AMANDA & MICHAEL: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2020

SLB: short for Sassy Little Bee, which is long for Amanda, the copper-clad wedding planner who never turns down a gluten-free baked good

MCH: short for Michael C. Hayes, everyone's favorite painter of beautiful ladies (not Michael Hayes the pro-wrestler), well known for his unpredictable wardrobe and currently sporting an epic lockdown beard

In 2013, thanks to the dating site OK Cupid and a nudge from a friend, we met at a Starbucks in Escondido and bonded over working conventions and being art-directed by clients. By some miracle in all the time since then, with both of us working from home and pretty much living the quarantine life since before it was cool, we haven't managed to get sick of each other. There have been countless Comic Cons, camping trips and cats (so many cats), lots of patience and support, plenty of challenging times survived, and always love. 

Mike proposed during our anniversary trip to San Luis Obispo while retracing our steps from one of our first and favorite road trips. He got down on one knee on a beach near Hearst Castle, it was just us, a total surprise, and perfect in every way. 

So now we're getting married in December, moving to Montgomery, Alabama in January for Amanda's new job, and ready to take on all the excitement the next chapter of our life together may bring!! 

Saturday, December 12, 2020

If we had to sum up this year in one word, 'unpredictable' sure does hit the mark. Everyone we know, ourselves included, has had their "normal" turned upside down, but that doesn't stop love! Never ones to back down from a creative challenge, we've rolled with the punches and planned a small, extra meaningful wedding day and hope that you can be there to celebrate with us. 

Here are the highlights: 

• Our ceremony will start at noon, followed by some adult beverages
• Lunch will be also served, as well as an abundance of desserts. 
• The eating and drinking will be followed by a drive-by parade (more info below)
• Our guest count is not expected to exceed 20 people, including the two of us
• For everyone's safety and peace of mind, seating for the ceremony and lunch will be physically distanced and grouped by household, or those who request to be seated together
• Full disclosure, neither of us is heartbroken that dancing is technically not permitted. (Thanks, 2020!) Great music and one another's company will have to suffice as our entertainment for the afternoon. (But should you feel the desire to move your body in a rhythmic fashion to such music &/or conversation, you will not be stopped from doing so.)

We will be broadcasting our ceremony live online so that you can opt out of attending in-person if you are uncomfortable or unable to be there with us. We love you and support your decision either way!

We are still working on the specifics so if you plan to attend virtually make sure to include your email address and phone number on the RSVP form linked below. More info and instructions will be sent as soon as they are finalized. 

With a maximum guest count of 20 people, there are certainly a number of local San Diegan friends who didn't make our guest list. And since we are leaving for Alabama the month after the wedding, we decided to also have a "Congrats & Farewell" Drive-By Parade at our venue after lunch. This way we can say Hi/We Love You/Bye to everyone in person before our big move!

For parade members: This is strictly a stay-in-your-car event, but the two of us will be out there to greet everyone (luckily already wearing our best attire) and fanciest masks. Please don't judge the amount of emotional support donuts we may need to get through this part.

For our in-person wedding guests: During that parade time, you're welcome to stay and hang out at the lunch reception, or come hang out with us out front for the parade, or you can head home if you've partied enough.  

More details about the Farewell Parade will be emailed once they are finalized.

Our digital "Card Box" is open! If you're up for it, record a video message for us and send it to  at SLB.MCH@gmail.com. We won't open this mailbox until after the wedding, so you can send them at any time. (Large files can be sent via Dropbox or Google Drive to the same address.) 

www.zola.com/registry/slb-and-mch