Rehearsal Dinner

Ceremony Rehearsal

Rehearsal Picnic w/ Wedding Party and Family

Welcome Reception

Point Vicente Interpretive Center

Wedding Day

Shuttles Leave Hotel

Guest Arrive at Point Vicente Interpretive Center

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dinner

Dance

Wedding

Sonesta Redondo Beach and Marina

After Party

Hermosa Beach 2nd Street

Post-Wedding Beach Day

Minnesota Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story in Postcards

If our story were to be told in a series of postcards sent over time, this first one would be sent from Northern California. In 2017, Jake was in his first year of his Doctor of Audiology program in San Francisco, and Caitlin was starting her clinical laboratory scientist program in Berkeley. We didn’t yet know each other, but mutual friends would bring us together and start what has now been a nearly decade long relationship.

Postmarked: Northern California

Berkeley / San Francisco — Spring 2017

Jake became close with Marissa Highberger (now Gilger) and her boyfriend at the time, Jake Gilger. Through them, we began spending time together as a group—starting with a day at the horse races in the Berkeley/Emeryville area, followed by game nights and gatherings, including a St. Patrick’s Day get-together in Berkeley. During that stretch, we became friends first—but both of us focused mostly on our schooling and having fun as a part of a group.

San Francisco — Autumn 2017 The Day Everything Shifted

This postcard would have many photos because it involves nearly the whole city of San Francisco. One of our favorite early memories came during a jam-packed October day in San Francisco. It began with Corgi Con on Ocean Beach (especially fun since Caitlin’s family owns corgis), followed by Pizza Lunchables at Golden Gate Park, a hike at the Sutro Baths and Land’s End, wandering the Palace of Fine Arts, shuffleboard at a Minnesota Gophers bar, a dueling piano bar (also with shuffleboard), and finally a Trader Joe’s run for drinks, snacks, and pumpkins to carve later that night. It was nonstop, joyful, and effortless. More importantly, it was the first time we really spent an entire day together. That day still stands out as one of those rare moments where everything felt easy and right—and we’re lucky to have plenty of photos to prove it

Postmarked: El Dorado Hills

January 2018 — Subject 35

This postcard definitely has an inside joke written on it. In January 2018, Jake and Marissa were preparing for their hearing aid dispensing exams, which required a third-party subject. Marissa recruited her Jake (Jake Gilger). Jake recruited Caitlin. For the assessment, Caitlin became Subject 35—a number that instantly turned into a tradition. To this day, we still try to book hotel rooms, campsites, or anything labeled “35” whenever possible. That night, everyone gathered at Jake Gilger’s family home in El Dorado Hills for a birthday celebration. Between drinks, a hot tub, a bonfire, and a lot of laughter, the chemistry we’d been quietly avoiding finally surfaced. That night, Caitlin made the first move. It was the first time we openly acknowledged what had been there all along.

Postmarked: Between Cities

Still Finding Our Way — 2018

Naturally, we decided to go on a date. It was… not great. The timing was off, expectations were unclear, and instead of bringing clarity, it left us both more confused. So…we decided not to date. Instead, we stayed friends. That decision preserved the group dynamic we valued so deeply—and allowed trust, comfort, and connection to continue growing without pressure.

Even as Jake moved to San Diego and Caitlin lived in Sacramento, we still found ways to see each other—three or four times throughout that year—one of which included being part of Marissa and Jake Gilger’s wedding. Distance became part of our story, but it never quite pulled us apart.

Tahoe / Europe — 2019

After completing his Doctor of Audiology program, Jake planned a three-month backpacking trip across the U.S. and Europe. The trip began with a surprise visit to Lake Tahoe for Caitlin’s birthday—planned with Marissa and Jake Gilger.

During that trip, Caitlin jokingly said, “You should write me a postcard from every city you visit.” Jake took that joke very seriously. Jake wrote a postcard from every city he visited. That became the one constant during a summer that was otherwise full of unfamiliar places, uncomfortable moments, and long stretches of being completely alone. Those postcards weren’t souvenirs—they were a way to stay grounded, to pause, and to send a piece of himself back home.

