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The wedding may be over, but the memories live on forever.
Let’s do the damn thing
Get more info ⬇️The wedding may be over, but the memories live on forever.
Michael and I met towards the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic— as if dating in LA wasn’t already hard enough!?
I had moved from Sacramento to LA just a few months before and had my stepsister, Sofia and her friend visiting me. There was a dating app that hosted virtual speed dating and I had signed up to join. I’ll be honest, I hadn’t had the best luck with the speed dating events. I had joined 2 or 3 before and was skeptical that this one would be any more successful. I was veeeeeery close to not joining but Sofia was curious and urged me too. She and her friend curled up on the other end of the couch so they could eaves drop. So I did…
First, I met a guy who was all about salsa dancing (cool but not really my thing) and then another that was waiting in line at a frozen yogurt shop (lol, you can speed date from anywhere these days!). Michael was my last and final match. He had three minutes to woo me, and hit the “like button” 10 seconds after seeing my face. I guess it didn’t take much for me to woo him ;).
Each match starts out with an “ice breaker” question, ours was “what is something you are obsessed with right now?”. Michael was in the middle of studying for his helicopters license and shared that he was, in true Michael Sasser fashion, obsessed with that. Later I would come to find out how true this would be about many things…tennis, anything he could pilot, music, desk organization and 3D printers (just to name a few). I had been really into making tapas, especially baked dates stuffed with goat cheese.
So naturally, with no context, I responded, “putting cheese on my dates.” And Michael with his limited knowledge about foods, took “dates” a different way. And his response was, “I’m imagining cheese all over my chest right now…” At that moment, we found out we were the just the right amount of weird for each-other. We talked on the phone later that night, made plans to hang out two days later. And now, 5 years later, we are still laughing, weirder and more in love than ever. I’ve yet to rub cheese on his chest, but hey, life is long. And we plan on being married for the rest of it.
COVID wasn’t great for dating if you wanted to be safe, but toward the end of 2020 things were opening back up and I was ready to get back out there. But, dating in LA can be tough… and as a guy it can take a lot to capture someone’s attention—especially on the dating apps.
A new app called The League had just come out, offering virtual video speed dating twice a week. I thought “Perfect – a chance to stand out beyond a clever profile and shirtless pictures.” But I knew the competition would be tough, so naturally I Googled for tips on how to impress someone in a sub 3 minute video call.
I got out my professional video light to make sure I looked as good as possible. I carefully chose a background that showed off my stylish home, and I had my helicopter license homework open in front of me so I could say, “Oh hey, you caught me in the middle of studying for my helicopter license. I wasn’t even planning to bring it up, thats crazy.”
After several weeks of ‘speed dates’ being as clever and charming as I could, Danielle appeared on my little screen. The app prompted a question for us, “What have you been obsessed with lately?” I thought, Amazing—a chance to talk about my helicopter license and impress this girl. But being the gentleman I am, I said, “Ladies first.”
She replied, “I’ve been obsessed with putting cheese on my dates.”
I was surprised this woman was so comfortable she’s telling me she enjoys putting cheese on men she goes out with… not only that but she’s been obsessed with it… LATELY? Not realizing she meant the fruit, I just ran with it and we have been laughing about it since.
Later that night, we talked on the phone for an hour, getting to know each other and setting up plans to meet in real life. I guess my helicopter homework strategy worked—because after I got my license, Danielle became my first ever passenger. What an incredibly brave and adventurous girl. Little did I know, it would be the first of a lifetime of adventures for us.
12pm: Arrive anytime after 12p at The Mountain Mermaid
6pm: Taco Truck Dinner!
6:30–7pm: Toasts (Round #1)
7–8pm: Games and hanging out
7–9:30am: Self Serve Breakfast on the Patio
9:30–10:30am: Yoga w/ Dan Ward
11:00am: The Crepe Experience
12–5pm: Hang by the Pool
1–3pm: Tennis
6:00pm: Rehearsal dinner (Sushi!)
6:30pm: Toasts Round #2
7pm: Magician!
7–9 am: Self Serve Breakfast
11:45 am: Immediate Family Photos
12:45pm: Seated for Ceremony
1pm: Ceremony
1:30pm: Cocktail Hour around Pool
3:00pm: Wedding Lunch
3:30pm: Toasts from Family
5:30pm: Song Performances
10:00am: Check out from the Mountain Mermaid
11:00 am – 6:00 pm: Beach party in Santa Monica! Lot 5 South, Santa Monica: Park here: It should be $12 and walk to the tent located at in the map (near Life Guard Tower # 26).
12–3pm: Live Artist
12pm: Lunch
2pm: Wedding Olympics (beach games!)
We would love for you to stay with us on property for the entirety of the celebrations (From Thursday evening 9/25 to Sunday morning 9/28).
(Evening of Thursday 9/25 through Sunday Morning 9/28)
Address:
20421 Callon Dr, Topanga, CA 90290
You’ve been assigned your rooms and we can’t wait for you to see them!
We will be checking out of the Mountain Mermaid Sunday, 9/28 @ 10am.
If you are planning to stay in LA the evening of the 28th, here is list of hotel options close to the beach we will be celebrating at:
Please let us know if you have any questions :)
Temperature averages are 84° during the day and around 64° in the evening, so bring a sweater if you get cold easily (like Sass does)
The vibe is elevated but relaxed—dressed up enough for a celebration, but no need for black tie. Neutral colored flowy fabrics, linen suits, and midi dresses. Need a little color inspiration? Think sage, sand, terracotta, taupe, ivory, and oat.
