A May the Fourth wedding that should have been, but the pandemic had other ideas. Since the whole world was shut down in May 2020 they had to wait a bit to say I do and decided to go to the courthouse instead of their original plans. But they were sure to include some Stormtrooper helmets as a nod to their original date.
Check it out!
Photography: Eder Photo
Location: County of San Diego Administration kiosk
Dress: ASOS
Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden
Beauty: “Pretty Suite” at SOLA Salons in Eastlake
Q: Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette?
A: Bill – In theory, our wedding was going to have all the bells and whistles, along with some blasters and lightsabers. We had planned a full-on Star Wars themed affair, complete with Chewbacca priest and stormtroopers walking my wife down the aisle. We were going to get married on May the 4th (Star Wars Day) earlier this year, but as we all know, the world shut down due to the pandemic. We couldn’t even go to the courthouse for awhile. So when we saw a chance, we grabbed a couple of stormtrooper helmets, my future mother-in-law, called Eder and went to the courthouse! We were also extremely lucky enough to have my ten year old daughter Facetiming us from North Carolina the entire time.
Elva – We have always connected on everything Star Wars and has been now a tradition to celebrate our birthdays in this them. We had intended to get married on May the 4th, because of the pandemic we held back from planning anything. In October, we decided to schedule a court date. When we logged in the only available time would be on my birthday, November 18th – which so happens to be Mickey Mouse’ birthday as well (love to share this tidbit because I then lead onto evidence that I am quite magical as well). Star Wars was a must! I knew I wanted to have a nod’ to Princess Leia, plus the draping help hug my pandemic pounds. Bill, found the helmets and they were perfect and in end were able to share this time in our lives with both my mother, and new step daughter (virtually).
Q: How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.
A: Bill– We met through the magic of Match.com! LOL. We had a couple of dates, but they didn’t turn into anything. We weren’t ready for each other yet. Fast forward four years down the road, and we reconnected from afar. I lived in Chicago. She lived in San Diego. But God and our hearts brought us back together. We dated long-distance very intensely for 6 months, then I gave her a surprise proposal at Chicago International airport and the rest is history.
Elva– We met on Match.com, we went on a few dates, but were not sure what we were looking for at the time. We did have a lot of fun, one of our first dates was NYE 2016, I had a Julie Newmar, Catwoman costume, and he had a retro Batman costume. We had the best time in the Gaslamp that day, people were laughing with us or at us, either way, so much laughter. We reconnected 2019 over the summer over pizza. He was living in Chicago at the time, we dated long distance and killed it at Facetime/Doordash/Grubhub dates. We were engaged in November, and Bill was living in San Diego by Thanksgiving.
Q: What were the florals like in your wedding?
A: Bill – My wife’s wonderful, fantastic mother blessed us by making my boutonniere and my wife’s bouquet by hand! The white roses that my mother-in-law were very important. Not only were they beautiful, they were a surprise, which added emotional value.
Elva – My mom hand made the bouquet and boutonniere the evening before. I am pretty sure she picked out flowers from her local Sprouts in Downtown Chula Vista.
Q: What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
A: Bill – For me, it was seeing her in her dress, and standing in front of her to say the words “I do.”
Elva– The I do’s and being and being able to call him my husband.
Q: Did you personalize the day in any way? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?
A: Bill – We personalized it by bringing purchasing some very legit Stormtrooper helmets. We love those movies and we are both goofy at heart, so it felt right. I surprised her when we got back home with food and family! I arranged for a small group of her closest family to surprise and celebrate with us, and we also had a great food truck! (SD Taco Tuesday) Plus it was also her birthday, so the celebrations was supreme.
Elva– The San Diego sunset was too amazing that day, visually it was a gift in itself to be able to experience the day with such great love and hope even with weighting pandemic restrictions. The taco truck was just a cherry on top of the day! Plus we were able to share a meal in celebration with some family.
Q: Let’s talk fashion. How did you both choose your wedding day look?
A: Bill – I went with a black velvet suit coat, cause I wanted to be a little formal but still have a bit of flare. Plus the black helps hide my extra quarantine pounds! She wore an elegant, ivory beaded wedding dress with a plunging neckline and draped sleeves. She was a vision. Absolutely show-stopping.
elva – I had originally bought a cocktail dress from Lulu’s, we then went shopping for Bill and got excited and went for a gown. This was with 2 days remaining. My dress was from ASOS. I went for drapes, and a Leia aesthetic. Shoes, I went with Steven Madden rhinestone sandals. Makeup, was kept minimal, and did myself. My hair was refreshed and styled at the “Pretty Suite” at SOLA Salons in Eastlake.
Q: Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
A: Bill – Go with it. Anticipate that every little detail will not go exactly according to your plan, and be ok with that. You love her and she loves you. Focus on that and that will keep you present in the moment.
Elva– Keep it true to your love story, this is a time and place to celebrate how unique your love is.
