One summer's day in 2014 Sam and Rachel found themselves at a mutual friend's backyard pool party. Sam was helping in the garden clear out a dead tree when Rachel walked in. Sam was barefoot, bare shouldered and wielding a chainsaw, Rachel took one look at Sam and thought, “Who is this crazy, beautiful person?” Two weeks later Sam invited Rachel to a Vacationer + HelloGoodbye concert at the Fillmore in San Francisco and the two have been dreaming big, gardening and dancing together ever since. On the magical night of Friday, October 13th 2023, at the historical Potrero Hill Neighborhood House in San Francisco, in the presence of their closest friends and family, Rachel and Sam committed to one another for the rest of their lives. Understanding that love is dynamic and fluid, we celebrate the eternal connection between Sam and Rachel, no matter what physical form their love may take. On this night we held space to appreciate what fortunate coincidences create our fate. The magical blend of just the right conditions, elements, and energies that comprise our universe. The way it all works. The way we are. That we are at all. All the stars that aligned to bring us all together, to this moment in time, celebrating the great good fortune of love between Samantha Hoffman and Rachel Helzer. Despite whatever some might think is unlucky, we somehow managed to gather together, on Friday the 13th with joy and hope. Let us hold thanks for the miraculousness of existence and count our blessings. Love is Love, and Love Wins. Thank you for being a part of our story.

We are not promised tomorrow, and the present moment is all we really have. It took a long time to get to the moment of Samantha and Rachel's elopement. It started in 2008, marching for marriage equality. The lucky couple found eachother in 2014. Rachel's father passed away in 2018. Survived a pandemic in 2020, and the loss of Sam’s beloved dog in 2021. A lot happens in 9 years, The birth of nieces and nephews, adventures in Bali, and Europe, entrepreneurship, a blossoming garden and a new pup, welcome home Elton John. For better or worse, in sickness and in health, Samantha and Rachel have been choosing to love each other through it all. The couple decided there was no more time to lose, and seized the moment! On October 11th 2022, Rachel and Samantha were officially married in a small ceremony at San Francisco City Hall. Although they kept that ceremony private, they truly wanted to celebrate with all of their friends and family. That was the wedding dream from the beginning and they are so excited to finally be celebrating their happily ever after with you now. Sam and Rachel eloped on October 11th 2022 at San Francisco City Hall. Pre pandemic Rachel and Sam had begun looking at rings and dreaming up big wedding plans. Wanting to bring their families & friends together from Ohio and all across the U.S. to California. Like so many love birds, 2020 put their wedding dreams on hold. That year was hard, and put both Rachel & Sam to the test. They grew stronger and closer as the world spun madly on. Love is patient but they had waited long enough and the pair decided to elope at the historic San Francisco City Hall. Although they kept the ceremony private, they truly wanted to celebrate with all of their friends and family. That was the wedding dream from the beginning and they are so excited to finally be celebrating their happily ever after with you now.