These two wonderful friends of mine got married on December 27, 2014 and it’s time to share it with y’all! 😀

It was a rainy, humid morning (but with the promise of the rain stopping), we ate tacos for breakfast at David and Hannah’s future apartment (they were delicious LEGIT tacos from down the road and everyone was so shocked I had never had them for breakfast before. Haha), and then we split up to go to two different salons to start getting ready. I went where Hannah went of course ;).

Before we get started, I’d like to take a moment to describe Hannah to you :). We’ve know each other since I was about 8 and she is one of the friendliest, most beautiful, caring, thoughtful (she gave me a TARDIS mug and necklace the night before the wedding!!), and fun people I have ever met and she is a forever friend: she will always remember you. She shows the love of Christ and makes you feel it :). David will have more to say about her later, but I just wanted to share too :). I love you, Hannah <3 :D.

The two bridesmaids that were a part of our group were the lovely Celina Ramirez (this was our first time to meet and she is a sweetheart)…

…and the also lovely Joanna Ortega :). I’ve known Joanna and her family just a bit longer than I’ve known Hannah and it’s because of them that Hannah and I became friends!

Hair is done!! 😀

Trying not to cry. Hehe :D.

The wedding was held at David’s church: Community Baptist Church in Elmendorf (just outside of San Antonio).

Now this picture (and several scattered throughout this post) was taken by my Mom! She wasn’t my official second shooter; she just wanted to try it with my backup camera. She had fun and got some good ones!

I loved their rings :D.

They each wrote each other letters and had gifts to go with them; David opened his first :).

We interrupt this letter opening with a couple groomsmen introductions. Haha :D. This was one of David’s best men: Caleb Mussulman :).

And this is Hannah’s younger brother: Jericho Latham :). And all I can think of when I see this picture is this. Hahaha, sorry, Jericho.

And now I want to say something about David! Again, I know him because of the Ortegas and we used to stay with his family when we were younger and went to his church’s annual Bible conference. My brothers and I had such fun with David (watching him play “Zelda” on his Nintendo, exploring his awesome little tree house with air conditioning and carpet, playing darts in the living room and hitting the wall often, being fascinated by and loving his black cat named “Goofy” whose front paws were de-clawed) and he is the one who introduced us to the genius of “Hank the Cowdog” (specifically the audio books which are the best!! My childhood got even better. Thank you, David. Haha). Anyway, David is a great guy and a great friend. And just like Hannah, he doesn’t forget you and his joy of the Lord shows :D.

There’s Mom! 😀

Hey! You see that guy in the front? That’s Josiah Tagawa: he’s another of David’s groomsmen and I’m shooting his and his fiance Sara’s wedding on Valentine’s Day!! So fun!

Okay, back to David opening his awesome gifts :D.

Ope! Another groomsman introduction! Haha. This is the other best man and Josiah’s older brother: David :D.

Another awesome bracelet :D.

It’s their wedding date in Roman numerals!

Now it’s Hannah’s turn! 😀

David and his dad were getting ready downstairs whilst this was going on :).

Loved this :D.

Haha

Hair help; Josiah to the rescue. Haha.

Here are their ushers! William Drewa and John Tagawa (David and Josiah’s younger brother).

This is Hannah’s lovely mother Lorelie :). She’s Filipino and just such a sweet and kind woman :D.

And beautiful which is obvious :D.

Wow.

Time to take pictures of the guys! The rain stopped (praise the Lord!!) and even though it was replaced with cold and wind, it was better than rain.

They did so good.

And made it fun. Hehe :D.

Haha

Here’s the one groomsman I didn’t introduce earlier: Hannah’s older brother Jordan!

David’s nephew Jude joined us for a few shots :D.

He didn’t reeeally want to get pictures taken, but it ended up being really funny. Haha

Nice.

These guys crack me up and are so great. Haha. They’re one close group of friends.

Me: “Is there anything else you’d like to do?”

David: “Hmmm…can we all do this?”

Way to go, David. Haha :D.

These colors and flowers were perfect for Hannah’s wedding.

All the bridesmaids together! Hooray!

That girl resting her head on Celina’s shoulder is Joanna’s older sister, Hannah’s maid of honor, and my longtime great friend: Pearl :D.

