Invitation
Invitation
Come Celebrate Our Special Day!
Come Celebrate Our Special Day!
Wedding Day: Saturday, September 3, 2022
Time: 1:00-6:30PM
Location: Hyatt Carmel Highlands. 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, California 93923
Room: Hyatt “Surf Room” (located downstairs from main 1st floor lobby).
The Venue
The Venue
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Hyatt Carmel Highlands
120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, California 93923
IMPECCABLE SERVICE. WORLD-CLASS DINING. AWE-INSPIRING VIEWS.
Perched on a rugged hillside in the Carmel Highlands with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, the Hyatt Carmel Highlands Inn is located in one of the most picturesque locales in California and all the world, and combines true Carmel luxury and sophistication.
The Hyatt Carmel Highlands offers some of California’s most breathtaking views within one of the state’s most gorgeous properties. Charmingly built using Craftsman-style architecture, the natural environment is able to shine; with the picturesque retreat overlooking the Big Sur coast, and floor-to-ceiling windows displaying epic views of the Pacific Ocean at every turn.
Carmel Highlands is a majestic stretch of land located off the famous Pacific Coast Highway. Bordered by the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Carmel Highlands offers unmatched scenic beauty and a serene tranquil vibe. The area is famous for its breathtaking coastline, towering coastal mountains and epic hiking trails, as well as its world-class hotels, inns, boutique shops, restaurants, and parks.
Map of Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Map of Hyatt Carmel Highlands
Event Details
Event Details
Celebrate with Us!
Celebrate with Us!
Saturday, September 3, 2022
Main Location: Hyatt Carmel Highlands. 120 Highlands Drive, Carmel, California 93923
Wedding Ceremony: Gazebo Deck with panoramic ocean views
Reception Room: Hyatt “Surf Room” (located downstairs from main 1st floor lobby)
The Surf Room overlooks the Gazebo Deck, where the wedding ceremony takes place. The private balcony outside the Surf Room offers an inviting backdrop to as you watch the sun melt into the Pacific. The Wedding Reception will take place inside the Surf Room with breathtaking views of the Carmel Highlands rocky ocean cliffs through floor to ceiling windows.
12:00 – 1:00pm – Arrival and Parking
Please arrive early and allow plenty of time for travel to the Hyatt Carmel Highlands and parking at the resort.
Parking is free onsite, but you will need to park yourself, as Hyatt does not offer complimentary valet at this time due to covid.
When you drive up the hill and approach the Hyatt front entrance area, you will see signage for Event (wedding) parking that will direct you off to the left. You will need to drive to the left and follow the Event parking signs. You are welcomed to park in any spot that is not labeled “Valet Parking”.
Once you’ve parked, then please walk back towards the main front hotel area and look for signs for the wedding. There should be signs that will guide you in the direction down to the ceremony area and Gazebo deck where there will be an open bar with Welcome Drinks.
Property Map for Guest Parking Locations (BLUE P)
1:00 – 1:30pm – Welcome Drinks (Open Bar: 1:00-6:00pm)
1:30 – 2:00pm – Wedding Ceremony
2:00 – 2:45pm – Cocktail Hour
2:45 – 4:00pm – Lunch Buffet & Speeches
4:00 – 4:30pm – Cake Cutting, First Dance
4:30 – 6:30pm – Photo Booth & Dancing
Wedding Attire
What to wear
The following attire styles are recommended.
- Cocktail Attire
- Semi-Formal or Dressy Casual Attire
For more info, please check out some useful sites online, ex
https://www.theknot.com/content/wedding-guest-attire-cheat-sheet
https://www.dressforthewedding.com/wedding-guest-attire-guidelines/
WHAT NOT TO WEAR TO A WEDDING:
- JEANS, HATS, NON-COLLARED SHIRTS
- WHITE OR OFF-WHITE – Ladies in particular, please don’t wear white!
- ANYTHING TOO REVEALING OR TOO SHORT
- ANYTHING TOO FORMAL OR GLAMOUROUS FOR THE REQUESTED DRESS CODE
- HEAD TO TOE BLACK
- RED – IN SOME CASES
Our Story
Our Story
How We Met
How We Met
In May of 2016, both Tina and Justin were on match.com, hoping to find their match! They each had some previous experiences on match, and they were often frustrating, requiring plenty of patience and faith that somebody great will come along. Often, it was a let down searching and hoping, but to no avail…until one fateful week.
Tina and Justin were both blessed with suggestions provided by match, showcasing each to the other, via suggested profiles to view. There could be as many as 30+ match profiles displayed on one page with very small profile pictures, so it was very difficult to stand out. There was something different this time for both Tina and Justin. A divine guidance directed each to look at each profile, highlighted by profile pictures that stood out.
If it wasn’t for Tina’s profile picture, with her bright colored hot pink dress, that caught Justin’s eye one fateful night, AND if Justin’s profile picture with his adorable girls by his side, that stood out to Tina that same day, they might not have ever crossed paths on match, and possibly never met!
Justin reached out to Tina first, messaging her and initiating what became a fun and charming series of match.com emails to each other. After about 2 weeks of match.com messaging, then phone calls and text messages, they finally set up and had their first date…
Tina
This was Tina's match.com profile pic, with bright top, that caught Justin's eye!
May – June 2016
Yes, that’s right–Tina and Justin met online, on match.com! This is true and not a paid advertisement ;)
Justin
This was Justin's match.com profile pic, with girls by his side, that caught Tina's eye!
