Real Weddings
Sonia Martinez & Michael Freeman
By Denise R. Marcos
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When Sonia Martinez and Michael Freeman met in middle school they never expected that they would someday be walking down the aisle waving at their family and friends with bright smiles across their faces and giddily thinking “we’re married.”
“We’ve been dating for years,” Sonia says. “And I was so happy to finally say that Michael was my husband. He’s just such a good man. He has a good heart and is extremely funny. It’s hard to not to smile around him.”
Prior to the big question, Michael met with Sonia’s parents and requested their daughter’s hand. And while on a sunset cruise in Tahoe, surrounded by her family, he proposed.
“We’ve talked about getting married. And I knew that someday it would come,” Sonia says. “But I was so flattered and happy that he asked my parents first. They’re a very important part of my life and I was glad to share that exciting moment with them.”
Tears of excitement and joy were overwhelming upon the bride’s first glimpse of her groom. And once reaching the alter, the couple gladly took each other’s hand and made a promise to love one another for a lifetime. .gif)
And after the rings fell and a bit of confusion between the priest and best man, grand applause followed the first kiss and Sonia and Michael joined family and friends at the St. George Maronite Center to celebrate their union.
“I wouldn’t say it was really a mishap, but it was a bit nerve-wracking and funny all at the same time,” Michael laughs. “And after hearing about all the many things that could go wrong on your wedding you kind of expect something to. And if that’s all that was going to happen, we’ll take it.”
The Center, which was decorated in sage and chocolate details, offered an inviting ambiance. And the music provided by Las Altenas Mariachis and Joe Posado and the Band gave off the fun and festive feel the couple was hoping for.
“It’s such a beautiful space. And although we had a large group, it felt very intimate and we wanted it to,” Sonia says.
After the couple’s grand entrance, the newlyweds made their way to the dance floor and instead of taking it slow, the duo got funky with it.
“It was really a lot of fun,” Michael says. “We had a lot of our guests ask us if we choreographed it, but we didn’t. That’s just who we are.”
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And although the venue, flowers and cake gave off an elegant tone, the couple was determined to have their wedding reflect their personalities.
“We’re not very formal people,” Michael says. “We’re laid back and we wanted our wedding to be too. We got to visit with everyone. I sat down at every table and talked. I’m half Filipino and I had family come all the way from the Philippines. That’s a long way to travel. I was very happy to spend time with them.”
And with fine cuisine, lots of laughs and dancing, the couple bid farewell to their guests. That was until . . . the next day.
“We wanted to wait to wait a bit to take our honeymoon,” Sonia says. “Family is really important to both of us, and they traveled from all around the country and some from other countries. We wanted to spend as much time with them as possible. And we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.”
Wedding Details:
Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Perico’s Grill and Bar
Ceremony Venue: St. Anthony Claret Church
Reception Venue: St. George Maronite Center
Guest Accommodations Hotel: Marriott Residence Inn at Medical Center
Bride’s Dress Shop: Bella’s Bridal Stone Oak
Bridesmaids’ Dress Shop: David’s Bridal
Flower Girl Dress Shop: Eduardo’s Bridal
Tuxedo Shop: Men’s Wearhouse
Bridal Jewelry: Custom redesigned from mother’s jewelry
Bridal Hair: Ruben Soto
Bridal Makeup: Ana Petzold of The Perfect Ten
Pre-Wedding Beauty: Cherie Eastman of Treuss Dell Salon
Caterer & Bar Service: St. George Maronite Center
Cake, Centerpieces & Rentals: The Exclusive Cake Shop
Ceremony Florist: Eden’s Echo
Ceremony Musicians: Cathy Boyd
Reception Musicians: Las Altenas Mariachis & Joe Posada and Band
Photographer: Lee Coronado of Once Upon A Time Photography
Videographer: Humberto Hernandez of Phyxius Productions
Transportation: A-1 Limo & Sedan
Travel Agency: Odyssey Travel
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