Fairview Crystal Springs

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

Photos

Stephanie met Marina in 2014 when they were both newspaper reporters at the Visalia Times-Delta. Shortly after meeting, the two became fast friends and learned they share a love for news, wine and laughing. Marina is shy and not crazy about when the spotlight is on her.  She loves her Siberian Husky, Ranger. She is also a fan of coffee, wine, sushi and charcuterie boards.

Marina Garnica

I have known Stephanie since 2010 when I started dating her older brother. The first thing you notice about Steph is her beautiful smile, her charm, how much she loves to laugh and enjoy life. It’s very contagious if you spend enough time near her! We have gotten closer over our love for the written word, history, and our love for travel. Hopefully we can plan our American history vacation soon.
I am honored to stand by my sister as she says her vows, help fix her makeup as she tears up throughout the day, and have a drink too many in honor of Stephanie and Steve’s combining their lives together!

May their years ahead be filled with love and joy!

Yesica Weldy

Veronica is Steve's brother's fiance. The minute Stephanie and Veronica met, they hit it off. The two love when they are together and able to hang out, talk and laugh. Veronica enjoys refurbishing old furniture, making projects on her sewing machine and reading a good mystery. She also is obsessed with her dogs and loves cuddling with them and she enjoys gardening while listening to podcasts.

Veronica De Anda

Rayna is Stephanie's sister-in-law. Rayna and Stephanie bond over talking about life and laughing. Rayna is a proud plant owner who has a beautiful garden of plants decorating her and her husband's house. She loves attending concerts with her husband and she is in love with her well-behaved dog, Tilly.

Rayna Weldy

I have known Fuj since we were 11 years old (42 years ago) when we played little league baseball together.  He was a pitcher on the Orioles and I was the first baseman on the Cardinals.  We were mere acquaintances at the time.  It wasn't until a few years later that we became best friends and were inseparable.  We fit together like peanut butter and jelly.  I remember when we were young, and getting calls from him on Saturdays at 7 in the morning asking if I wanted to go with him and his family to the A's games.  I never said no.  We have had so many journeys and experiences together over the course of our friendship.  We could be taking a crazy trip somewhere, usually a road trip to some baseball stadiums, or we could just hang out at one of our houses.  We have laughed together until we couldn't breathe, we have cried together, we have shared what each of us was going through at the time or we could just hang out and watch TV.  There are so many stories of our adventures together and things that we did together that I could easily write a book, some of it could get us into trouble, maybe even arrested LOL. Fuj is my best friend for life, he was my best man at my wedding and now I am his best man at his and Stephanie's wedding.  I couldn't be more honored to stand by his side as he weds his beautiful bride Stephanie.  Thank you for including me in this amazing day and I am so happy for you Fuj that you have found your partner in life.  

David Dart

My name is Brian “Izzy” Isidore… I am blessed to be a friend/brother of Steve “Fuj” Fujimoto… I consider Fuj to be a brother, not just a friend, because I feel our friends are the family we get to choose!

Steve “Fuj” and I met in 8th grade (1984), and our relationship grew stronger and deeper throughout high school and college, and continues to this day!... In fact, at the time of the wedding we will have known each other for 40 years!!!!  

 I believe sports were some of the things that drew us together (including tennis, baseball, hockey, football…etc, photography, cars and driving 'crazy driving')… yeah and feelings and emotional things too!

 Visiting Fuj at Fresno state, going on the field to take pictures of the football team... the long drives while talking and joking around (crazy driving included…ask if you don’t know)... and the many, many, many hours hanging out at the Tipton house are just a few of the things that have helped to bring us close!

 Fuj always knew he could call me, and I could call him, to ask or talk about anything!!!

 I will say, waiting for Fuj to finish getting ready to go out, while all the guys were waiting to go out... and the amazing amount of napkins he uses... are a few of the funny things we always would joke about!

Yes, I am mentioning “crazy driving” again… (it was that important!!)

 Steve was in my wedding party and it is an honor to be asked to be in his!!!

 I pray that this marriage is blessed, protected and filled with love!!! 

 God, please keep both Steve and Steph in your protective and loving care!

