We met in Washington, DC at Mission Navy Yard. It was Karina’s favorite bar, a place with a certain chaotic charm that kept drawing her back. Little did she know, it would also bring Sean into her life. That night, Sean was there for a going away party, invited by his sister and brother-in-law. Karina spotted Sean across the bar, thought he was cute, and tapped him on the shoulder. He apologetically asked if he was in her way (he wasn’t) and she took the opportunity to start asking him every question she could think of. As we got to talking, things started to feel like one big coincidence. When Sean introduced Karina to the host of the party, she was shocked to see it was someone she had gone to college with. It turned out he was friends with Sean’s brother-in-law, who also happened to be from San Diego and the reason Sean ended up at the bar that night in the first place. Somehow, in a sticky DC bar full of random connections, our paths crossed. Before the night was over, we had planned our first date. On the way home, Karina texted her friends to share details about the night. They replied, “You’re gonna get married.”

Two years later, we made the move to Southern California, where Karina is from. We settled into our first home together in Laguna Niguel (on Ryan Drive, which just so happens to be Sean’s last name and soon to be Karina’s) and spent the year exploring Orange County, discovering new favorite spots and embracing a slower pace by the coast. On May 23rd, 2025, Sean proposed in the Alcazar Garden at Balboa Park, with the California Tower perfectly framing the background. It was especially meaningful since it’s one of the first places Karina showed Sean when he came to visit and meet her family in San Diego. Shortly after, we were joined by close friends and family to celebrate in the same city where so many special moments had already begun.

We’re so excited to get married in beautiful San Juan Capistrano, the birthplace of Orange County and one of California’s most historic towns. It’s home to the iconic Mission San Juan Capistrano and Los Rios Street, the oldest neighborhood in the state. With its Spanish architecture, local charm, and walkable downtown, the area blends history and coastal character in a way that feels unique to Southern California. We can’t wait for our guests to experience summer in the OC and see a little bit of why we love living here!