Photos

Our wedding journey began with a trip to Israel in March of 2020 to celebrate with Leeron's extended family for our Henna ceremony.

We are so fortunate to have loved ones all around the world. So, it was important for us to include this celebration for our marriage.

It was a monumental occasion, not only because of the Henna itself, but because we also were bringing friends and family who would also be having this experience for the first time, as well!

The Henna ceremony is a tradition in which the bride and groom receive a Henna "tattoo" in the palm of their hands before their wedding. The Henna (seen here) was mixed by Dina, Leeron's aunt.

The ceremony is a PARTY! The couple is presented with the Henna as well as traditional Moroccan cookies. The night is filled with dancing, eating, costumes - you know, a PARTY!

Celebrated in a few different cultures, Leeron's family traditions stem from her mother's (Hanna) Moroccan heritage. The Moroccan style and flare is very much alive at this celebration!

Leeron's grandmother, Simone, or as she is know to all, "Meme." The matriarch of the Amiel family, we are so very grateful to have been able to celebrate with her.

Making our "entrance" into the party. And from then on? It did. Not. Stop! What took place following this moment was just about the greatest dance party we ever had.

The Silberberg girls know how to party!

Andrew's brother, Dan, who came with Andrew's parents and Godmother all the way from Omaha, Nebraska, embracing some Israeli dance moves. Nice work, Dan.

And mind you, this was just the BEGINNING of the night! Appetizers were all around and dinner was about to follow!

"Well, we've sure danced a lot. What should we do next?" DANCE SOME MORE!

Leeron's Dad, Shai, dancing with Andrew's cousin from Omaha, Mary!

Andrew felt very honored to be raised up on a chair at Jewish celebration. We think the family has approved!

L'Chaim! Again, we are very fortunate to have such a special bond with all of our cousins. We are so very thankful for the connection we share and the love we feel from them all!

Henna time! The lovely bride was carried back into the celebration with Leeron and Andrew's mothers (Hanna and Carol) leading the way! Also, a wardrobe change was made into our Moroccan costumes!

Leeron has described this as being one of the most impactful moments of the night - Seeing all of her family and friends together to celebrate this occasion. Leeron and Andrew both truly felt blessed.

The Moroccan cookies being presented to the couple. The significance of this gesture is to bless the couple with "sweetness" in the marriage.

Leeron dancing with Meme. Leeron can't express just how much it means to her to have had this moment and celebration with her Meme.

Meme singing in Moroccan! What an honor!

And there you have it. The Henna was placed on our hands along with everyone else at the party and sealed to provide a good circular "tattoo."

For Andrew, this was one of the happiest moments of their journey. Having this experience was so important to Leeron, and to share in it with her was one of the greatest honors of his life.

The Henna tattoo is intended to bless the couple with love, protection, and luck!

Leeron and Meme in full Moroccan clothing. Leeron was a happy, happy bride!

Cousins and friends holding Moroccan cookies in Moroccan costume - KULULULULULU!!! (This was being sung out a lot!)

Andrew's Godmother - Donna, Mother - Carol, Father - Mike, and Brother - Dan...all the way from Omaha!!!

We were joined by two (and really, three) other very special people on this trip. We were so lucky to have our best friends Dan and Ashley (and soon - baby August!) Gallun travel with us from LA.

Leeron's Mother - Hanna, Sister - Shanni, and Sister - Maytal --- looking like Moroccan Royalty!

Adding Leeron's Father - Shai, Aunt Eva, and Aunt Dina. One of the best things about this family is that even though they live so far away from each other, their bond is one of the strongest around!

And then came, as you all know, a shock heard 'round the world. Complete pandemic shutdown. Wedding postponement was unavoidable. However, we did get to make The Unbreakable Vow on our intended day.

What followed was a very tough year - for all. After much worry and stress, we decided it was time to elope with a smaller ceremony in Joshua Tree National Park. Leeron with Hanna on our wedding day.

We were blessed to have our immediate family members in attendance, and we wish you all could have been there. Andrew with Carol.

Our dear friend, the one who's been there for it all, KaraBeth Sandoval was the obvious choice to marry us. She wrote an absolutely beautiful ceremony and we love her very much!

Surprise! Kara had prepared quite a gift for us...

Our families reading quotes from Harry Potter, each one addressing love, family, and friendship.

Aaand we were instantly tear fountains. Without a doubt one of the most memorable moments of the ceremony! Kudos, Kara - you absolute genius!

Leeron's vows to Andrew.

Andrew's vows to Leeron.

Leeron gets another ring...

...and Andrew finally get's one! He was a little more than excited about this.

And then, at last - Husband and Wife.

Did the glass break?! Oh, oh yes. The glass broke!

WE DID IT!!!

What was met with much struggle and obstacle at first, became a truly beautiful, magical day.

Leeron and Andrew with Dan, Carol, and Mike.

Leeron and Andrew with Shanni, Hanna, Maytal, and Shai.

Leeron and Andrew with best friends Andrew and Kara Beth Sandoval (and their little baby on the way, as well!)