We didn’t talk every day, but we spoke once or twice a week, and those conversations mattered deeply. While Jake was having the adventure of a lifetime, he was also navigating loneliness, uncertainty, and situations far outside his comfort zone. Through it all, Caitlin was the steady presence—someone to process the hard moments with, to think through decisions, and to feel less alone. In Paris, one of the accommodations Jake had arranged unexpectedly turned into sharing a bed with a gay man he didn’t know, a situation that felt genuinely scary and overwhelming at the time, but later turned into a funny story we tell often. What made it manageable was talking it through with Caitlin—coming up with a plan together, and knowing he wasn’t alone. In Pamplona, Jake was nervous about running with the bulls, and it was a phone call with Caitlin that ultimately convinced him to do it. Anyone that knows Caitlin well, will know this is out of character, and at the time she probably gave her encouragement as a joke, forgetting that Jake acts on the lighthearted things she says. She reminded him, “You’re there. When will you ever go again? How could you miss the opportunity to experience it?” Only later did she fully understand the level of danger that experience actually involved. That summer, across ten time zones, we learned that distance didn’t weaken our connection—it strengthened it. Writing postcards, staying in touch, and showing up for each other from opposite sides of the world made it clear that we already knew how to act like a couple—even before we officially were one. Those postcards—and those calls—kept us connected, even from far away.

Portland — October 19, 2019

When Jake returned from Europe, Caitlin surprised him in Minnesota—the first time Jake had ever been surprised like that. Not long after, Jake invited Caitlin to join him in Portland during a work trip. This time, it was just the two of us. No buffer. No group dynamic. No safety net. At a McMenamins bar over a shot and beer combo, we stopped dancing around it. On October 19, 2019, we made it official. Three months later, on a cold morning in Tahoe, Jake was the first to say “I love you.” Caitlin followed not long after. That Christmas, Jake gave Caitlin a Claddagh ring he had bought months earlier in Galway, Ireland—symbolizing love, friendship, and loyalty. Caitlin loved the thought that jake had bought this ring for her months before they were officially together, and was shocked to find that the ring fit perfectly. Caitlin wore it every single day… until September 1, 2025.

Postmarked: Everywhere, Together

Choosing Each Other — 2020–2025

When the pandemic hit, distance and uncertainty tested us again. But we leaned in—driving hours for short visits between LA and Sacramento and camping across California. Our first “big” trip was a 6 day road trip through Bryce Canyon and Zion National parks, and this was a breakthrough trip for Caitlin. This was an area she had wanted to travel but kept making excuses, putting up barriers, and just never planned the trip. But jake just said, “Let’s do it!”. And that trip became such a treasured memory, with the long drives together, completely stunning scenery, and stargazing nights. That trip showed just how naturally we moved through travel-and life—together.

Bigger adventures would later follow: Iceland in a campervan on the Ring Road, renting a cabin in the remote Mexican coastline, riding a motorcycle in the Canadian Rockies, with countless more road trips, and countless postcards sent to friends and family.

In 2022, we moved in together. Standing next to a rented U-Haul, we looked at each other thinking, “Are we really doing this?” We were. And just like that, Hermosa Beach became home.

Hermosa Beach became the backdrop of our everyday joy. Our weeks filled with Tuesday night volleyball leagues, Friday happy hours that stretched into late nights, and long Saturdays and Sundays spent playing on the beach, watching AVP tournaments, or riding a motorcycle along the coastal bluffs. We hosted bonfires, game nights, themed dinner parties, and celebrated New Year’s surrounded by friends who feel like family.

We took trips with our Hermosa crew—to Tahoe, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara camping trips, and multiple weddings up the coast. We explored the South Bay and the city through alphabet dates, went to concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, cheered at games and shows at SoFi Stadium, and supported one another through personal milestones—including Caitlin completing a marathon.

The last 3 and a half years in Hermosa weren’t about any single postcard moment—they were about building a life full of movement, friendship, laughter, and shared routines. It is where we learned that the most meaningful adventures aren’t always far away; sometimes they’re right outside our front door.

