written by Katie Chancellor
photography by Memories by Lauren
When Michele Uhl first arrived in San Antonio, she had no intention of staying longer than a semester. She came from Ida Grove, Iowa as a student teacher but was soon offered a teaching position as a third grade teacher at Bulverde Creek Elementary School. Even with a full-time job, she still always thought she would return home within a year or two. At least, that was her plan before she met Alex Saenz.
Hair & Makeup: Hair: Bernice Lorensy-cousin of the groom; Makeup: Bare Escentuals-applied by Jessica Watts www.bareescentuals.com
Men's Formal Wear: Rex Formal Wear
210-824-2889
Favors: Created by the mother of the bride
Ceremony Music: Songs sung by Ashley Uhl,-sister of the bride
accompianed by the church organist
Reception Music: DJ-cousin of the groom
210-687-9264
Honeymoon: Cruise to the Caribbean & South Padre Island
Linens: San Antonio Rentals & Party Planning
Michele and Alex first met while they were both out with friends. She happened to walk past Alex motivating an interesting reaction from him. On a whim, he called out to her "How you doin'?" à la Joey Tribbiani in a classic line from the television show Friends. "I think he just wanted to see if I'd stop and say something, and I did!" said Michele, who admits that she is usually fairly shy but decided to respond that night. After a first meeting like that, it was clear to the two of them that they were going to get along well.
Although they have many similarities, the two of them come from very different backgrounds. Michele's small hometown in Iowa could not be more opposite from the city of San Antonio where Alex grew up. They had a lot to learn from each other. However, as Michele and Alex became closer, they quickly discovered many common characteristics between them. They connected on their love of outdoor activities like tubing and fishing as well as their similarly laid-back personalities. "We just get along!" said Michele. They also love to laugh and joke often with each other.
After their first meeting in 2002, the couple dated for five years before becoming engaged. "He never thought he would get married," said Michele, "He was asked quite often by our family and friends, and he always said that we were just fine the way we were." When Alex finally bought an engagement ring five years later, Michele was completely unaware of it. He carried the ring around in his pocket for weeks waiting for the perfect moment to propose.
Michele's parents were visiting the couple during Thanksgiving break, and they all decided to go to the Gristmill restaurant in Gruene, Texas. After a relaxing outdoor dinner overlooking the Guadalupe River, Michele's parents left the table to pay for their meal. "I thought they were in on it, but they didn't know either," said Michele. Alex asked her to stay at the table and watch the scenery for a few minutes. She thought he was just being sentimental since they had many fond memories of tubing down the river. When she questioned him, he responded, "Well, what if I ask you to marry me?" to which she replied astonished, "Are you kidding me?" Once she saw the ring and realized he was serious, she answered with an enthusiastic "Yes!"
While they began planning their wedding, Michele stayed busy with her job as a teacher while Alex worked as a district manager for Pocket Communications. The couple decided to have their wedding the following summer and selected July 19 for the date.
The decision of where to have the ceremony was simple. They quickly chose the Little Church of LaVillita near the Riverwalk in San Antonio. This place was special to them because it is where Alex first asked Michele to date him and only him after four months of seeing each other. Because of the large number of family and friends they wanted to include on their wedding day, they decided on an intimate ceremony preceding the reception. "We wanted to keep it small and have a bigger reception to include everyone," said Michele.
Before the service began mid-afternoon, Michele and Alex had a special moment together when they saw each other for the first time that day. "My sister, Ashley covered his eyes and stood him in front of me. It makes me choke up still!" said Michele. After opening his eyes and seeing her, the couple spent a few quiet minutes alone to talk before the events of the day began.
During the formal ceremony, Michele and Alex exchanged traditional vows and gave a rose to their mothers after lighting a unity candle. Michele's six bridesmaids and one junior bridesmaid wore chocolate brown dresses and carried ivory roses. Her dress was an ivory strapless gown with a champagne-colored ribbon. Around one hundred family members and close friends attended the ceremony at LaVillita.
Michele and Alex planned the reception to begin a few hours after the ceremony. They wanted their out-of-town guests to enjoy the Riverwalk area and relax before the evening reception at the beautiful, La Fontana Springs Event Center in northwest San Antonio. Guests were invited to arrive at the beautiful Hill Country location at five o'clock to enjoy an outdoor cocktail hour with a chocolate fountain and h'or d'oeuvres before the bridal party arrived.
Continuing the colors from the ceremony, decorations in chocolate brown, ivory, and champagne adorned the reception area. San Antonio Rentals and Party Planning assisted with setting up the arrangements. Brown silk tablecloths, ivory napkins and silk chair covers adorned with chocolate-colored bows, all provided by Wedding Connection, added a special flare of elegance to the décor of the evening. Centerpieces with ivory roses and lilies and touches of willow branch sprigs added to the sophistication of the table settings. Favors of heart-shaped boxes filled with white and milk chocolate-swirled Hershey's kisses were included at each plate.
Guests at the reception dined on a delicious meal of chicken piccata, roasted potatoes, and buttery green bean almandine provided by La Fontana Springs. Michele's Aunt, Jean Uhl made the three-tiered ivory wedding cake that was covered with chocolate dots and included an "S" monogram at the top. She also provided the sports-themed groom's cake, which she decorated with a Dallas Cowboys helmet and San Antonio Spurs jersey to showcase Alex's favorite teams.
A mariachi band of six serenaded everyone during dinner. Guests were also treated to a slideshow featuring childhood pictures of the bride and groom and of them as a couple. After dinner, the dancing began with DJ music provided by Alex's cousin, Manuel Carranza. For their first dance as a married couple, Michele and Alex chose the song "Love of My Life" by Sammy Kershaw.
As the evening ended and guests were leaving, the bridal party was led outside for a surprise serenade by a small mariachi band. Instead of a traditional send-off at the reception, Michele and Alex spent their wedding night in a quiet, romantic cabin on the property of La Fontana Springs.
The following morning, the newly married couple joined their immediate family members for a fun road trip to South Padre Island where they spent four days relaxing and enjoying the beach. Following their coastal getaway, Michele and Alex returned to their home in northwest San Antonio where they currently reside.