Brian Isidore

Justin Moll has known Fuji since grade school and they both graduated from Mission San Jose High School.  Justin is a Vice President of Sales & Marketing for a ruggedized computer company and graduated from UC Riverside.   He is an avid tennis player and enjoys playing guitar (although badly).  Justin and Fuji have gone on several trips together, often with Dart.  Justin always seemed to catch an illness those weekends, which he insists have nothing at all to do with the amount of alcohol they consumed.  

Justin Moll

Ian and Fuj have been friends for a lifetime. They have travelled to exotic lands together, experienced a Giants World Series game, and drank a Zima or two.  They have shared exciting adventures together, as well as having experienced moments of grief.  
Ian loves his family, friends and baseball, and wouldn't have it anyway else.

Ian Tipton

Like many of Fuj's friends, we all have some amazing memories of him over the years.  When I think of him as a teenager I get the same feelings of comfort and peace I get around him now.  Fuj has always been someone you want to chill with, sit and talk about old times, or current events, and make him do that little laugh he makes when you say something funny.  Growing up around the corner from Fuj I've pretty much always known of him, but our relationship really came together in high school when we would race around Fremont in our cars, Fuj in his little Datsun 510, or hang out at Bob & Sheila's with our group of friends, all still very close today.  As life took us in different directions we still make time to come together, Fuj being a staple of our group, even driving up from Fresno whenever we got together for any special occasion, or just the random weekend event.  Houseboats, St. Patrick Day parties, weddings, and now dinner with friends or a boys weekend away, you can always count on Fuj to bring the good time, share stories, and talk about life at a deep level.  Like all of us, we are excited for Steve's next journey, and although it seems like Stephanie and Steve have been together for a long time, because they have, marriage is a new chapter that will bring new adventures to share and enjoy.  I'm excited to officiate and bring this union together, officially, and look forward to continued adventures and experiences together in the years ahead.

Michael Stachon

Wedding Party

Q + A

Stephanie and Steve are currently trying to reserve a block rate, but currently, the prices for the Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport (an IHG hotel) are very good on hotel booking websites, which have rates as low as $121 a night. Parking is an additional $24 per day. For excellent membership rates, please book on the IHG Crowne Plaza SFO website.

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport, an IHG Hotel

An alternative to the Crowne Plaza is the Dylan Hotel. The couple has found the Dylan as a nice boutique hotel option that is locally owned and close to Fairview Crystal Springs.

The Dylan Hotel at SFO

Travel

Stephanie's favorite outdoor site in the Bay Area is the Sutro Baths, where one can see the remnants of the once-elaborate Turkish baths. Visitors can walk alongside the remains of the baths and get tremendous ocean views. The Sutro Baths are now just a vestige of what was once self-made millionaire Adolph Sutro's expansive, privately-owned, salt-water swimming complex. The Turkish baths were built in 1894. A classic Greek portal opened to a massive glass enclosure containing seven swimming pools at various temperatures. There were slides, trapezes, springboards and a high dive. The power of the Pacific Ocean during high tide could fill the 1.7 million gallons of water required for all the pools in just one hour. The Baths could accommodate 10,000 people at one time and offered 20,000 bathing suits and 40,000 towels for rent. Attendance waned starting with the Great Depression and the baths were demolished in 1964.

Sutro Baths

After taking in the beauty of the Sutro Baths, take a mild hike through picturesque Lands End. Trails wind their way around rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean, moving through stands of cypress and eucalyptus trees and emerging to spectacular views of the shore, headlands and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Lands End Hiking Trail and Lookout

Whether you've driven over it a thousand times, or if this is your first trip to the Bay Area, the Golden Gate Bridge is a must! Park on either the Southeast Side or Northeast Side and trek the 1.7 miles across the bridge. Roundtrip, the walk will take between 1.5 and 2 hours. For the best views of the Golden Gate Bridge, head over to the Marin side of the Bridge and drive through the Marin Headlands.

Golden Gate Bridge

Visit the crookedest street in America, which is located along the eastern segment in the Russian Hill neighborhood.

Lombard Street

Historic Japantown offers Japanese cuisine from sushi, ramen, shabu shabu restaurants and more. It also offers shopping with specialty grocery stores and gift shops.