Postmarked: The Top of the World

Greece — 2025

In 2025, we had our biggest trip yet and traveled to Denmark and Greece. Caitlin had a slight hunch this might be “the trip”. She didn’t know when or how a proposal might happen, and she just let the trip play out as it would. Midway through the trip, we embarked on our journey to the summit of Mount Olympus. After a demanding first day of our two-day hike, Caitlin was understandably anxious about what lay ahead. We knew the next day would require an even steeper climb and the challenge consumed every thought. There was no room to wonder about a proposal—until we reached the summit, where Jake asked the biggest question of all, with a second Claddagh ring, this time with a diamond. That evening in Litochoro (small town at the base of the mountain), we shared a classic Greek meal that felt especially meaningful—celebrating both the climb we had just finished and the future we were beginning together. We talked about how right it all felt, and how being friends first had shaped everything that followed. Through it all, we’ve learned that we simply enjoy being together—whether in the car, in our tiny kitchen baking sourdough, around a campfire, or in another country.

The Next Postcard 

From postcards to mountaintops, we’ve learned that the moments worth holding onto are often the simplest—time together, shared adventures, and showing up for one another again and again. The next postcard we can’t wait to send is a picture of us on our wedding day—surrounded by the people who have been part of this journey and the places that shaped us. We look forward to continuing a life filled with moments that feel postcard-worthy—and we’re so grateful to share this one with you.

Our Story

Santorini Engagement Photos

Beach Engagement Photos

Photos/Videos

We’ll be staying at Sonesta Redondo Beach &amp; Marina, and we’d love for guests to consider staying there as well. It will be one of the hotels where we plan to offer shuttle service to and from our venue, which is about a 20–30 minute drive away. We hope this makes things a little easier and helps everyone enjoy the weekend without worrying about transportation. More details on booking, hotel blocks, and shuttle schedules will be shared as plans are finalized. Please book using our block link.

Sonesta Redondo Beach & Marina

This will be another recommended hotel option for guests attending our wedding weekend. While we won’t be staying at this hotel, we wanted to include it as an additional choice for those who would prefer to stay in Hermosa Beach. It may also be a great fit for guests looking for a more budget-friendly option. We will also have the shuttle pick up from this hotel. Timing will be posted closer to the wedding date. We have a hotel block that is currently ACTIVE.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hermosa Beach by IHG

The best airport to fly into is Los Angeles International (LAX). The hotel is a 20-30 minute taxi/uber/lyft ride away. The cost is typically $30-$40 one way.

Los Angeles International Airport

Travel

Officiant 

Hayden Rensch 

Best Man and Maid of Honor

Wyatt Davis

Katie Schuman

Groomsmen

Luke Leibovich 

Jesse Cole

Jake Gilger

Matt Schroeder 

Skyler Johnson

Bridesmaids

Marissa Gilger

Rachel Jensen-Cole

Allison Leibovich 

Alexa Buist

Wedding Party

Think summer by the ocean — light, colorful, and floral attire encouraged. We kindly ask guests to avoid denim and heavier/dark fabrics.Sunglasses encouraged for the ceremony Evenings by the coast can get chilly, so bring a light layer

Dress Code

Below are our most common questions. If you have more, we would love to hear from you. Call or text either of us.

Q + A

Things to do!

If you’re spending a little extra time in town, we’d love for you to enjoy some of our favorite spots in Hermosa Beach, around the South Bay, and beyond. Whether you want coffee, a casual meal, beach time, or a bigger LA day trip, there’s plenty nearby to explore.

