Melanie and Sofian warmly invite you to join us as we say “I do” and celebrate this beautiful new chapter together, surrounded by the people we love most.
Wednesday, Aug 06, 2025
Ceremony: 4pm—5pm
Reception: 6pm—10pm
Check out: 12pm on Aug 7th
We’ll kick things off with a heartfelt ceremony at Sacred Mountain Ranch, followed by a cozy reception right on the property. Dress to impress in your favorite formal attire, and get ready for a night filled with love, laughter, and a whole lot of dancing.
We’ll be in the town of Julian, California
Our wedding celebration will be held in the charming town of Julian, California. Just an hour outside of San Diego, Julian is a small, historic mountain town known for its Gold Rush history, apple orchards, and cozy, laid-back vibe. Nestled in the mountains, it’s the perfect escape from the city, offering beautiful views, fresh mountain air, and a touch of California’s rustic charm. We hope you’ll enjoy this special place as much as we do!
Sacred Mountain Ranch
Our venue, Sacred Mountain Ranch, is a hidden gem nestled on 61 private acres in Julian. With views of ancient oaks, manzanita trees, and the breathtaking California landscape, it’s a space that feels both secluded and magical. Sacred Mountain combines rustic charm with understated elegance, making it the perfect backdrop for our wedding day.
From the Sunset Plateau to the Secret Garden, this venue offers a variety of beautiful settings that will make every moment unforgettable. We can’t wait to share this incredible space with you as we celebrate our love!
A Special Stay in Julian
Since our wedding will be an intimate celebration with around 60 of our closest friends and family, we wanted to make it a truly special experience by creating a shared stay for everyone. Julian is about an hour’s drive from San Diego, so we thought, why not make it a little getaway? That’s why we’re thrilled to offer accommodations for all our guests right on the Ranch property on the night of the wedding, August 6th!
The Ranch has a variety of shared homes and individual rooms, from cozy lodges to homey spaces; so you can relax, celebrate, and wake up surrounded by friends and family. Plus, we’d love to share a breakfast together the next morning before we all check out at 12 p.m. It’s our way of making sure everyone feels part of the celebration from start to finish.
If you’d prefer a different arrangement, there are several charming hotels nearby in Julian where you can book a room instead. We’ll share more details soon to help you plan, but please know that we’d be delighted to host you at the Ranch if that’s your preference.
Here’s a quick look at our plans for the wedding week:
August 5th, 2025 (Tuesday)
Sofian and Melanie Arrive - We’ll be heading to Julian on Tuesday evening to settle in. If anyone would like to arrive early and make it a longer getaway, you’re more than welcome! You can book accommodations at one of the nearby hotels in Julian for the night. (Julian is a small town, so the Ranch is just a 2-minute drive from the town center.)
August 6th, 2025 (Wednesday)
Arrival at the Ranch - The Ranch opens up for all guests at 10 a.m., so you’re welcome to come by anytime after that to settle in and get comfortable. We’ll be spending the day getting ready and doing pre-wedding activities, but feel free to explore the property and make yourselves at home.
Ceremony and Reception - The wedding will begin around 4 p.m. and will wrap up at 10 p.m.
After-Party in Town - For those interested, we’re planning a casual get-together in Julian after the wedding ends. We’d love to keep the celebration going with you!
August 7th, 2025 (Thursday)
Casual Breakfast - We’d love to have a simple breakfast together on the morning after the wedding before we all check out. Nothing fancy, just a relaxed, cozy breakfast to start the day.
Check-Out - All guests need to check out by 12 p.m., and from there, we’ll be heading back to San Diego.
We’re so grateful to have you join us for this celebration and can’t wait to make unforgettable memories together in this beautiful setting!
The Bride
Melanie was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and moved to the U.S. with her family at age 4, growing up in West Palm Beach, Florida. Some of her favorite childhood memories are of beach days with her brothers and cousins, splashing in the ocean and exploring the Florida coast. In her teens, her family moved to Ocala, a quiet equestrian town in central Florida, which remains home for her family today.
Melanie’s love for creativity and tech has taken her on quite a journey. She started her career in social media, then ventured into IT project management before diving into the world of AI as a conversation designer. Since 2020, she’s worked as a AI consultant, and marketing helping women bring their brands to life through marketing and design. Along the way, she’s lived in Los Angeles, Canada, and even MedellĂn, Colombia, where she met Sofian.
Today, Melanie feels incredibly blessed to be building a life in San Diego with Sofian and their Rottweiler, Saber. Outside of work, she loves staying active, going for long walks, learning new design skills, and making little videos to capture life’s moments. For her, each day feels like a new adventure with Sofian and Saber by her side.
