Jill and Deb both attended Arizona State University at the same time—Jill was a college athlete while Deb was working towards her degree in Exercise Physiology—but their paths didn’t cross until ten years later.
The couple began dating on October 14, 2002, when Jill lived in San Diego and Deb in Phoenix. The two met for drinks in San Diego while Deb was in town for work, and their date lasted nearly 12 hours. Says Deb bout the date that involved water taxis, bike taxis, dinner and a stroll along the water, “I finally made it back to my hotel before midnight and knew that I had just found my soulmate. We have been together ever since.”
When the couple decided to look for rings the owner of Unicorn Jewelry, their favorite jewelry store, showed them some rings he knew they would love, from a new collection by designer Sandra Biachi. When they saw the rings, says Deb, “Jill and I looked at each other and knew these would be our wedding rings.” They then began wedding planning.
Say the brides, ”We both knew right away what day we wanted to get married on but October 14th was a Tuesday, so we settled on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014.”
Deb and Jill were married on a private yacht from Hornblower Cruises for a harbor cruise around San Diego harbor where they spent their first date 13 years earlier.
Both brides walked separately down the aisle. Deb went first, followed by Jill, who walked to AC/DC’s “Hells Bells.”
Says Deb, “Seems like a strange selection, but everyone at the wedding knew that Trevor Hoffman, closing pitcher for the San Diego Padres, was Jill’s favorite player. Whenever Trevor entered a game this song played. Of course all our guests broke out into applause when the song began. I was already at the alter able to see all of our guests reactions, which was priceless to me.”
Both brides are in their 40s, so they decided their guests should just sit back and enjoy the wedding rather than have bridal parties.
Wedding Song: “All of Me” by John Legend. Say the couple, “The lyrics represented our love for one another, and we even used some of them in our wedding vows.”
Though the couple had a first dance they quickly invited all of their guests to join them on the floor.
Brides’ Favorite Moment from the Day: “As we were getting out of the car to board the yacht a thousand cheers erupted. Another cruise was getting ready to set sail and the cheers came from the other yacht’s passengers. We both felt like rock stars!”
When Deb and Jill were planning their wedding gay marriage was legal in California but not yet in their home state of Arizona. Say the brides, “We both laughed when we were sending out invitations to our wedding, joking that we might as well go ahead and get married in San Diego as we would either be too old or dead before Arizona ever allowed gay marriage.” Little did they know that the following week marriage equality would become the law of the land.
Rock stars.
Debbie & Jill during their ceremony.
With a kiss the couple is officially pronounced wife & wife.
Their beloved wedding rings.
The very happy newlyweds.
Theirs for the evening.
We love their festive florals.
Cutting their lovely cake.
Love this sweet candy bar.
The brides and their naval officiant.
“All of meLoves all of youLove your curves and all your edgesAll your perfect imperfectionsGive your all to meI’ll give my all to you
You’re my end and my beginning.”
Onto happily ever after.