Japantown

If you love a good bookstore, look no further than Green Apple Bookstore! This bookstore, built in 1967, gives you all the cozy bookstore vibes with its creaky floors and its thousands and thousands of new and used books categorized by genre. Be prepared to spend hours here browsing the shelves!

Green Apple Bookstore

Bodega Bay's Potter School was started after Sheriff Samuel Potter donated the land for this school in 1872. In September of 1873, classes for grades 1 through 8 were held in two large classrooms on the first floor. The upstairs was functioned as a multi-use room and community hall. In December of 1961, the condemned school building was sold at auction. In March of 1962, Alfred Hitchcock used the school in his film, The Birds. The school is now a private residence.

Potter School (Schoolhouse from Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds)

Hop aboard a ferry and visit the former federal penitentiary that once housed Al Capone&nbsp;and George "Machine Gun" Kelly. The maximum-security prison, which was in operation from 1934 to 1963, offers a full day of adventure as attendees visit the cell blocks and the outdoor gardens, which are brimming with vibrant birds.

Alcatraz Island

Step inside of one of the city's most famous landmarks. Check out shops, grab coffee and lunch at this attraction with panoramic views of the Bay.

The Ferry Building

Tourist trap? Yes? Worth it? Yes! Get some souvenir shopping in, catch street performers and don't forget to get Boudin's famous sourdough&nbsp;bread bowl with clam chowder!

Fisherman's Wharf

Part of Golden Gate Park, the tea garden allows visitors to experience serenity and natural beauty. See the garden's arched drum bridge, pagodas, stone lanterns, serene koi ponds, stepping stone paths, native Japanese plants and more.

Japanese Tea Garden

San Francisco has the oldest Chinatown in the nation. Beyond the iconic Dragon's Gate are streets and alleys filled with dim sum joints, bakeries, souvenir shops, cocktail lounges and much more.

Chinatown (Dragon's Gate)

Did you know there are bison at Golden Gate Park? Stephanie did not know that until a few months ago when Steve took her see them. Take a day to explore Golden Gate Park and don't forget to see the bison!

Bison Paddock (Golden Gate Park)

This restaurant is located inside of Hometown Heroes Bar. The Hidden Spot is Steve's favorite place to grab a bite in the Bay Area. Steve recommends The Gem on Dutch Crunch with tater tots.

Hidden Spot (South San Francisco)

Treat yourself to one of the best pastrami sandwiches you will ever have! Stephanie and Steve recommend a pastrami sandwich, Reuben style, with Goofy Fries.

The Refuge (San Mateo)

If you are looking for killer Italian food, look no further than Capo's! This restaurant celebrates classic Detroit and Chicago pizzas. Stephanie and Steve recommend the Cast-Iron Dillinger or the Deep Dish Big Joe Zerilli. *If you're ordering a deep dish or cast-iron pizza, order ahead of time or right when you get there because it'll take about 40 minutes to cook.

Capo's

A Taco Bell on the beach? A Taco Bell that serves alcohol? Yes, indeed! Check out the beachside Taco Bell in Pacifica. Stephanie and Steve recommend the Baja Blast slush with vodka.

Beachside Taco Bell (Pacifica)

Stephanie and Steve have yet to eat here yet, but it is at the top of their list! They are looking forward to trying the coffee crunch cake. If you are interested, you better go early, because these cakes sell out early every day!

Yasukochi's Sweet Stop

Steve got Stephanie hooked on Blue Bottle Coffee. Go for the affogato or iced coffee float.

Blue Bottle Coffee

Welcome to the United States' oldest dim sum restaurant,&nbsp;Hang Ah, in operation since 1920. It is located on a little alley near Willie "Woo Woo" Wong Playground and on one of San Francisco's famously steep hills.

Hang Ah Tea Room

One of Stephanie and Steve's favorite casual restaurants to grab burgers from is Shake Shack. Try the Shack Stack burger, with an Angus beef patty and a 'Shroom burger. Order that with cheese fries and a Black and White Shake.

Shake Shack Hillsdale

Chocolate lovers will love Ghiradelli! Shop for a variety of Ghiradelli chocolates and enjoy the world-famous hot fudge sundae in a chocolate dipped waffle bowl!

Stephanie & Steve

Stephanie & Steve

Travel

Crowne Plaza San Francisco Airport, an IHG Hotel

The Dylan Hotel at SFO