Julie Benz & Rich Orosco’s wedding at the Sowden House. You can also see some of their wedding photos published in US Weekly here. Funny story – Julie & Rich are how I met my husband, the year after I photographed their wedding. Full story at the bottom of this post.

Julie Benz & Rich Orosco were how I met my husband:

I was in Venice Beach with a couple girlfriends. We had brunch and were day drinking. Our last stop – we decided to sit down at a restaurant called Gjelina for dessert.

It started to get dark, so we decided to call it a day. We called for an Uber.

On the App you can see where your driver is and how long they will take before arriving. “What’s the driver doing?” we said, as we saw him driving in circles like he was lost. 7 minutes went by.

Right before the driver arrived, I look around the corner and heard someone say, “Chang!”

It was Rich Orosco. Julie trailed behind him. With him were 3 very handsome men. Really. It was a combination of professional soccers players and some dude who played Spartacus on tv. (Pete wasn’t with them yet, but I’ll get there).

Rich: “What are you doing? We’re having dinner with friends inside (Gjelina), do you want to join us?.”

I looked at their friends and didn’t want to seem desperate. I also didn’t want to be that obvious biatch who ditches her friends as we were getting into the Uber.

“Well.. my friend works at the bar down the street and I was considering saying hi to her. I’ll see if she’s there to say hi. If not I’ll come join you guys.”

I looked at my girlfriends. They said, “Yeah, why don’t you go. We’re going home.”

Rich: “Ok, we’ll be on the back patio if you decide to join.”

I called my friend Quendi who works at the bar down the street who didn’t pick up. Oh goodie, I have an excuse as to why I can join them for dinner. I walked to the back patio of Gjelina.

First I saw Drake (yes, he was there that night), and then I saw another handsome salt-and-pepper man who had joined Julie & Rich for dinner. I walked over and looked at him.

Rich: “You made it! This is Pete. He works here – CFO of Gjelina. He’ll be hosting us.”

In that moment I thought, “Hm.” It was a moment of calm + curiosity. And I’m not saying that to sound stupid romantic! It’s the truth. When you meet the right person that’s a common feeling you get.

Throughout dinner Pete was laser focused on me and asked a zillion questions. He wasn’t really talking to anyone else, not even the professional soccer player with the long Fabio hair. After I learned what a huge soccer fan Pete is, and he still chose stranger-me over soccer Fabio dude.

After dinner we walked out of the restaurant.

Rich: “Where did you park, Chang?”

“I Ubered here. We were day drinking.”

Pete: “I can drive you home. My truck is a couple blocks away – I have just have to bike home to get it.”

(Typical) Me: “Oh that’s ok – I can call an Uber.”

Julie shoots me a look. “Let Pete drive you to your car.” She smiles.

“Ok…”

I jumped on the handlebars of his bike and we rode to his truck. When he dropped me off he said, “So I’d love to take you out to dinner sometime.”

And that is how I met my husband Pete.

Julie Benz & Rich Orosco’s Wedding

Not to play favorites but Julie Benz & Rich Orosco’s wedding at the Sowden House holds some significance for this very reason. Don’t forget to check out where their wedding was featured in US Weekly!