Once upon a January in 2021, the stars aligned just enough for Julia and Sara to cross virtual paths on Hinge. Their conversations were light and breezy, filled with laughter and genuine interest. But as unpredictable as the world of online dating is, Julia disappeared into the digital abyss, and it seemed their story might end there. But fate, with its funny way of weaving tales, wasn’t finished with these two. Fast forward to a crisp November day, Julia and Sara unknowingly found themselves in the same big group of queer lady acquaintances, heading for a hike. With every uphill struggle and downhill stride, there were laughs, shared stories, and an unmistakable connection. Midway through the hike, Julia, with a growing realization and perhaps a hint of embarrassment, remembered Sara from their brief Hinge encounter. Sara, on the other hand, remained blissfully unaware of their past until much later that evening. As the sun set and the hiking crew reconvened at a Roses’ Taproom, clinking glasses and trading tales, Sara had her "aha" moment. By then, the energy between them was palpable. Everyone could see the unmistakable spark, now immortalized in an infamous polaroid – Julia and Sara, side by side, smiles wide and eyes twinkling. That photograph captured more than just two people in a frame; it captured the beginning of something beautiful. Then came Thanksgiving week. While the rest of the world was preoccupied with turkey and pumpkin pie, Julia and Sara were lost in a world of their own, chatting endlessly. Sara, away in sunny Florida, and Julia, home in Oakland, counted down the days until they'd be in the same city once again. Because, well…Julia had plans - she wanted to give their story a real chance. She was keen on taking Sara out on a date that was long overdue, and the rest, as they say, is history. As you scroll through our wedding website and join us in our celebrations, remember that our love story wasn’t straightforward. It’s a testament that sometimes, second chances and unexpected meetings are where the real magic happens. We’re so thrilled to have you with us as we turn the page to our next chapter.

Our story began with the playful notion that love isn't always about who takes the lead, but sometimes, it’s about going with the flow and finding the joy in unexpected moments. One fine day in early May, we found ourselves in a slightly upscale diamond foundry in San Francisco. The ambiance was a tad more posh than Sara anticipated. Between being offered coconut water and sparkling water (despite clearly flaunting her trusty reusable water bottle) and navigating through the glitzy displays, she might've been a tad out of her comfort zone. But both our eyes were caught by the allure of shimmering engagement rings. The universe, it seemed, had its plans because that day, we both separately purchased the other’s ring. While Sara cleverly concealed her ring amidst the everyday items of the junk drawer, Julia's hiding place remained an unsolved mystery that Sara never managed to uncover. And although the anticipation was in the air (with friends even setting up a pool to guess the proposal date), it was Julia who took the leap first. On a Saturday morning, as per our treasured routine — Julia waking up to prepare coffee and taking Poppy for her morning walk — everything seemed like any other weekend. That was until Julia presented Sara with a coffee mug that posed a question, "how does forever sound?" With foggy, glasses-free vision and the haze of sleep still lingering, it took Sara a moment to decipher the message, but once she did, her answer was an excited "yes!" (even if she was a tad miffed that Julia popped the question first). But here's where the plot thickens. Sara had been scheming a proposal of her own for the very next day — a romantic setting amidst the vineyards of Sonoma, with wine glasses clinking under the sun. However, as destiny would have it, temperatures soared, and the euphoria of the previous day's proposal left them a bit hazy. Just as she contemplated rescheduling her grand gesture, Julia's playful teasing about whether Sara even had a proposal plan put her on the spot. With a mix of grumbling, butterflies, and a determination to pull this off, Sara took a sip of her wine and fished the ring out of her fanny pack, proposing with a casual yet heartwarmingly sincere, "how about now?" Julia, after recovering from the surprise, gave her heartfelt "yes", setting us on this whirlwind journey towards this next chapter of our story. Though the path to our engagement was full of surprises, unexpected turns, and sweaty moments (both emotionally and literally), it's been a beautiful testament to our love story's unpredictability and charm. As we embark on this wedding planning journey, Sara's expecting a long recovery, but hey, at least we're in it together. Join us as we celebrate love in its most unexpected and delightful forms.

On May 18, 2024, Sara and Julia will unite in love, celebrating more than just their bond. Exactly 40 years ago, the weekend of May 18, 1984 was marked by two beautiful unions: Julius and Amber Kaplan on the 17th and David and Belinda Gluckler on the 19th. By choosing this date, Sara and Julia honor the enduring love stories of their parents, their living examples of commitment and joy. Join us in celebrating not just a wedding, but a legacy of love that spans generations. 🌸🥂👩‍❤️‍👩