The Silberberg sisters! And, oh, Shanni's baby is on the way as well!

As you know, many fun Harry Potter treats were a part of our wedding. Seen here is Leeron and Andrew toasting with Felix Felicis, or "Liquid Luck."

All that were present for our wedding day. So very full of love and thanks for this day.

A glimpse of the magical terrain at Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park. Absolutely beautiful, perfect location. Can you see little ole' us?!

Our wizards, have wed.

Leeron gave Andrew a very special gift - cuff links with stars from the pages of the Harry Potter book, matching the very same in her earrings! Taken from "The Wedding" chapter, of course!

Shout out to Janae Marie, our absolutely brilliant photographer. We were fortunate to keep working with her through this all!

The Joshua Tree is known to be a symbol of strength, endurance, and new beginning. It felt very fitting to begin our marriage amongst these amazing trees.

Leeron's wedding shoes - a beautifully intricate drawing of Hogwart's Castle on a pair of TOMS!

Andrew's mom, Carol, noted her liking for this photo, as it represents the road we've been on to this moment, and the road ahead as a married couple.

Our first dance. You better believe Billy Joel's "Just the Way You Are" was our song.

Photo of us in the moment seeing a coyote walk by. We thought this was...pretty cool!

Our best Bonnie and Clyde - how'd we do?

Right at sunset, just before the moon was coming out - our last kiss at our wedding site.

Meanwhile, a feast was being prepared back at Hanna and Shai's Air B&B. And if you know Hanna and Shai, you know they serve nothing but the best!

A Golden Snitch made from Ferrero Rocher for every guest, of course! Hanna had one more request, and that was Omaha Steaks - which Mike and Carol were happy to provide!

Our Air B&B just before we took off for a 3 week road trip Honeymoon. Now, we didn't drop off our suit and dress at home before leaving. So...

...a one Mr. Shai Silberberg suggested we take a photo every where we go in our wedding clothes...

...and we decided to take him up on his advice!

At White Sands National Park. Now, here's a fun story: while taking photos ourselves, we were randomly approached by a wedding photographer who was also at the park.

"I couldn't get any couples out here today for my portfolio...mind if I snap some photos for you? I'll send them on over to you, too!"

Um. Why, yes. Yes, these absolute fools would LOVE to get some more attention!

This was a real high point. Thank you so much Nikki Dodge Photography!

Truly a beautiful day. Beautiful place. Beautiful bride. Beautiful pictures. Beautiful life.

We got quite a few honks from all the truckers.

Our main Honeymoon destination was New Orleans! Happy to say we were not eaten by an alligator taking this photo!

This city is wild. So much culture. So much partying. So much great Jazz. And so. Many. Beignets.

It was tough catching photos with the classic French style architecture without the many hundreds of people around, but one early morning before all the party people came out, we did it!

One of our favorites. That Andrew sure has a gorgeous bride, doesn't he?

Thank you, New Orleans!

The only Ten Andrew sees...eh? Eh?

One of the best parts about this trip was being able to bring the celebration to some who couldn't be with us on our wedding day. Here with Dan, Ashley, and baby August Gallun in Tennessee!

Next stop - Atlanta!

Leeron's life long friends - Aubrey and Victoria, or as they all refer to themselves, "The Lumberjacks." So lucky to have them meet us in Atlanta to celebrate!

You might be wondering, "Did they really just wear those clothes the entire time?"

Of course we didn't. But yes, we sure did make great use of them. And how often does that get to happen with your wedding clothes?

We really became experts at road side wardrobe changes, that's for sure.

The state where Leeron and Andrew first met at Columbia College. Love to Chicago!

Again, we were so lucky to be able to see so many people we weren't able to on our wedding day. Including...

..the Wichmers! Andrew's Sister - Sarah, Brother-in-law - Steve, Nieces - Lucy & Lizzie, Nephew - Tommy, and Puppy - Gimli! So glad we were able to celebrate with them in St. Louis!

Some of these were harder to get to then we thought they were going to be. Leeron was an expert navigator at finding the right signs that didn't go over rivers!

And yet still, some of them had us climbing through many fields and terrain - as seen here!

Andrew loves this photo because it represents both of his homes, the one where he grew up, and the one he has now in a life with Leeron.

With some of Andrew's best hometown friends and their wives - 2 of which were also married during the pandemic!

With Andrew's paternal grandmother, Pat Nowak.

With Andrew's maternal grandmother, Katie Paprocki. Again, we were just so lucky to be able to celebrate with so many loved ones in such a unique way.

Nebraska was our last big stop on our road trip. Thus, began the journey back home to Los Angeles!

We had a cat waiting for us and some clothes that were very much in need of dry cleaning.

Our last sign before California, we were hot and tired and ready to be home.

Marriage Managed. Honeymoon Road Trip accomplished. Back at our home in California. What a ride.

We hope you enjoyed this glimpse into our journey. We so wish we could have all been together, but we are hopeful that we will get to see you all again soon. With love, The Nowaks!