NOTES ON OCTOBER:
THE WEDDING WEEKEND IS HERE
NEWSLETTER
On the horizon
Hi There,
We are extremely excited! The time is here, and tomorrow starts the 3-day celebration you all have been waiting for!
We initially imagined a traditional one-day celebration. But what began with a happy twist grew into a three-day-weekend, one that has come to mean so much more to us than ever could have imagined.
Matt likes to think it's meant to be because he's the 3rd and this event is 3 days... but we'll leave that up for you to decide!
wedding weekend timeline
shared details
click On these links for previous notes on The events:
Your Weekend Food & Drink Itinerary
The big weekend is almost here, and we have all the delicious details mapped out for you. From casual bites by the water to a gorgeous evening reception, here is everything you can look forward to eating and drinking over the next few days.
FRIDAY - COCKTAIL PARTY
To kick things off right, we are serving up an incredible spread of traditional Salvadoran pupusas (Ash’s favorite)—thick, handmade corn tortillas stuffed with savory fillings and cooked on a griddle until perfectly golden.
Cheese with Loroco: Filled with rich melted cheese and floral, earthy loroco flower buds.
Revueltas: The classic loaded favorite packed with seasoned pork, beans, and cheese.
Cheese and Bean: A comforting, classic combination.
Cheese with Pork: Savory, hearty, and packed with flavor.
Served alongside a refreshing selection of soft drinks
SATURDAY- BONFIRE
Keep it cozy by the waves with hot, delicious pizza and fresh s'mores roasted right over the open fire, accompanied by a cold selection of soft drinks.
SUNDAY - RECEPTION
Cocktail Party
Mingle and celebrate with delicious appetizers before the main event:
Ahi Tuna Tostada
Tandoori Chicken Skewers
Dinner Celebration
All dinner entrees are served complete with warm rolls and butter, chef’s choice of seasonal starch and fresh vegetables.
Starter:
Pasadena Salad — Mixed greens tossed with caramelized walnuts, bleu cheese, and fresh strawberries, served with a bright citrus vinaigrette.
Entrée Selections:
Classic Chicken Piccata: Served with a vibrant lemon caper beurre blanc
Grilled Wild Salmon: Served with a savory soy mirin glaze
Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli: Tossed in a classic tomato basil sauce
Dessert: Tres leches
Children’s Menu
Starter: Fresh Fruit Cup
Main: Chicken fingers and french fries served with BBQ and ranch dipping sauces
Dessert: Vanilla ice cream
Open Bar & Signature Cocktails
Raise a glass! We will be hosting a fully open bar all evening featuring our special custom drink menu:
Smokey Smudge — Old Fashioned
Hazel Daze — Paloma
Ash & Ivory — White Russian
Terryaki After Dark — Highball
We can’t wait to share these incredible meals, drinks, and moments with all of you!
Blending our Worlds
Special Cultural traditions
Ultimately, tradition means a lot to us. As we join together as one, we plan to carry forward meaningful customs and create new ones for our lives and potential family in the years ahead. We wanted our celebration to reflect both of our roots, and we couldn't be more excited to share these special moments with you.
But don’t worry—we are still keeping some classic American wedding traditions in the mix too, including the bouquet toss for the single ladies and the traditional cake cutting!
The Sake Toast
To celebrate Matt’s Japanese heritage, we decided to skip the champagne and instead bring one of our favorite sakes for our toast.
While we initially wanted the traditional Kagami Biraki, we decided to skip the barrel itself and instead blend this wonderful sake directly into our welcome toast. Though champagne is a classic wedding staple, for us, choosing sake felt like a meaningful way to honor Matt’s roots, share a flavor we genuinely love with all of you, and create a memorable moment that is deeply personal to our story.
El caballo dorado
Think of this as the Latin equivalent of the Electric Slide! It is a high-energy group line dance that always gets the entire room moving. Don't worry if you've never done it before—just jump in, follow the steps of those around you, and get ready to have fun
El Baile del Billete
Rooted in vibrant wedding customs found across Latin America, the Dollar Dance is a joyful ritual designed to help shower the newlyweds with good luck, prosperity, and financial well-being as they start their new life together. Traditionally, guests pin paper currency to the bride or groom's attire in exchange for a short dance.
We will set aside a special time during the reception for this. If you’d like to participate, bring cash to dance with us! If you forget or prefer not to carry cash, no worries at all—Venmo & Zelle will also be welcome.
La Víbora de la Mar
This is a beloved, high-energy wedding staple at Mexican and Latin celebrations. Originating as a playful folk dance, guests form a long, winding human chain holding hands, running under an arched bridge formed by the bride and groom raised up on chairs. The music builds in speed and suspense until the "bridge" eventually breaks, leading to a joyful pile-up or cheer!
First-Timers Welcome: If you’ve never done La Víbora de la Mar before, it is pure, lighthearted fun and everyone is invited to participate. Just grab the hand of the person next to you, follow the snake as it weaves across the dance floor, and get ready to duck and laugh!
Psssst…Your Table is Ready!
We have carefully arranged our spaces so that everyone has a comfortable spot to eat, celebrate, and enjoy the evening. When you arrive at the reception on Sunday, your seat will be waiting for you—we can't wait to share these moments with the people we love most!
Paws & Refocus
By popular demand
Smudge and Hazel have officially touched down in LA! They are already right at home, soaking up the warm Southern California sunshine, enjoying the extra space, and loving every bit of having extra family around to spoil them. They couldn't be more excited for the big day!
THANK YOU
It's here! We will see each and every one of you very soon.
Safe travels on your way in—get ready to dance the night away!
with love and excitement
