By Heather Cole – Bekker’s Catering | Expert Advice
I met my friends (and brides-to-be,) Brooke and Veronica in December of 2013. They had heard about our company online, and came in to discuss their catering & planning needs. 
They initially met with the owner of our company, and she texted me at home to tell me “I booked your new favorite couple today.”
I knew immediately that we would get along and from the beginning; I was touched by their love for one another, and the happiness and understanding with which they approached planning their wedding. I thought it would be fitting to share their love story in honor of pride week, seeing as their wedding is the Sunday of pride weekend!
Veronica and Brooke met in the summer of 2012. Brooke was in the navy, and after her second deployment she wanted to find a church in San Diego. She visited the Metropolitan Community Church of San Diego, and after the service Veronica stood up and introduced herself. After a simple handshake, Brooke got in her car and drove away … for five minutes. She returned to talk to Veronica but an older woman from the church stepped in and invited Brooke to brunch, and she never made it back in.
After about three months of staring from across the room, Brooke finally got the courage to talk to Veronica. They attended an adult bible study group together, and when they held hands to pray at the end of the evening, they both knew there was something going on between them. They went on their first official date in November of 2012, and Brooke told Veronica “you’re going to like me a lot more than you anticipate.” Truer words were never spoken. They spent countless evenings talking until dawn, and made their relationship official on Thanksgiving of 2012. After just under a year of dating, Brooke popped the question on September 3, 2013 and Veronica said yes!
A few months later, they found me, and we’ve been having a blast planning the wedding of their dreams ever since! Brooke grew up in Bryceville, Florida so she pictured a rustic setting for their nuptials. It took a little convincing to get Veronica on board, but after she visited their venue-to-be for the first time in Julian, she knew that they would be married amongst the pines. Brooke and Veronica will be moving to Colorado in August, after their honeymoon, so this will be their last San Diego Pride celebration. What better way to remember us than a wedding!
Planning a wedding is never easy, and planning a same-sex wedding is no different. There were hurdles, but Veronica & Brooke approached the wedding-planning process with open minds, reasonable expectations, and a great attitude. We found vendors who share their enthusiasm and a perfect venue to welcome their friends and family on their wedding day. This Pride weekend will, for them, be the ultimate Pride celebration. As we take this weekend to celebrate love in all its many incarnations, I am so grateful to be able to share this special day with such a special couple. I know it will be a Pride weekend that I will never forget!
