Lombardi House

Rehearsal Dinner

Welcome Party

Wedding Ceremony

Wedding Reception

Sunday Brunch

Our Wedding

One day in April 2015, Darian (then a junior at Stanford University) made a stop at Claremont McKenna College on his way to a music festival, where friends briefly introduced him to Melanie (then a sophomore at Claremont McKenna College). Darian caught Melanie's eye and she never forgot him. A year later in the spring of 2016, Melanie and a friend made an overnight stop at Stanford, where her friend's boyfriend attended school, before they'd continue up to Sonoma for the weekend. After returning from a Senior Night out, Darian was pleased to see Melanie sleeping in his dorm room the next morning and joined for her campus tour "just so he could flirt with her." Melanie and Darian kept in touch over the next year, with Darian visiting Melanie at Claremont McKenna College on his drive out to Texas, and in the spring of 2017, Melanie flew to visit Darian in Houston for the first time. While Melanie was living in San Francisco and Darian was living in Houston, they made their relationship official as a long-distance couple. In 2019, Melanie made the move to Texas, and she and Darian enjoyed a blissful few months together before Darian departed for France as an ex-pat. Miss Rona then made her appearance, and fast-forward to 2021, Melanie and Darian moved to Austin, Texas. For their 6th anniversary, Melanie and Darian traveled to Puerto Rico where they fell in love with the local cuisine, architecture, and snorkeling scene. On a secluded beach in complete privacy after snorkeling and collecting sea shells, Darian proposed to Melanie amidst the sun and salty sea. In 2024, Melanie and Darian returned to California and are thrilled to celebrate their love with a wedding in Los Angeles, a city where they spent much special time early in their relationship and which they are very fond of.

Our Story

Photos

Melanie and younger sister Valerie are not only built-in best friends, but they were actually mistaken for twins when they were young!

Valerie Keneally

Melanie's older sister Natalie has been a role model of hers as long as she can remember--or at least since Natalie took home the gold medal in a cake competition and Melanie earned silver.

Natalie Daifotis

Erin is one of Melanie's oldest friends (they've known each other since Kindergarten) and is like a third sister.

Erin Wilson

Rachel is one of Melanie's first friends from Texas, who lovingly welcomed her into the Houston Fam, and they've been inseparable ever since.

Rachel Marsh

Sam is one of Melanie's first friends from Texas, and while they met in Houston, they are both from the 203 (IYKYK) and were destined to be friends!

Samantha Albright

Jess is one of Melanie's first friends from Texas, and when Jess moved to Colorado, Melanie hardly needed excuses to visit her...from skiing to thrifting to eating their way around Golden together!

Jess Schulz

Melanie and Darian's younger sister Araceli are two peas in a pod, sharing a love of sweet treats, animals, and more!

Araceli Orozco

Melanie and Darian's older sister Kelina bonded quickly, as they both played field hockey and appreciate art & design.

Kelina Orozco

Darian and Joe have been best friends for over 20 years. Forever keeping Darian cool, they're reunited in LA living in the same city for the first time since high school. 

Joe Valrey

Nicolo, Darian's younger brother, has always had a great admiration for him and is now engaged to a woman whose name also begins with an M.

Nicolo Orozco

Dave became one of Darian's first friends in Houston, quickly bonding over Jim Harbaugh football and undoing buttoned shirts to manage the Texas heat. 

Dave Marsh

Tom and Darian's friendship spans from crag to club. Always looking for opportunities to romp through the mountains or a house music show.

Tom Schulz

Rich has been with Darian on almost every big climbing trip. Always pushing each other out of their comfort zones and summiting big mountains.

Rich Borger

Wedding Party

LAX is located approximately 25 miles from Hollywood where our room blocks are located.

Los Angeles International Airport

Burbank Airport is located approximately 8 miles from Hollywood where our hotel room block is located.

Hollywood Burbank Airport

Standard King and Queen/Queen rooms available

Kimpton Everly Hotel

Travel & Accommodations

Take a tour of the most expensive stadium in the world. They offer 60-minute guided tours 7 days a week: <a href="https://am.ticketmaster.com/lased/tours" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://am.ticketmaster.com/lased/tours</a> Fun Fact: Melanie and Darian saw the Broncos play here in December! Even though the Broncos lost, they had a blast and Melanie devoured the Beyond Meat hot dog sold at SoFi.

SoFi Stadium

A short drive from downtown Los Angeles, Malibu Creek State Park offers rock climbing (one of Darian's favorite spots), hiking, mountain biking, and more.

Malibu Creek State Park

One of Melanie's favorite gluten and dairy free bakeries of all time! Don't sleep on their donuts and cookie sandwiches - YUM!

Erin McKenna's Bakery LA

Check out Melanie's alma mater in Claremont, CA, which is driving distance (less than 1 hour) from Los Angeles. Melanie can share a list of Claremont favorites (Meat Cellar, 21 Choices Frozen Yogurt, and Some Crust Bakery are just a few!).

Claremont McKenna College

Offering hiking, rock climbing, and breathtaking Mars-like landscapes, Joshua Tree National Park is one of Melanie and Darian's favorite spots to visit and is only 2 hours east of Los Angeles.

Melanie & Darian

Melanie & Darian

Travel & Accommodations

Los Angeles International Airport

Hollywood Burbank Airport

Kimpton Everly Hotel