Fate has a funny way of showing us our destiny. Throughout our lives, we deem many moments of serendipity as “signs,” pointing us on some pre-determined journey – a phenomenon that played a large role in the love story of Peyton Gregory and Bobby Redondo. Though sharing many mutual friends in high school, their paths never crossed. The two then attended the same university in California. “I was completing a nursing degree and I was buried knee-deep in care plans and clinicals,” Peyton remarks. “I had no social life, nor did I ever realize in the four years I was there that Bobby was also attending Cal State San Bernardino and was on campus regularly.” Bobby, however, remembers their collegiate interactions a little differently. “I saw her in the hallways, but she never said ‘hi,’” he laughs. After graduation, the pair connected at a few random events over the next few years: including a wedding, wherein Peyton caught Bobby staring at her several times. It wasn’t until a chance meeting at a bar two years later that he finally plucked up the courage to ask for her number.

The couple’s romantic relationship blossomed, and in the early months of 2014, they learned they were expecting a baby. The excited daddy-to-be knew he wanted to marry his girlfriend and decided to pop the question on the day their child was born. At the end of September, Peyton went into labor and was admitted into the hospital. In secret, Bobby pulled a nurse aside and let her in on his proposal plan: something she passed on to every other nurse upon shift changes. On the first of October, “when Canon arrived, he was perfect – healthy and strong,” notes Peyton. After the nurses had checked Canon over, they handed the infant to Bobby, who gave him back to his mother. “I had a onesie made with ‘Will you marry my daddy?’ embroidered on it and had the nurses put it on our son,” says Bobby. “She didn’t notice it at first; we had to give her a little hint.” According to Peyton, “It was so emotional and totally unexpected. I said ‘YES!’”

Once the family had spent some time settling into their new life, the excited duo began to plan the details of their big day. Immediately, they had a clear vision of the overarching aspects they required. “We pretty much knew what we wanted,” Peyton states. One of those specifications pertained to the location of their venue, as they were looking for an outdoor space with a spectacular view of the ocean. Once they could check that off their list, they began the hunt for the perfect vendors. “Being a fireman and having a lot of coworkers coming, I wanted to have good food and all the beverages the guests could drink,” Bobby divulges. “We ultimately wanted everyone to have a good time.”

On a warm and sunny July day in Santa Barbara, Peyton and Bobby joined friends and family at their open-air ceremony site overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The area was bedecked with wooden chairs facing a grand wrought-iron arch covered in a variety of light-hued roses and verdure, which were also showcased along the petal-strewn aisle. “My favorite moment was watching my wife walk towards me down the aisle in her beautiful wedding dress,” the groom muses. “The sun was shining down on her and there was a nice cool ocean breeze. It was perfect.” The bride stunned in a simple sheath gown while also sporting a striking necklace that coiled around her neck and spilled over with gems in both the front and back. “We were married by a very close and long-time friend of Bobby's, which meant a lot to us,” reveals Peyton. “We not only wanted to acknowledge that this was the beginning of a new marriage, but the beginning of a new family.”

Following the vow exchange and a seaside cocktail hour, the newlyweds led attendees slightly further inland to the reception site, which had been completely repurposed for their nuptials. “I loved the idea that we could start from scratch,” notes the bride. “Though the venue included an old barn, hay bales and cowboy boots were never in my collection of ideas. I wanted to keep it as clean, sleek, elegant, and rustic as possible – with a little bit of a Spanish flair.” Tables were long and most were topped with delicate white linens with intricate patterns, as well as a soft blush table runner underneath various adornments, including floral centerpieces of differing heights, rustic lanterns housing candles, and smaller votives. Each arrangement included an array of coral and blush blooms in wrought-iron vessels. Place settings showcased gilt-rimmed goblets and tableware, and each also displayed a wedding favor – a small bottle of tequila. Wooden rafters suspended long chandeliers, both pastoral and sophisticated in design, featuring twisting vines and greenery above each lighting fixture.

“Bobby and I incorporated Spanish and Mexican traditions into our wedding celebration,” Peyton remarks. “Dinner included a taco bar with corn and flour tortillas, fresh halibut and shrimp enchiladas with creamy chipotle sauce, and slow cooked pork chili verde, all served with Mexican rice and pinto beans. We also had a four-tier semi-naked cake which included a Mexican vanilla layer.” Of course, the cultural influences didn’t stop at the delicious cuisine. “The entertainment for our wedding was absolutely amazing,” Bobby tells of their electric violinist and DJ. “They played everything we asked for: mostly the popular songs, but also some Cumbia music for my family that loves to dance. I had to teach Peyton how to salsa!” When conjuring up her favorite memory, the bride had to include their first dance, which included their young son.