3:00pm 100 Civic Center Dr Newport Beach, CA 92660
BELIEVE IT OR KNOT... Yes, it’s true — we met on a dating app. After countless swipes and missed connections (undoubtedly for the better), behold! A match! Anthony knew his chances were low, but he shot his shot anyways, and… nothing. Jasmine never responded — a direct blow to Anthony’s pride. An entire month went by, and it was as though he was doomed to continue the perilous journey of online dating once more, but Jasmine hopped back on the app, and voila, the start of a new journey began. August 30, 2022 — the first date! Through awkward sidehugs, sweaty palms, and racing hearts, the two navigated their way through a game of mini golf (that Jasmine won), all of the arcade games they could find (which she also won), yet there were still moments where Anthony began realizing he was actually the one winning something special. Afterwards was an impromptu dinner, where the couple met at the 5-Star, Top-Tier, Culinary Experience known as… The Cheesecake Factory. The two laughed over bread preferences, glasses cleaning methods, and Anthony's horrific showing at mini-golf. Over the next few weeks, the couple began bonding over Disney dates & deep dives, ministry, great food, and trustworthy conversation. Despite living an hour apart — he in LA, she in Anaheim — they spoke every day, stayed up late on work nights, and didn’t think twice about the distance. THE STRETCH OF DISTANCE Three months in, they made it official. But life, in its strange and sacred timing, had a plot twist. Anthony had to make the decision to return to Santa Fe. What began as a local love became a long-distance one — tested and tempered through FaceTime calls, virtual date nights, photo updates, and the ache of absence. It would have been easier to let it go. But easy wasn’t the point. After six months of late nights, long flights, and phone calls, the couple exchanged “I love you’s,” Anthony’s admittedly coming a little later than hers, because sometimes, he just needs a little more time to process... (sorry Jas). The admission of love was not a reaction — it was revelation. A love that had been forming slowly & deliberately — now brought into the light. And from there, it only had space to grow. The two worked hard to visit each other every couple of months, sharing spaces & memories in their hometowns — but it would be a lie to say that there weren’t moments that the distance was not projecting voids into their relationship. But amidst the struggle, the investment of time, tears, talks, love, and laughter became a glimpse. A preview of the life they were building. A soft echo of something eternal. Over enough time, the conversations shifted: What’s next? Who’s moving? Are we ready for forever? Long distance has a way of wearing on you, not because the love is fragile, but because proximity starts to feel like a luxury. They carried the weight of it. Watched couples on walks and wondered what it would be like to simply exist in the same zip code. They weren’t just counting months — they were counting cost. THE YES TO FOREVER After two years, it became clear that they had reached a turning point. It was time to choose — press forward into the unknown, or let go of something good to release each other from purgatory. They chose forward. On March 22, 2025, Anthony took a knee in front of both families, in hopes that Jasmine would agree to be his wife. And in that moment — eyes full, yet palms just as sweaty & hearts just as unsteady as their first date — they said yes. To love. To closing the distance. To every moment that led them here. To every moment still to come. This story hasn’t been effortless. It’s been worth it. It’s been a story of pursuit, of patience, of choosing each other again & again, even when it wasn’t easy or convenient. It’s been shaped by prayer, rooted in purpose, marked by joy, and forged in fire. Now, with open hands and full hearts, we get to invite you in. This is the beginning & we’re so grateful you’re here to witness it.