How We Met
This begins as an East finally meets West love story… It was early 2022, and both Joel and Angela were feeling like Dil Mil might be their last hope. But with a little help from technology and destiny, they matched—only to realize they were 2,420 miles apart. Undeterred, they started messaging and eventually had their first “FaceTime Date,” where hours seemed to melt away in conversation. Both felt an uncanny connection, as if they were always meant to find each other.
In one of their many conversations, they discovered they’d crossed paths multiple times before—at work events and beyond—yet had never met. By July, Joel made the trip to Seattle, igniting the start of the J&A adventures. From chasing waterfalls and exploring trails across the Pacific Northwest to meeting each other’s families, they both knew their love was worth every effort to bridge the long-distance gap. Together, they knew they were destined to be.
The Proposal/Epic Elopement
Joel and Angela didn’t need much time to know they were ready for marriage. With their families’ support, they started planning, but soon realized they wanted something unforgettable, something they’d talk about forever. During the process, they met John Martin and Alvin Alex—a photographer and videographer duo who loved the idea of an “adventure” shoot. Together, they decided to capture their love story in Washington, where it had all begun, culminating in an epic elopement atop Mt. Rainier.
They mapped out a three-day shoot, from the rugged shores of Rialto Beach to the lush depths of the Hoh Rainforest. Although Joel had asked Angela to marry him, he hadn’t yet proposed in the traditional sense. That moment came on the final day, as they stopped at Lake Crescent on their way to Rainier. Angela, a self-proclaimed water baby, was awestruck by the lake’s turquoise-blue waters and surrounding wildflowers. When Alvin and John positioned her to look away, she thought it was just another photoshoot setup. But when she turned around, there was Joel, holding a Golden Snitch (she’s a devoted Harry Potter fan) with a custom ring they’d designed a year prior.
Happy tears flowed, and onlookers cheered them on. From there, they continued to Mt. Rainier, where the grand elopement awaited. Both were ready to trek the snowy mountain—Joel in his tux, Angela in her wedding dress. On June 20, 2024, they stood atop a peaceful, snowy mountaintop and exchanged vows, promising to continue their journey of love and adventure.
For Joel and Angela, this elopement was their way of staying true to who they are and what they ultimately wanted—each other.