David and his mom Mrs. Pam :D.

Wedding dress time!!

Hannah wanted each of her bridesmaids to button a button :D.

This is Bonni Kolczak! Another one of Hannah’s sweet friends I got to meet for the first time :D.

And this is Brittany Maher! I met her when I met Hannah years ago :D.

Brittany: “I can’t do it!” Haha

It’s happening!! 😀

Oh <3. So. Stunning.

Heading out to take the girls’ pictures!

Hannah was such a perfect, classic bride.

Emma Maldonado was one of her flower girls :D.

The cold and wind was even worse during their portraits, but they were such troopers and still looked beautiful :D.

Emma’s younger sister Sophia was also a flower girl! 😀

David and Hannah wanted to wait to see each other down the aisle, but they DID want to hold hands and talk to each other :D.

Hannah’s dad, Bro. Ben, came to see her before the wedding started :D.

He was so overcome; it was precious.

Happy guests started arriving! Haha.

Finishing touches.

And wedding selfies. Hehe :D.

Going over some last minute things with Hannah’s pastor Bro. Joe Maldonado.

Ready to gooo! Haha 😀

Love this of David’s parents :D.

Waiting and looking SO lovely as she does.

:D!!

😀

Her dad fixing her train was the cutest thing.

😀 😀

Hooray!!

I included this picture of Hannah’s grandparents because just a week and a half after the wedding, her grandmother, Mrs. Elizabeth, passed away. When I heard the news, it was such a shock. She was at the wedding! She gave me such a sweet smile and hug when I first saw her before the wedding; I thought this picture I captured of them turned out really beautiful. And now all these pictures with her mean so much more. She was such a sweet woman. Praying for her husband and the rest of their family. What a blessing the Lord allowed her to witness and be a part of her granddaughter’s wedding day <3.

Wedding party group hug :D.

David: “I haven’t even taken you in yet!”

<3

Haha

Phone call. Haha

Mr. and Mrs. David Willette!! 😀

With their love and joy so evident on their faces, I think it’s time to share David and Hannah’s love story as told by them 😀 (well, mostly Hannah 😉 ).

Hannah: “We go way back to years ago! I would go to David’s church conferences, and he would come to mine. I think almost every girl that would go to the conferences had a crush on David at some point or another. Him with his dirt bike showing off all the time. Haha. He had his charms. We talked here and there, but I was usually shy and thought I might get into trouble if I was talking to a boy. So, I guess I was a sideline crusher. I remember I used to write ‘Hannah Willette’ in all of my notebooks! I guess I had practice!

David: “Hannah and I first began seeing each other when we were pre-teens. We always thought the other was ‘good-looking’ but things never took off until the year after I graduated high-school.”

Hannah: “So, skip forward a couple years and a couple hints of me being single from my most bestest friend, to a Facebook chat that changed my whole life (Nov. 2010). We didn’t talk about anything very important, but I was so nervous you’d think I was chatting with the President. A couple more chattings came after that and we bonded over the fact that we loved quoting the movie Nacho Libre. ‘Ge that corn out of my face!’ or ‘I only believe in Science’ and other quotes filled our inboxes. 

David: “It began with a casual Facebook message/invitation to a foot-ball game and thus began a series of messages that ranged from flirtatious compliments to hilarious movie quotes from ‘Hot Rod’ and sometimes getting down to the ‘kniity-gritty’ (From Nacho Libre) topics of getting to know one another. I, obviously smitten by love decided after weeks and months of corresponding online to go out on a limb and ask her to accompany me to a company holiday-dinner on December 14, 2010.”

Hannah:“He then asked me to accompany him to a company dinner, and, I guess, that was it. Hanging with friends, watching movies with my parents, and long conversations on the phone became everything I wanted to do. I guess the best thing is we started as friends. We just kinda eased our way into a relationship, I guess. We discussed things with my parents and started seeing each other regularly and fell in love. He became my best friend. He became my buddy. We are complete opposites sometimes. Sometimes all he does is make me mad and annoy me, but there’s something there that always brings us together in the end. We’ve gone through so many things that seemed were there to tear us apart. I think the quote that best describes us is ‘The couples that are meant to be, are the ones who go through everything that is designed to tear them apart and come out even stronger than they were before.’ I can’t ever picture my life without him. He’s everything I’m not (in a good way), but also, the one who understands and truly knows who I am. He treats me like a lady, and I hope I can, in return, treat him like the wonderful man he is. I can’t wait to stand at his side and vow to be his for the rest of my life! And then see what the Lord has in store! :)”

😀

Me: “Don’t move!” Haha

I love how this turned out so much <3.