The Groom
Sofian was born and raised in Weert, a charming town in the south of the Netherlands, where he built lifelong friendships and memories. Growing up, you’d find him playing soccer with his buddies from John F. Kennedy Elementary and Philips van Horne Middle School or cheering on his favorite team, Ajax. His journey took him to the University of Tilburg, where he earned his master’s degree and set his sights on the world of high-tech and data.
In 2020, Sofian took a leap that would change everything. He accepted a role with ASML and moved to the United States, diving headfirst into new adventures and his work in data solutions. The U.S. may be far from his Dutch roots, but Sofian quickly found his rhythm, balancing his love for Ajax, the New England Patriots, and F1 with a new love for California’s sunny coast.
Beyond his passion for sports, Sofian’s heart beats for exploration and adventure. He’s a music and movie enthusiast, always seeking out the next great story or playlist. And these days, his favorite memories are made right here in San Diego, alongside Melanie and their loyal Rottweiler, Saber. Together, they’re embracing each new adventure, one sunny day at a time.
Our Story
It all started in the vibrant city of MedellĂn, Colombia. Melanie was living there at the time, immersed in a mix of Colombian and American communities, traveling and working remotely for a couple of years. Sofian, on the other hand, was living in San Francisco but had always felt a pull towards visiting South America. With just enough travel points to make it happen, he took the plunge and booked a flight to MedellĂn. Looking back, it’s clear that God had a plan.
The day Sofian landed, their paths crossed. From that first dinner with friends, there was an undeniable spark. They bonded over their shared love of travel, swapping stories and showing each other photos of the places they’d been. Every conversation seemed to bring them closer together, whether it was about favorite destinations or dreams of future adventures.
They spent a few days of Sofian's week in Colombia connecting over shared laughs, long talks, and group gatherings, but it wasn’t until after he left that they both finally admitted their feelings. The connection was mutual, and from that point on, everything just fell into place.
Now, that same spark they felt in MedellĂn is what keeps them laughing, exploring, and creating memories together. They both feel deeply grateful that God brought them together, guiding their steps from different corners of the world to meet in the perfect place, at the perfect time.
We’re so blessed to have you join us as we celebrate this next chapter of our journey together.
Thank you also for being part of this beautiful story!
FAQs
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Our wedding is formal attire, so feel free to get dressed up! We suggest suits for men and long or cocktail dresses for women. Julian can get a bit cooler in the evenings, so consider bringing a light jacket or wrap to stay cozy as the night goes on.
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We’re working on transportation options but we can’t make any promises just yet. Julian is about an hour’s drive from San Diego, and there’s plenty of parking at the Ranch if you’re driving yourself. If possible, carpooling is a great idea! And if you need help coordinating a ride, just let us know. We also recommend renting a car if San Diego, if you plan on staying a bit longer. :) Please let us know if you need any suggestions.
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Absolutely! We’re thrilled to welcome the little ones to our celebration. We’ll have a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of room for everyone to enjoy. If you have any special needs for the kiddos, just give us a heads-up!
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We’re covering accommodations for the night of the wedding, August 6th, right at the Ranch. If you’d prefer a little extra privacy or a different setup, there are a few lovely hotels nearby in Julian. Head over to our “Accommodations” section for more details.
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Absolutely! If you want to turn this into a little getaway, you’re welcome to stay in Julian on the night of August 5th. We’ll be arriving that evening, so feel free to join us in town! Just let us know, and we can suggest some nearby hotel options.
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Julian is typically warm during the day and cools down in the evening. In August, expect sunny skies with daytime temps around 80°F (27°C) and a comfortable 60°F (15°C) at night. Perfect for a summer celebration!
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The Ranch opens up for everyone at 10 a.m. on August 6th, so come anytime after that to settle in, explore, and relax. Our ceremony will start around 4 p.m., but we’d love for you to get comfortable and enjoy the day.
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Yes! Julian is a charming little mountain town known for its famous apple pies, cozy shops, and scenic nature trails. If you’re arriving early or staying a bit longer, it’s the perfect spot for some extra exploring.
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Yes, of course! We’ll have a full reception with dinner, drinks, and dessert to keep you fueled for the celebration. Plus, we’d love for you to join us for a casual breakfast the next morning before checkout at 12pm.
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Check-out from the Ranch is at 12 p.m. on August 7th. We’ll have a casual breakfast together that morning to say goodbye before we all head out.