Coffee and Bites

Racer TeaFunky tea bar with motorcycle and metal music theme. Who would have thought? Jake's favorite is the Twist the Throttle, and Caitlin's is either the Rude Boy or Medicine Man Granny's Grocery100 year old beachy grocery store and deli. Head there to grab a sandwich for the beach or a coffee and breakfast sandwich in the morning. Good NeighborA new addition to the neighborhood, this laundromat/cafe has been fun to support while they run pop-ups while getting ready to open! Mickey's DeliAnother favorite! Plenty of sandwich options, as well as pizza, pasta, salads, and Jake's favorite; calzones. BarshaA blend of Tunisian, Mediterranean, and global cuisine meld with Californian fresh ingredients. We adore the falafel sliders, but don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu. Red &amp; Louie's PizzaWe aren't experts on the menu since we only ever get the Carnivore, but it's great! Proudly ServingSimple, satisfying smash burgers with fries or tots. Cafe Minerva (opening date TBD)Coffee shop with Guadalajara influence; we recommend trying their Cafe de Olla Tigres FuegoIf you’re in town on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning, we highly recommend getting either the chorizo or bacon breakfast burrito. They open at 9 am and the line can get long, but it’s worth it.

Activities

The StrandWalk, bike, roller skate, or skateboard along this iconic path by the beach. The GreenbeltA 3.7-mile path that runs from the south end of Hermosa up through Manhattan Beach. Beach VolleyballNets are available on the Hermosa, Manhattan, and Redondo beaches. No reservation needed — just first come, first served. Beach DayTake advantage of the beach for swimming, relaxing, reading, or just soaking up some sun. Friends of the Library Bookstore in Hermosa BeachA great stop for browsing and maybe picking up a book or two. 50 cents for paperback and 1 dollar for hard copy. Their hours are limited, open Tuesday, Friday, Saturday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. El PortoOn the north end of Manhattan Beach, this is one of our favorite places to post up and watch surfers. North Manhattan Beach highlights El Porto as a go-to spot for surfing, biking, beach volleyball, and soaking up the view. Topgolf El SegundoA fun option if you want something active that isn’t the beach. Topgolf El Segundo is open daily and has year-round bays with food and drinks, so it’s an easy group activity. El Segundo BreweriesIf you’re in the mood to wander a bit, El Segundo has some great brewery and food options and is an easy stop just north of the South Bay. The city’s business guide highlights its dining and drink scene as part of the local lifestyle mix. Tony’s on the PierA classic Redondo Pier stop and one of our favorite places to take visitors. Order the Mai Tai and you’ll get the souvenir glass to take home. Barnacles Bar &amp; GrillIf you’re looking for a dive bar in Hermosa, this is our favorite.

Greater LA + Orange County

DisneylandA bigger outing, but one we always love. Disneyland Resort in Anaheim remains one of the classic Southern California day trips, with both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure. Abbot Kinney BoulevardOne of our favorite spots on the west side for shopping, food, coffee, and people-watching. This iconic boulevard is a mile-long stretch of fashion, art, and food just minutes from Venice Beach. Griffith ObservatoryGreat for views, classic LA scenery, and getting close to the Hollywood Sign. The Observatory is free to visit, and its grounds connect to trails and overlooks above the city. Dockweiler Beach BonfireIf you want a very classic LA beach night, Dockweiler is the bonfire beach. Fire pits are first come, first served, and personal fire pits are not allowed outside the official ones. Many flights departing LAX will be passing directly overhead, and it is fun to wonder where they are headed to.

Scenic Drives and Day Trips

Pacific Coast Highway through MalibuIf you have a car and want the full Southern California coastal drive, heading up PCH through Malibu is hard to beat. Neptune’s NetA classic stop on the Malibu stretch, especially if you want the beach-road, biker-stop version of California. The Rock StoreFor anyone who loves a canyon drive or motorcycle culture, this is a legendary stop. OxnardAn easy stop if you’re heading north and want more beach-town energy without going all the way to Santa Barbara. Santa BarbaraA little farther, but a beautiful day trip if you want something slower and more scenic. Joshua TreeA longer day trip, but a great option if you want desert scenery, hiking, and a very different side of Southern California. Lake ArrowheadA good mountain getaway if you want pine trees, cooler weather, and a slower pace for the day.

Caitlin & Jacob

Caitlin & Jacob

Photos/Videos

Santorini Engagement Photos

Beach Engagement Photos