I asked Hannah what she loves about David and what he’s like.

Hannah: “David is…everything I need in a husband, friend, and spiritual leader. He is the type of person who is always there to help when you need it. He makes me laugh. A lot. He loves to talk to people and get to know them. He’s not the type of person who always tries to make a conversation about himself. He loves asking questions and making others feel comfortable and special. He completes me. When I’m shy, he’s confident, when I’m scared, he’s courageous, where I lack, he builds it up. He’s very strong and unwavering in his beliefs. He’s not afraid to stand up for his Lord. He’s loving, kind, sweet, and gentle. Sometimes annoying, but everything else makes up for it :). He loves to encourage and uplift, he’s not afraid to put himself out there for people. He’s always the first to say he’s sorry. He loves God with all his heart, and never forgets that he’s a forgiven sinner saved by grace alone. David is just simply wonderful :).”

I love this one. Haha 😀

😀 😀

Aaaah.

Soooo good. Dips are the best.

So beautiful <3

I asked David the same questions about Hannah :).

David: “Hannah is like a gentle rain on soft meadow in the valley below and between enormous and majestic mountains. Hannah is the essence of care, compassion and thoughtfulness. She is patient, forgiving and always ready to cheer you up with her bright eyes, her laughy smile and her innocent and sometimes silly laughter. To ask what I love about her…well there’s not enough paper or ink for that. I do love her commitment. Her commitment  to her Lord Jesus Christ, her commitment to see the best in people including me. I love Hannah–to know her is to love her, Hannah has no real enemies except for the Devil (who I almost feel sorry for when I consider what he’s up against–a woman who relentlessly and passionately manifests the spirit of Christ in act, word and thought.) She loves with out condition, she gives without expectation, she listens without judgment and she admonishes without indignation. I love Hannah’s heart because in it I see the love of Jesus.”

Oh <3

I asked them what their favorite things to do together were and David answered :D.

David: “We love to quote funny movies to each other, play video-games together, eat delicious and un-nutritious foods, go roller skating, ice-skating and bowling. We also like to watch movies, listen to and sing music, socialize with our friends, shoot guns and go shopping!”


These two know how to have fun! Another reason why I wish we lived closer. Haha.

The way they make her each other smile is just the best :D.

Hannah and her man.

Taking wedding pictures for friends is SO FUN!

This spontaneous hug from them completely humbled me and made me feel so undeservedly loved <3 <3 <3.

Just talkin’ about how long we’ve known each other and stuff :D.

Hehe 😀

Faaavorite 😀

Reception time!!

One of the manliest grooms’ cakes ever.

And one of the most delightful wedding cakes ever :D.

The wedding party entrances were so fun :D.

Sooo sweet.

The most fearsome bride and groom ever to behold. Hahaha.

David and Hannah’s first dance was to this adorable song and it’s been in my head ever since (which I’m okay with :D).

Hannah did the sweetest thing and talked about her best friend…

…Pearl! and the role she’s played in her life.

Then “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” came on and they danced :D. It was the sweetest thing 😀 (and I just love that song so much).

Cuties 😀

Then they had the dance where you can pay to dance with one of them. Haha.

David was alone for a bit. Haha.

Hannah’s grandmother <3

Hahaha, Patrick White literally swept David off his feet and I was laughing so hard I couldn’t take pictures at one point. Hahaha.

I never knew this was part of the Chicken dance! Haha.

And just like at Jase and Rebekah’s wedding, I joined all the single ladies…

…and

…caught it. Haha.

I kinda felt bad ’cause it came right to me and I’ve caught it 4 times now. Haha (twice in 2014).

But it was funny and fun :D.

Hahaha

Going out for the last dance :).

There I am running. Haha.

They tried their own version of the thing they do at Jewish weddings. Haha

Woohoo!!

Hooray 😀

With a smile,

{ Rachel Leigh }