Serendipity Garden Weddings

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

We met in 2018 in college at Azusa Pacific University in California. Hanging out in the honors dorm community spaces Ryan became friends with some of the honors students who were in classes with Sarah. We were introduced when one of the honors class study groups met in the lobby. We quickly became friends studying in the lobby together, and going to sports games.

The Beginning 

As time went on the study sessions and hangouts became longer and more frequent. Others would say it was as if we were joined at the hip. We could be seen walking from one side of campus to the other many times a day on our way to classes and playing games in the freshmen dorm communal study space. We soon became more than friends when we began going to chapel (at university) together, and simultaneously wanted to ask each other out at a night chapel in April 2019. Who asked first...we shall leave that a mystery for you to guess about.

More than Friends 

During the "troubling times" we shall not speak of, we were separated from one another for roughly 2 years. We kept in touch through video calls and Netflix group watch. Eagerly we were both awaiting the day we would have enough money to visit each other. After about 1.5 years I got the opportunity and went to see her and her family for Christmas of 2021. It was fantastic but sadly a short-lived visit. We continued after that to see each other over video and move through life together. Until Sarah's graduation...

Long Distance times 

Four months before the week of Sarah's graduation we had decided to live in Connecticut to be where Sarah could be close to her university opportunities for a potential PhD. The week of Sarah's graduation Ryan flew to visit her. Unbeknownst to Sarah, this trip was also to propose. She believed we were going to dinner to celebrate her honors thesis project, but this is where Ryan proposed. We were able to make use of the balcony and look at the stars as we got engaged.

Post Education 

A few days after the proposal we loaded all of Sarah's stuff onto a trailer and drove across the county to see Ryan's family for a month, and then continued on to Connecticut. The first two years were spent in a small apartment while we saved for future opportunities. In January of 2024, we bought an old farm home in beautiful Higganum CT, and have been restoring it to its former glory. Soon the home and barn that came with will be ready for whatever we decide to do next.

Connecticut living  and the wedding

The Story of Us

Photos

Sarah and I grew up in the same private Christian school for the majority of our childhood up to the point of graduation. I knew of her for quite some time before we had become proper friends.  The very beginnings of our friendship started with us being locker neighbors in girls P.E..  (Sarah was in the 6th grade and I was in the 7th). Our introverted natures and numerous commonalities made easy work of our sense of kinship and closeness.  We are both only-children determined to be friends for life no matter the distance or circumstances. As such It was no surprise when we made the pact of being each other’s maids of honor. I’m proud to say that our agreement has long stood not from a sense of promise fulfillment, but from a sense of love, loyalty, and sisterhood with truly one of best people I have ever had the honor to know. 

Sam 

I am a friend of Ryan and Sarah I met them at Azusa Pacific University our freshmen year.  I have been Ryan's friend for gaming and all things nerdy.  Sarah and I talk cars, life, and everything in between.  I helped them get to know each other and kept their friendship together at the start of their relationship.  Through the covid times we kept each other  sane and happy and have stayed in touch.
A note from Ryan: I owe the credit of this marriage to  Michael.  I would have never hung out with Sarah as much as I did without his encouragement. 

Michael 

Sarah and I were roommates during college. We developed a close friendship and have done our best to stay in touch since graduating.

Bella

Wedding Party

Q + A

This is only a 15 min drive to the venue

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Beaumont - Oak Valley, an IHG Hotel

This is the pet friendly option, and is 25 min. away

Ayres

Travel

14-acre theme park features old-timey shops, a petting zoo, reptile museum, pig races, pony rides, and so much more.

Oak Tree Mountain

Its an orchard...what more is there to say

Stone Pantry Orchard

Hiking, biking &amp; equestrian trails wind through 900 acres of Native American &amp; historic ranch lands.

Wildwood Canyon State Park

Vintage attraction featuring enormous replicas including Brontosaurus, Tyrannosaurus rex &amp; more.

Cabazon Dinosaurs - World's Biggest Dinosaurs

Mountain destination for outdoor recreation, with scenic roads, multi-use trails &amp; camping.

San Bernardino National Forest

Storied seaside destination showcasing a range of shops &amp; cafes, plus an amusement park &amp; aquarium. It is a long drive from the venue, but is cool if you have never been to California in your life. Quintessential LA beach experience

Ryan & Sarah

Ryan & Sarah

Q + A

Where should I fly in?

What travel/ hotel arrangements have been made?

How formal is this wedding?