Engagement Photos!

We had a wonderful engagement photography session with Natalie Franke Photography at sunrise yesterday. Here are some of our favorites! 

Wedding Info!

The nuptials are to be held at First United Methodist Church of Montgomery, Alabama, on 5 April 2014, with a reception at the Montgomery Country Club. (So look for your invitation in the mail!)

In June, we are going to have an additional party in Portugal to celebrate with our friends and family “across the pond”!

Honeymoon Destination: TBD (We’d love your suggestions!)

Registries

We have registered at several different locations to accommodate our many wonderful and diverse friends/family members. Because of space and shipping convenience issues, we appreciate gift cards as much as tangible gifts!

We have each other and everything we could ever ask for, but many others out there are far less fortunate -- Miguel can attest firsthand through his work at the World Bank and the World Trade Organization. If you would prefer, we would love for you to celebrate our wedding by making a donation to Heifer Project International. A Little Rock, Arkansas - based charity, Heifer Project International provides animals and other goods to needy families and communities worldwide, creating sustainable food sources and incomes. You can do this through our I Do Foundation page: https://www.idofoundation.org/cgi-bin/viewdonations.cgi?OccasionID=164334

You can find registries for us at the links listed below:

• Bed, Bath and Beyond: http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/regGiftRegistry.asp?wrn=%2D683511426& 

• Crate and Barrel: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/Gift-Registry/Abigail-Smith-and-Miguel-Santana/r5053006

• REI: http://www.rei.com/GiftRegistryDetails/GR3446607

• Williams-Sonoma: https://secure.williams-sonoma.com/registry/2zrglrdl8v/registry-list.html

If you would like to have a gift shipped, please send it to:

Abigail Smith/ Miguel Santana
1100 E. Pleasant Grove Road
Montgomery, Alabama 36105
USA

Our Story!

Though our story is not very long as of yet, we know it will be one for the ages!

Abigail and Miguel met through the Georgetown University Triathlon Team, with wonderful conversation that quickly led to salads…and sparks! Abigail was a second semester senior in the School of Foreign Service and was ready to be “young, wild and free” in the “Big Apple”. Little did she know it, but she was about to be swept off her feet!

Miguel (the smarty-pants of the two) was working towards a Masters in International Business, Tax and Trade Law. Though born in Lisbon, Portugal, he had lived all over the world, and he regaled Abigail with stories of life abroad.

She loved his international perspective and sweet smile. He loved her ability to speak Portuguese and her love of life. It didn’t take long for either to realize that they would be together for a very, very long time. Soon, they were together nearly every day, becoming “inseparable and insufferable”, not only partners in crime, but partners in just about everything!

On 25 June 2013, Miguel proposed to Abigail during a two-week trip to meet his parents. It had only been five months, but both knew that they never wanted to be without the other. He dropped to one knee on the balcony of the Hotel Albatross in Cascais, Portugal, over champagne. Even though they both knew it was coming, she sobbed uncontrollably (a hopeless romantic), prompting Miguel to say, “You know, usually people say something when asked that question.” Abigail then proceeded to get the ring stuck on her finger and had to go to the bathroom to remove it with cold water and soap (Thankfully, the “ring situation” has since been sorted out!) The event was giggly and a little awkward, but for those who know the pair, it was wonderful nonetheless.

Now the two are not only busy planning their April 2014 wedding but are also preparing for a big move in late August to Geneva, Switzerland, where Miguel has accepted an offer as a Legal Associate at the World Trade Organization. Their immediate plans include getting a dog, perfecting their French and training for 10K races and triathlons! She’s “soon – to – be – Santana”, but, for now, they’re simply “Abi-guel”.

O amor e marvelhoso, do certo! (Love is certainly marvelous!)