We are so excited to welcome you to our wedding website! It has been an interesting experience to get engaged during a pandemic and work to plan a wedding during this time. We hope you enjoy reading more about our story and journey to this happy day. A wedding during a pandemic certainly required us to adapt and get creative with our plans. And many things look different than we had originally envisioned. We have found peace and happiness in growing during this time, working together to support each other, becoming closer as we have prayed and worked to determine what is best for us and felt inspiration. The end result will be a special and very memorable day in front of immediate family and another special day as we look forward to being sealed in a temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints when open to our family and friends. Due to COVID-19, we have altered our plans to be an immediate family only ceremony and a drive-thru wedding reception. More information is on the Ceremony and Reception page. This has for sure been an adventure, but it's a part of our story we will never forget and we look forward to more adventures on this ride together!

In the spring of 2019, Marcio moved from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Orange County, California and began a new job in beautiful Southern California. Lisa was living and working in San Diego, California, enjoying the beaches and freedom after completing a graduate program. Both decided to try the Mutual App, a dating app for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In late October/early November 2019, both had almost decided they were done with the app, it was just too hard to really connect and both were disappointed in the connections they had made. One day, when Lisa was feeling done and defeated by the app, she decided to swipe up on a handsome, smiling man. He had already swiped up on her too! Immediately the app read, "It's Mutual!" Marcio jumped on his chance to talk to this girl. And Lisa was surprised to get an immediate message from Marcio. They talked over the next month, until their first date, December 7th at the Newport Beach Temple followed by dinner. And they have been together since that date. They spend every weekend together, meeting up in San Diego or in Orange County. The only break was during COVID-19 for 7 weeks to keep social distancing, but they relaxed their separation rules along with the rest of the state. Right before COVID halted "normal," Marcio and Lisa had started talking about marriage. And along came a worldwide pandemic! COVID edited Marcio's proposal plans and made wedding planning a little different. But through it all, both have found peace and comfort that they are moving forward in the right direction, holding onto the wedding date and trying to focus on what is most important, their covenants with each other on that special day. Both are amazed how they complement and fit with each other. Both feel so encouraged to be better because of the other. The gospel of Jesus Christ is front and center for both of them, followed by each other. They can't wait to begin this part of life's journey together.

One of the exciting times in a love story is of course, the proposal and presentation of the ring! COVID played with that plan a bit. Marcio had gone to purchase a ring the beginning of March, with the plan to propose in Utah when they went to the general conference for our church. With the ring ordered, he started making plans to propose. Well, as the country shut down, so did jewelers. General Conference was cancelled to the public and Lisa and Marcio no longer were going to Utah. Some plans had to adjust and a new ring had to be found. Marcio scoured the internet, looking for the perfect ring. It took many attempts and not to be thwarded, 3 months after his initial search and purchase, Marcio had a ring. He was ready to propose! It worked out that Lisa's mom and sister were in town when the ring was purchased and secured, and were able to be part of the proposal. Marcio's friends helped him set up a corner booth at BJ's Restaurant for a late dinner. Lisa noticed Marcio was very fidgety as they sat down. She hadn't seen him so nervous. As the friends stepped away to set up the unseen A/V, Marcio stood up. Even though Lisa and Marcio had been planning on their wedding, there were still some nerves and excitement with the presentation of the sparkly gem. Wonderful feelings were expressed and all Lisa could do was sit there excitedly anticipating the words Marcio was leading up to. He asked to know if she would like to marry him and got down on his knee! As the crowd at BJ's cheered on the proposal, Lisa said yes over and over to this wonderful man. It was a long awaited day, culminating the planning Marcio and Lisa have been doing over the last few months. Moral of the story: Patience is a virtue ;) This process has taught both Marcio and Lisa good things come to those who wait and have patience and faith that it will all work out. Sometimes the end result is so much sweeter because of the trial to get there. Proposal Video https://vimeo.com/430260485