU MARRY ME!!?" I lost it!! I think I forgot to answer. When I realized what was happening, I answered! It was a YES, A MILLION TIMES YES!

A Friend Became The Love Of My Life 

Our Story

It's all in the Details

THESE ARE A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Our wedding is really an introduction of us as a couple. On our big day, we really tried to incorporate everything that we love all in one. Here's a few examples...

Flowers

We will be using Calla Lilies and Orchids as our flowers since not only are they beautiful, but because they hold very special meaning to the both of us.Since Calla Lilies were their favorite flowers, we will be using them to honor our brother Fernando and Tia Irma. The Orchids will be used in honor of our mom Mimi, as they were her favorite flowers.Having these flowers as part of our decor gives us peace in knowing they very much will be with us on our special day.

Music

Our reception will be heavily influenced by music. Afterall, it was music that brought us together. It was the core of our connection in the beginning. Make sure to listen to the songs we play, and the lyrics that mean so much to the both of us. Really, the playlist are a few of our many favorite songs.

Venue

We chose this amazing ranch for our wedding venue because it depicts everything that we love. Style and Atmosphere: We enjoy eating outdoors to take in the summer air and the warm inviting look that patio lights portray. We also love sitting by a Bon fire while listening to music and staring at the starry night. These things are our favorite things to do on date nights. We really take advantage of our So Cal weather, and we very much wanted it to be a part of our ceremony and reception. Nature: Everything we love in nature, beautiful scenery of the mountains, the natural smell of nature, the crunching sound of the earth under your step, the trees, the feel of the air, gentle winds, beautiful animals and so much more is what we imagined our surroundings to be as we exchanged our vows. Needless to say, we found it at Sweet Pea Ranch.This is it! We loved everything about this place, including the amazing owner Tess, who lives in the ranch and is sharing her beautiful home with us. It was PERFECT and this is where we just had to get married. In the middle of nowhere consumed in all the beauty that God gave us. We wanted you to come and enjoy what we love so much and what we define as our wonderland. We hope you'll love it too and get to explore all the fun areas this ranch has to offer, respectfully of course, Please!

Food

The Bride's favorite!! Wait and taste.

DRESS CODE

Garden Cocktail

Females

You may want to wear comfortable shoes as the venue is a ranch. There's not much concrete just a bunch of mulch. So to better take in the nature, you might want to wear thick heels or some wedges.And don't forget, June could be hot, but not in the evening at the top of a mountain.

Males

Nice shoes are fine, I'm sure they're comfy wherever you go.You may want to remember too, we'll be up in a mountain where it might get cold.

Details

Wedding Party

Forever Frozen Still

Gift Information

Q + A

For our out of state guests, we suggest for you to stay near the city of Ontario Convention center as it is close to the Ontario airport. There's many hotels to choose from and they're just about 15- 20 miles away from the venue.But of course, there's our favorite place to hang out, which is the city of Claremont just about 20 miles away from the venue. You can find a few choices of hotels here to make your stay enjoyable. This area is a nice village opened to many choices of dine in restaurants and bars. Here's our suggestions....

Hotels

Our house is located just 15- 20 minutes south of our wedding venue. Literally, up the same street. We're offering our home for parking in case you would like a Lyft or Uber up to the ranch. Makes your ride less expensive and you need not to worry about driving. Find our address on your invite.

Uber or Lyft pick up

OUR FAVORITE! Beautiful rustic/spanish Hotel located at the Claremont Village. They have a patio area where locals come to hear live music, enjoy small plates, taste innovative cocktails and enjoy the hotel's modern airy vibe.

Hotel Casa 425 + Lounge

With your stay here you'll be near the Ontario airport and convenient to our out of state travelers. You can easily find entertaining areas near the Upland Old town or Close to the famous Route 66.

Embassy Suites Ontario Airport

Travel

Our favorite area for date nights.

Claremont Village Square

Home to our favorite breakfast spot, Molly's Souper

Laura & Giovanni

Laura & Giovanni

L&G

Wedding Day

5:00 PM

Wedding

Reception