It all began in San Luis Obispo. Karl was already living there, enjoying the coastal charm and outdoor adventures the area has to offer. In the beginning of 2022, Mary moved to San Luis Obispo for a new job and temporarily stayed with her aunt and uncle. Her aunt and uncle, who had previously hosted a wedding at their beautiful property, helped Mary get to know a group of local friends. Karl happened to be part of the group, and they first got to know each other through casual hangouts.

Fittingly, the first time Mary and Karl met was at her aunt and uncle's house—the very place where they will exchange vows and begin their married life together. What started as a casual meeting soon grew into something much more. They began dating in September 2022, and by December of that year, they officially became a couple.

Over the course of their relationship, Mary and Karl visited a lot of amazing places together. They explored Seattle, checked out the scenery in Idaho, spent time by the lake in Lake Tahoe, and marveled at the cliffs in Yosemite. During their Yosemite trip, they even got lost but laughed as they figured out where they were. Along the way, they realized how much they love being outside and going on adventures together. One of their favorite activities is jumping into freezing ocean or river water—just for the thrill of it!

It was during a trip to Yosemite in September 2023 that Mary and Karl both realized they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. A year later, in September 2024, Karl proposed on a boat in Morro Bay. In a funny twist, they couldn’t stop the boat, so Karl popped the question while Mary was driving. It was a perfectly imperfect moment that they’ll always remember, marking the beginning of this exciting new chapter.

Now, they’re thrilled to return to the place where their story began to celebrate their wedding with the people they love most. Surrounded by nature, family, and friends, they’re ready to start their next great adventure together.