“My wedding was seriously a dream come true and I wish I could go back and freeze time because it was literally that AMAZING!”
Those are the words we love to hear after any couple says “I do” on a Hornblower yacht. With Monica and Michael, we didn’t even have to ask them — they were beaming the entire day.
We’re lucky to call Monica part of the Hornblower family. As the Charter Sales Manager in San Diego, Monica is no stranger to planning a great event. Inspired by the yachts she works on, Monica knew she wanted a big yacht wedding surrounded by plenty of her loved ones — and that stunning San Diego skyline.

How did you two meet?
Monica: We met in high school and dated for three years. I moved out to San Diego for college and we broke up because I wanted to do my own thing. We still talked and were still friends, but we weren’t dating. He ended up getting another girlfriend and just immediately, I was like “oh no” and it hit me that he was the one I wanted to be with. Two years later he moved out to San Diego, but only for a year. Most of our relationship has been long distance. I remember waking up one morning and knowing I was in it forever. He was the person I wanted to be with.

What’s the story of your engagement?
M: We got engaged April 3rd, 2017, which is actually a special number for us. Michael’s lucky number is 43 and my lucky number is 17, so when we were younger we always talked about getting engaged on that date. When 2017 rolled around we started talking about getting engaged and Michael told me he couldn’t afford a ring so he wouldn’t propose on that date. Little did I know, he already had a ring!
He took me to Mr. A’s for lunch and wanted to get a picture of us with the view, since you can see all of San Diego from their restaurant. Next thing I knew he was on his knee. Looking back, I can see that he was definitely acting differently, but in that moment, I had no idea it was going to happen. I was in complete shock. Obviously, I said yes!

Had you two ever talked about your wedding vision before getting engaged?
M: If it were up to him, we would go to court and have a random witness. But I knew I wanted a big wedding and working for Hornblower, I knew what a yacht wedding could look like.

What did your wedding planning look like?
Working at Hornblower, I had a lot of connections with our vendors so I already knew who I wanted for my wedding. I also had a vision and was going to do whatever I needed to make it happen. At first, Michael and I were both so excited, but by the time the wedding came around, I was so ready to be married so I didn’t have to deal with it anymore. That being said, after seeing how everything turned out, it was totally worth it. Honestly, everything was perfect.
Do you have any advice for couples when planning their wedding?
I have two! First, don’t be afraid to be strict with your guest list. It’s your day. That’s something I wish I would have done because it made our guest number increase more than we planned.
Lastly, it’s really easy to stress over every penny, but don’t! It is completely worth it in the end. It will absolutely be the best day ever.

What was your favorite memory from the wedding?
The entire thing was seriously AMAZING! It was everything and more then what I imagined. I really do not have one favorite!
What was the best part about getting married on a yacht?
The views and the weather. It’s really unlike any other venue I could have imagined.

Boat: Inspiration Hornblower
Guests: 314 people
Vendors:
Event Elements: booked through Hornblower
Photographer: Laura Christin Photography
Dress: The White Flower Bridal Boutique
Bride Make-up Artist- Kristen Rios
Bridesmaid Make-up Artist: Danielle Evans
Bride Hair: Taylor Ramirez at Plush Hair Studio
Invitations: My Luxe Wedding
Menu cards, bar signs, welcome sign, and grab a drink sign: Jillian Stonick
Photo booth and uplighting: Prestige Audio & Entertainment
Video: Control Entertainment and Hatch 86
Drone footage: Dragan Radoicic at Altitude Cam
Lounge Furniture, Wedding Arc, and seating: Pacific Event Production
Florals: Kenner and Sons
Pipe and Drape: Chiavari Chairs of San Diego
DJ, LED Walls, and Entertainment: Control Entertainment
Grand Entrance Wedding Announcer: Voice by Duffy