Tina and Justin’s messages to each other on match.com
The following are the actual real messages between us on match. Justin (aka _jjb138_ on match) initiated the first message to Tina (aka T on match) on May 25, 2016.
And the rest is history…
After the last match.com message from Tina (above), we started texting and calling each other and set up our first date to finally meet in person!
1st Date
Carmel Beach
June 4, 2016 – Love at First Sight!
Carmel-by-the-Sea
Our first date was absolutely magical! From the first sight of each other, in person, in beautiful Carmel, to the final minutes before we each headed home, many hours later, the sparks were flying and the energy between us was powerful. There was a true “love at first sight” vibe in the air! It felt like divine guidance was in play, bringing us together, in perfect harmony with each other.
We had many a great, and some deep conversations, many laughs and great chemistry flowing between us the whole time. The chemistry was so good between us, that mid-way through the date, Justin spontaneously turned around and kissed Tina while walking along the Carmel downtown shops. The sparks flew even more between us after that!
We spent some fun and romantic time on the beach, talking to each other about some of the fun times in our past, our families, our hobbies, work and education, and everything imaginable. It was the best first date ever, and we each couldn’t wait for our next date together… which was just 1 week later!
2nd Date
Santana Row
June 11, 2016
Santana Row
Following on the heels of our magical first date, we couldn’t wait to meet up again for date #2, as soon as possible! This time, we decided to meet up in a more urban location, a fun and upscale area in San Jose known as Santana Row. We both enjoy Santana Row for its posh restaurants and charming little strip of elegance hidden in the not-so-elegant surroundings of the hustle and bustle high-tech city of San Jose.
When we met up and saw each other again, the chemistry continued. We enjoyed all the sights, sounds, and overall ambiance, exploring shops, wine tasting, fine dining, and more.
The feeling of something very special between us was definitely in the air building, between us! And just like after our 1st date, we couldn’t wait to see each other again, for our 3rd date… which we had just 2 days later!
3rd Date
Morgan Hill
Tina in her green dress
looked like a super model!
June 13, 2016
Morgan Hill
With barely a day since our last date, we met up again, but this time closer to Tina’s place in Gilroy, in the charming town of Morgan Hill. We met up at the romantic mediterranean restaurant, Odeum.
According to Justin, Tina arrived in spectacular fashion in a beautiful, long, silky, light green dress that knocked his sandals socks off! She looked like a movie star or super model strutting down the runway.
Odeum’s exquisite cuisine, impeccable service, and peaceful atmosphere turned out to be the most fitting place to have a nice, quiet and romantic dinner together. The night went beautifully and ended with even more sparks, leading into setting up our next date…our 4th! And then the 5th, 6th, 7th.. .and…the rest is history…
Our Story (cont.)
Our Story (cont.)
Places we’ve been together since our 1st date
Places we’ve been together since our 1st date
Tina and Justin have always loved to travel to new and exciting places, and have traveled together to many beautiful, romantic and special destinations around California, the Pacific Northwest and Europe since they first met.
Some of these special places include:
Our Story (cont.)
The Proposal
Two years after Tina and Justin’s first date in Carmel-by-the-Sea (June 4, 2016), Justin proposed to Tina on June 25, 2018, while in Sicily, in the beautiful and historic town of Catania.
And she said, “Yes, Yes, Yes”!
Note: it was quite a challenge for Justin to find the perfect time and location to propose to Tina, due to the lack of familiarity of the locations we were traveling to in Sicily. Justin secretly carried around the ring throughout the whole trip, waiting for the perfect moment, which ended up being oceanfront, in Catania, on their final day in Sicily!
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
The following photos are just a small sample of some of our faves taken in the many places we’ve been together. These include pics from Paris, London, Sicily, and around California.
You Are Invited to Join Us in
You Are Invited to Join Us in
Celebrating Our Special Day!
Celebrating Our Special Day!
Please submit your RSVP below, whether you plan to attend or not, as this will greatly help us provide an accurate headcount to Hyatt Carmel Highlands. Seating capacity is limited for the Ceremony on the Gazebo Deck and for the Reception in the Surf Room, with spectacular floor to ceiling ocean views!
Gifts
Gifts
Honeymoon Fund
Honeymoon Fund
We are very honored you will share in our special day. Your presence is our gift!
We are also very lucky to already have a home full of everything we need. For those who felt the need to provide a gift of some kind, we decided it would be best to set up a honeymoon fund at honeyfund.com, where you could donate to our dream honeymoon! Again, your presence is our gift, and anything else is in addition and totally optional.
We’re planning a honeymoon to the magical and romantic country of Italy and we would be so grateful for any contributions, tips, or advice to help us on our trip!
We will be embarking on a romantic and adventurous trip of a lifetime, traveling through and staying in many of Italy’s most beautiful cities and regions, including Venice, Cinque Terre, Florence, Siena, and other parts of Tuscany, Naples, Sorrento, Capri, Positano, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and Rome! Driving a stick shift most of the way!
We have set up our honeymoon fund at honeyfund.com. Honeyfund is like GoFundMe, but for honeymoons, and is safe and secure to use. If you’d like to donate to our honeymoon fund, our honeyfund account can be found at:
If you’d prefer another way to contribute to our first officially married adventure, we will have a Honeymoon Fund box at the wedding where you can drop off your gift (cash or check would be greatly appreciated) and we will apply it directly towards our honeymoon!
We thank you so much for helping us celebrate and we hope you enjoy our special event! Thank you!
Love, Tina and Justin